himalayan tahr
You’ll feel like the King of the Mountain when you hunt the animal that is one of the favourites for hunters all over the world to come and hunt. The ‘King of the Mountain,’ a mountain goat-like animal that roams the highest peaks of the Southern Alps in the South Island of New Zealand. Introduced to New Zealand over 100 years ago like all the animals that inhabit NZ and now proudly stated as the New Zealand Tahr.
A good mature bull tahr can weigh up to 300 lbs. Their blonde lion-like mane ruffles in the wind as this amazing animal attempts to navigate the glaciers and cliff-hangers in the New Zealand mountains. We hunt between 5000-7000 feet on steep glacial rock high in the Southern Alps. We specialize in foot and helicopter assisted safaris. Camp out in spike camps right amongst the tahr, travel down to farmstay accommodation on the hunting area or fly back to our luxury resort lodges.
The “Rut” for the Bull Tahr begins in May and goes through July. The rut is one of the most exciting times to hunt the tahr. Watch them as they display to the females, lip curling, neck stretching, sniffing and puffing themselves up to be the biggest and best on the mountain range. Bull Tahr are horned and produce one of the most fullest hides and neck capes of any feral animal during the New Zealand winter.
Foot hunting - 4WD as far as you can to the high ridges of Southern Alps and hike the mountain tops for the bull tahr. We suggest you allow 2-4 days of hunting depending on the time of the year. The winter weather conditions can make this a challenging hunt. A good level of fitness is required for this safari.
Helicopter assist - fly with the best alpine pilot in the South Island, safety is paramount. From the front doors of the lodge take an incredible scenic flight over the Southern Alps and glaciers looking over thousands of acres for this bear like animals that owns the ridges and valleys of the alps. Once spotting a group of tahr you and your guide will safely be dropped off to start your hunt. The photographic opportunities in this area are phenomenal. The helicopter will then return to pick up you, your guide and animal and fly back to base camp. That’s when the skinning starts. Helicopter assisted hunts are like nowhere else in the world. It’s a must. Non-hunters are welcome to experience this amazing glacial scenery.
For any rifle or bow hunters brave enough to take on the terrain of the NZ Alps, this mountain animal deserves a full body mount. The terrain during this hunt and the amazing majestic Tahr make this alpine adventure one you’re sure to never forget.
