Home Page Fishing Hunting Location Contact Us Fishing Photos Hunting Photos Client Comment Client Reference Fishing Report Hunting Report Subscribe Weather Calendar Website Links Email Our Client Comments from: The Hunt Report.com		CLIENT COMMENT Dear Gerald,   Just a quick thank-you note for the outstanding bow hunting experience I was fortunate to share with you a few weeks ago.  This was my third bow hunting trip with you, which says a lot about the first two trips, and this one was the best of the lot.  I think it had to do with the four or five times you were able to get me within 15 meters of very good red stags, including groups of stags a couple of times.  The afternoon hunt where we crawled up the hill to hide behind the rose bush within 12 meters of those three big boys with their antlers turning against the sky still stands out in my mind nearly as vividly as it did that day.  To finally close the deal on a really nice animal really capped off the hunt.  That Joanne could ride along in the truck and gain an appreciation for the beautiful scenery and the animals also greatly enhanced the experience.  (And improved my chances of getting to put another head up on the wall of the den!)   I also really appreciated your positive attitude and sense of humor during our hunts.  Guiding a recurve bow hunter requires plenty of both, I’m sure.  You obviously know well the terrain and the animals we hunted given the numerous chances you gave me to get close.  It may be another two or three years, but I really hope to get another chance for a Gerald Telford bow hunting experience.   All my best to you, Sue and the girls.   Tom Grimes Honolulu, Hawaii April 2010 CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE   What an awesome time I had with you again Gerald. I am truly fished out (204 landed), as you no doubt noticed in the last 2 days. For the first 16 days we were flat out from morning till late afternoon in the hunt for the beauties as the weather was kind this year. There was wind but you seemed to find the right answer to shelter me from this negative. I have not yet written my log but the highlights are in my head. I landed back in the UK on time and apart from the next day when I felt a bit like a zombie I am now back on UK time. Some of the highlights: 1. Motatapu River with 42 fish landed. The fish were suicidal with 2 of the fish caught after they had been nicked 1 and 2 times but took the next cast nevertheless. To cap it all 1 foot of the rod had broken off after the second fish so 40 were caught with interesting gear. At an early stage I fell head first in the water when I misjudged the depth of the river on entering a pool with 6 fish visible. As a recompense all 6 fish were caught. At one stage I recall I had a fish on the line which was having fun with us as your sunglasses were also caught in the fishing line. 2. The first day at Craig Burn Creek was rather remarkable as all the fish near where the truck was parked were spooked before we started. But then to find a pool where we landed 18 between 2lb to 3lb a further 2 broke off and a further 2 were hooked was a big bonus. Yet there were still more fish left in the pool than we had caught. Considering the small size of the pool it was remarkable that the fish did not twig that something was going on before we had touched 22 of them! 3. The Matarau River this year was again something very special. The first afternoon catching 7 good powerful fish was quite an experience. The next day was a great beat with the terrific benefit that the truck was parked where we were ending the day. Although we only landed 4 and lost 6 it was memorable as the fish were incredibly powerful and one felt each landing was a great success and beating all the odds. The fact that we also saw so many fish that day but most spooked very quickly, often without casting even, meant even a hit while losing the nymphs after a heroic effort was a triumph. On the 3rd day to land 31 with 7 in the Melanie pool was something I had not expected as a second time at a spot which was a great success the first time is not something usually repeated. So thanks very much for a great holiday and also thanks to Sue for looking after me. The cherries were great this year and good to see that the 'girls' still love them. My intention is to come back next year at approximately the same dates but it is a bit too early to fix dates. Let me know though if somebody is interested in booking what is 'my' time!! Once again ta very much and all the best to the Telford clan. Paul - December 2009 CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE When I was first planning a sightseeing trip from my country Austria/Vienna in Europe to NZ in the year 2008 many of my friends had been asking me, "what are you going to hunt there ??" "Nothing", I said , just a sightseeing trip of the North and South Island. After all, I decided to take the chance and I looked for a bowhunting guide and a good place to hunt Himalajan Tahr and Stags or Chamois. After searching in google, I soon detected  www.flyfishhunt.co.nz  and the contact was made. Gerald invested his private time to show me around in December 2008 in his hunting area for Tahr and Stags, for two days . After that time he asked me if  I was an experienced bowhunter- only since already 1992 , and foamer of our bowhunting club, www.austrianbowhunting.at  (see the web page and photogallery), will make it – and I was hooked by gerald, who is also a bowhunting and fishing guide expert. At that time we could work out several close encounters for a bowhunter- just to take close pictures whith the camera in stead of a bow shot. More than one year I was dreaming of that wonderful private mountain valley.  