Thread: Arthur’s Pass chamois

Headed into the hills for a day hunt yesterday first time chasing chamois. Very early start 2 hours later we were leaving the Ute and legging it up a riverbed in the dark. The nor’wester was blowing and the clouds looked threatening, as daylight broke the hills around looked impressive. Binos came out and stopping to glass every 500m became a must, after a couple of hours 2 deer were spotted but not before they spotted us so we watched them climb the hill constantly looking back down at us.
Along to the next creek to glass up, we sat down and glassed up into the slip when a chamois walks out of the scrubb on the side. He stands there for what feels like forever (having never seen a wild one before) this gave plenty of time to check him out. The decision was made for a first chamois this would be a good one. As he moved off we closed the distance as fast as we could, then he walked back out in the same place we had seen him. Stopping in our tracks, he didn’t take his eyes off us he now knew we were after him. A quick range gave me 264 yards plenty confident with that but the wind was very strong, I settled on his front shoulder and sent a 190gr Berger in his direction the positive sound of a solid hit came back at me. The feeling of relief and satisfaction at the same time, the climb the rest of the way was steep but knowing the prize we covered it very quickly. After photos and handshakes we retreat to the river to cover more country, and a long day got longer. Plenty of country covered 5 deer 2 chamois were spotted for the day .... on a depressing note we passed heliventures trucks on SH73 preparing a 1080 drop somewhere around the Pass annoying to think after such a great day out it could all be ruined soon.