A friend of mine is booking a hunt in 2022 with New Zealand Safaris. The PH is Gary Herbert. Does anyone have any knowledge of him or the outfitter?

The guy has a good reputation and I know a few people who have used his operation, with positive outcomes. I ended up going with a different outfit but it wasn't because I saw or heard anything bad about Gary.

That's good info, thanks T.

damn I want to do that

I did it in 2014 and would do it again. NZ is a great country and the Kiwi's are wonderful people.

We hunted with GH in 2016. His operation is fantastic and the lodge 5 star. We had a trip booked for 2020 but covid prevented and NZ was closed. We have paid the deposit and have spoken to Gary late winter to hopefully go back late July. Problem is NZ. If there is merely one or two cases of coved the PM shuts the country down. Gary has no control over this situation.
We will be attending the SCI convention in LasVegas this coming January. Spoke to Gary about this and his reply was that if he attends and has a booth his operation will be in full swing.
BTW, his lodge on the South Island and surrounding area is drop dead gorgeous. Incredible animals, great food, pick up and drop off, very comfortable and Gary is a true gentleman and darn good outfitter. PM me if you require more information. MTG

Who knows when the Wicked Witch of Wellington will open the country up...

My hunt in New Zealand is a close second to my experience in Zimbabwe hunting Cape Buffalo. We did it old school with climbing up after Chamois and Tahr. Absolutely great people and beautiful country.

A return trip is in the works.

diy up an eastern valley for two weeks can be done cheaper then what my out of state mule deer hunts run.

Your experience sounds like mine although I used Kiwi Safaris. Excellent accommodations, food and beverage was top shelf and the hunt was memorable. I took a nice Red Stag and Tahr. Would love to go back again.

Gary's outfit is first rate. Also, at the end of valley where Gary's lodge is, there's a nice trail and huts you can hike too. The lodge will pack you a basket and drop/pick you up if you want to go for a nice scenic hike. Make sure you spend some time touring the South Island after your hunt. We rented a car (had it delivered to the lodge) and did a 3 or 4 day loop around the island. We did a wine tasting tour out of Queenstown that I highly recommend too.

How large is the concession NZ Safaris operates?

anyone do some trout fishing? The place I was looking at had some huge trout pictures on the websight.

You've got that right. Covid Cindy, the control freak.

You guys must be talking about Stalinda Ardern.

Did you mean Jacinda Ardern? Oh wait, I get it now. It took me a moment.

PM sent. MTG

Cindy our Dear Leader of the hermit kingdom

After three years of about zero import hunters I don't know how they can survive. Sad as I had plans to hunt there.

Have attempted to contact outfitter that we have a deposit payed but no answer. Granted, he did say he will contact us if he was attending the SCI convention in LasVegas next week. But, nothing so far. I agree that these outfitters in NZ will have a tough go for it in the future to survive. Who knows? Hoping to bring our trip to fruition. MTG