Our trophy hunts are genuinely free-range, with no high fences. We work with a small number of private properties and remote alpine areas so you experience real New Zealand hunting with fair-chase animals in their natural habitat.
Free Range Trophy Red Stag
- Typical duration: 2–3 days, with options to add extra days.
- Best timing: March–April roar for the most vocal and exciting hunting; shoulder seasons available by arrangement.
- Fitness & experience: Moderate fitness recommended. Suitable for hunters with some experience; keen beginners welcome with extra support.
- Style of hunt: Spot-and-stalk on private land and adjoining country, with glassing from vantage points and careful stalks into shooting position.
- Includes: Professional guiding, planning support, access to private properties, field preparation of your animal, basic meat care.
- Excludes: Firearm hire (available by prior arrangement), taxidermy and shipping, accommodation and meals (we can help you book locally), licences and travel to Glenorchy.
Get in touch for current trophy expectations, suggested itineraries and pricing for Red Stag hunts.
Free Range Trophy Fallow Buck
- Typical duration: 2–3 days, often combined with other species where possible.
- Best timing: April–May rut, with options outside the peak depending on conditions.
- Fitness & experience: Light to moderate fitness; good option if you prefer gentler terrain and steady-paced stalking.
- Style of hunt: Walk-and-stalk and careful glassing in rolling country and bush edges, with focus on relaxed, unhurried hunts.
- Includes: Guiding, access to suitable properties, field caping and meat care advice.
- Excludes: Taxidermy, shipping, accommodation and meals, licences and travel to the meeting point.
Contact us to talk about your ideal Fallow Buck and how we can match the hunt to your ability and goals.
Trophy Hunt Chamois Buck
- Typical duration: 2–3 days, with heli-access options.
- Best timing: Autumn and winter for capes in good condition; shoulder seasons by arrangement.
- Fitness & experience: Good fitness and confidence in steeper alpine terrain recommended. Not suitable for very nervous heights.
- Style of hunt: High-country glassing and technical spot-and-stalk. Depending on conditions, we may use helicopter access to reach remote basins, then continue on foot.
- Includes: Guiding, trip planning, liaison with helicopter operator if used, field caping and trophy care guidance.
- Excludes: Helicopter costs, taxidermy and export arrangements, accommodation, meals, licences, and travel to Glenorchy.
Please enquire so we can discuss the type of Chamois experience you are looking for and current conditions.
Trophy Hunt Himalayan Bull Tahr
- Typical duration: 2–3 days, with flexible options for longer alpine trips.
- Best timing: Late autumn and winter for prime capes and classic bull Tahr country.
- Fitness & experience: Solid fitness and good balance required. This is steep, alpine hunting and can be physically demanding.
- Style of hunt: Alpine glassing and spot-and-stalk, often from remote basins accessed by helicopter when appropriate and safe.
- Includes: Guiding, safety planning, liaison with helicopter operator, field caping and basic meat care.
- Excludes: Helicopter time, taxidermy and export fees, accommodation and meals, licences and travel to Glenorchy.
Message us for a personalised Tahr hunt outline, fitness questions and pricing details tailored to your group.
Our meat hunts focus on relaxed, practical hunting for organic, free-range venison and other species where appropriate. These trips are ideal for hunters who value the field-to-table journey as much as the time in the hills.
Full Day Venison Meat Hunt
- Typical duration: One full day, with early start and flexible finish time depending on conditions.
- Best timing: Available across much of the year, subject to seasons and property requirements.
- Fitness & experience: Light to moderate fitness. Suitable for keen beginners through to experienced hunters wanting to top up the freezer.
- Style of hunt: Walk-and-stalk on private properties and surrounding country, with a strong focus on safe shot selection and efficient meat recovery.
- Includes: Guiding, planning support, basic shooting and safety coaching as needed, field dressing and meat care guidance.
- Excludes: Firearm hire (can be discussed in advance), meat processing, vacuum packing and freight, licences and travel to Glenorchy.
We can adapt the pace and difficulty to suit you or your family/whānau, and we are very happy to support newer hunters.
Overnight Meat Hunt
- Typical duration: 2 days / 1 night, with options to extend.
- Best timing: Flexible across the year, taking into account seasons, daylight hours and weather patterns.
- Fitness & experience: Moderate fitness. Suitable for those comfortable staying overnight in the hills or at a simple backcountry base.
- Style of hunt: Combination of evening and morning hunts, often with time to glass, talk through shot placement, and work on field skills such as reading sign and terrain.
- Includes: Guiding, planning support, support with simple camp arrangements (exact style agreed in advance), field dressing and meat care guidance.
- Excludes: Helicopter costs if used, detailed catering beyond agreed basics, sleeping gear and personal equipment, licences and travel.
Enquire to talk through how much meat you would like to take home, how confident you are with firearms, and any dietary or wellbeing needs.