I used my time to become in good shape, trained mountain hiking as much as possible and trained as a bowhunter to shoot at distances up to 40 meters in the mountains. In March 2009 the dream becomes true, and I was back in that wonderful valley. 11 hours of time difference gave me a hard time, I had 5 days of hunting time + 3 days as reserve days. To make it short, within three days I was able to fulfill my dream. I could haverest a fully free ranging bull Tahr with 12 inch, which scored 40 douglas points, high up in the mountains after a 3 hours climb more than 1200 meters higher up and 1.5 hours additional stalk, with a lucky or good trained 38 meters downhill bow shot and a two blade german cinetics 125 grain broadhead, that Tahr collapsed whithin 60 meters at a perfect place to make pictures, just meters before a vertical dangerous wall. The next day we worked out several close encounters to the fully bugling redstags – they had been roaring like in my country, not bellowing high, like elk in the states, and with late shooting light , a perfect quatering away 30 meters bow shot ,brought down a beautiful symmetrical 7x6 red stag within 80 meters with long white tips, which scored 182 CIC points  and the dream was over ….. But I will never forget the wonderful time far far away at the other side of the world, the red stag antlers on my wall and the perfect shoulder mount of the thar will allways remind me of that great bowhunting adventure. Everything was perfect …… ROBERT  KÖNIG  has hunted at many parts of the world and could havest with his bow more than 100 hooved big game animals, that NZ hunt was one of his highlights. If you are a rifle or bow hunter and in normal good shape, you will have perfect chance for Tahr and Red Stag. Thank`s Sue and Gerald for everything. ROBERT KÖNIG AUSTRIA / VIENNA / EUROPA - March 2009 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Dear Sue and Gerald. Ingrid and I would like to thank you for the wonderful time we had with you in May 2009. The hunt and our stay was organized in a professional manner from the very first day when  we decided to hunt with you. Nothing could have been better (except for the weather, but you could probably do nothing about that!). When you decide to hunt in New Zealand, and travel from Norway to your part of the world, you always have a lot of questions. All these more or less stupid questions were responded in a way we felt was honest and easy to understand.  In the end it was easy to choose your hunting company as our host. This decision we don’t regret. We were treated as your guest, not as clients, what we really appreciated. The hunt was a challenge in an environment different from the Norwegian. With an outstanding guide, Rusty, I was able to get a beautiful Tahr trophy and a nice Arapawa Ram. This was a hunting experience I never will forget. I will not hesitate to recommend anyone I meet in Norway who plan to hunt on the South Island of New Zealand to choose Gerald and Sue Telford Fishing and Hunting Services. Again, thank you Tish, Mel, Sue and Gerald, you gave us a memory for lifetime. Nils S. Henriksen - May 2009 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE With over 50 years of hunting around the world the quality of hunt, 5-Star food and comfortable lodging which I experienced, I have never enjoyed myself more.  Gerald is a true professional in guiding, definitely knows where the animals are and how to hunt them.  Sue manages a "warm" homey guest retreat and was so helpful with my follow-on tour of the New Zealand southern and northern islands.  I would encourage a hunter or fisherman to consider their operation for their next outdoor adventure.  Thanks for a wonderful hunting experience"!!    Brian McWillams - May 2009   Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE I have to say that of the 3 weeks we spent in NZ, that the hunt, your hospitality, the lodgings and the food that first week were the highlights of the trip. Your kids were fun for us to, they gave us a little reminder of home and we’ll miss them to. Sue, I think that the household and food were the best we had while in NZ. Mom and Susie really appreciated the time you spent touring with them, the highlight was the plane ride. The only complaint I heard from them was that you Kiwis drive to fast on mountain roads! The abundance of free range wild game in the stag area was really impressive. It was sure nice (a real good thing I assure you) that whenever I messed up or got “blown” out of a stalk that there was another chance not to far in the future to try again. As I recall I think we saw/stalked 7 or 8 stags that first day, and nearly that the second. The Fallow property was equally impressive, rain or shine the bucks were snorting just over the next rise it seemed. That second afternoon when I managed to stalk, blow the stalk (or rather got winded, or seen, or who knows what) stalk again, blow the stalk…well I think 4 or 5 times before the last one headed across the creek at the bottom of the draw, was the most exciting, there were deer everywhere (that was part of the problem you see). Well, let’s think on that, almost being trampled by a heard of fallow does and buck when they came flying over the rise in our faces was pretty darn exciting to, I wish I had a camera shot of those deer when they came up over the rise (and maybe one of Gerald’s and my faces to as we ducked). The opportunity to hunt rabbits and turkey after the main hunt was great fun. Finding the group of boars on the mountain the last day was equally appreciated and exciting for bowhunting. Who would have thought that I needed to go to NZ to get my first, and second boars with the bow? That was a pretty impressive hump up that little hill with the pig on your back too Gerald. The sites way up on that mountain ridge were just about as good as the pigs we found. When time and money permit in the future I will be back to hunt Tahr and Chamios, maybe I’ll give another go at the Fallow to, we left some big ones out there. I’ll do my best on the Tahr in prime season with the bow to, maybe you Gerald will be up for taking your bow to (or you will take a back-up rifle). For Chamios, a rifle might be the best alternative. We’ll stay in touch, thanks again for all your efforts before, during, and after this hunt. Cheers! Daniel Blumer, April 2008 Top of page   CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Dear Sue and Gerald;   It was an excellent experience pretty much all around.  I have had some guided hunt experience but not as much, perhaps as your other clients, being mostly a PA bow hunter I generally guide myself around.   The lodge was great, the food and company was all excellent.     Morton, my Guide, although young was experienced, patient and had a great sense of humour. The hunting was excellent, lots of very high quality stags all over the place, and while I probably should have held off for a bigger Stag for the third day... it was my own excitement that got the better of me.   One thing I should mention to your prospective clients.. when I have tagged out in other hunts ..that's pretty much it.. just hang out in camp... I found that it was a very pleasant surprise that after I got my Stag there was no problem going bow hunting for Turkey the next day with Morton (sorry about that errant shot, Mort) which was as much fun as the stag hunt.   I was also surprised to find out how 'wife friendly' the Lodge was and if I had known that ahead of time I might have pressed my wife to stay at the Lodge... maybe.   Gerald was personable, and knowledgeable.. he didn't press his knowledge on you, but didn't withhold it if asked. a very New Zealand kinda guy.   In summary great hunt, great Guide, great Outfitter, great Family... Gary Lowenthal, March 2008 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE We just returned from a 3 week hunt on South Island, New Zealand in the small town called Wanaka.  I would like to report on an excellent hunting experience provided by Gerald & Sue Telford Hunting & Fishing Services.  During the SCI convention in 2006, we met Gerald & Sue, & booked with them since they had an easy way about them. Their recommendation was to come in late April, their fall season. It was during the roar of the red stag, black fallow bucks were in rut, the tahr had full winter manes, & the chamois bucks were chasing the does up & down the cliff faces.  When I told Gerald that my hunt was to be fair chase, with no helicopters, & no fences, he responded with great enthusiasm. He will book either game shoots with high fences & helicopters, or fair chase hunting packages.  The Telford’s have hunting rights to numerous, very large, stations (ranches) & invest a lot of time & money in management of the wildlife there. Gerald also serves on the Game & Fish Commission in his area.  Our guide for the tahr, Paul, was a fine Scottish gentleman that spent years teaching alpine survival, and serving in the British Marines.  For that hunt, we drove about a 2 ½ hours to the tahr station.  Late in the evening of the first day, we harvested a trophy tahr with a beautiful silver/black mane, black face, very long horns, with bases that were close together.  He taught my wife & me some techniques of mountain climbing & strategies of tahr hunting.  The following morning, we started the chamois hunt.  My guide, Morton, is from Denmark, who guides for the season in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. He then guides in Saskatchewan, during their season. He’s an enthusiastic 22 year young man who loves to hunt.  We were glassing & stalking chamois every day.  I missed easy shots that I should have made, and long range difficult shots as well.  Sometimes, it seems to me, you just get jinxed on a certain animals & chamois definitely had me jinxed.      Gerald took me for the black fallow deer, & it gave me a break from mountain climbing the chamois area. The country we traveled to was about a 2 hour drive, we started out very early in the morning.  As we arrived, we were pushing the deer out of the farm fields & into the brush, filled canyons.  We probably saw 40 deer in the headlights, by the time we parked.  That made the 25 minute wait for shooting light seem a lot longer. The fallow buck were in the rut, & you could hear them in every canyon. Gerald had me pass up 4 bucks that looked good to me, before I shot a great buck at 10:30am. To see so many wild, free roaming fallow deer, in really good condition, was quite a thrill.  The next day it was back after chamois.  Morton, Gerald & I glassed & stalked 2 more animals, but didn’t connect with them. Just as we got down to the base of the mountain that evening, we saw close to 150 red deer crossing the face of the mountain, south of the area we just left.  That end of the mountain range had been swept that day by several men with their crew of sheep dogs, mustering the sheep for the fall gathering.  What a sight to see.  