Description

In New Zealand there are two wallaby species (introduced from Australia) available for hunting.



Dama wallaby

Dama wallaby

(Macropus eugenii)

Size: Head and body length reaches 53 cm in males and females 49 cm with tail lengths 38 to 42 cms. Average weights are 5 to 6 kg for males and 4 to 5 kg for females.

Colour: Grey brown upper body, paler grey underside with rufous shoulders. Tail tapering and uniform grey.

Social behaviour: Forms small groups.

Reproduction: Females sexually mature at 12 months old. Most births January/February with young staying in the pouch for 250 days.

Gestation period: 28 days.

Birthing: January/February.



Bennett's or red-necked wallaby, Hunters Hills near Timaru

Bennett's wallaby

(Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) Often called red-necked wallaby.

Size: The larger of the two species available standing 800 mm tall with a head and body length of 65 cm and tail length of 62 cm. Males can reach 20 kg plus in weight with females reaching 14 kg.

Colour: Greyish brown upper body with pale grey on the chest and belly. Rufous colour on the shoulders, black tipped hind feet and tail.

Social behaviour: Solitary.

Reproduction: Males sexually mature at 21 – 22 months, some earlier, and females 23 – 24 months. Young stay in the pouch for about 274 days.

Gestation period: About 30 days.

Birthing: Peak season February to March.

Nomenclature: Male= buck. Female = doe. Young = joey.

Where to hunt wallabies

In New Zealand, both species of wallaby (Dama and Bennett's) occupy private land as well as public conservation land. For private land, approach the landowner for permission to hunt.

Hunting guides can often offer wallaby hunting opportunities.

Dama wallaby

Dama wallaby are found in the Rotorua area (centred around Lake Tarawera) in the North Island of New Zealand. Dama prefer edge habitats with dense vegetation cover adjacent to grass feeding areas. Contact: