I'm in the ealry planning stages for a 2011 trip to Australia and New Zealand. Would like to join a group. Will pay my fair share+. West coast or eastern side ok. Time frame open but prefer May. I will be traveling from the US and plan to be in the region for 2 weeks. Have made 3 thar hunts so know what to expect. Don't care to shoot one from a chopper, prefer the challenge. Take care

If you can line-up your tahr hunt to concide with one of our group buffalo hunts it wouldnt be a bad way to go... Save yourself some coin.. send me an email if you are interested and I can price it out for you. If you are planning to do a tahr hunt on public land it may be just as cheap to do it 1x1 with one of the outfitters on here as with a group?? There are some pretty good rates around... Anyhow if you are interested in joining one of our buff groups just let me know ... maybe put together a group from AR?? Cheers Matt

office@huntaust.com.au

I'm also hoping to hunt tahr and chamois over in NZ next year, tx ...

I haven't hunted there for 32 years and, though I couldn't keep up with the Kiwi guide then, don't feel much less fit now. I imagine early May would be OK, though one member mentioned hunting the high stuff even in June.

Send me an email if you're interested in discussing the possibilities:

pmiles@theage.com.au

Cheers
- Paul

The really keen locals hunt in June and from mid Aug onwards! May can be tricky with the weather. last year I went with a friend and landed there at the end of a torrential storm with flooding followed by heavy snow. We had to drive out on the second day or we could have been stuck in the hut for a week! Early May would be ok I guess but I am no expert.

Good luck.

June would work as well.

May June July all great months for Tahr hunting.
Weather can be an issue any time and its just part and parcel of the hunt. Over the past 10yrs of guiding tahr hunts I've never ,on the eastern side , had serious wx issues. This May was about as bad as it gets. Put yourselves in the right place at the right time with the right person and you will have a great hunt.
If your looking to do it yourself well and good. If you'd like me to help out from a guiding point of view just email me. all private property foot hunt.
better be in good shape and have your rifles zeroed in.

quote:

all private property foot hunt.
better be in good shape and have your rifles zeroed in.

Thats what hunting truly is about for Tahr

I can vouch for Gerald Tellford - I hunted with him 15 years ago & he probably does not remember me! His wife is a pilot too.

I'm no Jim Fixx (never been overweight, smoked much, excercised like a maniac - or died young from the effort) but I reckon I can get as fit as any 58/59 year-old should aim to. However, I know that some NZ guides have an affinity with goats (never mind sheep) that I'll never have and can walk the legs off most Aussies in the hills. Apart from the cost, that's why I'd rather carry stuff to sleep out with and go at my own pace, if this is feasible.

- Paul

Its feasible Paul.
The beaut of the guiding option is all the lttle things you don't know or did'nt think off are taken care of.
And at over 50 I can only just recall the goat thing, never ever seen the point of getting within shooting range of a tahr and looking around to see where the client is, gotta be right on your shlouder, walk slow ,do it once, do it right and come down the hill with a trophy and in one piece.

Thanks Highlander,
What you say makes sense but the only thing that saved me last time was the guide being a smoker. Every 10 minutes he'd stop for a ciggy to wait for me to catch up.

I suppose I should declare that having spent vast amounts on a safari to Africa last year, were I to lash out again any time soon, her-out-shopping would have my head on the wall.

On another tack, do I glean that June-July are favoured not only because of the Halcyon-days weather but that the snow might make climbing high less necessary?

Cheers
- Paul

Sambarman,

I'm with you on this one. I guess you Sambar stalk as do I. That's the type of hunting I am talking about. Although, some guidance/assistance may minimise the learning curve. I have not hunted NZ and I expect it will have it's unique challenges and risks to manage/overcome. I do not have a problem with the $$$'s but I am not interested in "buying" a trophy or shooting fish in a barrel - that' just me.

Tx/Sambarman,

I am planning my first NZ Tahr hunt for next year - another stalking buddy may be in on this as well. If we're on the same page let's investigate it further.

