New (2020) Sighting Below: Some time back I was contacted by a young journalist, Charlie Mitchell from Stuff, New Zealand. I helped him out as much as I could from my experiences. Over the last two days I have been thrilled to read and see what he has put together of the continued existence of this wonderful herd. There are other moose hunters out there as well. That is good news.
Les Murrrell’s two bulls in the Seaforth River, 1927.
There have been two authentic DNA confirmations of the NZ moose this century. Only last year (May 2017) I encountered fresh browse and fresh moose scent in the Hauroko Burn.
Eventually someone’s hard work will pay off with authenticated footage of one of these ‘gentle giants’. Of course everyone involved hopes it will be their photos which reveal this strange carry-over from an ancient era lurking in the primeval forests of New Zealand. I will be having another crack at finding them myself if my fitness and finances hold up. I will keep you posted.
Meanwhile you can find Charlie’s two fine articles here:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/104071821/there-are-signs-moose-still-live-in-nzs-wilderness
See also my posts, eg here:
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-lure-of-the-moose/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2015/02/21/moose-hunting/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/from-dawn-to-dusky-day-2/
PS: New Sighting 2020 Here is the link to the 2020 sighting Alex Gale (below comments) refers to today (05 March 2020)by helicopter pilot Ben Young. It sounds pretty genuine to me too. More about Alex Gale’s search here. More research about moose in Fiordland. Radio interview with Ben Young about his sighting here. (Thanks to Joe M-p for this link)
WHY are moose in NZ not protected until a sustainable population can be built up??? 🙂
They were for the first approx thirty years but where they exist today there is very little danger that their numbers will be reduced by hunting. There is no evidence anyone has shot one for nearly fifty years!
I live in Canada and have been intrigued by the Moose in Fiordland for many years and had tried to get there a few times each time other commitments stopping me the last time health stopped me. Hopefully i will make it in 2021 Possible bringing another hunter with me to hunt other animals . If we were lucky enough to see Moose we would only shoot with a camera and keep the location secret untill your govt would and should put them on the Protected list. I an originally from NZ and have hunted and shot many Moose . The Moose in NZ came from Saskatchewan. I lived in the Yukon Territory for 37 yrs and now live in British Columbia. Please feel free to contact me just please i dont want any media attention.
Thanking you
Harold Flemming
Hi Harold, The best area to look will be the Seaforth Valley and its tributaries. The surest way to get there is to use the Dusky Tack. You can have heaps of supplies delivered by helicopter or float plane eg to the Supper Cove Hut or possibly Herrick Creek in Wet Jacket Arm. There are plenty of red deer but they are just about impossible to get in the dense forest except during the roar (March-April). It is all very rough going down there for people as old as us. Do take a satellite phone. Good luck, Steve. PS: You might even see me there again in 2021.
As i said In Feb 2020 was hoping to get there however this Covid changed travel plans big time with all the restrictions.
There is a chance although slim i might get there this coming March April. Not getting any younger dont help but i am still in good shape and Health for my age anyway. Would be using a chopper for access. Is it possible to get the Co ordinance for where Mr Young said he sighted the moose. Cheers Harold
Hi Harold, I’m afraid I don’t know. We are going to be there briefly with my new knee (mainly for a walk – but we will keep our eyes peeled) in early 2023, all going well. My experience is that there is a moose in every side valley of the Seaforth River (& probably elsewhere), but it is very hard going. Careful you don’t fall through or become trapped in a morass. You can fly into Supper Cove then spend a week or more walking out checking these valleys. Some are ‘easier ‘ than others but they are all extremely difficult. In the warmest weather look for them (quietly) in the middle of the day very near water. If there are two of you a useful strategy may be for one to work down the valley whilst the other works upwards – easier said than done! You may drive one towards the other person. This happened to me a few years ago. Cheers, Steve & Della Jones.PS: You will at least, I’m sure see moose sign. Probably the most reliable sign is the absence of their favourite vegetation below a certain height (about 8’).
Harold hi – we have been going to Dusky for a number of years and have trail cameras in key areas. Have seen Moose sign within the last 3 years but just before we put cameras in. We keep hoping, A few days ago a helicopter pilot who has been a guide in BC saw moose from his helicopter so that is pretty exciting.
Alex Gale
Wow, Alex. That is really exciting. I was going down there again this year but my knees are still not up to it, so it will have to be next year. Good luck with your moose hunting. PS Any more details on where the heli pilot saw the moose? Cheers, Steve.