Demand from safari park operators and specialised hunting guides motivates Clachanburn Station, Maniototo to put up trophy animals.

Responding to demand from safari park operators and specialist hunting guides, in February Maniototo deer farmers John and Mary Falconer of Clachanburn Station are offering high quality elk bulls under the hammer, the first time New Zealand trophy animals will be presented at auction.

Seasoned hunter, guide and owner of Waitoi Creek Trophy Hunting, which operates out of Clachanburn Station, John Falconer says the on-farm auction will provide an efficient way to access quality elk bulls that are otherwise difficult to acquire.

“We expect to offer around 20 lots. We have a large herd of elk, which has grown in the last few years, particularly since we acquired Montalto Stud from John Bartholemew of Mid Canterbury, and Connemara Stud from Murray Hagen of Manapouri. From that expanded herd, we are selecting the pick of our nine-year-old bulls, with full antlers measured and scored before the sale.

“Specialist transport facilities will be available on auction day to assist the successful purchasers to transport their animals with minimum disruption or risk to the deer,” he says.

Clachanburn has sold elk bulls privately in the past and receives regular enquiry about their trophy animals.

“We have decided putting them up for auction is the easiest, fairest and most transparent way to give anyone who is interested an opportunity to buy,” he says.

A variety of bulls will be available at the sale, ranging from clean typical 6x6s, up to big non-typicals. Each bull will be scored, and the score sheet will be displayed for every animal offered for sale. John Falconer says the aim is to find something to match every preference.

PGG Wrightson Livestock’s specialist deer team will conduct the auction, under the auspices of New Zealand’s number one auctioneer for deer Neville Clark. 

With viewing prior to the start of the auction, the Clachanburn Elk Trophy Bull Sale is onsite at Clachanburn Station from 3.30pm on 13 February, and also online for registered bidr users.

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