Date: seeking advice (May to August??)
Duration: at least a week!?
Destination: East coast, South Island??
Transport: dropped in by Chopper???

Spartan

For those interested in discussing send me an e-mail and I will tee up the conversation further. My e-mail is txhornhunter@earthlink.net

Sambarman, very important to keep your head where it belongs.
The snow thing is a tricky one as the tahr don't give a fat rats backside about it and actually seem to like the damn stuff. So there is no promise that they will not all be way up there.
Interestingly the best time to get them down lower is spring and summer as they tend to stay where the best feed is,spring flush, and cooler summer temps around the creeks. Down side is the capes. Swings and round-a-bouts. Short daylight hrs in July as well. BUT overall a winter hunt is the sweet time to hunt them,its all about the experience,right!

Highlander,
what is the weather/tahr-coats situation in February? I certainly don't mind hunting in winter here but snow is a novelty more than a real challenge in our conditions.

TX and The Spartan,
yes, I'm happy to discuss a hunt. It might be the blind leading the blind, but that's better than going on your own.

At the moment I'm easy on the details and will certainly consider a chopper if reasonably affordable.

Will send an email, tx.

Cheers
- Paul

The Spartan,
I've sent you a PM, too.

- Paul

Skins are NOT good in Feb. BUT all the taxidermists will have a stock of good winter capes and skins. Weather should be perfect,its high summer, take plenty and I mean plenty of water, it gets extremely hot up on the shale, thats why the Bulls stick to the cks and scrub edges,cool and shady.

Thanks Gerald,
I know the concept of substituting headskins is well accepted in NZ and should matter a lot less considering the hairiness of the tahr. For all that it's something I'd rather avoid if possible, from an authenticity point of view.

Thanks for the tip about the water. It kind of takes away the advantage of OP rum if you've got to take in the water to cut it with, though.

Cheers
- Paul

if you are hunting in Feb, be sure to be very very fit! You will have to climb high and handle some real tough country. NZ is very wrinkled country, the mountains seem to have lots of dips & curves & so is a lot tougher to navigate when compared to the the Himalayas which are very big more gradual.

No, Nakihunter,
we'll probably go in June or July for the better coats but I'll have to swat up on exact equipment needs for that time of year.

If we hunt up on to the snow or steep hillsides, are crampons or other mountaineering bits-and-pieces needed?

What sort of gloves, what rating does a sleeping bag need for a mountainside pup tent, are bi-pods fair-chase or worth taking? Anyone, anyone?

Cheers
- Paul

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:
No, Nakihunter,
we'll probably go in June or July for the better coats but I'll have to swat up on exact equipment needs for that time of year.

If we hunt up on to the snow or steep hillsides, are crampons or other mountaineering bits-and-pieces needed?

What sort of gloves, what rating does a sleeping bag need for a mountainside pup tent, are bi-pods fair-chase or worth taking? Anyone, anyone?

Cheers
- Paul

If you are going with a guide, he'll worry about all that. If not then, for what its worth, Try mid May to mid june.There is less chance of snow hanging round. If you have no experience with crampons or axes, stay out of the country where they are needed.Pick a valley with a hut in it, you don't have to use it, but its a good backstop if things turn bad, or you just need to chill for a day or two. Any good bag rated -15 to 20 will be fine, gloves, havn't found a pair yet that work properly but something waterproof and warm. Bipod, I'm no fan, its something else to carry. Practice shooting off your daypack, its just as quick, and you will have it with you anyway.If its your first trip to the alps, I would recommend the west coast. Animals can be found lower more often, and there is more to see. Scrub is a pain, in the ...... well everything, but it holds game. Good chance of a red or Chamois as well.

Thanks shankspony,
Yes, a hut would be a good fallback, and I would tend to stay in it until the near areas had been hunted. The chopper guy I've contacted has already offered to pick a valley with hut, so I might rely on his skill and judgment.

Are daypacks big enough, considering the dangers of being caught out? I had thought of carrying a full pack with sleeping bag, tent and minimal supplies, just in case.

