The Jarvan Rusa was liberated in New Zealand in 1907 from Indonesia. The rusa is similar in size to the red deer, with a typical mature stag weighing up to 440lbs.

Rusa prefer to inhabit steep county, dense bush and scrub. In winter, Rusa can sometimes be seen sunbathing particularly after a cold frost as this species does not appreciate the cooler temperatures. A good time to successfully hunt Rusa is often through the heat of the day when the other deer species are bedded down.

Although the Rusa have only 6 points, the antler are very dense and heavily pearled. If heavy hunting pressure occurs this species is likely to go nocturnal. At Alpine Hunting we limit this species to just a handful of hunters each year, between late May and late July. Both Sambar and Rusa are now more attainable with bigger numbers to hunt at our new Te Puke estate.