We glassed the herds, judging which stag we thought was the best at a distance of 650 yards. As luck would have it, late the next afternoon, coming off the mountain, again, without a chamois, Gerald spotted a good stag across a big canyon.   When we got the spotting scope on it, we found out it was the same animal we had judged to be the best the night before.  Gerald said he knew how to get through the creeks below us and if we pushed hard, I might get a shot before dark. We made it across the creeks & I got a trophy stag with a great memory to go with it.   We had planned to fly fish the next week, but I still hadn’t gotten chamois.  My wonderful wife said that we should forego our fishing because chamois had become such a challenge to me & I should continue, till I succeeded.  I asked Gerald if I could extend my hunt. He said my guide, Morton, had other commitments but he would shift things around & take me himself, if I was ready for rough hard climbs.  Each day I was getting more used to hiking these mountains. We started out extra early the next morning to an area that Gerald hadn’t hunted in 4-5 years.  We drove as far as we could in the 4x4 truck, then unloaded an ATV, & went several more miles.  We then hiked up a canyon to a ridge line that we could climb to the top peaks.  We spotted a chamois at 11 am, but it went into a draw where we couldn’t follow.  Then we spotted another one that we put a stalk on, & we both were sure we had this one in the pocket, but we were amazed that it had vanished.  Gerald checked his watch & said if we pushed hard, we could check on the other side of the next saddle before we had to head down. On the way to the saddle a pair of Captain Cooker’s started fighting just below us.  When Captain Cook first discovered New Zealand, he released pigs on the island for future food supply. The pig’s decedents are now referred to by the locals as Captain Cookers.  I shot one of the boars but he turned just as I shot.  The boar ran down the canyon, hit hard, but not hard enough. Gerald was on the ledge below me & I wouldn’t shoot over him.  I passed the gun down to him & he pulled off the most amazing long range running boar shot I had ever seen.  Gerald went to retrieve the boar. He told me to go on to the next saddle & glass the next basin.  When Gerald caught up with me a little later, I was capeing my first chamois, a nanny with 9 inch horns.  As we finished we looked above us & a nice buck with 6 does appeared.  The buck jumped up on a point above a high cliff face & was sky lined.  Gerald said to take the shot that I had earned it.  The shot dropped the chamois dead in its tracks & it fell almost to the base of the cliff, into the brush that broke its fall.  After 10 days of climbing the Southern Alps, my chamois jinx ended with a pair of trophy chamois.  We are already planning a return trip for the fly fishing that we didn’t get to do.  Our last day in the Wanaka area, we went to the South Island Championship Sheet Dog trials.  What fun, to see well trained working dogs. Sam & Tina Knoy, April-May 2007 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Gerald, Sue and Paul, Sonya and I would like to take time to let you know what a wonderful time we had with Gerald and Sue Telford Hunting.  The entire process from start to finish was handled with in an organized and professional manner.  Your prompt and honest response to all our questions made it easy for us to decide to hunt with you.  We were glad that we did choose you because you treated us as friends not clients.  We also would like to thank you for giving us help with all the planning of our New Zealand tour after our time hunting with you.  Sonya can not stop talking about the flight she took with Sue over Mt. Cook.  I don't think either of us will ever forget our New Zealand hunt and anniversary trip.  The red stag and tahr hunt went off without a hitch.  Plenty of quality animals to hunt in such a wonderful environmental.  I will not forget the sight of my first stag and tahr.  Gerald's ability to encourage this flat lander through the mountains was much appreciated.  Paul's quiet and calming mannerism during the excitement of the tahr hunt made it a memorable experience.  I would not hesitate to book Gerald and Sue Hunting in the future.  Maybe chamois and fishing next time.  If you ever make it to Houston area please look up your new Texan friends.  Take Care, Matt and Sonya Osburn, April/May 2007 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE   Gerald and Sue, Thanks again for a wonderful time in New Zealand.  Karen and I and Ken Kadutski arrived back in Canada okay, and are awaiting our crate full of capes and horns.  The quality of hunting was certainly hard to believe, and your service and hospitality were much appreciated.  Karen and I spent three weeks in New Zealand, and the hunt in week three was the icing on the cake so to speak. Our friends and hunting partners back home are amazed at what we were able to get, and many an hour is spent reliving the excitement of the hunt.  Looking back, I should have added a Tahr to the list, but it may give me an opportunity to come back another day. Your guides and accommodations were first class.  Your help in handling our trophies was great.  We couldn't have asked for more. Keep up the good work.   Arne and Karen Johansson, April 2007 Read Arne's hunting report to the SCI Nth Alberta Chapter. Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Dear Sue and Gerald, Thank you again for our wonderful week pursuing giant trout and tahr with you. We both had a marvellous time. Jean's mountain hike with Sue and catching so many large trout was a great experience.  