Beyond Borders: Global Big Game Hunting
Written by: Ryan Reading, Fall Obsession Pro Staff
Back in the States, July is a strange month for hunters. The days are long, the heat is high, and most big game remains untouchable by season or strategy. Whitetails are loafing in soybean fields with velvet-capped antlers, bears are feeding heavy but undisturbed, and elk are high above treeline with zero intention of bugling. Aside from swatting mosquitoes while setting trail cams, many American hunters call July the off-season. But those who think the season ends with the thermometer climbing past 80 haven't looked past their own borders. Because July, in many parts of the world, is the month when the real adventure begins.
Across the Southern Hemisphere and select international destinations, July is prime time. From the dry bushveld of South Africa to the snow-dusted peaks of New Zealand, to the estancias of Argentina and beyond, big game is moving, seasons are open, and the hunting is world-class. What looks like a slow month on one continent is peak season on another—and for those willing to fly, there’s no such thing as downtime. In fact, July may offer the best opportunity to hunt mature game in open country with far fewer crowds, better visibility, and guides who are wide open on the calendar. It's just a matter of knowing where to look and what to look for.
Take South Africa, for example. In July, it’s the height of winter in the bushveld. The rain is gone, the grass is low, and the herds are on the move. Kudu bulls—Africa’s “gray ghosts”—can be seen trailing groups of cows, emerging briefly from thick brush in search of mates. Impala rams are still active, marking territory and defending harems. Waterbuck linger around waterholes at dawn, their heavy, shaggy coats glistening in the morning light. The plains game safari is a rite of passage for international hunters, and July may be the best time of year to take part. With temperatures cool, vegetation sparse, and water scarce, animals are exposed and more patternable. Whether you’re stalking gemsbok across red sand or glassing blesbok on open ridges, every day offers a new chance at a world-class trophy.
South African hunting is often done on expansive private lands or game concessions, with populations that are naturally sustained or lightly managed. The hunts are mostly spot-and-stalk or safari-style: glassing from a vehicle or walking into the wind across known game corridors. Bowhunters set up along trails leading to water, where impala and warthogs often make daily appearances. These are not canned hunts; most require real effort, tracking, and terrain knowledge. A seasoned PH (professional hunter) will guide the experience, often tracking game on foot for miles through brush, broken thornveld, and rock. It's challenging and rewarding, and it builds woodsmanship in terrain you've never known.
Then there's New Zealand. July here is winter, full stop. Snow blankets the Southern Alps, rivers freeze, and Himalayan tahr, red stag, and alpine chamois descend from high peaks to lower basins in search of food and shelter. It’s in this stark and breathtaking environment that some of the world’s most rugged mountain hunts take place. Tahr bulls, with flowing capes and mountain mastery, become the prize of the season. A mature bull tahr can weigh up to 300 pounds and lives in terrain so steep, it would make sheep hunting look like a hike in the park. These animals demand vertical commitment—helicopter drop-ins are common, but not easy. Once you land, it’s your boots and your lungs that determine success. Glassing windswept cliffs, traversing shale slides, and setting up for long-range shots on moving herds in the snow—it’s a true adventure.
Chamois, equally elusive, prefer craggy rock faces and require stealth and patience. They're swift, jump effortlessly between ledges, and vanish into fog faster than you can range them. These animals aren't just trophies—they're a test of the mountain hunter's soul. And while the red stag roar peaks in the fall, July still offers excellent post-rut stag hunts, especially for free-range herds where bachelor groups gather and feed openly in low country.
Further west, Argentina remains one of the great unsung heroes of July hunting. While most American hunters associate Argentina with March or April red stag, July is the time to turn your attention to its blackbuck, axis deer, and feral boars. Blackbuck are exotic antelope with tight, corkscrew horns and lightning speed. They favor open terrain, where long shots and patience are key. Axis deer—a tropical spotted species originally from India—are active in cooler weather, their herds moving frequently. They’re nervous, hyper-alert, and often offer the best meat of any wild species worldwide. Wild boars in Argentina grow big and mean, especially in winter when they pack on weight and compete for territory. Night hunts over bait, or even drives through the brush with dogs, can deliver some of the most adrenaline-packed action of any hunt on Earth.
Most hunts in Argentina are done on private estancias. Guides are often bilingual, the lodges are comfortable, and prices are surprisingly affordable compared to Western trophy hunts. And while bringing your own rifle is possible, many outfitters have top-end firearms ready for rent, complete with optics and zeroed for local conditions. As with Africa, what you pay in plane tickets you more than make up for in opportunity, success rate, and experience.
