New Zealand Tahr and Red Stag

[mmgrode]

Hey Gang,
    I'm planning to head to New Zealand in the next few years to hunt tahr, chamois, and red stag with the longbow.  From my understanding, the tags/licenses are free, with no closed seasons or bag limits and plenty of public ground to hunt.  Sounds like a great place to hunt!  
    I was hoping to get some advice as to areas to look into(Tahr, chamois, and stag), access issues, and really any other info about hunting in New Zealand that you guys could offer.  I'll be planning to spend at least a month there when I go (two weeks in tahr/chamois country, two in red stag country).  

Thanks for any advice, Gang.

Matt

I can't give you any advice but I sure want to shoot a tahr one of these days. Thet is one of the most beautiful animals on this earth! And it lives in one of the most beautiful places on earth too.

I am going to Australia in March to hunt Red Stag, and goats, and pigs. Wish ther was some way i could work NZ into that but i don't see it happening.

Let me know when you work this trip up if you need any company. Like i said, the tahr is way up on my bucket list!

Good luck with it,

Bisch

[memo]

Matt,
Awesome stuff, Tahr are the one animal that haunts my thoughts all the time. My number one dream animal for sure.
I'd reccommend you check out the NZ hunting forum for advice on public land and export of trophies, and of course pics of the animals and scenery to keep you motivated,
All the best,
Memo

[ozy clint]

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=104207;p=1

check this out. this was on public land.
hunting there is dead easy. you simply get a free permit online. then go hunting.
this is on the west coast where it is wet all the time and the bush is like a wall. (east coast and west coast is refered to by kiwis as east and west of the watershed. the east coast is drier and has little vegetation. the west coast is wet and the bush is like a wall.)

be prepared for a tough hunt if you backpack in and out!

like memo tahr are my number goal.

i'm going back in may.

[mmgrode]

Thanks for the thread link, Clint.  Looks like you fellas had a bang up time!  That's just what I'm looking to do; a self guided public land goat hunt at a reasonable price (after flights, car rentals, etc.) in beautiful challenging country.
You NZ guys got something very special there!

Got looking into tahr hunting areas on the NZ dept of conservation site...looks like they are continually meeting population goals for their herds since aerial culling is required.  That's what I like to see, populations reaching objectives!  

How long was your hunt, Clint?  Are there more tahr on the western slope, than eastern slope? Stags?  Helicopters cause any problems during your hunt?  Any reason you choose may for your hunt?  

Steven- good thought on the export documentation.  Be a shame to take an animal and not be able to bring it home. Is this difficult in NZ?

Been dreaming about this hunt for a long time, and it may be a couple years till it happens, but it's never too early to start the planning process. I find if I don't put the planning in and set the goal, it becomes a "someday" trip...ie it never happens. This one will happen, just a matter of logistics.  

Cheers, Matt

[Aunty]

Bowhunting Thar isn't bad on west or east but west would prob be better although horn rot is a big thing on west coast. If you hunt the west coast take good wet weather because  it loves to RAIN.

[Roaring Reds]

Lol...Are you rubbing salt in the wound on my last trip? 14 days and twelve in the hut with snow, avalanches, and swollen rivers. The weather can be unpredictable on the west coast!     Good luck

[mmgrode]

What time of year did you hunt, John?

[Ben Maher]

I hunted Nz last year , sth island ... firodland is perhaps the most amazing place I have ever seen ...
and the hunting is fantastic !!!

I'd move there tomorrow !

[Zradix]

Good luck my Friend!

Red Stag is #1...by far...on my want list.

[Roaring Reds]

MMgrode, I was hunting in the spring for the thar and chamois as they feed down lower in altitude for the fresh spring growth. But remember our time is the opposite to yours! Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions, John

[limbow]

My sister-in-law lives in Christ Church NZ. She keeps telling my wife we need to visit. She then throws in the teaser line of--you can hunt Tahr and Stag with your bow if you bring your wife and kids to visit!

Might have to give it some thought  

[memo]

This might help a bit
  http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/hunting/what-to-hunt/tahr/

 http://www.doc.govt.nz/publications/about-doc/role/international/documentation-for-hunting-trophies/

 http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/hunting/permits-and-licences/