Tahr Hunt South Island New Zealand - In Pursuit of Legends Outdoors

Tahr Hunt South Island New Zealand

How could Tahr hunting be so physically demanding they said; Well, watch the video and see for yourself. These snowbound peaks are some of the steepest and most rugged mountains I've ever hiked. However, that should not shade your view of the country which I believe is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

The rain forrest valleys are covered in multi-colored green ferns and the trees are moss covered trying to reach over the valley's roaring snowmelt blue rivers. When the helicopter lifts off you feel as if you were dropped into a middle earth movie set. What this country has to offer in countryside charm, gracious people and beauty could never be described in such short form.

On the hunting note: I did not succeed my first trip to New Zealand. I'm man enough to admit the country beat me to a pulp and I tried it again the following year, more physically and mentally prepared. From a Fair Chase perspective you should know we were not helicoptered in to hunt and dropped down on top of Tahr.

We were let off at a valley base camp and hiked each day straight up the mountain through the only passageway we could find, a boulder chocked crevice and in countless hours of non-stop freezing rains and light snow. The higher you went; the more you sweat and the colder you got. There was no way to match the clothing to the constantly changing physical & weather conditions.

Our only respite from night-time headlamp hikes down black-ice covered rock was the thought of a steaming cup of coffee to thaw your hands and a roaring fire whose warmth nursed aching legs enough to convince you that you could possibly do it again in the morning.

For me, this was the most grueling hunt I've ever experienced. I brought home two trophies, a beautiful Tahr and a free range Red Stag. To remind me how tough this was I also brought home a case of pneumonia.

From the comfort of my home....I think I can say I'd do it again.