International hunting, of course, comes with a unique checklist. You’ll need a valid passport, typically six months past your travel date. Many destinations require a firearm permit—South Africa uses SAPS 520 forms, New Zealand requires police clearance, and Argentina, while more complicated, is navigable with your outfitter’s help. The best bet for first-timers? Use what your outfitter offers. Renting their rifles avoids customs, inspection delays, and paperwork stress. You’ll also want travel insurance, particularly something like Global Rescue, Ripcord, or MedJet—services designed for hunting-related evacuation and emergencies. Don’t skimp on that.
Vaccinations may be required for certain countries especially Yellow Fever if you’re coming through another part of Africa or South America. You’ll need to coordinate trophy export ahead of time as well. Dip-and-pack services, or full taxidermy, can be arranged through local specialists. Expect a 6–12 month wait and factor in shipping costs to your home state. Most international hunters set aside a budget of $500–$1,000 for taxidermy export per animal.
And yes, these trips book out early. The best July safaris and alpine hunts are typically filled by January. Use a booking service like BookYourHunt.com, Worldwide Trophy Adventures, or trusted agents who specialize in your destination. Outfitters with proven track records—those affiliated with PHASA, New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides Association, or SCI—are your safest bet. Ask for references. Talk to past hunters. Check reviews. Then double check.
Because here’s the truth: once you break out of the American hunting calendar, you realize there is no offseason. July is not dead time. It’s not downtime. It’s a calling—to leave the familiar, to test your skill somewhere new, and to earn a story that no one back home saw coming. When the rest of the hunting world is waiting on fall, you could be glassing a tahr bull on a white ridge above the clouds, or crawling through the thornveld as a kudu slips into range. You could be listening to the laughter of blackbucks in the wind, or watching impala rams clash in the dust. You could be out there—living it.
The world is open. You just have to chase it.
Pro Tips Checklist
Gear and Travel Essentials for International Big Game
Travel Prep and Legal Requirements
Valid Passport - Must not expire within 6 months of your return date. Renew early.
Firearm Import Forms - Each country requires specific documentation:
South Africa:
SAPS 520 form, invitation letter from outfitter, proof of firearm ownership.
New Zealand:
Police Import Permit (apply online), arrival declaration.
Argentina:
Requires Renar registration or opt to use lodge firearms.
Travel Insurance – Highly recommended:
Global Rescue, Ripcord, or MedJet Assist for emergency extraction and medical evacuation.
Vaccinations – Check CDC requirements.
Yellow Fever for South Africa (if transiting through certain countries).
Basic Tetanus and Hepatitis A/B are commonly recommended.
Trophy Export / Taxidermy :
Dip-and-pack (raw skulls and capes, fastest).
Full mount done abroad (costly, longer).
Ask outfitter about CITES permits for certain species (e.g., tahr, blackbuck).
Gear Essentials by Region
South Africa (Dry, Mild Winter – Bushveld & Plains Game)
Lightweight camo (earth tones, olive, tan)
Snake gaiters and sturdy leather boots
Shooting sticks or tripod for glassing
Soft gun case (travel-friendly)
Daypack with hydration bladder
Quality binos (10x42), rangefinder
Rifle: .30-06, .300 Win Mag or similar
Ammo: Soft-point, bonded bullets (180 gr)
New Zealand (Cold, Snowy – Alpine Mountain Hunts)
Layered system (base merino > fleece > waterproof shell)
High ankle waterproof boots (break in before trip)
Beanie, gloves, gaiters, insulated sleeping pad
Trekking poles (mandatory for alpine terrain)
Rifle: Flat-shooting caliber (.270, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 PRC)
Rangefinder, bipod, 10x42+ binos
Backpack for multi-day hikes (4000–6000 cu in)
Argentina (Cool, Mixed Terrain – Exotics & Boar)
Mid-weight camo (brown/gray brush patterns)
Compact bino harness, thermal/night scope for hogs
Lightweight waterproof boots
Shooting rest or tripod for blackbuck hunts
Rifle: .308, .30-06, or lodge rifle options
Flashlight, headlamp for night setups
Soft-sided duffel (easy on local airlines)
Other:
Backup Documents: Print extra firearm forms and laminate outfitter contact info.
Pack Light but Smart: Limit yourself to 1 checked bag + rifle case. Carry key gear in your daypack as a carry-on.
Tip Etiquette: 10–15% of total hunt cost is customary. Ask your outfitter for team sizes (guides, skinners, cooks).
Don’t Over-Plan: Weather, visibility, and animal behavior will vary—trust your PH or guide and stay flexible.