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KING COUNTRY
Special Feature: The
home of wild pig hunting in New Zealand
Lying to the west of Tongariro National Park and centred on Te
Kuiti, is a vast region of endless razorback ridges and deep
isolated valleys.
The King Country extends southwards into the Awakino, Mokau and
Whanganui catchments embracing a huge variety of wilderness
areas, which offer a supreme challenge for fair chase hunters.
More than 20 state forests are available to hunters in this
region - they are scattered remnants of the once majestic
indigenous podocarp forests that clothed the entire landscape.
Pureora is the largest remaining block with outliers such as
Whareorino, Waitomo, Hauturu and Tawarau.
Pureora is a magnificent forest of ancient podocarps like totara,
rimu, matai, miro and kahikatea, and is regarded as a paradise
for the outdoors person, offering red and sika deer of trophy
standard. If you want to hear the full-blooded battle cry of a
stag during the April/May roar then Pureora is a good place to
start.
Red deer are present in most of the King Country forests in low
to moderate numbers. The more remote Pureora valleys in the
Rangitoto and Hauhungaroa Ranges have the highest densities and
the North Block, designated as a Recreational Hunting Area,
offers good prospects.
Wild pigs are well established in the exotic forest plantations
and scrubland around the towns of Tokoroa, Mangakino, Waitomo and
Te Kuiti. Waitomo is an interesting area to hunt because of its
dual landscapes and fascinating limestone formations. The area is
famous for its glow worm studded caves and the dark, hidden
underground caverns and streams. The above-ground landscape also
has deep hideaways in dense bush for wild game. Add the Whanganui
National Park to the above King Country areas and you have the
highest concentration of wild pigs in New Zealand.
Goats are found in low to moderate numbers throughout the coastal
ranges, which extend into Taranaki.
Ducks and pheasants are found in low numbers throughout the King
Country wetlands and lowland areas.
Guided hunting safaris in the Pureoras, Kaimanawas and Kawekas
for red and sika deer trophies can be arranged in Atiamuri and
also Ohakune.
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