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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: mmgrode on April 15, 2013, 10:15:00 PM

Title: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: mmgrode on April 15, 2013, 10:15:00 PM
Hey Gang,
    after years of dreaming and several months of planning and preparing, I'm set to fly to New Zealand for a solo DIY, public land, free range tahr, chamois and red deer hunt on sunday evening.  I'm almost beside myself with the anticipation! I'll be there until May 11th, hopefully giving me enough time to seal the deal on a bull tahr, and perhaps a chamois and red deer if I come across one.  I'll let you guys know how it went when I get back.  Man, I'm pumped!

Cheers, Matt
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: BWD on April 15, 2013, 10:18:00 PM
Hope it all comes together for you.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Lefty on April 15, 2013, 10:27:00 PM
That sounds like quite an adventure Matt.  Good luck to you!!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: sheephunter on April 15, 2013, 10:27:00 PM
Good luck! Can't wait to hear the story and see the pics!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: kennym on April 15, 2013, 10:29:00 PM
Good luck Matt!!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: mmgrode on April 15, 2013, 10:37:00 PM
Thanks guys!  

One of the bows I'm bringing I built from your lams, Kenny.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: on April 15, 2013, 10:45:00 PM
Tahr is one of my dreams!!!!

Good luck and can't wait for the stories and pics.

Bisch
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Shinken on April 15, 2013, 11:10:00 PM
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  

PICS - we need PICS!  Please!

Keep the wind in your face!

Shoot straight, Shinken

   :archer2:
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: njloco on April 15, 2013, 11:29:00 PM
:campfire:  we'll be waiting.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Aunty on April 15, 2013, 11:31:00 PM
Good luck mate.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: shankspony on April 15, 2013, 11:36:00 PM
mmgrode. Good on you, You will love the hunting. Let me know if you need any ideas on hunting spots. I've just returned from a week down the west coast with my longbow and guideing some swedish hunters. I try and spend 2 weeks a year hunting Tahr down there, Its addictive.
Saw this guy at 2 k on the last day, and he got my heart racing, but too far for amount of time left.
  (http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll56/shankspony_photos/3e20048a-553f-44cb-893d-2efb73675943_zps59b3698d.jpg) (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/shankspony_photos/media/3e20048a-553f-44cb-893d-2efb73675943_zps59b3698d.jpg.html)

Right now the bulls will still likely be mobbed up together, but as you move through April they will start moving until mid may when most will have joined the nanny groups.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: juneaulongbow on April 16, 2013, 10:19:00 AM
Awesome. I want to do this hunt. I had no idea you could DIY without a guide. Stories and photos please on your return!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: cacciatore on April 16, 2013, 10:52:00 AM
Thats one heck of a planning,good luck!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: FerretWYO on April 16, 2013, 11:10:00 AM
Very cool looking forward to your stories.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: steadman on April 16, 2013, 12:15:00 PM
Sounds like fun! Good luck!!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Big Ed on April 16, 2013, 01:48:00 PM
Safe travels and best of luck to you.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Alexander Traditional on April 16, 2013, 02:00:00 PM
Good luck,can't wait to see the pics.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: kadbow on April 16, 2013, 09:08:00 PM
Should be a great trip Matt.  Matt made a couple of take down bows for his trip that look awesome.  How about a couple pics of those bows?  Looking forward to some pics and stories when you get back.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: gregg dudley on April 16, 2013, 09:10:00 PM
Good luck!  That sounds like a fantastic trip!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Friend on April 16, 2013, 10:58:00 PM
Awe...New Zealand

Wishing you the most grand experience.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: VictoryHunter on April 16, 2013, 11:06:00 PM
Congrats man! That is a once in a lifetime hunt. Good hunting.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: mmgrode on April 17, 2013, 12:55:00 AM
The days are counting down!  Generally, when I am going on a trip, it is customary to forget something...wonder what it will be this time.  If I could only remember  ;)

As requested by Mark here are some equipment pictures:
  (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/grodmm/IMG_0410.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/grodmm/media/IMG_0410.jpg.html)
I'll be bringing a couple bamboo backed osage bows I built over the winter for the trip.  Made them takedowns so I can get them in with the checked luggage.  They're nothing fancy, but should get the job done if I can do my part.
  (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/grodmm/IMG_0418.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/grodmm/media/IMG_0418.jpg.html)

Thanks for the kind words, fellas!