Every hunt with Top Of The Lake Guiding is carefully planned around safety, ethics, the conditions and your goals. No two days are exactly the same, but there is a clear rhythm to how we operate.
Before We Head Out
- We confirm your goals (trophy, meat, photography, learning new skills) and your honest fitness and experience level.
- You receive guidance on what to bring and what the weather is likely to do, so you arrive prepared.
- We talk through any medical, mobility or wellbeing needs in confidence and factor these into the plan.
On the Day
- We begin with a safety briefing covering terrain, weather, firearms handling and communication.
- If you are using a rifle, we confirm safe handling and check sights where practical before hunting begins.
- We move at a pace that suits you, using glassing and spot-and-stalk techniques rather than rushing.
- Shot selection is always ethical: clear target identification, safe backstops, and distances that match your ability and conditions.
After the Shot
- We take time for respect and gratitude for the animal, in line with our field-to-table and kaitiakitanga values.
- We guide you through field dressing, basic butchery choices and meat care so your harvest is well looked after.
- For trophy hunts, we assist with caping and provide information about taxidermy and export pathways.
- You can discuss field-to-table options, including how to make the most of your meat once you return home.
The whole experience is supportive, calm and focused on learning as well as the hunt itself.
Good preparation helps your hunt run smoothly and comfortably. Once we understand your plans, we will send a trip-specific gear outline, but the notes below will give you a clear starting point.
Suggested Personal Gear
- Sturdy, well-worn-in boots suitable for the terrain and season.
- Layered clothing system (base layers, mid-layers, waterproof shell) in natural or muted colours.
- Warm hat and gloves, plus sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Day pack, drink bottle or hydration bladder, and personal snacks.
- Any personal medications, including asthma inhalers, allergy treatments or pain relief.
Firearms, Optics & Equipment
- You are welcome to bring your own rifle and optics; we will discuss calibres and setup in advance.
- Limited firearm options may be available by prior arrangement if you are travelling from overseas.
- We strongly encourage good quality binoculars for glassing; spotting scopes may also be used when appropriate.
Fitness, Accessibility & Pace
- Hunts can be tailored from gentler, rolling country through to steep alpine missions.
- If you have any injuries, mobility challenges or health considerations, please let us know early so we can plan thoughtfully.
- We prioritise steady, sustainable movement rather than pushing you beyond your limits.
Weather & Conditions
- Mountain and high-country weather can change quickly. We may adjust start times, locations or routes for safety.
- We will talk through likely temperatures, rainfall and snow, and help you refine your clothing choices.
- In some cases, postponements or alternative plans may be the safest and most respectful option.
Accommodation & Licences
- We can suggest accommodation options in and around Glenorchy and Queenstown to suit different budgets and styles.
- Any required hunting permits or licences are your responsibility, but we are happy to point you in the right direction.
- For heli-access hunts we will discuss helicopter costs, weight limits and timing in advance.
If you are unsure where to start, simply contact us and we will walk you through the practical details step by step.
Top Of The Lake Guiding is a small, family-owned guiding business with a strong duty of care. Your physical safety, emotional wellbeing and sense of manaakitanga are central to every hunt.
Safety First, Always
- Your guide has extensive experience in emergency services, mental health and safety planning.
- We run clear briefings, use conservative decision-making in the hills, and will adjust or call off a hunt if conditions are not right.
- A Health & Safety Disclosure policy must be completed and signed before any adventure; this helps us look after you properly.
Ethical Hunting & Kaitiakitanga
- We believe in fair-chase, free-range hunting and deep respect for animals and land.
- Shot selection, recovery and meat use are guided by an ethical, field-to-table philosophy.
- Where appropriate, we also support pest control and land management goals on the properties we work with.
Welcoming Diverse Guests
- We welcome hunters of all genders, backgrounds, cultures and experience levels.
- Beginners are supported in a calm, non-intimidating way, with time for questions and learning.
- We respect tikanga, personal beliefs and cultural practices, and we are happy to discuss how these can be woven into your hunt.
If you have any concerns about safety, fitness, mental health or inclusivity, you are encouraged to talk with us in confidence before you book.
If a free-range hunt in the Glenorchy and Otago region sounds like you, the next step is simply to reach out. There is no pressure to commit immediately – we are happy to talk through ideas, options and what will genuinely suit you.
What to Include in Your Enquiry
- Whether you are most interested in a trophy hunt, a meat hunt, or a mix of both.
- The time of year you are considering and how many days you might have available.
- How many people are in your group, their experience levels and an honest sense of fitness.
- Any health, mobility, cultural or dietary considerations we should be aware of.
How to Reach Us
- Email: topofthelake.guiding@outlook.co.nz
- Phone / WhatsApp: +64 274 275 120
- Or use the enquiry form on our Contact & Booking page and attach any notes you would like to share.
Once we receive your message, we will come back to you with suggestions, availability and next steps, including links to our Health & Safety Disclosure form.