Endorsements
Names and phone numbers of referees available upon request.
Bob B. 2004 - 19 point Red Stag (303 SCI Silver Trophy)
On April 14th 2004 we met John Woolf face to face for the first time. The next day on our hunting trip would begin in earnest.
John picked us up in Gisborne for the trip to his concession on the North Island. As the scenery passed by, our thoughts were on the hunt. The next day, we were met by the answering call as stags responded to John’s roaring. Three hours into the hunt, as we took a breather from a long uphill trek a stag challenging John’s roar burst into the clearing thirty-five yards away. The stag fell to Geri’s single shot. A good representative of the species, found its spot in a trophy room.
The action was fast, the scenery and setting superb and the camaraderie at its best.
John Woolf’s Hunter’s Paradise is exactly what the name implies and both Geri and I will return to hunt with John again and recommend that you take advantage of a superb outfitter, guide and all around good fella – John Woolf/Hunters Paradise.
Bob B. – Salem, Oregon, USA.
SETTING A NEW TREND – “An Outdoor Woman” “Female Shooters”
Geri M. 2004 – 15 point Red Stag (224 SCI Trophy)
Bob purchased the hunt and invited me to go to New Zealand for a Red Stag Hunt. I am a professional tour guide, travelling around the world for 25 years, escorting clients on sightseeing (but never a hunt), this was going to be an off-the-wall experience for me. I have not owned, held, much less shot a rifle before, so to do this was not even a thought of a reality. But Bob assured me, I would be in good hands.
So off to New Zealand we went.
John Woolf was a great guide. He (and Bob) had the patience for a real beginner. John’s concessions on the North Island, of which he knew the grounds well, made the hunt a success. We rode part time on a 4 wheeler, and then hiked into the bush, as John would call/roar for the stags and the stags roared back and were able to come within 35 yards for a kill.
But the real question – when we reach the stags, can I do this?
We had been moving in on the roars for almost three hours and had stopped for a rest when over the ridge came five stags. Bob, John and I were approximately ten feet from one another (so I was on my own) and the fellas said “Geri – this one is yours”. I sat down, knees propping my rifle, sighted in with my scope and shot. The stag dropped! We were doing our high fives when the stag started to get back up and limp off. Bob said, “shoot again”, however, I couldn’t think of how to bring another bullet into the chamber, so Bob shot and kept him from staggering off into the bush.
My bullet went into the lungs/shoulder so maybe the stag wouldn’t have gone far, but nevertheless, I didn’t want to lose him or have him go off wounded. My stag (picture enclosed) had 15 points and measured 224 SCI. The venison was divided up amongst the locals and a shoulder mount is being processed in New Zealand and will be sent home to Oregon in a few months, for my first trophy.
Geri M. – Feral New Zealand Goats. |
The game is not over – Now I know I can do this – we went out another day and went for a wild goat hunt. Again, John knew where to take us, and there I was able to shoot three nice-sized goats which also are being processed in New Zealand to be shipped home. So – move over men, here we come! The gap is shrinking.
P.S. Women and (men too) I highly recommend John Woolf for
a great guide!
Geri M. – Wilsonville, Oregon, USA.
In
March / April 2003 I was lucky enough to travel to New Zealand with my family
and fulfil a lifelong ambition to hunt red stag.
I was recommended John Woolf from “Hunters Paradise” by a good friend of mine and was not disappointed. John and his team were great companions and experienced bushmen. With John we enjoyed hunting a variety of animals in their natural free range habitat.
I attribute my successful New Zealand hunting experience to knowledgeable guides, good animals, and great hosts. I rate John and his team at “Hunters Paradise” highly in these areas and strongly recommend contacting them if planning a trip to New Zealand. Feel free to contact me to discuss it further.
Brent (Bud) G.
Canby, Oregon.
Hunting with a legend named Woolfy,
A few years ago, I spent some time tramping around the hills and forests of a region of New Zealand known as Tairawhiti. When I wasn’t busy working, I was out hunting with, in my mind, a legend hunter. His name is John Woolf. He is in no uncertain terms, a huntaholic.
My experiences hunting with Woolfy are the best I’ve ever had. Not only was I living in the most beautiful nation in the entire world, I was surrounded by bush, teaming with wild animals. The nice thing was there is no hunting season in New Zealand. This made the hunts more enjoyable, because you didn’t feel rushed; you simply looked for the best thing out there and took it home.
The best thing of all was Woolfy’s access to prime hunting grounds. Due to Woolfy’s network of friends and colleagues, I was able to hunt some of the best, untouched, and undisturbed areas I’ve ever seen.
I can only recount a few times that we went home empty handed. Either we came back with food for our dogs or food for our families. We’re talking anything from New Zealand’s most unusual opossum, to wild pigs, goats, and don’t forget their world famous Red Stag deer. Oh, and if you’re game, they’ve got a few wild cows running around as well.
My
most memorable hunt with Woolfy was in the mountains just down the road from
where we lived. It was the Roar/Rut, and it was cold, so all the Stags were
ripe for the picking. At one point, we had 5 or 6 stags all answering Woolfy’s
calls. I’ll tell you, I’ve never heard anything like it. They
were all around us and no more than 50 to 60 meters away.
We tracked him for more than an hour. All the way down a ravine. Boy was he a loud one. Just before Woolfy took the shot, the stag turned around and gave us one last loud roar. Wow! It’s what movies are made of.
So, if you ever get the chance, give Woolfy a shot. You won’t go home disappointed. I know a few people who have wasted a lot of time and effort hunting the wrong places with the wrong people. New Zealand is ripe for the picking, and Woolfy knows where to get them.
Respectfully,
Nate D
Canby, Oregon, USA.
Upland Gamebird Hunter Takes On Red Deer
I am a keen upland game bird hunter, have now at the age of 60 become addicted to deer stalking. I met up with John Woolf, from Hunters Paradise while on a trip to the East Coast of New Zealand. We talked about guided deer hunts and asked if I would be keen to participate. Naturally I said yes. The hunt was successful and I managed to shot one of two red hinds. I truly recommend John as a guide for future deer hunts as it has been a pleasure to have meet a jovial and keen person.
Tony Z,
New Zealand
Summer Vacation On The East Coast
Both my son Ben and I had the adventure of a lifetime last summer when we chose a hunting trip guided by John Woolf of Hunters Paradise, Tokomaru Bay, New Zealand. We were after a Red deer stag. Two hours into the hunt John guided us to where we shot not just one, but two Red Deer stags. These stags were huge with good timbered heads of 11 and 13 points. We were rapt with the whole experience and could not have wished for a more professional and friendly guide than John.
We met John while camping at Tokomaru Bay. If you like sea fishing and hunting this place is worth visiting. Although we only fished from a small inflatable boat we great success had kept the camp supplied with fresh fish during our stay. The ride out the backcountry with John was also an awesome experience. The scenery is great with Mt Hikurangi and Aorangi as the backdrops. If you’re into visiting big sheep and cattle ranches this is the place to see.
Truly an outdoor mans paradise. If you’re looking for “down to earth” friendly, experienced guide I recommend giving John at Hunters Paradise a call.
Barry S.
New Zealand.
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
