Thank you, thank you everyone!
Today, I spoke to the booking agent from Link's Wild Safaris. Jay Link was CEO of Jack Link's Jerky...you know the Sasquatch commercials. Pretty cool. I learned from my contact person there that the New Zealand outfitter will be Wilderness Quest (Zion Pilgrim).
I have been researching red stag outfitters for years and the stags from Wilderness Quest were among my favorites, and have the "look" I have always hoped to hunt for. Their property is in a wet, jungle like part of the west coast of the South Island. The vegetation looks similar to the coastal range here in Western Oregon not far from home. Their stags get the beautiful dark reddish brown color that I love on Roosevelt elk here. A lot of outfits are in more arid areas and don't get that antler color that I am so fond of. Here is a promo video from Wilderness Quest if you're interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrvjelLn5cw
The more I thought about the hunt, and that it was for three species, the more I am leaning to hunting for two species and put more of the budget into an even bigger stag. The hunt is already for an exceptional stag, but that would allow me to push the trophy size considerably. I'm not sure if you all know, but pretty much any place on earth that you hunt big stags, the trophy fee is based on trophy quality. I realize my "dream" has always been about a big stag, so I would rather not get spread too thin. This will be a one of a kind opportunity to hunt a special animal.
We are also seriously considering delaying the hunt until 2020. I can then get prime rut dates and it will also be my wife's and my 10th anniversary. That will give us 18 months to plan since we want to take plenty of extra time to tour the South Island. If you have any "must see or do" ideas, I am all ears!!!!
Last night we also learned New Zealand has some of the best areas to "swim with the dolphins". My wife was nearly in tears because that has been her lifelong dream.
God is good...ALL the time!