13 NEW ZEALAND HUNTING NEWS
www.thefishingpaper.co.nz
A hidden gem amidst Wanganui’s back blocks is breaking new ground on the hunting scene and attracting a lot of attention. It’s changed Crimpy’s view, and he explains why he keeps going back.
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G N I T N HU ALAN NEW ZE
Fairmead - back to the future!
D
NEWS
f you’d asked me ten-years-ago if there was a place in New Zealand for an operation like The Fairmead Hunting Experience, I would have been pessimistic. But then, if you told me when I was a teenager with hunting access to just about any farm in the country, that many of those farms would be ‘closed shop’ within my lifetime, I’d have thought you mad. Things change.
Richard discusses tactics with a young Nimrod, Daniel Crimp.
Richard Turner has turned change to his advantage, and for the benefit of others. A generous mix of gentleman, raconteur, rapscallion, archetypal hunter of old and friendly uncle, Richard is the host and driving force behind The Fairmead Hunting Experience, situated 40kms from Wanganui in the rural back blocks. Born of his love of hunting and a desire to share with and educate others, Richard converted a disused deer farm
to a safe and fenced game park offering affordable hunting for the lone hunter, small parties, and family groups. Under the brand, Fairmead Hunting Lodge, Richard offers personalised professional guided hunting for fallow deer, trophy bucks, and other game animals on his remote, ring-fenced hill block. At this point it pays not to switch off if you are thinking stereotypic luxury lodge and ‘fat cheque book game park behind the wire hunting’,
Daniel with his second buck for the hunt.
because Fairmead Lodge is something uniquely different and very Kiwi oriented. It is a clever meld of the rustic and the real, where traditional meets
Fairmead Hunting Lodge offers personalised professional guided hunting for fallow deer, trophy bucks and other game animals on a safe and controlled environment in Back Block, Wanganui.
• GIFT VOUCHERS
Birthdays, anniversaries, etc)
a contemporary spin. Hunters have the option of staying at the ‘Lodge’, which is actually Richard and wife, Barbara’s, nicely appointed homestead, or they can choose to travel Back to the Future by camping out in the rustic Totara Ridge Hut, a charming replica old Kiwi mountain hut resplendent in miscellanea of a bygone era: old lanterns, .303 rifles on the corrugated walls, deer antlers, Tilley lamps, bunks, animal hides and a hearty open fire to suggest a few. Richard will sling a blackened billy for those staying at Totara Ridge Hut, cook a generous back country feed over the fire and dip into his repertoire of hunting yarns and tales of his mustering days as the fire coals glow brightly against a crisp starry night. Whether tucked up for the night in a sleeping bag or in the cosy surrounds of the homestead, three elements to a good time are guaranteed: the genial company of the hosts, generous and delicious food, and plenty of hearty laughter.
While free range hunting is my thing, and I have no intention of changing, I have hunted Fairmead twice now and know there’ll be a third and more. Why? Because it is that good. Richard and Barbara have become friends and he is such a pleasure to hunt with, but there is so much more to it when you open your eyes to The Fairmead Hunting Experience. I took Daniel there recently and, while it is his burning desire to shoot a deer in the wild, the experience proved invaluable to him. Think about it: he was immediately in a target rich environment interacting with wild deer, and he faced exactly the same stalking challenges he would in the wild. Under Richard’s gentle tuition, he was able to build his skill set and learned more in two days than I could have taught him in a year on the hill. More importantly for a youngster, there was plenty happening all the time and virtually a guaranteed chance of success, so there was
no fear of him becoming bored, disconsolate, or disappointed and losing interest in hunting. It is, in fact, a great launch pad and training ground for young hunters.
The Fairmead Hunting Experience also benefits older hunters who want to polish their skills, or extend their hunting life beyond the hills that have already grown too steep. It is the perfect destination for the time poor businessman who wants to be assured of success and feel the satisfaction of bringing meat home to the table. It is ideal for those wanting to experience a hunt for the first time, perfect for the budding trophy hunter who wants a nice mount for the wall, and The Fairmead Hunting Experience is the perfect gift to surprise your loved one.
There is a lot more, but some things are best discovered for themselves. For a great hunting experience, go Back to the Future at Fairmead - they do it well.
• TROPHY BUCK HUNT! March – September
• FALLOW RUT!
April - limited positions available
• Meat hunts - all year • Father & Son hunts • Ladies’ hunts • Beginner hunts
2 nights accommodation + guided hunt ONLY $350 per hunter + a trophy or meat animal fee. Meat Fallow Deer $200 Management Buck $500
Trophy Buck $2,500 Arapawa Ram $500
Richard & Barbara Turner Fairmead Lodge, RD 8, Wanganui, NZ Tel. 06 342 8767
www.fairmeadlodge.co.nz
Up close and personal at Fairmead.