Tahr or Elk? - Hunting NZ vs. Hunting The West

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 Country01:24 — How New Zealand Got Its Game Animals (1850s Origins)11:30 — Jurgen's Background Guiding the Flat Tops in Colorado13:25 — Conservation Culture Clash: Anti-Hunters in NZ vs. the US16:37 — How New Zealand's Hunting System Actually Works (Tags, Seasons, Land)21:05 — Bringing Firearms In: NZ Gun Laws After the 2019 Shooting23:56 — DIY in NZ vs. Over-the-Counter Elk in Colorado: Which Is Harder?27:25 — Fitness, Terrain, and Why NZ Rewards Going Deep30:03 — If You Only Hunt Once: Why Tahr Should Be the Trip32:35 — Red Stag vs. Elk: Calls, Behavior, and Tactics34:17 — Bowhunting Culture in New Zealand36:14 — Using NZ as an Off-Season Practice Ground for American Hunters39:43 — Bringing Trophies and Meat Home41:03 — Cultural Norms Americans Should Know Before Hunting NZ47:25 — Jurgen's Culling Work: Goats, Deer, and Night Shooting50:29 — Lessons From Killing Thousands: Shooting Positions and Setups55:25 — The .223 as a Serious Hunting Cartridge58:26 — Terminal Performance: .223 vs .308 vs .2701:01:31 — Shoulder vs. Crease: The Big American/Kiwi Shot Placement Debate1:10:18 — Why Jurgen Hunts With a .270 Winchester1:12:05 — Gear Differences: What Kiwis Carry vs. What Americans Pack1:15:44 — Jurgen's Guiding Operation: Public Land Wilderness Hunts1:18:34 — Planning Your NZ Trip: Trip Length and Helicopter Access1:22:42 — Where to Find Jurgen Online & Sign-OffJurgen Schwanecke’s youtube and instagramhttps://www.youtube.com/@strider_mediahttps://www.instagram.com/strider_media/---FOLLOW CLIFFYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGrayInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliffPursuit With Cliff Podcasthttps://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/Hunt. Fish. Spear.  (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/ExperiencesMerchhttps://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER:https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter