NEW ZEALAND: Lochinvar Safaris - 5/09/25

[NIGHTHAWK]

Finally booked a return to New Zealand. Hunting with LOCHINVAR SAFARIS. https://www.lochinvarsafaris.co.nz/
They were at the Sacramento ISE show this season and I was there booking a 5 Day Alberta Duck and Goose hunt. My good friend and hunting partner Steve made the introduction and I’m pleased with the package I negotiated.


Hunting:
500” Stag
Tahr
Chamois
Arapawa Ram
Fallow Buck
Feral Goat - if they have a good one worth shooting.
Cull hunt if opportunity presents.
Maybe a day or two of fishing…

Leave May 9th and return May 21st this year.
Flying out of SFO. Flying Air New Zealand direct out of SFO - Auckland - Christchurch.
Booked my own flights using AMEX points. Booked economy, put in a bid for an upgrade to business class.

Using their rifles. They have nice rifles and scopes. Long range shooters if need be. It was too close to try to bring my own rifle per the outfitter. I’m told New Zealand can be difficult to get your rifles in to hunt with and it takes a while to get permits and clearance. I wasn’t planning on going to NZ this year, but I really wanted to. So I committed.

Breaking in new Zamberlan 700 Sierra GTX boots. Picked up new Carbon fiber walking sticks. Since I’ve lost weight and got in better shape over the last 3 years, I’ve bought new hunting clothes too. Mostly KUIU. I have new waterproof rain jackets and pants. Layer system too. I should be in good in the gear department. I’ve had a nice Eberlestock scabbard pack with hydration that I’ll bring.

I’ve been walking about 5-6 miles a day. Lost 20lbs in the last 6 months. Going to increase to 8-10 miles this week to include some hills. Need to get down another 10lbs to 210.

Had 3 other friends hunt Lochnivar. They had a good time and trophy quality was as promised. Lodge was as described.

I’ll practice shooting a little with my 300 RUM a few weeks out, then when I get there I’ll practice with their rifles to get it sorted.

I’ve been thinking about this trip for a while. I won’t rule out another Africa hunt at the end of this year. I retire at the end of the year and plan to do an extended stay and hunt more of Africa.

I’d like to book a Spain hunt for 2026 too.

I’ll post updates of anything of value or once I’m wheels up…

 

[MontanaPat]

Congrats, hope the trip goes well. I look forward to reading a report when you return. I’ve been looking seriously at doing a hunt for chamois and tahr down there myself. My wife and I were in NZ touring last month, beautiful country. I’m headed to Spain for a roe deer hunt in April and then back in October for a chamois in the Pyrenees. Just committed this week to do a carpathian chamois and wild boar in Romania for 2026 with Marius at HuntRomania

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Packed and ready to go. Wheels up Friday 9th... Boots are broke in, washed and clean. Bought some new Kuiu gear because I'm down 25lbs to 210lbs from last summer - wearing an XL now, which feels good. I'll try to upgrade to Business class once I get to the airport. Other than that, I feel ready...

 

[Mekaniks]

Excellent Looking forward to following along

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Flight departed SFO on time. 10:05pm. Usually take a car service to airport. Instead an old friend drove me and dropped me off. We stopped at one off of my old favorite Italian places in South City. 5 minutes from the airport. Only to find out that it’s changed ownership. Quality was not the same to say the least…

Tried to upgrade to Business class at the Air NZ counter, but flight was full.
Check in is really simple with Global Entry and CLEAR. Shoes stay on. Skip the big lines.
In Economy seats. Having lost weight. It’s good to be thinner.
Food Decent.
Brought a memory foam seat cushion - Helpful!
Got a guy next to me to left he’s my size. I’m on right isle with bathroom behind me. I’m 6’-2” and 210. Glad he was polite. Squeezed shoulders or synchronized pivoting for sleep.
Packed light - no rifle or ammo
1 medium suitcase.
1 very full back pack.

Air NZ was good. Not special, but good.

