Thread: Tahr Ballot

Hi guys,

Me and the boys are looking at applying for our tahr ballot block for the first time. Super keen on a heli mission chasing some big bulls.

How do you go about choosing a suitable block. We have little experience with the area. Would ideally like to land a block with a hunt.

Doc info is very limited and I am currently cross referencing maps on DOC topo maps, DOC PDF (approved landing sites) and Topomap.co.nz

Finding myself a little lost. Any pointers appreciated.

Cheers

A few things I've picked up over the years of going ( I've been 8 times )

It's not a simple case of a helicopter mission and chasing big bulls.

There is big bulls in there, and there's a chance you'll see them. Like anywhere it comes down to more hours to increase chances and abit of luck.

The tahr ballot blocks are over a period of May through to late June. A period of weather change, you can either be blessed or "cursed", I've spent an entire week in a tent with torrential rain and had one afternoon hunt to then get picked up on the next clear weather window. Your limited to that week you've drawn to go into your limited spot/landing zone.

Not knowing if youve been in choppers before into remote areas, once your in there, your in there. There's no huts or major camp set ups, minimal/no wood. What you take in (and your weighed) is all you have to survive the week if you choose to stay in. The chopper can't pull you back out easily depending on weather if your camp gets destroyed by weather or kea.

The blocks also get alot of pressure during this period of the blocks if the weather is good and people do head in. So guaranteed they get hunted whereas other accessible land around the country might only get a hunter see it a couple times in a year.

Overall they are an awesome experience and into a pretty special place in NZ being wilderness areas. Just some things to consider

Just pick some blocks and put in a ballot.
There are no guarantees so don't over think it.

Its been a no for me last two years.

Maybe third time lucky



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I agree with Kukuwai, don't over think it. I've been mostly on the Coast but also on the East of the divide. The first half dozen times were not into ballot blocks ,they were areas that James Scott recommended and were successful. Put your name down for a ballot block, see what happens, if successful, great. If not. contact James and see if he can put you into somewhere else where you might get some animals. In all the ballot block I've been to, We've always got animals, sometimes we had to work harder than others but always enjoyable. I would pick an earlier period than later, mainly because of less snow and less hunt pressure to push animals high. But as Southener223 said, the weather will dictate what happens but don't be put off if the first time isn't what you expect, it'll give you some resolve for wanting to go again.