What Is Leithen Valley Hunts?

Updated

Leithen Valley Hunts is a family-owned, guided hunting safari operation on a private property in the South Island of New Zealand. It offers fair-chase trophy hunts for Red Stag, Fallow Buck, Tahr and Chamois, plus bow hunting, and pairs the hunting with lodge accommodation and home-cooked hospitality. It suits hunters looking for a guided, multi-day trophy experience on private land rather than a self-guided public-land trip.

What the operation offers

The property is described as more than 40,000 acres of private land, split in the site's own figures into 10,000+ acres of "private stag country" and 30,000+ acres of "private Tahr country." The four game animals — Red Stag, Fallow Buck, Tahr and Chamois — were introduced to New Zealand in the late 1800s and early 1900s and roam freely across the terrain, holding to the edges of the beech forest.

Element Detail from the site
Location Private property, South Island, New Zealand
Ownership Stewart family, three generations; 35+ years as a family business
Game Red Stag, Fallow Buck, Tahr, Chamois
Hunting style Guided fair-chase trophy hunting; bow hunting also offered
Guides Professional guides named on the site, including a lead hunting guide and the owner/outfitter
Accommodation Lodges described as luxury with first-class amenities; a separate Tahr Camp
Extras Home-cooked food, local beverages, June–July specials, a Young Hunters program

Who it is for

The setup points to hunters who want a guided experience with lodging included, and who value a family-run operation over a large commercial outfitter. The site's own guest testimonial (from a California client) emphasizes hotel-like comfort — daily bed-making and food — alongside the hunt, which suggests the appeal is as much the hospitality as the stalk. The Young Hunters program and June–July specials indicate options for younger or first-time hunters and for off-peak timing.

What to check before booking

  • Pricing and packages: the site links to a dedicated "Packages and Price list" page; confirm current rates and what each package includes there rather than assuming.
  • Season timing: seasons are listed as a site section, so match your dates to the species you want and to any specials.
  • Travel and logistics: the property is in the South Island; the site lists a US phone number (833-248-6869) for planning, which is the practical starting point for questions about arrival and trip length.
  • Bow hunting: confirm bow-specific arrangements directly, since the site lists bow hunting as an offering but not its separate terms.

For a first step, use the site's contact number or its "Reserve Your Spot" prompt to ask about dates, species availability and the current price list.