Ed's Tahr and his largest rainbow to date on dry fly on the Matukituki Valley are lifetime memories. Your services and comfortable accommodations made our trip a great birthday present to ourselves. The scenery in the mountains and rivers around Wanaka were truly, as Gerald said, "sensory overload." We hope our travel schedule allows us to get together again for yet another super adventure. Cheers! Ed and Jean Pryor Hello to everyone. We are having another beautiful day in Paradise. We are currently enjoying lunch and a cool drink on the shore of Lake Taupo. This morning Jean and I caught nine rather large (for us anyway) rainbow trout and had a very laid back ride on a boat on the lake. Thanks to Sue and Gerald for pointing us in the right direction up here.   For those of you who inquired, a tahr is a beardless himalayan mountain goat. It lives up in the rough mountain craigs of the South Island. Gerald informs us it is of SCI Gold Medal quality and it is a beautiful addition to my collection.    The north Island is green and lush and we are in the middle of thermal country which is roughly like Yellowstone with lots of volcanos, geysers, bubbling mud pits and the like. As a matter of fact, Lake Taupo is a huge ancient volcano crater. Very interesting landscapes.   (End Ed begin Jean)   Last night we had a long soak in the thermal pool at the campground.  Besides fishing, today we are sightseeing and continuing to be on sensory overload.  Will continue to Rotorua, the east coast and up to Auckland before flying out on Tues.    Hope all is well. Ed and Jean March 2007 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Everyone, My last day in New Zealand was a relaxing one except for a short trip to the mountains and the place where we hunted for seven days. Gerald took me on a bit of a photo safari as I needed some closer photos of stags. We located two really good free-range stags and put the stalk on them and I got a series of pretty good photos. Gerald and I put the moves on those stags like we'd hunted together for years. I was almost as excited as if I were carrying my bow. We couldn't have scripted it better, as it turned out. I attached one photo for you to look at but don't forward it all over the place as we may use it, or another version, in the magazine. It will be tough leaving paradise but I'm flying out tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday) and will be in my office Wednesday morning. Well, I'll be there in body, I don't know about mind. Talk to you soon. Curt Wells Field Editor, Equipment BOWHUNTER Magazine 30 March 2007 Curt's Comments in Bowsite.Com. Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Dear Paul, Sue & Gerald,                                     I would like to thank you all very much for a wonderful, very successful hunt despite the horrible weather. It was interesting being out in snow and hail. The actual hunt was a text book one from beginning to end with some excitement thrown in for good measure. The result exceeded all my expectations, I have a fantastic trophy. I do not think I realized how good it was until I compared it with my two 12" Bulls, it makes them look small. Paul thanks for your professionalism and company and yes I learnt a little more about Tahr. Thanks once again, let's keep in touch, will get my photos to you as soon as I can. Regards, Happy Hunter,   Richard McKenzie Napier, New Zealand March 2007 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE   Dear Gerald & Sue,   Just a line to thank you for making our trip to the South Island of New Zealand such fun.   The fishing was as good as we could have wished for. The rivers you took us too over the four days were superb and offered different challenges, from crystal clear nymph fishing to the magnificent Macorora Chicada.   We both managed our trophy browns, not quite the ten pounds - but close enough..! The flight back with Sue was great fun and many thanks also for the t-shirts.   I do hope we will be able to come again in the not too distant future.   With best regards,     Ken & Alf   February 2007   Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Hello to all of you!  It was good seeing you at FNAWs and SCI.   I really want to thank you for the terrific hunt we had.  New Zealand is a beautiful place and what better way to see it then out hunting.  The Red Stag and Tahr are back from the Taxidermist and look great.  As much fun as we had hunting Stag and Tahr, and viewing all the game,  Ken and I both agree that trying to get upon those blasted fallow deer was the most fun part of the hunt.  We would really like to come hunting again and just spend time trying to get upon those spooky fallows.  There were some really pretty ones, while the albino one was pretty darn neat, the darker chocolate with white spots is what I’d like to bring home.  Gerald, you and Paul worked really hard to ensure we had a successful hunt and I really appreciate the effort you both put in.  Sue, I know you were working just as hard behind the scenes to make sure we had a great experience not just hunting, but in the everyday comforts, and then to find out you are quite the mountain flying pilot was an unexpected surprise.  Ken being a pilot himself was really impressed with your skill and knowledge on the flight to and from Milford Sound.  I myself, was just amazed that those frozen mountains held beautiful jeweled lakes with cascading waterfalls.  