Matt
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: stujay on April 17, 2013, 01:03:00 AM
Good looking equipment...have a great hunt.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Al Kidner on April 17, 2013, 05:31:00 AM
Best of luck mate! I hope you like hills ...lol.

Don't leave nothing in the tank or leave yourself wondering if you could have hunted more, harder or further.

Love the arrows by the way.

Enjoy, life is short.


ak.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Hopewell Tom on April 17, 2013, 06:39:00 PM
Major Adventure!
Great looking arrows, nice bows too.
GOOD LUCK !!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: T-Bowhunter on April 17, 2013, 06:51:00 PM
We will be waiting!  :campfire:
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Aunty on April 17, 2013, 08:38:00 PM
Are you heading to the East or West side of the Divide ?
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: JJB on April 17, 2013, 08:46:00 PM
Keep us posted on your hunt, I'm looking forward to hearing all about it.
-Jay
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: njloco on April 17, 2013, 10:59:00 PM
Airport security would let me bring my three piece with me in carryon after I was told I cold over the phone, they said I could use it as a club !

So make sure you can.

Good luck!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: JEFF B on April 18, 2013, 12:41:00 AM
hey buddy good luck and look out for gun hunters they are a wild bunch and hey have fun  oh and take warm clothes as its cold as hell down there give me a call pm sent     :thumbsup:
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: mmgrode on April 18, 2013, 01:45:00 AM
Al K.- Amen, brother. Thanks for that reminder. I'll be giving it my all!  

Aunty- The first part of my hunt will be spent in the eastern watershed after tahr(numbers area), the latter in the western watershed after tahr(larger bulls), chamois, and red deer if I can come across them.

Kenneth- Bows are going in the checked baggage. Hopefully the baggage folks aren't too hard on my gear.  That's the only drawback with the natural materials bows, a bit more fragile. Bringing a third fiberglass takedown, just in case.    

Thanks for the well wishes, fellas.

Cheers, Matt
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: maineac on April 18, 2013, 06:17:00 AM
Good luck!!!  Enjoy the adventure
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on April 18, 2013, 06:50:00 AM
Have a Great Trip.  Looking forward to the report!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: nick_the_tinkerer on April 19, 2013, 03:36:00 PM
Very Nice cant wait to see pics, the story, etc.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: elkken on April 19, 2013, 03:48:00 PM
Best of LUCK to ya, and be safe !!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: kadbow on April 21, 2013, 08:35:00 AM
Have a great trip!  Be safe.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Ragin Bull on April 21, 2013, 09:10:00 AM
:campfire:    Looking forward to this one when you get back.
This hunt is already on my list in 2-3 years
Good luck and be safe........ Have fun!
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Elgjeger on August 07, 2013, 03:35:00 PM
How did i t go? Thinking of pulling off the same feat next April.

Awesome country down there!

Been there twice before, and it IS addictive... Bugger I literally live on the other side of the globe..
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: Marksman Quivers on August 08, 2013, 03:58:00 AM
I hunted New Zealand in 2006 from England.
In 2008 I moved to Australia on my own, with my bow hunting gear fletching jigs everything and a few pairs of socks.
I am still in Australia I have been married to an ozy for nearly 3 years and I have hunted in NZ for the past 3 years for two week at a time, in those lovely mountains.
Addictive......... yes.
You gotta do, what you gotta do .
Cheers
Mark.
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: cacciatore on August 08, 2013, 04:40:00 AM
Mark,you are living the dream!  :notworthy:
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: mmgrode on August 08, 2013, 04:44:00 PM
The hunt was absolutely magnificent, Kristoffer! I did have a little luck...   ;)   I can highly recommend it to anyone thinking of going.  For the price of a plane ticket and car rental any man can experience it. Heck, if a guy on my budget can do it, anyone can.   Kind of funny how a mountain "goat" hunt is more accessible and cheaper to me if I fly half way round the world to do it!  Can't wait to get back over there in the future for more of NZ's amazing opportunities.  

Cheers, Matt

ps- here's a picture from one of my camps on the mountain.  God's country!

  (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/grodmm/89a834b8-04f2-4383-a33a-254e06a78105.jpg) (http://s244.photobucket.com/user/grodmm/media/89a834b8-04f2-4383-a33a-254e06a78105.jpg.html)
Title: Re: New Zealand Tahr
Post by: JEFF B on August 08, 2013, 05:26:00 PM
AMEN to that Bro   :thumbsup:   y'all come back now ya hear