Thread: Greetings from the European Alps!

Hello everybody,

I am Ben and writing to you from Germany, where I grew up seeing our version of the Alps from the kitchen window.
I am a long time hunter, gun dog handler, reloader, recreational mid-range shooter and in all other respects I guess pretty much your average Joe.

My main hunting species are roe deer, wild boar, hare and the small gangsters (fox, raccoon, enok).
Sometimes I get to hunt reds, fallow and feathers (ducks and geese).

I enrolled myself here for a very specific reason:

When I turned 20 I went fishing for salmon in Scotland.
When I turned 30 I went hunting for chamois in the Austrian Alps.
Now I turned 40 and I am dedicated to finally visit your splendid country and hunt for Tahr.

I just want to get in touch with you folks as actual hunters there.
I don`t just want a "tourist experience" with a big outfit.
I will read stuff up about Tahr hunting in this forum.
And maybe get some hints how to get the real deal when it is time for my first Tahr.

Cheers

Ben

Welcome Ben. Your experience and interests will fit in well here.

I'm sure some South Island guys will respond to your request.

Welcome Ben, lots of first hand knowledge on this site. The South Island lads will look after you.

Welcome Ben, sounds like you easily have the experience to find a NZ tahr. When are you planning on traveling to New Zealand?

Welcome to the forum Ben

Welcome Ben.

Originally Posted by RUMPY

Welcome Ben, sounds like you easily have the experience to find a NZ tahr. When are you planning on traveling to New Zealand?

First off and @all: Thanks for the kind words and welcome on the site!

@RUMPY I think most likely in April 2025. I am saving up vacation and overtime as well as money for some time now. I will be able to spend like four to six weeks in NZ. In this period I would love to spend four, five or six days glassing, hiking and hunting. Maybe from a cabin or something. Don`t need no fancy lodge. Just wanna be out there with some good lads, see how you are doing things in NZ and hopefully have my try on a Tahr bull. Same here: Not interested in "medal bulls" or something like that. I just want to experience a hunt you gentlemen would do yourselfs.

Cheers
Ben

Hi Ben, and welcome.

If you came in May you could get some bird shooting in as well, and the Roar would probably still be on for Reds (and Sika, if you wanted something from the North Island).

What rifle will you be bringing - and do you have much alpine experience?

I had to google Enok - what a cool animal. Looks like a long haired Raccoon, but they say closer to a fox. Do you eat them?

4-6 weeks in nz i hope you are rich!!
anyways i am just south of christchurch. anything you want to know just ask.
btw wallabies are fun to shoot, as are goats (yum). to be honest i prefer goat to most venison

Welcome Ben a good time to visit

Welcome Ben

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Originally Posted by Ross Nolan

Hi Ben, and welcome.

If you came in May you could get some bird shooting in as well, and the Roar would probably still be on for Reds (and Sika, if you wanted something from the North Island).

What rifle will you be bringing - and do you have much alpine experience?

I had to google Enok - what a cool animal. Looks like a long haired Raccoon, but they say closer to a fox. Do you eat them?

Hey... Enok really is a funny mix. I see parts of badger, raccoon and fox in it. Also very interesting behaviour to just watch and enjoy. Much like badgers...

I have not eaten them.
Only tried raccoon so far.
As they (like boar or bear) are potential carriers of trichinella worms in their muscle tissue, they need to be tested before eating them.
I do that with boar, of course. To be honest, with raccoon and enok I just don't go through that hassle.

But in winter the fur gets skinned. Family and friends learned to love that stuff in winter jacket hoods and such.
And the rest goes to the eastern European countries. It barley covers cost, but at least this superb material is used and does not all go to waste.
Really a shame that everybody talks "sustainability" these days, but nobody wants domestic fox or raccoon hide to keep them warm in winter.

Cheers
Ben

Originally Posted by gonetropo

4-6 weeks in nz i hope you are rich!!
anyways i am just south of christchurch. anything you want to know just ask.
btw wallabies are fun to shoot, as are goats (yum). to be honest i prefer goat to most venison

Hello gonetropo,

not rich for sure... I just saved up for quite some time now. As I stated in the intro... Every five to ten years, there has to be a special treat for me and I empty the extra bank account for this kind of stuff with no regrets...

Early on in life I decided to live simple. A smaller apartment. Nothing fancy when it comes to the car. The only real expense is the dog and hunting.

The rests is saved and spend on traveling and experiences.

I am grateful that I learned an important lesson early during military service: It can all be gone today. You better life now... That kind a thing.

Cheers
Ben

Welcome aboard Ben.

Thanks for all the messages and mails already!

It really is a good place to hang around online. Super happy that I did sign up.

Regarding the trip to NZ I started an extra thread.

Just one last question:
Is there a kind of "sticking thread" or "standard thread" to post recent hunting pictures?
Somehow I did not find such a continuous topic..

Cheers
Ben