Welcome back to another Behind The Grind – where I pull back the curtain on life behind Dog & Gun Coffee, share bush yarns from our adventures, and occasionally drop a nugget of life wisdom.
Last time, I asked what you actually wanted to hear more of. The biggest response?
“Tell us more about your hunting adventures in New Zealand.”
So, here we go. Settle in with a brew – this one’s about how chasing deer through the dense bush of the North Island NZ kicked off a life-changing chapter.
The Move to Aotearoa: Where the Hunting Bug Bit Hard
A few years ago, before I had a real beard or a clue what I was doing, Rache and I moved to New Zealand on a whim. We’d always leaned toward reckless decisions that somehow led to epic stories, and this one turned out to be a cracker.
Not long after we landed, I joined the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) – shout out to the Waikato branch in Hamilton – and signed up for their HUNTS course, which is a bit like the Australian Deer Association's hunter education program.
It combined classroom sessions on safety and ethics with in-the-field training like navigation, river crossings, and proper shot placement. Eventually, you go on a real hunting trip to put everything into practice.
Learning the Ropes: Kaimai Bush and Kiwi Generosity
The course gave me confidence but more importantly, introduced me to experienced hunters who shared their knowledge and even took me out to their own spots. That kind of generosity is baked into Kiwi hunting culture, and I reckon we could all take a page out of that book.
We were living on a dairy farm at the foot of the Kaimai Ranges – thick with native bush, slick with moss, and full of hidden lessons. That place taught me how to slow down, observe, and actually become a part of the bush rather than just a noisy tourist stomping through it.
My First Red Deer: A Moment I’ll Never Forget
It was cold enough to burn your lungs and quiet enough to hear your heartbeat. That’s when I spotted her – a red deer hind, weaving silently through the scrub about 30 yards away.
Adrenaline kicked in. I shouldered my Sako A7 in 7mm-08, lined up the shot, and pulled the trigger.
At first, I thought I’d lost her in the thick bush. But the scent and a splash of blood led me to where she’d dropped – just under a bed of ferns.
That was it. My first red deer. A moment that changed everything.
Kiwi Hunting Culture: Kaitiakitanga and Stewardship
What stuck with me most about my time in NZ wasn’t just the deer – it was the philosophy of Kaitiakitanga, the Maori principle of stewardship over the land.
Every hunt was more than just meat on the table – it was a chance to give back to the bush. Nothing was wasted. Scraps became sausage mince. Rubbish was packed out. Trails were respected.
That mindset directly shaped Dog & Gun’s mission – promoting ethical hunting and giving back to the outdoor lifestyle we love.
What’s Next: Fiordland Wapiti Dreams
These days I’m gearing up for the ultimate Kiwi challenge: the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation Ballot Hunt – one of the wildest free-range elk hunts on Earth. Think torrential rain, vertical cliffs, and sandflies the size of your thumb.
But it’s also home to a conservation effort that manages the only free-range wapiti herd in the Southern Hemisphere, donates meat to those in need, and restores native flora and fauna.
Why It Matters: Beyond Coffee
Dog & Gun was never just about slinging adventure-ready coffee. It’s about protecting the outdoor lifestyle we love for future generations – whether you’re hunting deer, 4WDing through the bush, or simply enjoying a campfire brew with your mates.
If you’re keen to chase deer in NZ or want advice on getting into hunting in Australia, shoot me a message. I’m more than happy to point you in the right direction.
Cheers,
Shaun
Founder, Dog & Gun Coffee