Would there be any point taking a wee bivvy tent and skimpy sleeping bag (packs to rugby football size) purely as daypack survival gear?

We'll consider the West Coast option. Does the rain over there ease up much in early June?
Is it still a chopper proposition or do hunters walk in?

Cheers
- Paul

If you have chopper access, then the area close to the hut will be hunted reasnably thoroughly.
Not to sat there won't be game there, but 1-2 hrs walk will give better results.Whether you hunt from tent or hut,You should be able to get away with a daypack. Carry a Bivy bag something like this http://www.altitude.co.nz/cart...+Wire+eVent+Bivy+Bag
And a down jacket.Gryphs mate at Moroka 30? i think, looks to have some good kit thats Aussie made. Also those little survival blankets can be a good idea. Have a torch and some firelighting equipment and first aid kit. Then you are prepared for just in case. You wont be all that comfortable, but you should get through the night.As a rule, you wont be that many hrs from camp if you are flycamping anyway. There is more rain, but you get long fine periods too, I've had one and a half trips ruined by weather on the coast in 10 years.There are though, a lesser number of sites too which you can fly to.I would say, that if you would struggle to walk into a hut for 5-6 hrs, you will struggle to do a weeks hunting in those mountains, even if flowen in.Even spotting animals at reasnably close distances of a K or so, can require many hrs of sustained effort to get within range.

June July is peak winter & I would NEVER hunt WITHOUT a local guide or an experienced friend.

That time of the year you can hunt from the river beds and climb up the gullies to get near the animals. The two trips I went on with a very experienced friend were in late May & early November and we saw animals from the river bed on both occasions. I guess it is a minimum 2 to 3 hour walk to get closer to the animals unless you get real lucky.

Thanks shanks...
yes, the hut advice makes sense.

I've got an Italian bivvy with two hoops that I bought marked down to $120. Not sure how it would rate against the dear one but looks OK, if a little slow to erect.

Is the down jacket to take the place of the sleeping bag (for the upper half at least)? I tend to get hot when climbing, so generally prefer layers during the day.

I had been thinking of getting a bus to Lake Tekapo and then a chopper to somewhere on the
east side. If we were to drive over to the west coast it could save real money to walk in rather than fly - a good way to hone our fitness for the hard stuff?

Would we need a 4WD to get in to the starting point or would a car do it?

Regarding the East side valleys, do you mind if I send a PM with the names of some suggested to me by heli operator for your thoughts?

Nakihunter, your advice is probably sound but if I employ a guide on top of everything else I might have to find a new wife, too. I hunted for chamois in 1978 and have hastened slowly after sambar in our own hills for many years without serious mishap. Perhaps some coaching on dangers to watch for would help, though.

Cheers
- Paul

Yeah, a down jacket, or any real warm outer layer is good for once you have stopped moveing, and are glassing, but could substitue for a sleeping bag at a pinch.Just don't get it wet!I don't know the east side well, but forward them to me, and I will ask some guys who do.
A car will do, there are parking areas at the start of most DOC tracks.
You probably wont hone your fitness on the walk in, It will just take its toll if you are not up to a good level allready. Ask gryph what to expect from the west coast, as he can probably put it in a manner relative too the hunting you do over there in regards to what to expect, and the mad basterd ran half the way out carrying his pack on the way home. Its a long story... One pilot is worth a call, James Scott. His prices are way sharper than any others, and you may be surprised how little it costs to get 3 people into those mountains. Finally, both you and Texashrnhunterwant to think about entering the Tahr ballot, I can send you both details if you wish. Its the best chance of seeing good numbers and shooting a trophy that you will have if you don't have the ability to get to know an area like us Kiwis do.

Gryph ? The Mad Bastard? hahaaa

He hurried out as he thought the Kiwi lad`s were in front of him! I got in front when I forded a creek rather than go via the cable bridge,I didnt even know i had done so to tell the truth (get past)

The Mad Bastard is waiting for that other Mad Bastard (Shanks) to make up his mind about some sambar hunting!

