By James B. Bartle
For local resident Brad Moore hunting all over the United States and the world has brought thrills and enjoyment; but, thus far, his recent trip with wife Debbie Depew to the South Island of New Zealand has been the top.
Moore has hunted in New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Canada, Spain, Scotland and in the United States in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, Maine, Texas and Missouri.
“We went on a 12-day hunt from July 23 through August 2, and the trip was fantastic,” said Moore. “This was the best hunt I’ve ever been on. It was just a beautiful country, beautiful place to stay. I want to go back.”
Moore stated that, on his trip, he hunted from the ranch of Gary Herbert and, on the hunts, they had to be flown to their hunting areas in the mountains of New Zealand by helicopter. They would then leap from the helicopter into snowdrifts in the mountains and begin their hunts.
Moore commented that, unlike hunts in the United States, the hunting season in New Zealand is nearly year-round.
“The hunting seasons over there are much more liberal than here and you can hunt year-round,” said Moore. “It was very cold. I still have some frostbite and windburn on my skin, but what a great hunt.”
During the hunt, Moore found great success by nabbing an albino fallow deer, chamois, goat, and a Himalayan tahr, which horns rate among world records.
Moore also ventured into Australia during his trip where he successfully hunted kangaroo.
“Kangaroos, we were told, are destroying pasture land and limiting grazing for cattle in Australia,” said Moore. “We were successful in a hunt for kangaroos. In fact, more people are killed by kangaroos in Australia than by snakes.”
Moore stated that he received awesome treatment while in New Zealand.
“They really like Americans and the people were very friendly over there,” said Moore. “I hope to go back and hunt there again very soon.”