Red Stag — Mackenzie Basin, South Island NZ

The Mackenzie Basin in Canterbury's high country is New Zealand's most dramatic hunting backdrop — turquoise glacier lakes, lupine-covered plains, and the snow-capped Southern Alps rising to over 12,000 feet. Free-range red stags on private high-country stations here carry exceptional antlers shaped by altitude and open country — wide spreads and heavy beams are the Mackenzie trademark.

Hunts take place across high-altitude tussock country accessed by 4WD and on foot. The March–May roar is phenomenal — stags can be heard bugling from miles away across the open basin. Combination with Himalayan tahr in the alpine zone above 4,000 feet makes this one of New Zealand's most complete big game experiences.