Tahr hunting advice please - Next weekend

Hi all,

First post here. 4 of us heading into Tahr country next Friday for 2-3d. Looking to fly in from Mt Cook but a bit concerned about recent weather and how that might affect where we go.

We are looking for some options on best locations to fly into for all weather conditions. Not interested in being in country where we need ice axe and a full set of crampons.

We are just wanting somewhere with good numbers of animals rather than targeting trophy animals. Aim is to get a bull with a nice mane rather than the best horns.

Current plan is:

Clear weather: Reardon Hut at the head of the Dobson. 2 in hut and 2 camping outside in alpine tent.

Mediocre Weather: 2 in Reardon and 2 in Erceg Hut up the Hopkins

Bad weather: Jollie, Cass or 2 Thumbs (drive and/or walk-in)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers

HI Guys.

Biggest thing at the moment is the large amounts of Snow above 600mtrs.


I have not done many flight up the dobson but bull always tent to be really high.

If you want good Bulls sometimes the best places is not where huts are. I could recommend flying up first or second creek in Jollie, tenting it out and then walking out to save you one trip and usually a good bull or 2 in there.

The murch is OK if you got a big gun same again tho Bulls are usually high and mountains are huge.

This time of year you will need an ace and crampons regardless of low country. Once it freezes over night and if you slip in the mornings it can be fatal.

Any other info on Saftey, gear, camping in snow let me know Happy to help.

Many thanks Tom

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@moovet why don't you jump over introduce your self so people know who they are dealing with and a little about yourself.
You have to remember weekly there are new members joining here asking the same question or straight on to the for sale section trying to sell there shit, or its i been hunting for a week and havn't shot my first deer any one know where a mob is. Then fuck off any never heard from again or even try to contribute to the forum

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Originally Posted by Goosebayhunter

HI Guys.

Biggest thing at the moment is the large amounts of Snow above 600mtrs.


I have not done many flight up the dobson but bull always tent to be really high.

If you want good Bulls sometimes the best places is not where huts are. I could recommend flying up first or second creek in Jollie, tenting it out and then walking out to save you one trip and usually a good bull or 2 in there.

The murch is OK if you got a big gun same again tho Bulls are usually high and mountains are huge.

This time of year you will need an ace and crampons regardless of low country. Once it freezes over night and if you slip in the mornings it can be fatal.

Any other info on Saftey, gear, camping in snow let me know Happy to help.

Many thanks Tom

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

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Out of curiosity what is the best way to camp in snow?

A few years back we hunted Whale and Bush Streams not far from Hermitage. Lots of animals in the Bush Stream area and not bad to get around mind you it will be different in snowy conditions. Have to check to see what damage DOC have done in that area if they have worked it which I think they may have done.

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Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Out of curiosity what is the best way to camp in snow?

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I was wondering that too. I'd be very interested to hear some of your tips @Goosebayhunter

Regarding your hunt moovet, the advice from Goosebayhunter is pretty solid. Reardon Hut is small and while it offers some shelter from the rain I can tell you first hand it offers no shelter from the cold. The Jollie has some good options, maybe park yourselves at the top fork... there's a flat campsite area on the north-western side... and hunt from there with plenty of scope in all directions.

I wouldn't go anywhere without crampons at this time of the year. Hell, I take them even in summer. Without them you'll be staying in the tent.

Above all else: Take photos, post results and contribute to the forum.

Oh, and enjoy the trip!

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Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Out of curiosity what is the best way to camp in snow?

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Hey Lads there is a few different ways to contribute to makint camping in the snow more enjoyable and warmer.

Firstly make sure you buy a good 4 seasons tent "trusted brand" anything other than MSR or Kuiu, Kathmandu.
I can recommend "one planet nissens" one planet snow goondie. "Mont epoch" hillibergs any one.

Sleep 2 in each tent. 4 seasons tents are double walled being warmer on the inside and hold in heat. On cold nights sleep with 2 in 1 tent and the temp inside will be much higher.

Sleeping mats. The thermorest xtherm or similar is the best for snow. And all your spare clothing you have put on top of your bed roll to insulate yourself further from the cold. Get a blow up pillow. And put inside the hood of your sleeping bag.

