Thread: Chamois success

My cousin and I just got back from a 4 day mission in the Nelson Lakes. Had a mixed bag of weather, but was fantastic to be away. Matt hit me up earlier in Jan about going on a mission. We worked it in with me finishing my first paper for my diploma and before he started uni on the 26th.
We headed in Friday arvo after a load of wood turned up a bit late. Never mind we got away. 6.5hr walk to our destination, we decided to use huts rather than a tent. Saturday poured down until 3pm at which time I looked out the window and promptly said to Matt there's a chamois up there, where, where was his reply as I was getting boots and jacket, once he spotted it he was right behind me. Took 1.5hrs to stalk him, some of it in sight but he was content on filling his belly after the miserable day. He spooked as I was getting set up for the shot but paused on the edge of a steep creek. One nice shot to his neck at 180mtr with my 223 had chamois number 1 on the deck. Not my biggest but I didn't care as I wanted to shoot one as it had been about 7yrs since I last targeted them. 8.4inch. He was fat from all the green tussock and grass around. We were both elated with the success. This being the first chamois he had ever seen, he had a massive grin. Matt had traveled down from Palmy for this trip so I was stoked we had secured 1. Gutted him and dragged/rolled him down the face before throwing him over my shoulders for the last 200mtr to hut. Got stopped by a Swedish tramper who wanted to photograph the animal draped across my shoulders. I obliged even if I was hurting.
On Sunday we were up and out the door a little late at 7am. We crested the rise into the head basin and spotted another Chamois. I asked Matt if he wanted to have a go. Hell yes was his reply. Matt has not used firearms before and been on 3 trips with my father with 1 deer being secured on his last trip with my father.
Gave him a dry firing and scope session. We crept forward, untill the distance had closed and at 220mtrs Matt had his first game animal. If his grin was big before it was huge now. Ear to ear. We made our way over, his measured 8.7inch, it had thick bases and a nice spread. Pretty cool animal for your first. Both chamois were bucks and in fantastic condition. We went for a mission just to explore the area as it was new to me.
We decided to pull the pin early and walked out Monday instead of Tuesday. Was a fantastic few days. Will be my last mission for a while as I start my next correspondent paper on Monday.

Cheers for reading.

Well done. Shot my first chamois in Nelson Lakes, Hopeless Creek back in 1991. You guys got out just in time I'd say.

Yeh looking at the weather you were lucky not to be still in there, well done on both your Chamois, stunning country.

Cracking photo's! Thank you for taking the time to write the story.
180m with a .223 is some good shooting.

I love my 223. Have put a lot of effort into getting really comfortable with it. I have a personal limit of 250mtr with it. Matt took his with it at 220mtr and bang flop on his chamois through the shoulder. I seem to have got a couple of photos sideways somw how.

We had rain most of Saturday and a fair bit of yesterday. This storm wasn't forcast when I made a last weather check. Rather glad we came out yesterday.

Stunning scenery. I haven’t seen much of the mainland, but from what I have seen, the Nelson Lakes/St Arnaud area would have to be my favourite part of the country. What projectile are you using in the .223?

Superb country thanks for sharing. Lucky u got out when you did. That cyclones been on long range weather maps for past 10 days including a pretty accurate prediction of its track. Not sure what weather you were looking at?

awesome

I use 55gr soft point. Sellier and Bellot.

Nice work and nice country - I saw my first chamois up there as well.

When I last checked it was Wednesday before we left. Maybe I missed it but I don't think they had an accurate prediction of when it would make landfall. Rain was predicted but not to the extent that it delivered. I use metservice and sometimes metvuw.

Great story thanks. I had to smile at "300 WSM for life" getting a chamois with a .223 A great irony.

Gentians are my favourite alpine flower.

great story and awesome photos.good on you for getting your mate his first animal like that,go the mighty midget .223,in the right hands with the right mindset its a great wee cartridge.

Nice one! Like Stug I shot my 1st chamois in Hopeless Creek, although in 1993.