After Your Hunt

Once your hunt is complete, we’ll help make the final steps as straightforward as possible.

This includes caring for your trophies, coordinating with the local taxidermist, explaining shipping options, helping you understand the customs broker process, and making sure you have the information you need before travelling home or continuing your trip around New Zealand.

Trophy care after the hunt

After your trophies are taken, we will chill or freeze them until the hunt is finished. From there, your trophies are taken to our local taxidermist, Tyrone Southward Taxidermy. You can then decide whether you’d like your trophies mounted in New Zealand or salted and shipped to your local taxidermist back home. This gives you flexibility depending on your preferences, budget, timeline and how you’d like the finished trophy handled.

Taxidermy options

You’ll have two main options:

• Have your trophies mounted in New Zealand
• Have your trophies salted and shipped to your local taxidermist

Our local taxidermist can give you an estimate based on how you’d like the work completed. Shipping costs vary depending on crate size and the number of trophies being shipped. If you’re unsure which option is best, we can help you understand the process while you’re here.

Trophy shipping

Once your trophies are prepared, they’ll be shipped from New Zealand to your home country. When they arrive, we recommend using a customs broker to help clear your trophies and forward them to your final destination or chosen taxidermist. You can arrange your customs broker before you leave New Zealand, or once you arrive home — you’ll simply need to provide the broker’s contact information to the local taxidermist. The process is straightforward, and our taxidermist can assist with the details.

Customs broker process

A customs broker helps clear your trophies through the import process once they arrive in your home country. We recommend using one because they can help manage the paperwork and forwarding process, especially for international trophy shipments. You don’t need to finalise every detail before travelling, but it can be helpful to start thinking about who you may use before you leave New Zealand.

Final payment

Tipping

Gratuities are generally based on:

Role	Typical gratuity
Guides	around 10% of the hunt value
Cook / tour guide	around 2–5%

Cash is preferred for tips.

Touring after the hunt

Many clients choose to spend extra time in New Zealand before or after their hunt. If you’re planning to self-drive, we can recommend local rental companies and provide guidance. Driving in New Zealand is on the left-hand side of the road, but the South Island has low traffic compared with many parts of North America. Queenstown is a popular option for clients wanting to continue their trip after the hunt, and Christchurch is a good option if you have time before flying home.

Christchurch after the hunt

If you have time in Christchurch before departing, worthwhile places to visit include Riverside Market and Little High Eatery, New Regent Street, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Tūranga central library, the Christchurch Gondola, and the Arts Centre and Christchurch Art Gallery. It’s a relaxed way to finish your trip before flying home.

Queenstown after the hunt

Queenstown is another popular option for extending your New Zealand trip. It offers a wide range of scenery, restaurants, activities, lake and mountain views, and adventure tourism. If you’re thinking about adding Queenstown to your itinerary, let us know so we can help plan your timing around the hunt.

Tour guiding after the hunt

We have options for hunters and non-hunters who’d like to see more of New Zealand. Touring can be arranged from the lodge, or as a stay-away trip that includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch, tour guide and vehicle. Options may include glaciers, lakes, hiking, shopping, day spas, hot pools, restaurants and scenic South Island routes. Some clients also enjoy the freedom of self-driving using a route we’ve helped plan.

Returning home

When planning your return flight, remember that the travel timing is different from the trip over. If you depart New Zealand on the 9th, for example, you may also arrive back in the United States on the 9th. Please check your departure timing carefully and ask us if you have any questions about arranging travel before or after your hunt.