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Originally Posted by bigbear

@moovet why don't you jump over introduce your self so people know who they are dealing with and a little about yourself.
You have to remember weekly there are new members joining here asking the same question or straight on to the for sale section trying to sell there shit, or its i been hunting for a week and havn't shot my first deer any one know where a mob is. Then fuck off any never heard from again or even try to contribute to the forum

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@bigbear Apologise for not providing an intro but I wasn't really looking for someone special :D.

Seriously though I didn't realise there was a separate forum for it so happy to do so. Will include it here as well if it makes a difference:

Born and bred in Invercargill and Queenstown, used to work for DOC in Fiordland but been based in the North Island for 25 years. Always trying to find an excuse to get back home which usually involves hunting, diving or fishing. Fiordland, Greenstone and Stewart Island will always be my favourite places but have spent more time hunting in the Kaimanawas than anywhere else.

Have shot a few Chamois mainly around Nelson/Marlborough but haven't got a tahr yet. Realise I ain't getting younger so want to get a bull with a good mane to get mounted in the next few years.

Going down south for work next week so have taken a few days off either side so I was hoping to look for a tahr before the first big snowfall this season. Bit late for that and as I don't have winter alpine experience I don't want to risk it if the conditions are against me. Will go for a deer instead if that's the case.

I shoot a Tikka M690 6.5 x 55mm and do all my own reloading. Looking to load some Hornady 143gn ELD-X for this trip.

Happy to do my part on the forum and contribute where I can but if you're still interested @bigbear I only like long walks along the beach if it ends up with lots of crayfish at the end of it!!;)

@moovet id have to agree with others the reardon biv is very small and uninsulated. You can get three in there with one on the floor.(getting tight with gear) we sat in the hut for over 24hrs when some ruff weather came through and it was better then a tent. All so the wind dumps right on top of you there my mate spent all night getting flattened by his tent. And i am no expert but id say you would need ice pick, crampons even in there. What about flying in to the next hut down at least there is a fire and a bit more room. I know you can drive to it but if you can't afford to damage your vehicle it might be another option

I've taken a couple of parties of young fellas (and older ones too) up the Hopkins at this time of year and they all shot Tahr - no big bulls though but at least they got to see them. I think the true left is better but opinions vary on that.

While GBH is spot on with his tenting in the snow info, you don't have too, its perfectly feasible to climb up to Tahr from the valley huts and back down each day, just pick a good spur and make sure you use the same one coming back down (cause you'll undoubtly be in the dark in the bush, and you don't want to get fucked up just above the valley floor)

Thanks for all the advice guys.

The other hunters in our group are of a similar level of experience so have agreed to postpone this area until next year, probably in May.

I am still coming down and was wondering about some of the lower altitude areas to the east that hold tahr as an option for next weekend.

Specifically I was thinking about the Eastern 2 Thumbs or Sinclairs range which according to DOC still have good tahr numbers but is easier country an option to hunt other species.

Any thoughts as always would be appreciated.

I walked into Erceg in mid march this year after shooting a few Tahr further down the valley on the true left. It's pretty steep country around there and in winter would be hard going with out the help of an ice axe etc. There is a lot of warnings up there for the avalanche risk with steep little gullies where the snow drifts sit at this time of year. Pretty quiet though, no one had written in the hut book for 6 weeks and the hut book was 25 years old.

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Originally Posted by moovet

Thanks for all the advice guys.

The other hunters in our group are of a similar level of experience so have agreed to postpone this area until next year, probably in May.

I am still coming down and was wondering about some of the lower altitude areas to the east that hold tahr as an option for next weekend.

Specifically I was thinking about the Eastern 2 Thumbs or Sinclairs range which according to DOC still have good tahr numbers but is easier country an option to hunt other species.

Any thoughts as always would be appreciated.

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I'll message you a couple of spots...

Middle gorge hut. Awesome hut. Fly in with tekapo helicopters. Fly in plenty of firewood. Amazing hunt and warm with fire. Usually a few Bulls in there this time of year.

