Minaret Outfitters

Minaret Outfitters is a renowned lodge and fishing establishment located in Wnaka, New Zealand. Offering premium guided hunting experiences, Minaret Station is one of the country's long-established hunting businesses. Guests can expect a top-notch experience, with a focus on hunting big game animals such as Red Stag, Bull Tahr, and Chamois found in the stunning South Island.

The hunting experiences at Minaret Station can be enjoyed as single or multi-day trips. Guests have the option of staying in and around Queenstown and Wanaka or choosing to reside at the Minaret Station Alpine Lodge. In terms of climate, Wnaka boasts a temperate weather, and with no natural predators to challenge hunters, New Zealand provides excellent trophy opportunities while also contributing to important conservation efforts.

The Minaret Station team consists of hand-picked, professional, and highly experienced guides who possess comprehensive local knowledge. This allows guests to safely venture into remote areas of wilderness and explore the expansive Southern Alps. The lodge itself has exclusive access to a 50,000-acre parcel of wilderness, providing prime hunting territory. Additionally, Minaret Station holds independent concessions to hunt on conservation lands encompassing four million acres, including national parks.

The terrain in the region is truly awe-inspiring. Gentle undulating lowlands give way to steep ridges that ascend to permanent snow fields. Different vegetation zones distinctively separate densely forested hillsides, sub alpine scrubland, and open mountain tops. Helicopters are often used to access areas that would otherwise require days of hiking.

This allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the hunting experience and explore even the most remote and inaccessible parts of the region.

The professional hunting guides at Minaret Station are committed to delivering a world-class hunting experience. They are skilled at evaluating a hunter's personal ability and ensuring their success. Whether guests are seasoned hunters with international experience or newcomers picking up a rifle for the first time, the guides can adapt their expertise to guarantee the highest level of satisfaction. All Minaret Station guides are members of the New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides Association and are trained to exceed industry standards.

Apart from the main game animals, Minaret Station also provides access to other species such as Fallow Buck, South Pacific Goat, and Aarapawa Ram. Additionally, non-hunting companions are welcome to join the experience and partake in a variety of other activities.

Inclusions in the hunting packages include helicopter access, experienced guides, food and beverage, trophy animal (Red Stag, Tahr, or Chamois), and initial trophy cleaning and preparation. However, the fees do not cover trophy taxidermy or expediting services. It is worth noting that multiple animals can be hunted on the same day at an additional fee.

The guide ratio at Minaret Station is a maximum of one guide to two hunters or one guide to one hunter with one non-hunting companion. The hunting seasons vary, with Red Stag available from February to July (inclusive) and Tahr/Chamois accessible year-round. A full day is recommended for the experience, and departures can be arranged from Queenstown, Wanaka, and the Minaret Station Alpine Lodge, with additional departure points provided upon request.

The daily hunt fee for up to two hunters is $14,900 NZD. For more information or to book an experience, guests are encouraged to enquire via the Minaret Station website. The lodge also offers a range of other experiences, detailed on their blog, as well as press features and a gallery showcasing the stunning landscapes and memorable moments captured by guests. Terms and conditions, as well as a privacy policy, can be found on the website, and there is an agent portal available for travel professionals.

Minaret Station also welcomes guests to sign up for their newsletter to stay updated on the latest news and promotions.