The chamois is 9 1/2 inch, quite a nice one, but had the end chipped off one horn.
The Objective lens caps on the Leica BN's are the ones they use on Ultravids.You can order them through Lacklands (NZ) and they cost about NZD$30 delivered.
Well worth getting.
They fit and stay in position a lot better than the Swarovski equivalents on the SLC's and E.L.'s
I used them all. Leica are the most functional.
It's a soft rubber, versus the Swarv hard plastic.

Which would you guys rate as a more difficult trophy? Chamois or Tahr? They seem to be shot together by visiting hunters, but is one a lot more popular with locals?

Good question.

The Tahr seems to be the most preferred trophy.

e.g. This year I guided on 22 Bull Tahr and only 6 Buck Chamois.

I think it is because of the availability. Chamois can be hunted in their native range, (Europe) albeit more costly.

Tahr on the other hand can at the moment only be hunted "Fair Chase" in New Zealand. I see you can hunt one on a ranch in Texas, and there are a few being shot in South Africa, but only by government Cullers.

In terms of difficulty, both are on a par. Tahr live higher, so more alpine experience is required, but they are more habitual in their movements and colonise an area, so easier to judge where they will be.

Chamois are more "Nomadic" especially Bucks, so harder to locate.

If I had to choose, Tahr would be my preference.



Many hunters take both species on the same trip, because NZ is a long travel distance, and you only have to add a couple more days to take a second trophy.



The Chamois eating question:

I think they make great eating. More gamey than Red Deer venison, a finer grained meat, can be quite tender.

I 've had a couple of Chamois made into Sausages and Boerwors in the last 3 weeks. The sausages are great.

I prefer Tahr out of the two.



I'll post a couple of Chamois photos (Shot last week) if someone will do it for me, I still haven't figured out the photo posting deal.