Here are some testimonials from people who have visited The Fairmead Hunting Experience. If you would like to send us yours for us to publish here, please email it to us, we'd love to hear from you.
"A tad busy since we got home butchering all the venison, quite a job.
However ended up with , all the nice steak cuts, roasts, mince and homemade sausages and put the last of it in the brine this morning for some corned venison. All vacuum packed.
It is absolutely delicious of which our family will have many months of delicious meals.
Once again thank you Barbara it was quite something to see you walk up and arrive up at the Totara hut with a homemade pavalova.
Your beaming smile on your face said it all. Some beautiful scones and date loaf was also enjoyed and reminded me in my younger days of my dear mother.
Richard your knowledge , patience and expertise was incredible. Just right for my young son James starting out on his first hunt. I knew I could have taken him deer stalking myself however I wanted to offer him a total experience. Of which you delivered in spades.
He hasn’t stopped talking about it since our return. James our guide , you were great and the patience and knowledge was very much appreciated, slow stalking and patience , with James (my son) taking it all in. Well we will be back."
"Thanks so much for your kind hospitality, you fed us well and your guidance through the hunt was awesome.
I am stoked to get my first deer on your magical block, stunning. Thanks Richard and James for your knowledge patience and for putting in the hard yards, it was hot.
Barbara, you're a wonderful lady, you and Richard both know how to make someone welcome right from the get go.
Thank you for looking after my brother and I through the weekend, God bless."
"Matt and I treated Ben my Grandson to a hunt for his birthday. Ben shot his first deer here at Fairmead. I think he is hooked and will be pestering his Uncle Matt to take him out again.
Thanks Richard and James for everything you did to make this trip something memorable."
"I booked a trip to Fairmead to bring my sons for their first hunt.
Arrived and greeted by Richard and Barb. We have had a BLODDY GREAT TIME!! We had great food from the time we arrived, great company, an awesome guide. James our guide was very patient with the kids. Heaps of deer around, shot two meat bucks.
Couldn't have asked for a better time, will be back in the roar to shoot a trophy.
Thanks Richard, Barb and James for a great weekend.
PS: Love the hut!"
"First time hunting in NZ. Richard & James were fantastic hosts, the hunting was phenomenal - will definitely be back."
"I can't thank you enough for your hospitality during our recent stay. The wealth of knowledge you and James shared with us three amateur, but keen hunters was invaluable and has started what may be a lifelong interest in hunting. Your property was spectacular, and the lodge had every comfort of home. I can't wait to get our venison back from the butchers to share with my friends and family.
The lads are keen to get back again next year so I'm sure you have not seen the last of us. Thanks again."
"Thank you so much for an amazing weekend, the kids were just fizzing the whole time, they didn’t stop talking about it all the way home, one of the best times of their lives and ours seeing them have so much fun, thanks to you and Barb for your wonderful hospitality, and please pass on our thanks again to James for his help also.
I’m certain the kids will be looking forward to a return trip next year. Thanks again."
"My husband, two sons and I visited Fairmead Hunting experience for a wee family get away and what an experience it was. If waking up with wild deer grazing around the hut isn’t enough, the surroundings and serenity certainly are. Richard and Barb are generous hosts and create the perfect balance of hosting and allowing freedom to explore the farm. The potential targets are healthy and impressive and I was able to take a great trophy buck for the wall. An experience well worth booking sooner rather than later."
"We had an absolute blast, we couldn't have had a more enjoyable hunt. Richard and Barb are a couple of the most genuine people you would ever meet and made our stay ever memorable right from the tea and pikelets with jam and cream on arrival to the wealth of knowledge from Richard.
James our guide was ever patient and we thoroughly enjoyed his company, laughs and experience.
Thank you kindly."
“We booked for a boys weekend away and man did Fairmead deliver. What an amazing trip, great hunting, great company and life-long memories made. Two of us managed our first deer under the watchful eye of James and Richard, then well-fed by Barbara (venison casserole was out of this world). The hosting was fantastic, hut was picture perfect and we learnt a lot from Richard over the three days. We have already re-booked a trip for Jan in order to get our sons onto some deer.
Some truly great hospitality from start to finish"
"An amazing time with my boy on a Dad and Son trip. Beautiful place and Richard was an awesome host.
Phil our guide was great, he was so good with Joel and helped him with a great shot for his first deer."
"This was my first time hunting ever. I found Richard & James to be very knowledgeable and very professional, I will definitely be coming back. As they say in Afrikaans - 'Dit was baie Lekker' - It was very, very nice.
Thank you Richard and James, you guys were amazing."
"The proper hunting weekend with plenty of deer to hunt and a never ending supply of food and advice from Richard & James. We had an absolutely unforgettable weekend.
Thanks Richard I will see you again."
"Thanks Richard and Barbara for another amazing weekend (lots of laughs and story's) and to James for saving the biggest deer for me See ya next year!"
"Richard and Barb made me feel right at home with their generous hospitality from the moment I arrived through to the wave goodbye. The whole experience is just incredible from the modern yet authentic style hut with some very cool memorabilia, through to James, the guide, providing expert advice and of course stalking two species in one day.
Coming away with a couple of animals and some pretty cool memories of a little bit of hunting heaven is worth every cent. I am even more impressed with the setup having seen and talked to Richard about the conservation and pest control work he has been putting into the block. I will definitely be coming back again!"
