Tom Hopkirk Partner: Owner/Operator
Tom grew up on a sheep and beef farm in the back blocks of South Taranaki where he pursued possums, pigs, goats and deer. Straight out of school he wanted to put a trade under his belt, completing a building apprenticeship. As soon as that was finished he headed into the contract hunting profession. Prior to the partnership Tom was a self-employed contract hunter operating as a sole trader. He has extensive field experience with over 17,500 hours of contract hunting for goats, tahr, deer, wild cattle and pigs. Tom finds it particularly rewarding passing on his knowledge and experience to enthusiastic and motivated new entrants into the profession.
Erin Garrick Partner: Owner/Administration
Erin grew up on a sheep and deer farm in the Manawatu before spending 11 years living, working and hunting in the Rocky Mountains of the USA where she completed a BSc dual majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Business at Colorado State University. Returning to Aotearoa for the lifestyle and culture, she then completed a postgraduate diploma, followed by a MSc in Wildlife Management at the University of Otago. She has a myriad of experience from wetland creation, population management, public communication, to collecting and analyzing various biological data.
Steve Roberts Wild Balance Hunter
Steve has been hunting deer and other ungulates since he was 15 years old where he started in the Te Ureweras and Kaimanawas. After a brief stint meat hunting for the local helicopter, he then worked for the Waikato DOC hunting team and transferred to the DOC Hokitika team for a total of 15 years culling. He has a multitude of experience on eradication jobs, judas individuals, FPI lines and has spent his entire career hunting with indicating and bailing dogs.
Luke Hill Wild Balance Hunter
Luke grew up on a farm in Northern Taranaki hunting goats, pigs and possums for recreation. He then spent three years in the Regular Force of the NZ Army. While serving in the South Island he became further interested in hunting as a career, leading him into a Reserve Force role in the NZ Army and taking on a mustelid and possum trapping position for three Taranaki iwi. Wild Balance heard he was looking to get into ungulate work, taking him on in February 2023. He has since progressed fast to become a highly valued, effective culler and member of the team.
Josh Hill Wild Balance Hunter
Josh has been chasing deer and chamois since he was 12 years old on the rugged West Coast. When he left school he finished a commercial helicopter license and spent six years trapping possums for a contractor, and later for himself for fur. Being an avid hunter he purchased a hunting dog puppy a couple years ago and has been enjoying training it to indicate ungulates. During the Covid downturn and lack of tourists doing scenic flights, Josh spent a year contract culling for Wild Balance, and continues to fill in when the season allows.
Wild Balance 