Rivers South Safaris has four main varmints that we target for hunting. They are Wallaby, Hares, Cotton tail Rabbits and Opossums. All of these can be hunted with rifle, shotgun, bow and crossbow. All except the opossum can be hunted during the day as opossums are nocturnal and only come out at night. Spotlighting or night shooting as we call it is the most productive way to hunt New Zealand varmints. All of these were introduced from Australia. They have been an absolute disaster to New Zealand’s flora and fuona and therefore have a total eradication policy on them. Wallabies although related to the Kangaroo are much smaller with a good buck standing 4 foot and weighing about 30-35pounds. Wallabies make a nice mounted trophy or can be flat skun to make a rug. Hares and cotton tail rabbits are a farmers worst night mare not only do they dig holes but can decimate young grass and crops. At certain times of the year their population can reach plague proportions and it is not uncommon to kill 40-50 per night.
New Zealand Opossums have similar characteristics to the north American opossums but ours are much nicer in looks and have a fur that is some of the softest and finest fur in the world. Although they are not as plentiful we can usually find a couple for hunters. Because these varmints can carry internal parasites we do not recommend eating them.
New Zealand Opossums have similar characteristics to the north American opossums but ours are much nicer in looks and have a fur that is some of the softest and finest fur in the world. Although they are not as plentiful we can usually find a couple for hunters. Because these varmints can carry internal parasites we do not recommend eating them.