Just touched down.

More to come.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

My flight was $1,314. Used points from AMEX. Booked first week of March.

Got quotes from the usual TA and for different seat selections. Less expensive to book myself. Simple flights. 2 Hour layover inbound.

Took advantage of AMEX to get into the SFO Centurion Lounge. Relaxing, decent food with good beer and wine selection. One glass of red wine was enough for me…

On this end, once you get to customers on the way to bag claim, use the Kiosk or ask to use it for US passport holders. I’m not certain which other countries get through. Probably more to do with the updated Passports. Biometrics are real easy to clear through.

10-15 minute walk from International to the Domestic terminal once you clear customs and recheck your bag.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

On to Christchurch without issue. My guide (Jack) was waiting at bag claim. Quick greeting and hit the road. It was a pleasant 2 plus hour drive to Fiarlie. Unpack and have a venison and cranberry (meat) pie which was great. Then off to site in the rifles on a concession in Fairlie.

100 yards for both rifles. Remington Sendero 7MM REM MAG Suppressed with Nightforce scope with Zero stop and a Mark V Weatherby in .30-378 Weatherby Magnum with a muzzle brake and Nightforce scope. I prefer to shoot my own rifles, but these rifles were set up nicely with good triggers and familiar scopes.

My guide politely asked me my level of experience shooting and hunting. I assured him if the rifles were accurate and shot well, I’ll do my part.

7RM: Touched 3, re-zero. Similar results with the Weatherby then headed out to scout/glass.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

We saw some albino Tahr. one was about 13”.

Jack spotted a few Feral Goats.
We had to side hill to get within about 200 yards. Set up prone on what felt like 60 degrees up hill! Very Steep.

Set up prone and I watched for a while through the scope. Jack agreed the nicest one was making his way to the right. I was on him the whole time. Jack says “one on the right… We’ve talked bout shooting permission, confirming, shot placement…

I was eager to draw NZ blood!

I confirm I have it sighted and let one fly!

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’ve got a great video I’m trying to download…

So far:
1. Very Nice Lodge with really clean rooms and private bathrooms and showers. Wood burning stove keeps things toasty and adds a nice ambiance - plus standard heating and A/C, recently remodeled. All the nice little things too. Towel warmers in the bathrooms, boot dryers, round about where they drop you off at the front entrance..,
2. Food is amazing (Roasted Lamb Backstraps, Roasted potato’s, Salad, and Local Cronut for desert Fairlie bakehouse, New Zealand Red wine Too).
3. Equipment is top notch. Trucks, Nissan Titan Crew cabs 4x4 Diesels, Can Am Defender SxS, Rifles with Nightforce Scopes and custom ammo.
4. Local (young) capable and very professional guide 1x1.
5. Saw: Red Stag, Fallow Deer, Tahr, Feral Goat so far.
6. Big Concessions. More to come on details.
7. My Room has a very comfortable queen size bed.
8. Mark is owner and a very gracious, polite, and friendly host. Pretty good cook too. His full time cook had the day off for Mother’s Day.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

 

[mdwest]

It was a pleasant 2 plus hour drive to Fiarlie. Unpack and have a venison and cranberry (meat) pie which was great.

I’m assuming you got the pie at the Fairlie Bake House?

A buddy of mine that’s in the New Zealand army recommended it to us… he told me that there is a training area near Fairlie they frequent and any time they are there his entire unit descends on the Bake House for the pies… so we made it a point to stop in while we were in New Zealand a few weeks ago..

We loved it so much we went back twice more.. and now my wife is making “New Zealand pies” at home with the red stag we brought home

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

This is not long range. Steep incline at 200 yards. Learning to shoot prone. Getting a good rest, getting comfortable, and not canting your rifle is important. Communication between you and your guide/PH is very important too. I never shot prone until I had custom rifles made and went to long range shooting schools. It just helps to practice.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’m assuming you got the pie at the Fairlie Bake House?

Of course! So good!

Cronuts too!