Riverview Lodge

New Zealand

Wayne has made two trips to New Zealand, and in doing so has made contact with one of very finest hunting operators in the country. And for this reason, MUM is happy to endorse their program, and be their booking partner for North American clients. Riverview Lodge has been owned and operated for the last twenty-five years by John and Robin Gemmell. The lodge is beautiful and is located on the South Island at Hanmer Springs, which is north of Christchurch a short distance. Robin oversees the lodge, as well as escorting day trips to interesting sites and things to do in the area. John manages the hunting and fishing programs, and guides as well. All the guides and lodge staff, including an experienced chef, are well trained, very friendly and accommodating.

Big game hunting is all fair chase, including red stag, which is on a 20,000 + acre tract. It is one of only a few truly fair chase red stag hunts in New Zealand. This hunt is a spot and stalk affair with hiking and use of 4-wheel drive vehicles. You can expect to shoot a stag with a score ranging from 280 to 330 SCI. You can add a wild boar and/or a wild ram while hunting stags. There is also Himalayan tahr and chamois hunts available which are conducted on very large tracts with the use of helicopters at no extra cost to access the high mountain terrain. However, no shooting is allowed from the helicopter. Big game hunts are conducted from April through August. All hunts are guided on 1 x 1 basis, with field prep, excellent accommodations and meals, as well as airport transfers. Christchurch is the arrival and departure airport. Single species hunts are five days, while combination hunts with additional species can be from seven to ten days.

John also offers some exciting duck hunts with liberal bag limits. These are conducted during the months of May, June and July.

One exceptional feature of the Riverview Lodge is how they go out of their way to accommodate non-hunters and families. Robin’s tour package includes a wine tour, whale watching, a train ride through the Southern Alps, a tour of the wonderful city of Christchurch and it’s Art Center, as well as a spa and pamper package at Hanmer Springs.

If you are contemplating a hunting trip and visit to New Zealand, you would be hard pressed to find a better program than John and Robin offers at Riverview Lodge.

For more information give MUM a call on the toll free number 800-557-7087 or fill out the contact form here and send it our way.