HUNTING INFORMATION
HUNTING SEASONS
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Trophy Hunting season begins each year in late February and runs until early July. When it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s summer down here in the Southern Hemisphere!
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TRAVELLING TO NEW ZEALAND
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Travelling from the USA offers many direct flight options that leave from Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and JFK to Auckland, which is your point of entry to New Zealand with our preferred airline, Air New Zealand. Upon arrival into Auckland, you will clear customs and agricultural inspection. From there, you can walk (10 minutes between terminals), or catch a shuttle bus to the Domestic terminal (bus departs approximately every 15 minutes). You will then have two flight options to get to Wanganui Safaris (note there are two ways to spell Wanganui/Whanganui).
When contacting a USA travel agent and creating your reservations, please keep in mind that when travelling to New Zealand, you will ‘lose’ a day getting there. For example, if you depart the USA on the 10th, you will arrive in New Zealand on the 12th. On your return trip, if you depart New Zealand on the 20th, you will arrive back in the USA on the 20th. New Zealand is in the NZST New Zealand Standard Timezone.
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There are many restrictions bringing certain items into New Zealand. Have a look at the Air New Zealand restricted items page. It's also very important to note there cannot be excessive dirt/mud on shoes, hunting clothes etc. (including checked-in luggage).
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DOMESTIC FLYING INSTRUCTIONS TO GET TO WANGANUI SAFARIS:
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1. Auckland to Whanganui on Air Chathams www.airchathams.co.nz
A short 1 hour 20 minute drive to the lodge.
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2. Auckland to Palmerston North on Air New Zealand.
www.airnewzealand.com
A then 2 hour and 30 minute drive to the lodge.
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Wanganui Safaris will provide transportation from/to either airport. We will help you plan which flight best suits your needs with your International flight into Auckland.
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For travel outside of America, please reach out to us directly for travel needs, requirements and recommendations.
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If flying to Queenstown to hunt Tahr and/or Chamois, or tour, after hunting with us in the North Island, it's best to reserve the mid-morning/noon Palmerston North to Queenstown flight on Air New Zealand. We recommend reserving the Flexi Plus Fare. This is slightly more expensive, but gives the option to change flight dates and times if needed.
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Another option to travel to the ranch is to rent a car and drive down from Auckland. This is a fantastic way to see the beautiful North Island. Find directions linked at the bottom of this page..
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CHECKLIST FOR BOOKED HUNTERS
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Please click the button below for a printable checklist including, Electronic Travel Authority, Passports, wire and other important travel information.​
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​BEFORE YOUR HUNT TRAVEL
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We recommend giving us a call us upon arrival in New Zealand, to confirm your travel is going well and as planned.
If you happen to get delayed, your flight cancelled or your arrival plans have changed, then we can also update your arrangements to meet your needs accordingly.
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Please email us your travel information including arrival and departure details regarding your trip, no later than 2 weeks before you arrive in New Zealand.
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CONTACT LIST
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New Zealand Hunt Needs: Molly Fothergill: +64279523080 - molly@wsafaris.com
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Paul Bamber’s International Mobile Number: +64272777491​
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Paul Bamber’s Mobile Number In New Zealand: 0272-777491 - wsafaris@xtra.co.nz
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Available for calls or messaging via WhatsApp​
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Travel Agent: Sarah Bamber: +1 207-740-6692
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Available for calls or messaging via WhatsApp​
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NZ TEMPERATURES IN FAHRENHEIT
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February and March: Summer with temperatures between 35°-75°F
April and May: Autumn with temperatures between 32°-65°F
June and July: Winter with temperatures between 28°-55°F
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TROPHY SHIPMENT
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Wanganui Safaris utilizes John Mitchell of NZ Expeditors to prepare, crate and arrange freight to the US for your New Zealand trophies:
Website: www.nzexpediters.co.nz
Phone: +64 27 308 9686
DDI: +64 7 3774719
Email: nzexpediters@gmail.com
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We do not recommend having trophies mounted in New Zealand because of the high freight cost back to the US. However, if you choose this option we can advise on taxidermist options.
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Please bring your Taxidermist name, address, phone and email with you along with your clearance agent's name, address, phone and email to speed up shipping processes.
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SUGGESTED HUNTING GEAR LIST
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New Zealand weather patterns are very unpredictable, and are constantly changing each day and hour. It can rain or snow at anytime of the year. If your hunt is planned for late summer or early autumn (March/April), we recommend you bring one full set of warm hunting clothes, including some type of insulated underwear.
For a February/March trip, we recommend bringing a set of lightweight (summer) clothes. A warm, winter layer should be packed for June, July and August hunts. Our weather is usually very mild, and we do not experience the extreme cold temperatures like those encountered throughout North America. The best way to dress is in layers, and avoid the heavy and bulky items.
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1-2 pairs of hunting trousers – light / medium weight
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2 shirts – one light and one medium weight
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3 pairs of woolen socks
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2 silk or poly material base layer jerseys
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2 pairs of base layer shorts
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1 set of insulating underwear – preferably wool or poly
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1 lightweight jacket
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1 warm hunting jacket
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1 set of high quality lightweight/breathable rain gear – jacket and pants
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2 pairs of gloves – 1 lightweight or leather, the other waterproof
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Warm or insulated hat or cap
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Well broken in CLEAN boots (a good support boot like Meindl-Kenetrek-Lowa style)
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Binoculars (preferably 8 or 10 power, the guides are outfitted with excellent spotting scopes)
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Rangefinder
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Small day pack
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Lightweight flashlight and / or head lamp
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Camera with digital cards or film, along with your 110/220v charger
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Sunglasses
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110/220v New Zealand power converter
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Personal items: It is recommended that you bring at least 2 times the required stay days for prescriptions and daily-required medicines for the duration of your trip to New Zealand. These should also NOT be packed in your luggage, but taken as carry-on to avoid lost baggage delays. Also consider sunscreen, allergy medicine, and any other type of seasonal items which you may require during your trip.
It is a good idea to bring an extra pair of glasses, contacts and daily cleaner, and other essential items for your trip.
Hair dryers and 220v/110v power converters are available at the lodge. If your charging equipment reads 110v-220v & 50-60 Hz on the UL label, you will only need a plug adapter to use your charging equipment in New Zealand (other than at our lodge).
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BRINGING A GUN/BOW INTO NZ
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International travel with firearms is increasingly complex and changing, so even though it is possible to bring guns into New Zealand, we don’t recommend it as the process can be tedious and lengthy. We have a wide selection of 308 and 300 WIN MAG rifles, fitted with top optics and silencers, conveniently available for hire.
Gun hire is $100USD per hunter for the duration of the hunt, and this includes all ammunition.
If you are wanting to bring your own rifle and are willing to go through the process, the link for the New Zealand Firearms Policy is linked HERE with all of the information you need.
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Bows on the other hand are easy to bring into the country and clients have no trouble at all getting them over. You just have to make sure you have two locks on the case. Your bow/case will most likely get classed as an oversized item so it won't come on the conveyor belt with your other luggage, you will have to go to the airline oversized area and collect separately.
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Our NZ Firearms number: Q 0198057
Location where Firearms will be stored is a locked safe at:
Wanganui Safaris 693 Otaranoho Road Jerusalem Wanganui River
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