Hunt Himalayan Tahr in New Zealand

2024

New Zealand Himalayan Tahr Hunt

2024 - 1 Bull Tahr - Only $6,000

2025 - Only $7,000

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 Himalayan Tahr Bull

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 Himalayan Bull Tahr hunt in New Zealand. The Tahr hunts take place on a private ranch that is loaded with Tahr and is done on foot. There are a lot of Tahr on this property and you can expect to harvest a good bull in less than 1 day.

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 Himalayan Tahr Hunting Area

This hunt for Tahr will take place on a 3,000-acre estate located near the town of Geraldine on New Zealand’s South Island. The nearest airport is Christchurch and that is the airport that will be utilized for this hunt.

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

The Himalayan Tahr in New Zealand

The hunting of Himalayan Tahr in New Zealand has a relatively short but controversial history. Introduced to the country in the early 1900s for recreational hunting purposes, Himalayan Tahr quickly established a population in the Southern Alps of the South Island.

Initially, the presence of Tahr in New Zealand was seen as a valuable addition to the hunting opportunities in the country, attracting both local and international hunters. However, over time, concerns began to arise regarding the environmental impact of the Tahr population on the fragile alpine ecosystem and native vegetation due to New Zealand having no predators.

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

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

In 2020, a government-led operation called the "Tahr Control Plan" was launched, aiming to cull large numbers of Tahr from public conservation lands. This move received significant backlash from hunting enthusiasts, who argued that it would negatively impact tourism and undermine the heritage of Tahr hunting in New Zealand.

The New Zealand government has implemented a program of exterminating non-native species on government lands, which constitute 85% of New Zealand. Over 35,000 Tahr have been shot in this ongoing program. Most Tahr hunts are now done on private land. The cheap Tahr hunts of the past are now in many cases turning out to be unsuccessful even with the use of a helicopter, due to the diminished Tahr populations on government land.

The management of Himalayan Tahr hunting remains a contentious issue, with ongoing debates between conservationists, hunters, and government authorities. Balancing the ecological concerns and cultural significance of Tahr 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 Tahr hunting goes, most of the hunting has shifted to privately held land.

Trophy Himalayan Tahr Hunting Methods

This trophy Himalayan Tahr hunt will be done on a 3,000-acre estate using a combination of vehicle and foot hunting. A vehicle will be used to get you to a departure point where you will exit the vehicle and begin the hunt on foot. A typical hunt will start with breakfast at the restaurant and then a 1-hour drive to the hunting area, where you will be driving slowly or hiking to an elevated position and then glassing to locate a suitable bull Tahr. Once a suitable trophy Tahr is located, you will execute a stalk to get into a shooting position. There are lots of Tahr on this property including several good bulls. No helicopter is necessary. The hiking will be in hilly and mountainous terrain.

Accommodations can be made for most physical abilities.

The sight of a bull Tahr highlighted against the rugged mountains is one of the great moments in hunting, as these animals are beautiful and have magnificent manes.

Himalayan Tahr Hunting Seasons

Tahr coats are prime from April 20 onwards to the middle of July.

The Himalayan Tahr Hunting Accommodations

Your stay will be at a 2.5-star comfortable hotel featuring private cabins with King-size beds and a shared private bathroom. This hunt can accommodate up to a maximum of 4 hunters sharing rooms. A restaurant is next door for meals.

Chamois, Fallow Deer and Red Stag Hunting

Chamois, Fallow Deer and Red Stag 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.

Chamois 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.

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 beards to rub off and appear negligible.

Estate elk are also available on 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 Christchurch on the South Island, where you will be met by the outfitter and transported a 2-hour drive to his hunting accommodations. After your Tahr is in the salt, you will take a scenic drive across New Zealand's South Island to the outfitter's estate, where you may continue hunting other species or just relax.

Your departure airport will be from Nelson. 

This is your chance to get a trophy New Zealand Himalayan Tahr at a great price. Why not make a trip to the South Pacific and Hunt Himalayan Tahr 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 at the discretion of the outfitter 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-TAHR