When is the fallow deer rut in New Zealand?

The fallow rut — known as the Croak after the buck’s distinctive grunting call — runs roughly mid-April through mid-May, peaking in late April. It overlaps the tail end of the red stag Roar, which makes the back end of April and the first week of May the prime window for combo hunters chasing a red stag and a fallow buck on the same trip.

How much does a guided fallow deer hunt cost in New Zealand?

Across our directory, published fallow buck pricing currently spans roughly USD $250 for a management or cull buck up to USD $25,000+ for a premium 250+ SCI estate trophy. Free-range trophy bucks in the 180–200 SCI range typically run USD $2,000–$5,000; estate trophy bucks at 200+ SCI run USD $5,000–$15,000. Combo packages pairing a fallow buck with a red stag commonly fall between USD $12,000 and $20,000.

What is the difference between free-range and estate fallow hunts?

Free-range fallow are hunted on unfenced public conservation land and large private blocks — Marlborough’s Wither Hills, the Blue Mountains in Otago, parts of Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa. Genetics are natural and a 180–220 SCI buck is a strong wild trophy. Estate hunts take place inside high-fenced game estates with managed genetics; estate fallow are some of the most consistent trophy bucks in New Zealand at 220–280+ SCI, with very high success rates.

What SCI score is a good fallow buck?

A solid free-range New Zealand fallow buck scores around 180–220 SCI; anything 220+ from the wild is a notable trophy. On estates, 220–250 SCI is a routine trophy band and 250+ SCI bucks are available from operators running active genetic management. Fallow are scored by Safari Club International on antler length, palm width, and tines.

Can I combine a fallow hunt with red stag?

Yes — the back end of April into the first week of May is the overlap between the red stag Roar and the fallow Croak, and most outfitters offer combo packages aimed at exactly this window. Combo packages pairing a red stag with a fallow buck currently sit between USD $12,000 and $20,000 across our directory, depending on whether the hunts are free-range, estate, or a mix.

Where are the best free-range fallow deer in New Zealand?

Marlborough’s Wither Hills and Wairau Valley host the country’s most famous wild fallow population. The Blue Mountains in Otago are the other established South Island stronghold and a popular DIY destination. Smaller free-range populations sit around Lake Hāwea, parts of Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay, the Wairarapa, Wanganui, and the Manawatū. Fallow are localised — book a guide who actively hunts a known fallow block.

Do I need a Visitor Firearms Licence for a fallow hunt?

Yes, if you are bringing your own sporting rifle into New Zealand you need to apply for a Visitor Firearms Licence through Te Tari Pūreke – the Firearms Safety Authority before travel. Most fallow outfitters also offer in-camp rifles if you prefer to travel without your own. See our licensing and permits guide for the full process.

Fallow Deer Hunting in New Zealand

Fallow deer are New Zealand's “other rut” — palmated antlers, a distinctive croaking call, and a season just behind the red stag Roar. First liberated here in the 1860s, fallow now hold patchy but well-established populations across both islands. NZ fallow are hunted free-range on public land and farms, and on the country's well-developed high-fence estate market. Trophy bucks score on antler palm width, length, and tines.

The Croak

The fallow rut — known as the Croakafter the buck's distinctive grunting call — runs roughly mid-April through mid-May, peaking in late April. Bucks come together on traditional rutting stands, vocalise heavily, and lose much of their year-round caution. It is the most reliable window to hunt a mature trophy buck on free-range country.

The Croak overlaps the tail end of the red stag Roar, which makes the back end of April and the first week of May the prime window for combo hunters — a red stag in hard antler on the early morning, a fallow buck in the croaking stand by mid-morning. Outside the Croak, fallow can be stalked year-round; estates run hunts in summer for velvet bucks and in winter for hard-antlered trophy animals.

See the full New Zealand hunting calendar for Croak dates and other species seasons.

