I've just found out that I won a Ballot Block in this years Tahr Ballot.
Given the disscussion, thats gone on over the last year regarding Tahr hunting in New Zealand, I thought I would put the offer out there for one of the American members of this forum to join me and my hunting buddies on this trip. We fly in to our campsite on the 9th of May, and fly out again on the 16th of May.
This is not a professionally guided hunt, you will be one of the hunting crew, with equal chances for all, but on saying that, I will , in all reallity give up my chance of a trophy this year in order to see you succeed.

WHAT WILL IT COST
An even share of the trips cost including car and ferry travel, food,accomodation and helicopter fights. This will be in the vicinity of $400.00 American.
And after the trip you post up on this site, your opinions on the trip, tahr hunting, the Kiwi hunting style and so forth.
GARANTEES
There are none. This is a real mountain hunt, with the dates being fixed, we might get a week of intensly bad weather allowing little hunting, or it could be perfect. Thats the way it is in NZ mountains.
WHAT DO YOU NEED
I can arrange tents and camping gear, backpack etc and if needs be a rifle. You will need good quality hunting boots, sleeping bag, clothing, and personnel items. A bag rated for -20 is handy, and wet weather gear is a must.
You need to be fit enough to climb 100 vertical meters in 45 minutes and keep climbimg for 3 hrs.
A good head for heights is a bonus.
OTHER EXPECTATIONS
There are none, I don't expect you to go anywhere dangerous, as I don't myself and if we can't take animals safely, we'll go find some we can.

I know this is short notice, but I need to confirm party numbers by the 10th of march.
My suggestion, for anyone thinking about this, is to arrive in NZ about the 29th of April, as then you will be here for the opening of Duckshooting on the first weekend in May as well.
You can contact me via this site, or directly via Email at shankspony@xtra.co.nz
I will post up a link to the story of my last ballot hunt as soon as I find it.
Cheers
SP

Heres the links
http://www.fishnhunt.co.nz/for...i?num=1212381372/0#0

http://www.fishnhunt.co.nz/for...i?num=1212470966/0#0

Just amazing, you are really generous and giving a great example! We are looking forward to seeing the report and pictures.

Thats quite an offer

Great offer Shanks

A very kind offer mate I hope someone takes you up on it.

Well that didn't take long, Bobmn has taken up the offer,and I'm looking foward to meeting him in a short two months.

Very generous Shanks. Bobmn, Shankspony is a very highly regarded and experienced hunter. You will have a great time in our beautiful country.

Now we all have to wait in anticipation of the trip reports, especially the one from Bobmn....

GOODLUCK and good on you shankspony

Damned generous of you shankspony! If I had the knees to do that kind of climbing I would have jumped all over this.

I'm jealous of Bobmn.

Good luck to you there.

Gentlemen of the board: I recently had a very enjoyable phone conversation with shankspony concerning the details of his most generous offer. Be assured that upon my return I will post a detailed hunt report with pictures not only on the specifics of this particular hunt but also on the general state of hunting in New Zealand. The friendliness of New Zealanders is known throughout the world and shankspony's concern for the reputation of New Zealand sportsmen is indicitive of his committment to the concept of fair chase. Now if you will excuse me, I have to hit the cross country ski trails. New Zealander's are not only fiendly but I hear they are tough as nails mountainers.

bobmn i know you will have a great hunt and good to see things get back on track here at accuratereloading,hunters helping hunters

The site needs more members like shankspony.

Wow, what an offer!

I can't wait to read about Bob's exploits as a free range NZ tahr hunter!

Yeah Bobmn, you'd better start training for 'em hills... have hunted with Shankspony before, and he's fit as.

Shanks, I would have been interested but am down on the floor with a spine injury. Probably shouldn't have hunted the Karangarua and the Cupola :-(

That was a most awesome offer. Shankspony, you are one stand-up guy!

Here is a piece of tahr country near the Balloted Wilderness area you may end up hunting in alt 2200 meters Charity col in the Hopkins Shelter Hollow saddle
Expect more snow this was taken last weekend.

We were removing and culling nannies only to reduce the population. Trophy bulls were absolutely left alone

Landsborough, Shelter Hollow, Hopkins

More of the Wilderness Blocks, this is the type of country you will be hunting in ... just add snow

Shelter Hollow and Arbor Rift blocks

Wow Weathered! where your sitting is about where I shot my first ever decent bull Tahr. As to climbing up the far side to the top of point 1973, I'll leave that to you guys.

Great offer Shanks
BobMn, I second xxxshooters comments - you better get fit as.