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Take a ice axe and crampons! Could save your arse. I will lend you mine. Rope is also handy

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Originally Posted by Goosebayhunter

Middle gorge hut. Awesome hut. Fly in with tekapo helicopters. Fly in plenty of firewood. Amazing hunt and warm with fire. Usually a few Bulls in there this time of year.

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The Tekapo Heli base has been shut down, they've just been absorbed into the coast operations now.

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Originally Posted by StrikerNZ

The Tekapo Heli base has been shut down, they've just been absorbed into the coast operations now.

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Clint flying from the station now tho?

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Ah that makes sense, I hadn't heard about that.

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Originally Posted by StrikerNZ

Ah that makes sense, I hadn't heard about that.

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I could only assume I messaged him a while back and he was still flying so dunno.

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I’m pretty sure Tekapo Heli has closed and the machines redeployed to the coast operations?

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Originally Posted by Gkp

Take a ice axe and crampons! Could save your arse. I will lend you mine. Rope is also handy

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Ice axe and crampons, without the experience to use them correctly, and without the experience to read the snow condition, could get you into a great deal of trouble, or just dead.

You don't need to be a mountaineer to strap a pair of crampons on. It's like having a PLB in your backpack, just because you got it doesn't mean you have to use it.
What happens when you come to a steep frozen section that you need to get across safely? It doesn't even need to be steep! Having an ice axe and crampons in Thar country is a must no matter how experienced you may be or think you may be. To not have them would be like rock climbing without a rope!
Safety first.

If you have a good weather window and permission for the Reardon hut etc it would be my pick. You will have the area to yourself and good animal numbers when I’ve been in. If it’s cold take more clothes

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Originally Posted by Gkp

Take a ice axe and crampons! Could save your arse. I will lend you mine. Rope is also handy

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If you haven't done the training, dont take a rope.
Same goes for ice axe and crampons to a lesser extent.join NZAC and do a basic snow craft course.

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Originally Posted by Goosebayhunter

HI Guys.

Biggest thing at the moment is the large amounts of Snow above 600mtrs.


I have not done many flight up the dobson but bull always tent to be really high.

If you want good Bulls sometimes the best places is not where huts are. I could recommend flying up first or second creek in Jollie, tenting it out and then walking out to save you one trip and usually a good bull or 2 in there.

The murch is OK if you got a big gun same again tho Bulls are usually high and mountains are huge.

This time of year you will need an ace and crampons regardless of low country. Once it freezes over night and if you slip in the mornings it can be fatal.

Any other info on Saftey, gear, camping in snow let me know Happy to help.

Many thanks Tom

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

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I really don't recommend flying into the Jollie. It takes 35 minutes to walk to the first hut and another 35 minutes to get to first and second creek.

I cut my teeth hunting tahr the Jollie, have done around 10 trips there.

Just make sure you don't shoot all of the immature/juvy bulls like some people are renown for @moovet. There is a huge population of nannies in the jollie.

If its cold you will need crampons, you can strike clear ice right after you hop out of your truck and take a heavy fall practically on the flat - don't ask how I know that. If you haven't done a course in self arrest then don't go on steep stuff in them. However if you watch a few you tube vids before you go and find a safe place to practice (where you won't drop off a bluff or start an avalanche) a bit you'll be in the same position as if you did the basic NZAC course.

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Originally Posted by Gkp

You don't need to be a mountaineer to strap a pair of crampons on. It's like having a PLB in your backpack, just because you got it doesn't mean you have to use it.
What happens when you come to a steep frozen section that you need to get across safely? It doesn't even need to be steep! Having an ice axe and crampons in Thar country is a must no matter how experienced you may be or think you may be. To not have them would be like rock climbing without a rope!
Safety first.

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No.

To "not have them" will prevent someone inexperienced in winter alpine conditions, going somewhere that is going to give them trouble if their luck is not good.

To have them, could easily see an inexperienced person climbing into difficulty because of misplaced confidence.

But, if you were to spend a day teaching him where, when and why the danger zones are, and how to save yourself when it goes tits up, then your offer of a gear loan would be a great idea. :)

I think it is fair to say that anyone going into an alpine mountain environment should be aware of the dangers and precautionary measures to keep safe. Or at least if they are not familiar with alpine hunting I hope they do the research and ask someone who can help them out.
It all turns to Shit a lot faster when there is snow, ice, cold temps, short daylight hours and mountain weather involved.
Stay safe.

