Deer at Poronui Estate

Deer at Poronui Estate

A guttural roar across the valley. The clashing of antlers in the crisp morning air.

It’s fall, and the Rut is upon us.

There are few finer places in the world to hunt deer than in New Zealand, as anyone who has visited Poronui will know. With our challenging terrain, world-class animals, and experienced local guides, our land offers a unique hunting experience for those ready to test their patience, skill and instinct.

Each season offers its own challenges and rewards for hunters. So let’s take a look at what our deer are up to year-round at Poronui, and what you can expect from the hunt.

The fierce competition of fall

In New Zealand, March to May marks our fall/autumn season, and with it, the Rut. Sometimes called ‘the roar’ in these parts, the rut is a thrill guaranteed to get the blood pumping.

The Rut is a hunter’s dream. Step out of the Lodge at Poronui on the day of your hunt, and you’ll likely hear the deep roar of a Red echoing from the native shrub; cross a ridge, and you might catch the single call of an elusive Sika stag or the croaking of a Fallow buck as it warns rivals of its territory.

During this period, the highly vocal and aggressive stags and bucks battle for dominance. The clashing of antlers, the bellowing into the frosty air, or the quiet tending to scrapes. They’re puffed up with testosterone, and keeping rivals out of their chosen turf – and, most importantly, away from their hinds and does.

Timing the Rut

Sika provide opportunities for trophy hunters early in fall/autumn, making themselves heard by mid-March as the weather cools and the grasses brown. Sika were first introduced to New Zealand at Poronui in the early 1900s, and we are proud to be a stronghold for the breed in the North Island where we maintain pure trophy-class genetics.

Reds rut next, from late March and peaking through April. However, February tends to mark the beginning of the trophy hunt, and a great time for enjoying the New Zealand summer. The deer are highly territorial, and the prime genetics of Poronui’s Reds make for impressive animals, each vying for breeding rights.

This will be clear when you spot a Red with freshly hardened antlers battling, fighting it out with a formidable opponent.

Fallow follow the Reds, peaking slightly later in April, with their belches, barks and bleats adding to the chorus of the valleys.

Time your visit well, and you’ll have the chance at formidable trophies of all three of these powerful deer species.

The solitude of winter

Winter arrives in New Zealand in June, and continues to the end of August. While you’re unlikely to encounter snow at the Estate, you’ll certainly spot it if you arrive via the township of Taupō and see the mountains standing proudly to the south.

Naturally, growth slows, and food becomes scarce for the animals. At this time, the deer become more cunning and more reclusive, seeking dense cover to conserve energy and warmth.

There are still opportunities to hunt, though this tends to be a quieter time: first Fallow, then Red drop their antlers and hunker down. After a busy Rut off the property and in surrounding forest parks, Sika often drift back onto the Estate, dropping their antlers by September. However, during the cooler months, activity at Poronui tends to be focused around the pheasant drives.

Winter also corresponds with the late-season roar of the Rusa. Completing their sharp antler growth in May, the Rusa rut begins in mid-July and continues into cold August. Wary, and semi-nocturnal, the stags only roar perhaps two or three times a day, making them a rare sight (and sound).

The regeneration of spring

Officially, spring starts at the beginning of September, bringing with it verdant growth. The frost recedes, and the air fills with native bird song and the fresh scent of a new season.

Expect to find the deer accumulating at the higher altitudes at first, then spreading out as the fresh growth descended and they put on conditioning for the next roar.

Does tend to remain out of sight as they prepare to give birth, but bucks and stags become more confident. Join us at this time, and you might be able to spot them via binoculars, sunning themselves in secluded clearings, or emerging at dawn and dusk to graze.

This period is popular with local hunters looking to harvest animals, as the deer fatten and their meat becomes more tender – something our chefs are more than happy to help you enjoy!

The growth of summer

For hunters, summer is a season of patience. The long days of December to February see deer change their habits once again, retreating to the native shrub and forests during the daytime to protect themselves from the heat.

That presents a new challenge for hunters, as the dry foliage can give away your location as much as reveal that of the deer. New Zealand has no snakes or dangerous critters, so you can focus on a slow and patient stalk through the woods and the grasses – and spotting your next trophy.

Hunting during this time requires careful glassing during the twilight hours, and vigilant tracking during the day. But the reward is the glimpse of a world-class deer in its summer prime, with a full coat and antlers freshly hardened by February.

Join the hunt

While our peak hunting season is undoubtedly from early February to late May at Poronui, we always offer an exceptional experience – no matter when you choose to join us.

Each season brings with it fresh challenges and opportunities, and a growing appreciation for what our country – and the hunt – has to offer. So please, join us at Poronui, and immerse yourself in an experience like no other.