About Myself

My name is Ethan Stevenson, owner and operator of Deadly Connections Hunting Co.

I grew up just outside of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Having been raised in a hunting family, as I am sure many of you reading this were too, it was only natural that I would take it up myself.

As I got older, I reached a point where all I ever wanted to do was hunt. I gave up my personal sports and put my absolute heart and soul into hunting, spending nearly every weekend in the hills and bush. I got myself a dog and trained her as an indicating dog to help me find deer while bush hunting throughout the North Island of New Zealand.

In 2021, I started a plumbing business to give myself more freedom to hunt. By the end of 2022, I had spent approximately 25 weeks recreational hunting over that two year period. While I loved every minute of it, I was not making much of a living, so I decided to pursue something I had dreamed of since I was a teenager, becoming a hunting guide.

I contacted various outfitters with the main intention of working for a free range outfitter, which can be difficult to find in New Zealand. In 2022, I guided my first Bull Tahr hunt and from that moment I was hooked. Seeing how happy my hunter was gave me a completely refreshed perspective on hunting and guiding.

In 2023, I started guiding with one of the most highly regarded free range outfitters in New Zealand. From there, things began to fall into place. In 2024, I started guiding with an exceptionally well regarded Canadian outfitter. By 2025, I was filling the gap between guiding seasons in New Zealand and Canada by also guiding for an Australian outfitter, spending the equivalent of seven months hunting and guiding across three different countries in a single year.

Looking toward 2026 and beyond, I founded Deadly Connections Hunting Co. The purpose of the company is to connect like minded, ethical hunters with some of the world’s best outfitters and help fulfil their dream hunts. It is also about introducing hunters to species and experiences they may not have previously considered and hopefully sparking interest in something new.

My passion has always been centred around free range hunting for the most part, and all of the outfitters I am affiliated with operate with that same philosophy and service. Estate hunts are also available, but there is a very clear distinction between the two, and I do not blur that line.

My personal best 308 1/8 Douglas score free range red stag.

The famous Monarch of the glen painting in Scotland.

Float plane access, guiding in Canada.

Water Buffalo checking us out in Australia.

Canadian moose from the 2025 season.