In this episode, Jurgen Schwanecke and Cliff break down how hunting in New Zealand actually works, from public land access to species like tahr and chamois, and what makes it so different from hunting in the U.S. We also get into the realities—terrain, weather, physical demands, and why success isn’t guaranteed just because opportunity exists.Jurgen also talks about culling work and the skills that come from shooting a high volume of animals in real-world conditions.00:00 — Why New Zealand Might Be the Best Hunti...
In this episode, Jurgen Schwanecke and Cliff break down how hunting in New Zealand actually works, from public land access to species like tahr and chamois, and what makes it so different from hunting in the U.S. We also get into the realities—terrain, weather, physical demands, and why success isn’t guaranteed just because opportunity exists.
Jurgen also talks about culling work and the skills that come from shooting a high volume of animals in real-world conditions.
00:00 — Why New Zealand Might Be the Best Hunting Country
01:24 — How New Zealand Got Its Game Animals (1850s Origins)
11:30 — Jurgen's Background Guiding the Flat Tops in Colorado
13:25 — Conservation Culture Clash: Anti-Hunters in NZ vs. the US
16:37 — How New Zealand's Hunting System Actually Works (Tags, Seasons, Land)
21:05 — Bringing Firearms In: NZ Gun Laws After the 2019 Shooting
23:56 — DIY in NZ vs. Over-the-Counter Elk in Colorado: Which Is Harder?
27:25 — Fitness, Terrain, and Why NZ Rewards Going Deep
30:03 — If You Only Hunt Once: Why Tahr Should Be the Trip
32:35 — Red Stag vs. Elk: Calls, Behavior, and Tactics
34:17 — Bowhunting Culture in New Zealand
36:14 — Using NZ as an Off-Season Practice Ground for American Hunters
39:43 — Bringing Trophies and Meat Home
41:03 — Cultural Norms Americans Should Know Before Hunting NZ
47:25 — Jurgen's Culling Work: Goats, Deer, and Night Shooting
50:29 — Lessons From Killing Thousands: Shooting Positions and Setups
55:25 — The .223 as a Serious Hunting Cartridge
58:26 — Terminal Performance: .223 vs .308 vs .270
1:01:31 — Shoulder vs. Crease: The Big American/Kiwi Shot Placement Debate
1:10:18 — Why Jurgen Hunts With a .270 Winchester
1:12:05 — Gear Differences: What Kiwis Carry vs. What Americans Pack
1:15:44 — Jurgen's Guiding Operation: Public Land Wilderness Hunts
1:18:34 — Planning Your NZ Trip: Trip Length and Helicopter Access
1:22:42 — Where to Find Jurgen Online & Sign-Off
Jurgen Schwanecke’s youtube and instagram
https://www.youtube.com/@strider_media
https://www.instagram.com/strider_media/
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