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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 [emoji41]
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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.
Did you end up putting in for some blocks? I used the info on the doc website for the blocks. Tells you where the a animals typically are, how many people the block is suitable for etc.
Should have news any day now [emoji106]
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I know a few folk who have recieved successfull emails today......
Did anyone here get one?
None for me yet [emoji1696] for tomorrow [emoji41]
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Unsuccessful again. I’m getting sick of making donations. This is the 4-5th year in a row now.
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No joy for me either, 3rd time in s row.
Might look into East coast fly in options instead.
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Yeah it's pretty frustrating to keep me missing out after you've paid $60 for the last couple of years. DOC is being chased by a sporting store in Te Awamutu for an overdue account and two rifle purchases that are almost 100 days overdue , what a fucking shambles. Noticed when I was at John Coull Hut a couple of weeks ago the Hut Ranger has Starlink so they can clearly pay some bills.
You don't need a ballot block to hunt Tahr , as others have said do your homework and pick a area .
I'm still in:)Quote:
Originally Posted by kukuwai
Good [emoji106]Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
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I just handed back lambert river period 5. Not sure how they reallocate it but there’s one back
There are Tahr from the Nth Opuha to the Ahuriri, and from Prices Basin to the Landsborough. ....and then someQuote:
Originally Posted by HILLBILLYHUNTERS
Not hard to find if you're really that keen
We hunted Lambert River over Period 5 earlier this year - if you want to see what you're missing out on, watch the 8th episode of RST Hunters Club in two weeks time. That place is stunning.Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthlandNick
North Barlow features tomorrow night, probably my favourite episode of the year, bagged my first ever Tahr after 10 years.
Cameraman Dave
Yep I would have been Stoked to get any of them [emoji106]
@The Hunters Club did you pick up a block this time round Dave?
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Yeah, we managed to get Upper Jacobs, am fizzing to head into that part of the country, as I haven't ever been into any of the Hooker/Landsborough blocks.Quote:
Originally Posted by kukuwai
Wicked. Well done [emoji106]Quote:
Originally Posted by The Hunters Club
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We got Bubble creek, 10-16 May, should be good.
Missed out on Molesworth and the tahr ballots this year. Gotta research some other fly in options.
Missed out on a block this year. Might have to plan a trip elsewhere instead.
I'm in the Jacobs 2nd period. Meant to be a good spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Hunters Club
You're a lucky bugger, Mahitahi last yr, and now this,keep doing that and it'll be ducks in a row. which part of the river will you hunt?
Fiordland perhaps...Quote:
Originally Posted by stagstalker
It was Mahitahi in 2021. I enter ALOT of ballots so bound to draw the odd good one.Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokeyJason
Must be time to jump over and hunt a hog deer, I know a fella has a few top ones running around.Quote:
Originally Posted by cb14
@Micky Duck In an ideal world I was hoping for Fiordland and a Tahr trip! Not sure what my wife thinks of the plan given i’m likely buggering off overseas for quite some time not long afterwards.. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Micky Duck
Well you could still do it.hunt Fiordland as you have won that ballot then go find tahr or three on way back up the country ,just drive up to/ into one of the blocks on east coast and start glassing. Your good wife may be more receptive to idea if only aviation bill for first trip. Fit young fella like yourself won't have trouble getting tahr.
Couple of late season slots still available to anyone at a cost of $60. Same as entering the ballot. [emoji41]
https://book.ibexres.com/front-booki...ate=2025-04-26
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