We really did have a good time. Take care,  Anna Norris, Fairbanks Alaska Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE I had an outstanding hunt with Gerald and Sue. Along with great guiding, great trophies and great scenery, the Telfords are great people and hosts. I have bowhunted much of North America and South Africa and I know a great hunt and experience when I have had one. My wife thoroughly enjoyed the hunting and the excursions in beautiful Wanaka with Sue. The flight to the coast with Sue as pilot was breathtaking and much appreciated and enjoyed. The stags were majestic and magnificent. Thank you Gerald and Sue for an adventure my wife and I will never forget. Please be sure I am on your reference list   Jody Maddock - PA, USA - March 2006   Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE HELLO GERALD & SUE, AFTER BEING BACK FOR A WEEK, I THINK I’VE FINALLY CAUGHT UP ON MY SLEEP.  IT WAS A LONG TRIP HOME TO PENNSYLVANIA, BUT WELL WORTH IT. I GOT ALL OF MY PICTURES DEVELOPED THE OTHER DAY & EITHER I’M A GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER OR NEW ZEALAND HAS UNMATCHED SCENERY…..I’M SURE IT’S THE LATTER. GOING IN TO THIS HUNT I CONTACTED MORE PAST CLIENTS OF YOURS THAN I HAD FOR ANY OTHER HUNT I’VE EVER TAKEN. I FELT AS IF THERE WAS NO REASON TO BE UNPREPARED, AS YOUR PREVIOUS HUNTERS HAD BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN TELLING ME WHAT TO BRING & WHAT I SHOULD EXPECT. AS WITH ANY HUNT, THERE ARE THINGS THAT WILL POP UP THAT YOU HADN’T ACCOUNTED FOR, BUT THIS HUNT WENT VERY MUCH AS I HAD HOPED. GERALD WAS EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF ALL THE PROPERTIES THAT WE HUNTED & HE KNEW PRETTY MUCH WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE RED STAGS. BEING STRICTLY AN ARCHER, IT WAS COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT GERALD WAS AS IN TO BOW HUNTING AS I WAS. AS ANYONE KNOWS THAT BOW HUNTS, IT’S A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEEING SOMETHING AT 200 YARDS THAT COULD EASILY BE TAKEN WITH A RIFLE & SNEAKING IN TO ARCHERY RANGE. THE FACT THAT MY FRIEND & I BOTH TOOK BEAUTIFUL STAGS IN THE FIRST 2-1/2 DAYS AT DISTANCES OF 30 & 12 YARDS RESPECTIVELY, SHOWS THAT GERALD ALWAYS HAS A GOOD GAME PLAN IN PLACE & REALLY KNOWS HIS BUSINESS. EVEN THOUGH WE WERE FINISHED WITH OUR STAG HUNTING, GERALD OFFERED TO TAKE US TO ANOTHER PROPERTY TO TURKEY HUNT. AFTER ONLY 2 HOURS, WE HAD TAKEN 4 TURKEYS & MISSED JUST AS MANY. IT WAS ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT TO AN ALREADY GREAT TRIP. TO TOP IT ALL OFF, GERALD’S WONDERFUL WIFE SUE, FLEW US OVER THE MOUNTAINS TO MILFORD SOUND & AS WE HAD LUNCH THERE, WE WERE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY BREATH TAKING MOUNTAINS, WATERFALLS AND OCEAN VIEWS. WELL IT’S BACK TO REALITY & THE RAT RACE THAT IS LIFE, BUT THE MEMORIES & FRIENDS WILL LAST FOREVER. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THAT YOU DID TO MAKE MY STAY IN NEW ZEALAND AS COMFORTABLE & ENJOYABLE AS POSSIBLE. YOU HAVE 2 GREAT KIDS, A BEAUTIFUL HOME & YOU’RE NOT TOO SHABBY AROUND THE KITCHEN! BEST REGARDS, JIM BRADLEY - PA, USA, APRIL 2006 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE  My tahr hunt was an overwhelming experience, but as new things come along,  old ones sometimes fade away or are replaced in one's heart and mind.  Not  so my Tahr.  That summer day when I harvested it will forever stay in my  memory as something extraordinary, and looking at the photos immediately  brings back the mixed feelings of exhilaration and fatigue.  I have hunted in Africa and Europe and America for over twenty years, and  all I can say is that Paul is one of the most professional and personable  Guides I have worked with.  It was a delight driving up to the hunting area  with him and listen to his both entertaining and informative conversation.   That is exactly what I like when I visit a new place to hunt a new animal --  to learn.  When Paul spotted a small herd of seven bulls high up on the mountainside  and said, "Shall we take a little walk, shall we?" I really did not know  what I was in for.  I will shamelessly confess that I ought to have been in  better physical shape.  But, the truth is, I am a soon-to-be-sixty-years-old  desk jockey who does not frequent a gym.  Trekking up those increasingly  steep slopes in air not completely gassed up with oxygen was a challenge;  there were times when I had to ask Paul to stop so I could catch my breath  and explain that the idea was that the Tahr and not I was going to end his  days on that mountain.  Because of Paul's excellent stalking tactics I did not end up having to take  one of those par-five shots but could belly crawl over a ledge for a  comfortable short-range shot at an unsuspecting animal.  He never knew what  hit him, as the saying goes.  And neither did his six companions who stood  around dumbfounded as the trophy Bull rolled down the mountainside and came  to a stop in a gully.  Not until we stood up to approach did they skitter  off.  I have negotiated with my Wife for extra wall space for my Tahr trophy.  She  has seen the photos of the magnificent animal and has acquiesced (although  she feels that I have put up too much already).  Now comes that long vacuum  during which the taxidermist does his job.  