Thread: Upper South Chamois Opportunities

Hi All,

My wife and I are thinking about doing a 4 day trip across to the top of the south island (from the north island) potentially in Jan/Feb next year and would like to try and find her first chamois.
With limited time and still being a bit nervous about driving too far after a serious car accident 3 months ago, was thinking of keeping within the upper part of the island.
I have read through the doc website, searched this forum and scoured over maps for hours but I'm still not confident in where would be our best option with limited time. I would really appreciate any advice for day hunts that would give us the best opportunity of finding a cham with the time we have.
I can appreciate that this is a big ask but I'd be happy to provide advise to anyone in return for targeting some north island species if that helps.
I also realise that more time and helicopter access would likely prove more successful, however with 3 kids it's a challenge to get away together for any length of time. Life has taught me recently to be grateful for any opportunity be it big or small and make the most of it, so that's exactly what we are going to do.

Thank you in advance for any advise.

Here’s a couple of pics of me and my best mate doing what we love together





Cheers,
Jamie

A day hunt is a tough one but South Marlborough might be the go. Leatham or Branch rivers but both require some 4x4 and plenty of leg work. Usual story, the further back you get the greater the numbers and the better the hunting opportunities. I have just come out from a fly in southern Nelson Lakes and we saw 19 Chamois in 3 1/2 days.

I’ve seen chamois on Molesworth, specifically near Lake Tennyson.

Access is a problem to much of the DOC area unless you fly. Numbers can be a bit hit and miss too. Know lots of spots but you really want to know that you will likely see some. Flick me a PM if your happy to go to a 50/50 spot, otherwise best to drop down to Hanmer.

Nelson Lakes tops have a few chamois
Except for South Westland chamois numbers are always pretty low
So you need to cover a lot of ground and have good binoculars

The bonus is both sexes have horns so for first timers every chamois is a trophy

Nelson Lakes tops have a few chamois
Except for South Westland chamois numbers are always pretty low
So you need to cover a lot of ground and have good binoculars

The bonus is both sexes have horns so for first timers every chamois is a trophy

As others have said,ther are chamois to be found in the Leatham/Branch areas as well as Nelson Lakes. There is also a small population up Blairich/Altimarloch area. DOC estate and reasonably accessible.

In summer, my mate had one in his back yard in Renwick. I drove a mate up onto a doc block and hour from Blenheim and shot one from the vehicle last January. They go walkabouts.

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Many thanks for the responses so far everyone.