Kiwi
Well-known member
As I live in Wellington it’s a bit of a mission to get into tahr country. For this particular hunt it required a 60 min flight to christchurch, a 4 hr drive to Mount Cook and a 6 hr walk. Luckily it was worth it! I saw lots of tahr as this area hasn’t yet been culled. It’s an area popular with hunters and the theory is if we keep numbers in check it won’t be culled.
Anyway, I arrived at the road end and spent an evening and morning walking into the head of the valley. I saw a few on the way but nothing which looked like a mature bull. After setting up camp on the second day I saw a big bull coming down to feed that evening. I decided the next evening I would climb high and intercept the bull and made my way back to camp. In the very last light I saw another bull from camp. Ok, now I had two bulls to consider for tomorrows hunt! I decided to try for the camp bull as he was very low and there was an excellent point to shoot from. It looked a little smaller of the two but I’d preferred the odds of success with the slightly smaller looking bull. Nice to know there is still a big bull in the area.
The next day I glassed from about 2pm and then saw the tahr moving and making there way down. It’s funny as for most of the decent they are very slow and cautious but then they start running and it can catch you off guard. I saw the bull and he stood out as the biggest in a group of four. I have a habit of stuffing up these drawn out hunts, so told myself it’s the big one or none haha
Once he was right down I stalked into 200 yards and dialled my scope and shot. It was a good shot and he high tailed it down the hill. I never like leaving an animal overnight but did as it was getting dark and getting to camp with a little light seemed like a good idea. The next day I found my bull. Spend some time getting photos and reflecting on the hunt. It’s so rewarding when a solo wilderness backpack hunt goes to plan. It was a new area but I hope to return.
Hero shot with the mountains as a back drop.
This photo shows the age rings nicely.
Anyway, I arrived at the road end and spent an evening and morning walking into the head of the valley. I saw a few on the way but nothing which looked like a mature bull. After setting up camp on the second day I saw a big bull coming down to feed that evening. I decided the next evening I would climb high and intercept the bull and made my way back to camp. In the very last light I saw another bull from camp. Ok, now I had two bulls to consider for tomorrows hunt! I decided to try for the camp bull as he was very low and there was an excellent point to shoot from. It looked a little smaller of the two but I’d preferred the odds of success with the slightly smaller looking bull. Nice to know there is still a big bull in the area.
The next day I glassed from about 2pm and then saw the tahr moving and making there way down. It’s funny as for most of the decent they are very slow and cautious but then they start running and it can catch you off guard. I saw the bull and he stood out as the biggest in a group of four. I have a habit of stuffing up these drawn out hunts, so told myself it’s the big one or none haha
Once he was right down I stalked into 200 yards and dialled my scope and shot. It was a good shot and he high tailed it down the hill. I never like leaving an animal overnight but did as it was getting dark and getting to camp with a little light seemed like a good idea. The next day I found my bull. Spend some time getting photos and reflecting on the hunt. It’s so rewarding when a solo wilderness backpack hunt goes to plan. It was a new area but I hope to return.
Hero shot with the mountains as a back drop.
This photo shows the age rings nicely.
