Hunt Alpine Chamois in New Zealand

2024

New Zealand Alpine Chamois Hunt on Foot

2024 - Alpine Chamois - Only $2,250

2025 - Only $3,250

Hunt Includes:

• 3 Full Hunting Days
• 4 Nights 4-Star Lodging
• All Meals, Beer, Wine, and Beverages
• Field Prep of Trophies
• Delivery of Trophies to the Expediter
• Free Rifle Rental
• R/T Airport Transportation from Nelson

 

Trophy Fee Included for:

• 1 Trophy Alpine Chamois

 

Hunt Excludes:

• Airfare
• Before and After Hunt Accommodations
• Helicopter if desired
• Sightseeing Tours
• Spirits
• Observer Fee - $175 / Day

 

FREE RIFLE RENTAL! – (Pay for Ammo Used)

 

Combo Hunts with other animals available!

 

This is a fabulous deal on a trophy Alpine Chamois hunt in New Zealand. The Chamois hunts take place on either a private ranch on foot, or by accessing remote mountain ranges with a helicopter. There are a lot of Chamois on these properties and you can expect to harvest a good Chamois trophy.

I have booked multiple clients here in the past and the hunts all went well, and the hunters left for home having taken wonderful trophies.

This is the best deal I know of in New Zealand with a great outfitter and is sure to sell out each year. The outfitter only takes one group at a time, the season is limited, and you don’t want to miss this deal!

Every hunter should make a trip to New Zealand to shoot one of the most revered mountain animals in the world. The scenery is stunning, the country is safe, and it is a trip you will not forget.

The Alpine Chamois Hunting Area

This hunt for Chamois will take place on a private free-range farm located only 20 minutes from the outfitter’s lodge on New Zealand’s South Island. The nearest airport is Nelson and that is the airport that will be utilized for this hunt.

The terrain is hill country with forested areas. Lush vegetation ranges from knee-high to over head-high. There are also grassy areas and cliffs.

The Alpine Chamois in New Zealand

Chamois were gifted by Austrian emperor Franz Josef in 1907, and they were introduced to the central South Island's Mount Cook region in New Zealand. They spread rapidly and today are found on most mountainous areas of New Zealand’s South Island.

In the late 20th century, the New Zealand government started implementing control measures to manage the Red Deer, Tahr, and Chamois populations. Culling programs were initiated to reduce the numbers, as it was believed that the non-native animals were causing significant damage to the alpine flora and threatening native species.

The controversy surrounding cull hunting intensified in recent years. Conservationists argued that the animal populations needed to be significantly reduced to protect the alpine environment while hunting groups and guides advocated for maintaining game animals and preserving hunting opportunities.

The management of non-native species hunting remains a contentious issue, with ongoing debates between conservationists, hunters, and government authorities. Balancing the ecological concerns and cultural significance of Chamois hunting continues to be a challenge, as various stakeholders seek a sustainable approach to preserve the alpine ecosystem while allowing limited hunting opportunities.

New Zealand has instituted a culling program on public lands and is actively reducing populations of red deer, tahr, and chamois. Unfortunately, with no natural predators to control populations, reductions in the size of the herds are necessary. Fortunately, with New Zealand’s rugged terrain and thick cover, eliminating these magnificent animals will not happen and hunting should remain strong for years to come. As far as Chamois hunting goes, some of the hunting has shifted to privately held land.

Trophy Alpine Chamois Hunting Methods

You will eat breakfast at the lodge, and then depart by vehicle to the Chamois hunting area (20 minutes).  The chamois like to come down onto the upper fringes of hillside cow pastures to feed in the early mornings. If hunting on foot, glass for a trophy chamois and then make a stalk to get into shooting range. Most people are capable of making this stalk, as this is not your typical above-the-tree line vertical chamois hunting.

If the hunt is done with a helicopter, you will drive to the helicopter base (1.5 hrs.) and meet the helicopter pilot and take off with the guide and fly up above the bush line until a trophy chamois is spotted.

