What's On your mind?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Is it free range or game estate hunting?

    +

    The short answer is BOTH.

    Either option is available at Stravon. Both our Trophy and Wilderness areas have an abundance of high quality game animals.

    Stravon Safaris also offers exclusive access to some of the South Island's finest free range estates - quite literally at our backdoor.

    Guests can choose to stay at Headquarters and access the free range terrain by helicopter, 4WD Rangers or choose to stay out in our wilderness huts and spike camps.

  • When is the best time to hunt & fish in New Zealand?

    +
    Please refer to Our Season page.

  • Are licenses and/or fees required?

    +
    You’ll be pleased to know that hunting in New Zealand requires no licenses, fees or limited seasons for big game hunting.
    However, a license is required for waterfowl hunting and fishing. 
    A one week fishing or bird license costs about US$20.
     
    HUNTING:
    > Visitors Firearms Licence and import permits
     
    FISHING:
    > Non-Resident Licence: If you are a visitor from overseas planning more than a brief fishing trip, you must buy a Non-Resident Licence (NRL).
    > International Visiting Anglers: If you are fishing for only a few hours, or perhaps one or two days, a One Day Licence ($20) gives you the best value.

     

  • Is there a problem bringing a rifle into New Zealand

    +
    Not at all, but you will have to register your rifle with the police at the airport upon your arrival, and you´ll need to pay a NZ$25 fee. 
    We will send you all necessary paperwork before you depart. 
    Plan to pack only your rifle, though. Pistols are not allowed in New Zealand.

  • What Calibre of rifle is best

    +
    Anything between a .270 and a 300. 
    If you would prefer using our guns to hauling your own, we offer .270 and 7mm rifles but we do ask that you let us know ahead of your arrival so that we can reserve a rifle for you.

  • What's the weather like in New Zealand

    +
    The weather in New Zealand can range from cold to shirtsleeve warm. 
    With New Zealand being an island nation, you can experience weather from all of the seasons in a 24 hour period.
    One thing we can almost promise is that you´ll experience rain. 
    Pack your wet weather gear.
     
    > What's the Weather doing at Stravon, right now?

  • What sort of gear will I need to bring?

    +

    Bring all your usual hunting/fishing gear - boots, binoculars, ammo, backpack, flashlight, camera, rain gear, etc. What we say to our guests is that they need to layer their clothes so that if the day starts out nice and then in the afternoon turns for the worst they are prepared for both situations. You’ll find all STRAVON guides fitted out in Stoney Creek apparel. Stoney Creek is New Zealand’s premier hunting & fishing clothing outfitter - lightweight, supremely comfortable and most importantly - 100% dependable. This is why we trust their gear with our guides and why, we have our own Stoney Creek range available for purchase to our guests.

    With New Zealand being a island nation we can experience weather from all of the seasons in a 24 hour period, none more so than the area you’ll find yourself in and this is why we pack accordingly.

    Stravon, Twin Rivers & Dark Sky are found in regions of New Zealand where the weather and climate can turn for the good or bad within a few short hours. Fortunately, today’s technology with weather updates etc allows us to be updated with Mother Nature’s plans BUT the correct attire - when on safari with STRAVON is absolutely crucial.

     

  • How long are the shots?

    +

    Every effort will be made to position the hunter within 150 yards or less, but be proficient at shooting up to 300 yards.

  • Can you assist us with our taxidermy requirements?

    +
    Yes, we most certainly can. 
     
    > Please refer to our Trophy Room page.
       Also, you can contact: info@calibretaxidermy.com
     

  • Where are you located?

    +
    On the eastern face of the Hunters Hills in the South Island of 
    New Zealand, approximately 45 minutes west of Timaru.
    Please visit our Explore page.
     

  • Are photo safaris available?

    +
    Absolutely! 
    We advise all guests to bring their cameras no matter how big or small they are.
     
     

  • Can I Bow Hunt at Stravon?

    +
    Bow Hunting is most welcome here at Stravon. 
    Due to the geography and native bush of Stravon, bowhunters love hunting here as they can use the valleys and bush of Stravon as a cover to silently stalk their prize.

  • Is New Zealand a good place to bring friends/family, even if they don't hunt or fish?

    +
    YES.  
    New Zealand offers the traveler one of the most complete holiday experiences on the planet.
    What can be seen and done here in a matter of minutes let alone one week is quite simply astonishing.

  • Do you do fly fishing safaris without the hunting?

    +
    We sure do!
    These safaris are tailor made as we have many locations but as a rough guide the last half of our Whitebait Run is what we generally like to prescribe our clients with.
     
    > Please refer to our fly fishing, DARK SKY and Twin Rivers pages.
     

  • Is it true you offer FREE Wallaby & Wild Pig hunting at Stravon?

    +
    Yes, but ONLY when you are trophy hunting here.
    We offer this to our guests for two reasons.
    1) They love it! 
    2) Conservation and for the betterment of the land.

  • Do you have a contact in the U.S.A?

    +
    Yes we do.
    Feel free to liase with the lovely Betsy Alsup.
    Betsy is located in St. Louis, aptly coined The Gateway To The West and can be contacted at: betsy@stravon.com

  • What is the exchange rate?

    +
    Obviously this changes but as a rough gauge - the New Zealand dollar is about $0.80 to the U.S. Dollar.

  • Where do I fly into, and how long is the flight to New Zealand?

    +
    You will go through customs in the city where you first arrive in New Zealand (either Auckland or Christchurch). 
    Air New Zealand offers a discount flight from Los Angeles to Christchurch three times a week and Houston to Auckland five times a week.
    If you first fly into Auckland you will then fly on to Christchurch. Expect a flight of about 12 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Auckland, then another hour enroute to Christchurch.
     
    In a perfect world, from Auckland you can fly to Wellington, our nations capital and then catch a connecting one hour flight to Timaru.
     

  • How far is Christchurch airport to Stravon?

    +
    We will pick you up at Christchurch International Airport for the two and a half hour drive south to Stravon.

  • What airlines fly to New Zealand from the U.S.A?

    +
    Qantas and Air New Zealand are the two major airlines that fly to New Zealand. American Airlines are partners with Qantas, and United partners with Air New Zealand. Frequent flyer miles can be used to purchase tickets, which currently require approximately 70,000 frequent flyer miles for a round trip ticket. Check with your airlines. Air New Zealand offers a discount flight from Los Angeles to Christchurch three times a week and Houston to Auckland five times a week.
     
    Here are some of the Airline’s Customer Service numbers for your reference:

    Air New Zealand  1-800-262-1234
    American Airlines  1-800-433-7300
    Delta Airlines  1-800-221-1212
    Northwest Airlines  1-800-225-2525
    United Airlines  1-800-538-2929 (Int’l) / 1-800-864-8331 (Domestic)
    Qantas  1-800-227-4500
     

  • How much is the airfare from the U.S.A to New Zealand?

    +
    Flights out of Los Angeles or San Francisco to New Zealand are anywhere from $1,250 per person.