Meanwhile, the dumb arse kiwis are back up the track searching for their aussie mate who seems to have got lost. I covered 27 kilometers that day.
I'm going to sort out my passport this week,will be in touch shortly, I just wanted to get a few things srted over here before I commit.

27 k`s?

You`ll do that everyday here here mate....if ya keen!

shankspony,
I just bought a 'down' jacket in one of the winter sales. The salesman said it was down and it appeared to have box-wall construction rather that being sewn thru, which I thought was a plus. I showed it to a dude at another shop where they were holding a sewn-through down jacket while I checked out the competition, and he said he doubted whether it was down.

Well, I have had a good look at it and it does have some feather stuff but an inner lining with some sheet insulation. The cardboard tag only mentions 'technical fabrics and construction methods'.

It seems plenty warm but I suspect it's not as compressable as down. Do you thinnk I should I take it back and get the real down jacket?

Cheers
-Paul

If its a quality jacket, it will probably be allright. But if you paid for down, and you are uncomfortable with its suitableness, then take it back. The down is a known quantity you can work with. Without testing it, I don't know about the synthetic.

Thanks Craig,
Having a day off tomorriow I didn't want to come into town then, so went back to Little Bourke Street (it has about six outdoor/ski shops) about 5pm and asked some other dealers to look at the jacket. Two thought it was down and one found a tag inside a pocket that said it was at least 80% down and 20% or less down fibre, feather and residual. He thought the reason it didnm't pack as tightly as some others was because it has a heavier shell than usual and a different design.

With luck it'll be good enough.

Cheers
- Paul

While we are on the subject of gear. I used my new 750+ Loft goose down sleeping bag on the weekend in Victorian high country. It got down to -4C. overnight. I slept in a roof top tent in the forest and I was warm as toast. See http://www.oneplanet.com.au/bu...g/bush-lite-700.html The bag is rated to -9, water proof and weighs 1.37 kilo's with stuff sack. Will this cut it on the NZ slopes in a hut in May/June?

The jacket sounds fine. Spartan, the bag will be fine. Its one of the reasons I reccommend a hut first up, You have, in most, access to a fire. It also depends how cold you sleep. I'm a shocker, and even a minus 20 bag can leave me cold, while others are comfy in much less.I never forget the trip my mate came on when he took a 100 dollar whare house job though. I slept through the night, and woke t find him wearing every peice of clothing there was spare, including two hats.

Hi guys,
Well, I've bought a sleeping bag, too, an orange Montbell UL #1. Hopefully the American -9C rating is good enough, though I hear the EU one is more stringent.

Thinking of orange, is a blaze orange balaclava OK for hunting tahr? The steam seems to have gone out of safety colours over here, but another hunter was shot this year.

Jim, if you are around drop me a line. I had better contact our guide soon, but need some feedback from you first.

- Paul

Sambarman/Tx.,

I have almost caught up on work after the 4 days hunt. Managed to stalk some fine venison. Bagged a Fallow with the 7mm-08 and a Sambar with the 9.3x62 (Blaser R93, no less).

Anyway, where are we at with the South Island hunt for Tahr next year. I am still waiting on info. from my NZ contact but if we need another hunter it will probably be another buddy from Melbourne.

Just walking out the door Jim. Unless there are five places in the chopper, we may have enough guys already. I'll pass on a another couple of Craig's emails when I can.
Cheers
- Paul

Shankspony, how many passengers can James's chopper take at once?

Spartan, well done with the deer. Hopefully you've got a big freezer.

I forgot to send that info today, maybe tomorrow.

Cheers
- Paul

4, but you do start having to seriously watch the weight. Weight limit is about 450kg.

Thanks Craig,
Are Mike and James big guys? I only weigh about 68kg. If we all fess up and add up, we can divide the difference and subtract a bit for James's stuff and food to be bought in ChCh. Anyone not carrying a tent should carry less, of course.

With luck I'll call Mike tomorrow.

Cheers
- Paul