But, it will be worth the wait. Steve Trygg - USA/Sweden - January 2006 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Hi! We are now back in Sweden since 2 days. Yesterday came the first real snowfall, so now Stockholm is cold, white and beautiful but the days are very short. We have had a wonderful vacation and we really enjoyed New Zealand. Please give our thanks to Gerald, he is a very good fishing guide and it was amazing how he could spot the fish in the stream. Even though I´m a fly fishing novice, I felt almost like a pro fishing with GT. It was a great experience and I´m seriously considering countinuing with fly fishing. Hopefully we can come back to NZ some day and give the fishing some more time. Thanks again, we had a perfect day in Wanaka! Best Regards Örjan & Erika Strandh - Nov 2005 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Thanks again GT for another awesome bowhunting experience, and thank you Sue for all the fine New Zealand hospitality.  After booking two seasons with you…back-to-back…in pursuit of fallow bucks you must realize by now I’m a spot-and-stalk adrenaline junky.  The free-ranging fallow block we hunted again this year is by far the most challenging and game-rich environment I have ever experienced.  You have done an excellent job in managing this property, with careful deer population culling and developing “bowhunter friendly” habitat improvements.  The trails you have painstakingly cut and maintained through the matagouri brush made all the difference in my ability to “close the gap” and harvest another fine fallow buck this year.  For bowhunters like me that are “scent-free freaks,” it would be great if you could somehow get a hot shower working at the “Duck Inn,” but outside of that, don’t change a thing.  I’m not expecting anyone to leave a chocolate on my pillow each night, and dining on tahr sausage, native venison, and all the other fine meals you prepared in the “hut” made my trip that much more exotic.  Adding in this year’s free-ranging red stag bowhunt outside of Wanaka was also incredible, with the picturesque backdrop of Lake Hawea and the jagged mountains visible in every direction.  And although their senses may not be as keen as my favorite, the fallow deer, bowhunting “reds” in this alpine environment was a great experience and has burned in several memories of a lifetime.  As a bowhunter, I’ve learned a great deal from you, GT, from mastering the New Zealand belly crawl during our stalks, to the charming use of some well stated Kiwi slang.  Bowhunting with you has been an adventure since the first time we spoke on the phone and exchanged email messages to iron out the details for my hunts.  Being a bowhunter yourself, you clearly understand the limitations and hardships of both archery and bowhunting, and definitely used this knowledge to my advantage in the field.  For those of you considering booking a hunt with Gerald and Sue; trust me when I say you will be in good hands from start to finish.  If you are looking for a true free-range bowhunting experience in New Zealand without the aid of high-wire fences…then Gerald Telford is your man…and I say, “It’s worth a crack, Nigel,” you won’t be disappointed.  With warm regards…Kevin Owens Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE It has been a few months since Joanne and I visited you and had such a delightful time in Wanaka.  It would be fine with me if you included any of my comments in your client feedback section.   My overall experience was excellent.  Gerald is an excellent hunter and guide and very personable.  It would be a great day just out hiking with Gerald in the fantastic New Zealand scenery.  Happily, there was also plenty of game to be seen and Gerald was very adept at spotting and getting us close to it.  My bow hunt ended when we stalked to within twelve yards of a resting stag (the one I shot) and five yards of another (which we did not realize was there until his partner took off.)  I would love to hunt again with Gerald in New Zealand and will recommend him to my hunting friends.   My only disappointment was that I was fully prepared to hunt for 5 days, and after taking a stag on the second day the options seemed limited (turkey and rabbit).  I would have liked to have gone after pig or goats or sheep on the last three days.  Next time I'll make sure to make my interests known ahead of time. Sincerely, Tom Grimes - July 2005 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Reflecting now on my hunt with Telford Services. Your professionalism and knowledge were outstanding.  I myself have two degrees in Wildlife Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point so I feel I make a good judge of your hunting services.  What really did impress me was that you read Leopolds " A Sand County Almanac" which is the county I am from. Keep up the good work.  I enjoyed hunting and also the conversations we had over the three days. Only three problems that stick in my mind.  One problem is my own.  I should be in better shape.  Another small problem was the midday snack selections.  No sweets and homemade sandwiches would have been better.  The biggest disappointment was your pre hunt organization for the Wallaby hunt.  You seemed unprepared but I did enjoy the hunt. Don Trzinski, Wisconsin, USA - August 2005 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Hi Sue, Even though we've been back a whole week, the glow of the trip hasn't let up a bit!  Thanks so much for all the fun diversions you provided me.  My friends are awestruck by my sky dive (so am I every time I see the pictures!)  And they loved the concept of the 'Big Picture'.  Thought you'd enjoy the new beer we discovered, being brewed in Montana (Skydiver blonde). Please greet Tisha and Mel.  They were charming to be with.  Hopefully we'll see you next year at SCI - meanwhile, we'll think fondly of the Telford's and our great trip to New Zealand. Judy King - April 2005 Gerald, Just a note to say how much I appreciated your efforts over the seven days of my hunt.  