Wapiti (elk) hunting cost in New Zealand
18 outfitters publish a US dollar price for wapiti (elk) hunting on their own websites, and 3 more price it on application. Their cheapest wapiti (elk) packages run US$6,000 to US$12,500, with a median of US$8,499. Their cheapest trophy fees run US$4,500 to US$12,000, with a median of US$8,750. Checked on 26 September 2026.
Package or trophy fee
A package is a fixed price for a set number of days with the animal included, usually with guiding, lodging and meals. A trophy fee is the price of the animal alone, and the days are charged on top: published day rates run US$250 to US$1,175 across 18 outfitters, with a median of US$500 a day. Compare a package with a package.
| Price type | Outfitters | Cheapest published | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 7 | US$6,000 to US$12,500 | US$8,499 |
| Trophy fee | 12 | US$4,500 to US$12,000 | US$8,750 |
Each outfitter counts once, at its cheapest published price of that type.
Price by SCI score
Most outfitters price a wapiti (elk) by score class, and the price climbs with the score. Each outfitter's cheapest price in a band counts once; a band needs 3 or more outfitters to be shown.
| SCI score | Outfitters | Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 350 to 399 | 4 | US$6,500 to US$14,000 | US$9,750 |
| 400 to 449 | 3 | US$10,000 to US$16,500 | US$13,500 |
Ask for the whole class ladder in writing when you book, so you know what a bigger animal costs before you see one.
What the price usually leaves out
Flights, trophy export and taxidermy, and often GST. Read what a guided New Zealand hunt costs for the whole trip.
These are published prices, not quotes. Each figure is from the outfitter's own website on 26 September 2026. Only prices labelled in US dollars count and none is converted; price lists for seasons before 2026 are left out. The only price that binds anyone is the one your outfitter puts in writing.