Testimonials

"Our New Zealand adventure began when Bernard picked us up at the airport in Gisborne late on a Wednesday afternoon. We had a fifty-five minute flight from Auckland to Gisborne after arriving there on AIR NEW ZEALAND from Los Angeles. This was a trip that we had planned for some time and was very special to us because it was my present to my son David for his recent graduation from high school.

We were transported from the airport to the Holdsworth ranch in BJ’s new Dodge Nitro and, after a delicious dinner, had time to discuss the hunting situation in front of the fireplace in the trophy room. A good nights’ sleep in the spacious and comfortable sleeping rooms provided for us capped off the day.

The first day of our hunt began with a trip to the firing range. After satisfying ourselves that our rifles were on target, we set off for an area inhabited with a large number of wild goats. The terrain was quite rugged but BJ’s Yamaha Rhino ATV proved to be the perfect vehicle for the job as it did for the rest of the hunt. By the end of the day David had bagged a fine trophy billy goat and we had seen many more.

The second day of hunting found us in a part of the large Holdsworth estate known to hold a band of Arapara Sheep as well as large numbers of Red and Fallow Deer. A band of sheep was spotted containing two very nice rams. After a text book stalk, David had a fantastic Gold Medal ram.

David’s beautiful silver medal stag was taken the following day after several hours of spotting and stalking.

Finally it was my turn. Early morning of day four found us spotting Arapara Sheep in the hills some distance from the lodge. A large ram was located with a small band of ewes. Most of the morning was taken attempting to get a shot at the big ram. On the third stalk, I connected from 246 yards in a strong crosswind.

After a much appreciated and hearty lunch followed by a short rest, we decided to look for a stag for me. Bernard had a group of red deer located not far from the area where my ram was taken and it was decided to take a look at them. After a walk of about a mile we topped over a sharp ridge overlooking a small waterhole. A small band of fallow deer were around the pond and we opted to wait and see if the stags in the area came to water. After a short wait the fallow deer were joined by a small group of stags led by one very nice one. It was tempting to take a shot at the stag but Bernard cautioned me to wait because he thought a larger deer might be coming. Sure enough-after a few minutes the deer by the water were joined by a magnificent heavy antlered stag. We watched them as they grazed around the small body of water and approached to as close as 170 yards. The wind had been in our favor but suddenly it shifted a bit. One of the fallow deer sensed our presence and started running toward the nearby woods shortly followed by the red deer. Bernard bellowed a challenge and the big stag stopped momentarily. Just as he started running again he fell to single shot through the heart and offside shoulder from my Weatherby. As soon as I could gain my composure, we ran the 220 yard down the hill to my prize.

I have hunted in many areas of North America for many species of big game, but I have never had as complete and enjoyable an experience as the one I had with Bernard in New Zealand. It was made even more fulfilling because I was accompanied by my son David and my brother Mike who had joined us as a non-hunter."

Jack Oberlitner
South Dakoda

“Many thanks for a good challenge and a GREAT result!”

It is with the greatest confidence that I would recommend BJ Holdsworth as a hunting guide.
His attention to detail and determination to provide a good result to his clients is second to none.
BJ has years of experience out in the field and he is willing to pass his knowledge on – I not only shot a fantastic Fallow Buck but also came away knowing a lot more about game hunting than I did before.

If you are looking for the complete package in your hunting experience give BJ a call.

Rob Faulkner
Gisborne, NZ

"I’ve had two awesome experiences hunting at Bernard’s estate and each time taken home a fine trophy."

"My first trip was in July 2005 when I took a magnificent 22-point fallow buck at a range of a little over 100 yards, just as dusk was approaching. This experience encouraged me to make a second trip in April the following year, with my young son in tow and on the second day of my trip, I was able to secure the fine 14-point red stag I was after. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my trips and have recommended Bernard’s operation to friends."
David Chapman
Wellington, New Zealand

"I’ve been hunting twice at Bernard’s place with my Dad. On my first trip when I was 13, I shot two goats, one with 33” horns! On my second trip a year later, I shot my first deer using Bernard’s moderated 7mm Remington magnum."
James Chapman
Wellington, New Zealand

"I have hunted several times with Bernard or "B.J" as he is known locally, both occasions his guiding has been successful due to his prior scouting and good homework.
   A short while after purchasing my Kimber 84m in 260 Rem. I wanted to try it hunting. B.J. had a cull stag in mind, it was holding a small group of hinds at the start of the rut, and its antler style was not up to standard so he was on the hit list. We entered the park in the late afternoon and climbed to the highest point, B.J. set his Ziess spotting scope up, incredibly the free-range deer outside the park were already out grazing and a good potential 12 point stag was observed holding his harem roaring spasmodically, the deer in the park were still held up in the bush below us, only right on dark will they surface my guide informed me. We stalked down with a sure breeze in our faces to the edge of the bush where the stag had been seen several days earlier. Right on dark a hind threw caution and emerged from her sanctuary, several more followed and then right on cue a loud throaty roar rumbled up the gully. We sat tight in a small patch of scrub at around 165 yards from the deer. My pulse was racing when B.J. whispered, "that’s him", only his legs were visible, then his head appeared," wait till he's out of the bush", B.J. remarked, he emerged tilting his head back letting go a loud throaty bellow, "take him" I heard. Off my knees at 167 yards I flattened that stag with one shot from the little Kimber, "great shot" my guide reckoned, what a hunt!  I totally recommend Ample adrenalin hunting for a great experience. In my lifetime of hunting this was one of the best hunts, something I will never forget."
Brent Lodge 
Gisborne New Zealand


"The anticipation started to build as soon as BJ said that the big boy had returned from bush far and away for the roar. So after going out for a scout on the first evening a plan was hatched to collect this awesome head.

Twenty minutes on a quad bike put us in an excellent stalking possie, and so it began, after another twenty minutes of quiet stealth avoiding any stray hinds that could spook, the big boy was spotted in the bottom of a gully surrounded by hinds in all directions, I found a suitable tree fork as a support for the 7ml short mag to rest in and settled into a comfy position. The body of the beast filled the scope and a shot was chosen, the trigger was pulled and the challenge was ended. Many thanks go to BJ for this opportunity to collect such a magnificent trophy red deer head.

As a footnote, on talking with BJ 18 months later, to be told that my big boy had produced several young stags, some with a very prominent throwback, that a head just as good as mine is not too far away.

Congratulations BJ & Annabel and good luck in the future."

Dean Davies

"I've now had three hunts with Amplehunting and would like to take the opportunity to recommend this outfitter to others.
My guide B.J. has put me on to some great trophies during my time hunting there, I have enjoyed the experiences so much that I have booked in next year for another, this time a Gold medal class Red stag. The whole experience from warm friendly hospitality, great home cooking and the good hunting make this outfit well worth visiting again.
Steve Morris, Wellington New Zealand.