Pricing in our directory

Of the 88 guided hunting operators in our directory, 64 list fallow deer as a target species and 17 currently publish fallow-specific pricing — 32 priced entries in total. Across those entries, published trophy fees span from USD $250 for a management or cull buck up to USD $39,950 for a premium estate trophy, with a median around USD $4,850. The spread is wide because the market splits sharply between cheap meat / management hunts and serious estate trophy bucks. The bands below summarise where the bulk of published pricing sits.

Hunt type	Typical USD range	Notes
Management or cull buck	USD $300 – $2,000	Meat / herd-management hunts
Free-range trophy buck (180–200 SCI)	USD $2,000 – $5,000	Wild bucks, Marlborough or Blue Mountains country
Estate trophy buck (200+ SCI)	USD $5,000 – $15,000	Managed estates, high success rates
Premium estate buck (250+ SCI)	USD $15,000 – $25,000+	Genetic-management bucks, pricing on request
Red stag + fallow combo package	USD $12,000 – $20,000	Late-April overlap of the Roar and the Croak

These ranges are drawn from currently published packages in our directory and are indicative — not a quote. Sample trophy fees include Adventure Hunting NZ's Fallow Buck packages (Bronze–Elite) from USD $5,900–$10,500, Ample Hunting NZ's 200+ SCI buck at USD $3,000, Fairmead Hunting's Trophy Fallow Buck at NZD $2,000, and High Peak's Red Stag & Fallow Buck combo from USD $14,000. Always confirm inclusions, party size, and trophy targets in writing with your outfitter.

Free-range vs estate fallow hunts

Fallow is one of the few New Zealand species with a strong product on both sides of the fence. The choice between them shapes the character of your hunt more than the price tag does.

Free-range

Marlborough's Wither Hills, the Blue Mountains in Otago, parts of Hawke's Bay and the Wairarapa. Rolling tussock, farmland edges, and forestry blocks — not the high alpine. Wild bucks scored 180–220 SCI is typical, bigger heads are uncommon but they're there. Fair-chase, weather plays a role, and the Croak is the easiest week to put a buck on a rutting stand.

Estate

Fallow is one of the most popular estate species in New Zealand, especially on North Island estates. Active genetic management produces consistent 220–280+ SCI trophy bucks; success rates are very high and the hunt can be completed in a short window. A different product to the free-range Marlborough or Blue Mountains chase, not a replacement.

If a heavy-palmed trophy buck is the priority, an estate hunt is the more reliable route. If the experience of working a rutting stand on wild country during the Croak is the point, a Marlborough or Blue Mountains hunt is the iconic option.

What is included — and what is not

Typically included

Your guide, 1×1 or 2×1
Lodge or farm accommodation and meals
In-country ground transport from the meet-up point
Field-dressing and caping of your trophy
Skull or skin dipping prep for export
Trophy storage until shipment

Typically not included

International flights and excess baggage
Rifle hire or your Visitor Firearms Licence application
Taxidermy mounting (US, EU, or NZ)
International freight of your trophy
Game-bird or fishing add-ons
Additional species or trophy upgrades beyond package
Gratuities for guide and lodge staff

For the legal side of bringing your own rifle and what permits are required, see our guide to licensing and permits.

Where to hunt fallow deer in New Zealand

Fallow are patchy. Unlike red deer they don't carpet whole regions — they hold in defined pockets, and picking a guide who actively hunts a known fallow block matters more than for any other deer species in New Zealand.

South Island

The South Island holds the country's best free-range fallow. Marlborough — particularly the Wither Hills and the Wairau Valley — hosts the most famous wild fallow population in New Zealand and is the historical heart of the free-range chase. The Blue Mountains in Otago are the other established South Island stronghold and a popular destination for DIY hunters as well as guided clients. Smaller populations sit around Lake Hāwea and in parts of Canterbury.

North Island

On the North Island the picture leans estate-side. Hawke's Bay and the Wairarapa carry a mix of free-range and estate operations. The King Country and Waikatoare primarily estate territory, including some of the country's best-known fallow estates. Smaller free-range pockets exist near Wanganui and through the Manawatū, often on private farm or forestry land.