Boats open doors that boots can’t. A jet boat can power you into river valleys where the game are wild and unbothered. A shallow-draft punt can slip you into wetlands long before the first light touches the reeds. For some, it’s about access. For others, it’s about adventure—the kind you share with your mates, your kids, or the dog curled quietly at your feet. Hunting from a boat isn’t just transport. It’s part of the story.
South Island rivers like the Dart, Haast, and Wilkin are legendary among jet boat hunters chasing red deer through steep backcountry. In the north, drift shooters ply the Waikato delta and Kaipara Harbour, while down south, the Mataura and Oreti draw waterfowlers with patient dogs and camouflaged blinds. Estuaries and tidal flats add a salt-stained edge to the mix. Wherever you go, check local rules, stay legal, and leave it better than you found it.
This tale of wild country, great food, and even better company captures the essence of rural New Zealand adventure. Few tell it better than the South Island Rifle Walkers, whose video Backcountry Jetboat Hunting brings it all to life.
Over five days of jetboat-access hunting, fishing, and fireside yarns, they made the kind of memories only rifle walkers truly understand.
Hit play and come along for the ride.
