Thread: Feb/March tahr

Hey guys hoping to go crack my first tahr next month or march(depending on work) as last trip was a bust...
Where can I expect to find them that time of year? They still down low or have they moved right up high again?
Cheers

They'll be high, really high. Tactics are key, get outa bed early and spot mobs from the valley floor - theyll be climbing (and are surprisingly fast). They'll move downhill again right on dark, if you are prepared to be well up the hill at sunset and descend (make sure you have identified a suitable spur) after dark you can intercept a mob.

Originally Posted by Tentman

They'll be high, really high. Tactics are key, get outa bed early and spot mobs from the valley floor - theyll be climbing (and are surprisingly fast). They'll move downhill again right on dark, if you are prepared to be well up the hill at sunset and descend (make sure you have identified a suitable spur) after dark you can intercept a mob.

Maybe better off waiting till later in the year? May-July perhaps? Appreciate the help man

Not really, they are only low in "lo-vember" . . . November!

Should have added to my first post that during the day they will be mostly bedded down apart from the odd "gotta scratch my butt" movement and they are extremely difficult to spot in this mode.

And the bulls will be on the wander looking for some girls. Will travel up to 30km back to their home turf for the rut. If you see one, or some, or a good one in March be prepared to climb hard and fast cos he probably wont be in the same place the next day. Hunt in late April/May and he probably will be in the same place.

What general area are you thinking of hunting?

Originally Posted by Tentman

Not really, they are only low in "lo-vember" . . . November!

Should have added to my first post that during the day they will be mostly bedded down apart from the odd "gotta scratch my butt" movement and they are extremely difficult to spot in this mode.

Yeah was meaning not that keen on climbing high in the heat, don't mind if it's cooler

also depends on where you are hunting. most of thar in one area are around the 1400m mark but go round to the next big gully the buggers are up 2100mish they seem to be lower in places with shitterer access .have a look for where they are and the next day climb up and try to get above them. daylights 0620 , start climbing at 4 gives you a few hours to get as high as you can before it get to hot . where in a general area are you going ?

Originally Posted by Tentman

They'll be high, really high. Tactics are key, get outa bed early and spot mobs from the valley floor - theyll be climbing (and are surprisingly fast). They'll move downhill again right on dark, if you are prepared to be well up the hill at sunset and descend (make sure you have identified a suitable spur) after dark you can intercept a mob.

Do you find that the mobs will take a roughly similar path up and down the hill each day ? I'm hunting around Pukaki next weekend for 4-5 days

Cheers

It depends on the wind, they come downhill out of cover (usually they use the same camping spot for quite a while) working into the wind - totally logical

Originally Posted by Tentman

They'll be high, really high. Tactics are key, get outa bed early and spot mobs from the valley floor - theyll be climbing (and are surprisingly fast). They'll move downhill again right on dark, if you are prepared to be well up the hill at sunset and descend (make sure you have identified a suitable spur) after dark you can intercept a mob.

Early start - spot mobs going back up the hill. Put yourself in a position during the day (up the hill) to hopefully intercept them (and not wind them) and wait until dark... decend later without killing yourself.

right, got it

pm'd ya

If you go west coast, you will still find some bulls are living in the scrub at lower altitude so can target them.

Go somewhere that isn't scary steep and the hills aren't too high. Once they are at the top of the hill they can't go any higher.
Carefully follow up behind them in the daytime and wait with the wind right until they start desending later.

Originally Posted by ANOTHERHUNTER

If you go west coast, you will still find some bulls are living in the scrub at lower altitude so can target them.

Been more interested in doing west coast as chance of stags too I figured. Not fussed on chamois so makes it easier finding a spot with both

Originally Posted by RUMPY

Go somewhere that isn't scary steep and the hills aren't too high. Once they are at the top of the hill they can't go any higher.
Carefully follow up behind them in the daytime and wait with the wind right until they start desending later.

Sounds ideal, now to scour the maps!