Al Lester Collection

'BIG AL' LESTER was born in Nelson, the second youngest of four children. As a young man, he played rugby, golf, softball and basketball, all at representative level. Despite these achievements, Al got most pleasure from time spent in the mountains and valleys hunting deer and other wild game. Starting out in the banking industry, Al joined the New Zealand Police at the age of 25. Being a solid 6'4' tall, perhaps he was better suited to the latter role. After doing the hard yards, Al was promoted to his current rank of Detective Sergeant. Now 53, Al is still an avid hunter with a love of the mountains and a liking for beer. He is the author of seven previous hunting titles: Hunting in the Raw (2003), A Bum in the Bush (2004), A Hard Shot in the Hills (2006), Off the Track (2008), Arse-up Creek (2010), Sting in the Tale (2011) and Mad Men of the Mountains (2013). He lives in Christchurch.