Field guide
Sika deer
A compact forest deer, largely concentrated in the central North Island. Sika are known for being hard to see and harder to shoot, and are prized by hunters for exactly that reason.
Cervus nippon
Where you’ll find them
Dense forest animals that rely on cover and hearing. Most sightings come from the Kaimanawa and Kaweka country. Quiet, slow hunting suits them better than covering ground.
Dogs and 1080
Sika country overlaps significantly with aerial 1080 operations. Check current and recent operations before taking a dog in.
Check 1080 operationsBefore you go
Seasons, permits, firearms rules and access conditions differ by region and by land status, and they change. We don’t publish them — check with the authority for the land you’re on: DOC for public conservation land, your regional council for pest rules, and the landowner for private land.