Then the helicopter will land below the chamois (100-150 meters) and you and the guide will get out. The helicopter will take back off and back off and observe. The guide will work you into position to get a good close shot at the chamois.

Once you have shot the chamois, the animal will be picked up by the helicopter and you will be flown back to the helicopter base. 1 hour of helicopter time is all that is normally necessary for this hunt.

Then return to the lodge to clean up, have drinks, and eat lunch.

Chamois range from 7.5' up to 10.5" It is common that females may be harvested also, as their horns can grow as long as a male's. The males typically have bigger bases. To sort out a bigger male, more helicopter time may be required.

Accommodations can be made for most physical abilities.

The sight of an Alpine Chamois high up in the rugged mountains is a great sight, as these animals are beautiful and graceful.

 

Alpine Chamois Hunting Seasons

The Chamois hunting season runs from February to July. Peak rut occurs in May & June. By July, Chamois bucks begin to congregate in bachelor groups as the weather turns coldest.

 

The Alpine Chamois Hunting Lodge

During your Hunt, you will stay at a 4-star lodge nestled in the mountains with a great view off the patio. The lodge has 3 client bedrooms, and a separate toilet and shower area. The food is excellent, and you have both TV, cell phone service and internet at the lodge.

Himalayan Tahr and Red Stag Hunting

Red Stag, Fallow Deer, and Himalayan Tahr are also available on this hunt. Hunting for these additional species will necessitate adding extra days. Look at the packages that are shown on the price list below.

Himalayan Tahr may either be hunted on foot or with the use of a helicopter to access elevated remote regions that these animals favor. The outfitter does have special areas where you can hunt on foot without being in tip-top mountain shape. For those of you wanting the exhilarating experience of using a helicopter to ferry you up into the mountains, that style of hunting is available. The views are quite spectacular. Helicopter prices run around $2,000 / hr.

Red Stag and Fallow Deer are hunted on foot on the outfitter’s estate.

 

Additional Huntable Species

Arapawa Rams, wild goats, wild boar, and Merriam turkeys are also available on his estate. The vegetation in this area contains a mite that causes many of the turkey beards to rub off and appear negligible.

Estate elk are also available in another part of the island.

 

Available Rental Rifles

• Kimber Mountain Ascent .270 with Swarovski 1.5-10 x 42 Lighted Reticle Scope
• Tika .270 with Swarovski 5-25 X 52 Scope
• Sako .270 with a 2-7 Varipower Karls Scope

 

Taxidermy

The outfitter uses Barry Ryan – High Country Taxidermy for taxidermy and expediting.

Your animals will be caped in the field and transported to the skinning shed for final prep and freezing. They will typically be transported in a frozen state to the taxidermist within 30 days.

 

Getting There

You will fly into Aukland New Zealand and clear immigration and customs. Then you will take a short flight to Nelson on the South Island, where you will be met by the outfitter and transported a 2-hour drive to his hunting estate.

Your departure airport will be from Nelson. If you Planning to add Himalayan Tahr, you may depart from Christchurch. Details will be worked out depending on the animals you wish to take and their sequence.

This is your chance to get a trophy New Zealand Alpine Chamois at a great price. Why not make a trip to the South Pacific and Hunt Alpine Chamois in New Zealand?

 

DEPOSIT POLICY

A 50% deposit is required to book this hunt. The balance is due in US cash, bank wire, or credit card (a 3.5% fee applies) at the end of the hunt.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations will forfeit the deposit. Hunts may be rescheduled once with a minimum of 3 months’ notice, at the discretion of the outfitter. All rescheduled hunts are subject to a $150 administration fee if allowed by the outfitter. The rescheduling fee is to be paid directly to the booking agency. All requests to reschedule should be directed through the agent.

 

EXCLUSIONS:  International and Domestic Airfare, Before and After Hunt Accommodations, Trophy Expediting, and Shipping Services, Helicopter Fees, Export Documentation, Taxidermy, Ammunition for Loaner Rifles, Gratuities

Hunt # NZ-DB-Chamois