Also posted this under the Tahr Cull Update:

If you are looking for a male tahr see if you can follow this lead.

All male tahr left during DOC culling operations will be way-pointed and the information published on the DOC website.

https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets...ional-plan.pdf

Page 11, appendix two, item 4

Advice is to glass lots - take a piece of foam bed roll to sit on so your arse doesn't freeze.

Morning and evenings are critical times to be in position for animals moving to and from feeding country. There's been culling through those areas for yonks, so the tahr become pretty wary of machine activity, so you won't see many through the day time. If you spot animals coming to a spot on the first evening, get in a position on the second to ambush them. They'll come back to that area normally.

The older/bigger bulls generally won't always be away up high, they're not that silly. Glass the scrub belts, fingers of bush edge etc. That said, you will see tahr up high, you don't necessarily have to chase them away up there. Last time I hunted the areas you've mentioned there were good bulls in the scrub, and they retreated there as soon as the first sightseeing machine flew over.

The bulls will follow the nannies around at this time of year, so if you find nannies, take your time to check for bulls rather than just have a bomb up on the nannies.

Take warmer clothing than you think you'll need, a decent down puffer under a good jacket is key. Take good gloves, hard to glass when your hands are stinging/burning with cold and you're shaking like a leaf.

Do take an ice axe minimum, do check out on youtube how to self arrest. Take a day course if you can, or get an experienced person to give you some tips. Better to have that equipment than not, as you may at some point on a tahr hunt find yourself in a precarious situation and need to climb down safely. An axe may save your life if you have a slip, which means carry it in your hand, not on your pack. Two points of contact on the ground at all times.

I do carry crampons but have only used them once to retrieve a tahr. I avoid going into situations where I think they'd be needed. That said, I have been caught out retrieving tahr and been thankful to have the option of using them.

As said, rope can be handy - not to assist you on a slope, but more to lower packs over big rocks or down steeper faces, or tie a animal to a bush to hold it while you cut it up/skin it etc. Don't go abseiling without the experience obviously.

Remember a south facing slope will freeze earlier in the day - so be wary of routes to the tops up a south face that you may take mid day. They can be treacherous on the way back down later in the day.

And a north facing slope covered in snow can get quite soft and risk of movement increases. Travelling in deep soft snow is a bitch anyway. Tahr don't like soft deep snow, so I generally avoid it.

Watch your mates backs for rolling stones/rocks as ground thaws or tahr travel above you, or you travel above your mates etc

If you find a good route to the tops, and plan on coming off in the dark, use the same route, don't opt for a shortcut. Ideally mark your route with GPS, I have been caught out in the fog/cloud and in the dark without a GPS on the way home and it's not a nice feeling.

Keep your PLB on your body, not in a pack. Take two forms of light and spare batteries.

The Reardon hut is cold. I'd almost opt to camp out on the flats across the valley to try get some sun. You'll see tahr from the hut/that general area, its a wicked valley.

Try and keep your boots dry, they will freeze solid if you don't. Sleep with your rifle, or at least cover the scope and check too make sure it is clear of condensation or frost before you leave camp.

Have fun, know your limitations and assess risks before you charge up after a bull. Tahr hunting in the bigger alpine country is very addictive. I wish I had more time to do more these days.

Superb advice there from Josh. Follow it to the letter. If anything could be added its "be very careful with all rivers, don't go into anything that is discoloured even in a vehicle" and know your own limitations as they'll kill you slower but just as dead as a fall.

Clean any/all oil from the inside of your bolt.

When you get to the point you only have sky above take a seat and glass down, climb then climb some more.:thumbsup::D

About camping on snow (in the open like Mt Cook area) GooseBay's advice above is very good.

I'd add: take plenty of fuel as you could be melting all water.
Use two sleeping insulation eg closed cell foam plus thermarest.
Keep your feet dry as much as possible.
Avoid camping in avalanche runout areas.