I havnt done much spring time tahr hunting due to the work on the farm, this yeah however i wanted to fill in a few gaps in my knowledge of an area i hunt, so decided to get out and do it. The plan was to spend two weeks hunting from the main divide out too the road. In the end weather and quakes shortened that, but we still managed about 9 days. 2.5 of which were fine.
Lots of wet bush and climbing. They were not as low as they were meant to be. Also some frustration at lost chances on some really nice animals due to weather, but the guys got a bull or two each and saw plenty. Will let the pics tell the story.























In the end, we realised the weather was not going to improve dramatically, and we were mindful we had one shitty arse creek to get over before we were safe, so when we got a 6 hour break in the rain we bolted and got safely across that and went to town for a feed of pork ribs. Lucky we did as most of our friends and family were worried about us due to the quake the night before.

Great photos, too bad about the weather. Glad you lot got out safe.
Cheers
H

G'Day Fella's,

Shankspony, thank you for sharing and nice to see your success, despite the weather, earth quakes etc! So well done pleased to here you blokes got Home from the Hills safely!
Looks like you were over on The Coast?

Regards
Homer

Yep Homer, pretty much always the coast for me. Bit less hunters, less climbing, more scrub bashing though, more animals and more chance of seeing different species closer together. Access is worse and terrain a bit more difficult though.... not to mention the weather, but if you prepare correctly and dont put your eggs all in one basket then it can be dealt with. On saying that though Of the last 20 days ive spent on the coast, 16 have been wet, so looking forward to a better spell.
I blame Weathered actually. Until I hunted with him Id had a great run, then he told me it seemed to rain on him each time while we were hunting and since then Ive had terrible luck.

Stop moaning about the weather, I spent 35 odd years of my life living "on the Coast" a good portion of it in South Westland,

Good for you Shanks, great photos and animals and another memorable hunt.

Great photos, thanks for posting. I was very disappointed not to get south for a spring tahr hunt, very jealous.

Great pics! Incredible country, hope to visit there some day.

Question: can you tell me what brand of gaiters the gentleman has on in the last picture?

They are Stoney creek Gaiters lined with polar fleece for quietness. Great in dry conditions, but the fleece holds water when its really wet.

quote:

Originally posted by shankspony:
Yep Homer,

On saying that though Of the last 20 days ive spent on the coast, 16 have been wet, so looking forward to a better spell.
I blame Weathered actually. Until I hunted with him Id had a great run, then he told me it seemed to rain on him each time while we were hunting and since then Ive had terrible luck.

LOL!
Here's Wishing you Lots more Fine Weather, on future trips South!

Regards
Homer