Mike and Maddie first experienced drop camps while hunting elk on public land in Colorado, USA. They realised there is nothing quite like it in New Zealand and subsequently established exclusive drop camp options for their hunters in mid-2020.
Real Kiwi Hunting offers one of the only self-guided drop camp options on private and public land in New Zealand. You may be asking yourself “what is a drop camp?”. The term drop camp (more commonly referred to as fly or spike camp) is typically a canvas wall tent an outfitter has set up in a game rich hunting area and made available for hunters to use for self-guided DIY hunts. Our drop camps are designed to take the guesswork out of the “where do I even start?” for DIY hunts in New Zealand. Drop camps are a quarter of the price of guided hunts and a great challenge for the experienced hunter. While these areas have an abundance of big game, that does not guarantee you a successful hunt. Being an experienced hunter is essential, as wild game are exactly that – wild! You will be left to your own devices for the entire trip duration. We highly recommend spike camping away from base camp to cover more ground and increase your success rate. The success of the trip is solely based on your hunting abilities.
If you are up to the challenge and extra work, drop camps are a great option for the experienced hunter on a budget. We have drop camp options available for both private and public land. Mike’s knowledge of hunting New Zealand’s public land is second to none, so our public land drop camps are guaranteed to reside in proven hunting areas. Private land drop camps not only offer a genuine canvas wall tent experience, but also the option of hunting from a hut/cabin or lodge.
Drop camp hunters should be confident in navigating/hunting in the back country on their own. Additionally, drop camp hunters need to bring their own gear and supply/cook their own meals. Canvas wall tent drop camps on public and private land come equipped with a wood burner fire. The hut/cabin or lodge drop camp option on private land is designed to be fully functional. However, there is no shower or toilet in the hut/cabin. Hunters are still required to bring their own gear and supply/cook their own meals. Bed cots/stretchers, chairs, table, pots, pans and cooking/eating utensils are available for hire if you do not wish to supply your own.
If drop camps are out of your budget, we also hire canvas wall tents, wood burner fires, regular 1 – 3 man tents and camping equipment. This is the perfect option for ballot blocks, white baiting base camps or cook tents and camping. If you’re traveling from overseas and don’t want the hassle of bringing camping gear, this may be the option for you.