Anna Girvan: A Life In The Wild

Being in nature refills my cup. You can’t pour from an empty cup! It’s the fresh air, the trees — it feels natural for me to hunt and harvest my food.

Raised on horseback in Foxton and now working full-time in pest control, Anna is happiest under a canopy of old native trees — beech, rimu, mataī and kahikatea — or up in the tussock tops of the West Coast.

"I've always been drawn to the outdoors. The further I am into the bush, the greater the positive impact on my mental health. There hasn't been one time that I've not come out feeling better than before."

As a kid, she always chose adventure over comfort. Today, that value extends to encouraging the next generation. "Take them out for bush walks, make it fun and spark some curiosity, it all starts there."

With over eight years in pest control, Anna has spent countless hours in the backcountry. She started with possum trapping before moving into goat culling two years ago — a shift that demanded new skills and deepened her appreciation for conservation.

"I’ve learnt so much about navigating the outdoors and made heaps of amazing memories. We had a block with a severe goat infiltration from a neighbouring farm into a QE2 block. We got the numbers down substantially, then the block was deer fenced to keep the farm goats out. This block has now been heavily planted with native trees and is restored back to its rightful abundance."

Anna’s hunting journey kicked off in 2015, thanks to a country boy from Raetihi.

"I shot my first deer — a red stag in velvet for the freezer — and I’ve never looked back... or had to spend as much on groceries! I also caught my first pet fallow deer around this time which sparked my passion for keeping deer."

Since then, she has hunted pigs, fallow, red stags, sika, and tahr. 

“I enjoy hunting sika, for the extreme challenge you face in the pursuit of getting close enough to see them. The payoff of managing to hunt a mature sika stag is like nothing else.”

Though she appreciates the reward of taking sika or the epic scenery that comes with hunting Tahr, it’s the red stag that takes top place for its brute size and roar. Confident in her abilities, she’s in her element stalking reds in the bush, securing a solid neck shot on a 14 - pointer during this year’s roar – something she is particularly proud of.

And after the hard yards, it’s all about the rewards of the table. “I mince a lot of my venison — tacos, nachos, shepherd’s pie, lasagne — but nothing beats throwing venison shanks in the slow cooker and coming home to the aroma of a hard-earned feed.”

Hunting has also let Anna into other creative outlets, from woodworking to taxidermy.

"I casually learned the craft off and on for a couple of years. I have a full-body skin from the first pet fallow deer I caught. I intend to bring him 'back to life' through the artistry of taxidermy."

For Anna, hunting is a way of life that blends conservation, challenge, and creativity. Whether it’s restoring the land, harvesting her own food, or finding new ways to honour the animals she takes.

"There are many mental and physical challenges to overcome as a woman hunter, and I love having those things to be proud of at the end of the day. I love to see women be supportive of each other's hunting journeys. It's not a competition, your biggest competition should only be yourself!"

Anna’s Kit

Out in the bush, Anna relies on the Women’s Zenith Top and Womens Core+ range for game-changing warmth. For her conservation work, you’ll find her in the Sitemaster HD v2, built tough for long days in the backcountry.