You certainly made every effort to secure my stag and then some.  I hope the 'little' run on our last day didn't stove you up for the next hunt ! You did a fine fob on preparing the antlers for the trip home.  I have decided they will hang in my Trophy Room to remind me of a fine hunt and a great vacation.  Thanks.  If I can be a reference to Bowhunters for you, I would be glad to help out.  Please thank Paul for me. Richard King - April 2005 Top of page     GT, Sue, Laetitia, and Melanie,  Well, we’re back from New Zealand now but the memories of our trip are as strong as ever.  We both feel we were blessed to be able to visit such a beautiful country and meet such nice people.  The entire two weeks were spectacular but the memories that stand out the most to me, of course, are the days hunting with GT and Paul Rennie.  From the first day, I knew we were in for a good time.  Hunting red stag in the roar was everything I expected.   Must thank Paul for his instincts and ideas to put me in the perfect location for the shot.  A quick hunt but not one that I will soon forget.  Beautiful country, stags roaring in the early dawn, and a nice trophy to take back to Pennsylvania.  But I must say, the Tahr hunt was the highlight of the trip and I’m so glad that I included time for these magnificent animals.  Although I had a good idea what to expect when walking up on the previous stag, nothing quite prepared me for finding the magnificent Bull Tahr!  Now I knew why GT got so excited about hunting these great, shaggy beasts!  Beautiful animals in beautiful country – truly a hunt to remember!    Our final day’s hunt had us chasing Merriam’s turkeys.  Not the traditional hunt that one would have in Pennsylvania, but still loads of fun.    It was a pleasure to meet you and your family, to share some time together, and gain an appreciation for the country where you live.  If you are ever in Pennsylvania, you will always have a place to stay.  And please pass on our thanks and appreciation to the staff at the Archway Motel.  The accommodations and service were perfect!  Jon and Jan Vernam April 2005 Top of page   GT, Sue and Girls:   Jim & Sharon at this end. Had a great time in your world, ,the sites were great, the hunts were awesome and the fishing was a dream.  We viewed the DVD at least five times with friends, etc. Everyone would love to visit and I hope they do. By the way, what software did you use to produce the DVD --I could try that with our local hunts and if successful ,send you a copy.   Met Terry Jacobs ,the taxidermist, and he says he will take care of our mounts and ship .  Sounds great and we are counting the months. It's going to be a long wait.   Tell Paul the old timer said thanks for all his help not only with the hunting but the fishing also. Next time I'll have better hearing aids, if they make them.   Keep in touch Jim & Sharon Bell April 2005  Top of page   CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Gerald and Sue Thanks again for a great hunt. I really enjoyed my black fallow deer hunt. I can't thank you enough for working with me over a 6-9 month period to secure hunting dates that worked for both of us . Your black fallow lease was everything you said and more. Craig knew the hunting area and was an excellent judge of trophy fallows. I would also like to thank Gerald for taking time between hunts to drive down and personally check on my hunt. I would highly recommend your services and I hope to hunt with you again in the future. Good hunting, Kevin Higgins, April 2005 Top of page   CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE CLIENT REFERENCE PAGE   Hi Gerald and Sue Thanks! Thanks ! Thanks! - What a wonderful New Zealand fishing experience.  We both feel the southern circuit is a must for every New Zealand trip - 4 days of beautiful rivers and trout. Of course, Gerald is the key - a great guide, fun to travel with, knowledgeable, patient when you miss the strike and most important great eyes ( his nickname should be "eagle eyes").  When we plan our next trip to New Zealand, you will be our first e-mail. Also, a big thank you to Sue as she makes it all run smoothly. Regards Mike and Carole Sampson February 2005 Top of page CLIENT REFERENCE PAGECLIENT REFERENCE PAGECLIENT REFERENCE PAGE Hi Gerald,     Pam and I want you know what a terrific time we had fishing with you.  Your expertise and efforts made our our fishing experience in Wanaka a memorable one. In particular, we want to thank you for the courtesy and support you provided to Pam, she is still buzzing about her big rainbow on the Makarora and after that fish, I am afraid I am no longer her favorite fishing guide! It is a wonder that your web site hasn't gone down under the flood of people she has sent there to see the pictures.  Big fish, beautiful water, fantastic scenery, you are lucky man to live in such a place and we were lucky to have you there to show it to us.  Tell Sue that we took her advice on the bus from Te Anau to Milford Sound, that was good call. Believe it or not, we had a beautiful clear day for the cruise so I think we saw it at its best. Thanks for the tip on the Nevis, it  was out of its banks when we got there but the trip from Cromwell  made the drive well worth the effort. Hopefully we are going to be able to return to New Zealand,  doing one of your road trips is high on our to-do list. Until then, our warmest regards to you , Sue and the girls...... Charlie and Pam Broe P.S.  Your lovely brochure is now sitting happily on our coffee table in the living room! December 2004   Top of page