http://www.southpacificwapiti.co.nz/

I will be hunting the farms around their property. It seems they breed Elk for the US market themselves but Fallow and Red are free range and as you mentioned John, wander in and out of the place from the neighbouring National Park.
Very much a Mom and Pop set up with deer genetics introduced 10-12 years ago and have only really been in business for about two years. I got hunt dates on their recommendation for the best time of the rut.

I was given their contact details by a good bloke who organised a group buy of Pac Nor barrels on another forum. That buy was canned for no logical reason by the moderators so I got in contact, bought a barrel as well, and started a correspondence. He was living in NZ at the time and was friends with these people, helping to keep poachers off etc when they were away. The locals do most of the herd management shooting during the off season. He suggested the hunt which is at quite reasonable rates.

I know very little about Deer. Many years ago though I was travelling through Scotland and the 'cult' of the Stag was so strong in the highlands it was almost palpable.

I have always thought Red were the quintisential 'Magnificent Deer'. It must be my Celtic background.

I'd like to re-inforce that I do not consider this true free range or a true hunt. I beleive I will be shooting a free range red deer however but only time will tell. My work hours and lack of fitness makes this type of shoot a lot more desireable these days.