Though I've been stalking (or maybe I should say 'hunting' since its in NZ ? 
) for Fallow on the North Island (married to a Kiwi and we are lucky get over there fairly regularly) this will be my first hunt on the South Island and I thought I'd write it up here as I go with a review of my prep, the gear I'm taking and then the trip itself.
I'm leaving next week to go see family on the North Island, from there the plan is to fly down from Wellington to Christchurch on the 2nd Feb, pickup a car and then drive to Canterbury/ Mt cook area for 4-5 days solo in the MT Cook/ Lawrence/ Rangitata.
Haven't yet decided on whether to hike in (probably 10K each way) or Heli (or maybe in on foot, Heli out) but a lot will depend on what the conditions are when I get there (for time of year it should be 12-15 degrees and fairly settled, but the Southern Alps are notoriously unpredictable and right now its a few below freezing at night with rain and gales! I hope its better by the time I get there!).
Prep has being going on for a long time and I thought others might be interested in what I've planned, what kit I'm taking and how it goes.
Aside from practicalities of arranging the trip/ transporting firearms etc, the big factor is that I'll be solo.
I thought long and hard about this and talked to people I know in NZ who hunt along with guys from the DOC about the practicalities/ considerations and in the end decided that providing the risks were sensibly managed I'd much prefer the solo experience.
While that's no problem for the stalking I do over here (summer stalking in Hampshire and Surrey is pretty safe in any case!), I'm acutely aware a mistake over there (that here would be a phone call and trip to A&E perhaps), could get you into serious trouble really quickly as at best help is probably hours away if you can raise it.
Beyond the weather there's the nature of the environment that Tahr live in, the altitude and accessibility being the big factors. Most shots are at a long distance (300M not uncommon) and everything will have to come together for a successful outcome.
So with that in mind, this is NOT intended as a 'how to', 'best practice' or guide to organising this kind of trip.
Though I've spend time in the mountains, climbed a bit and stalked more, I'm by no means expert an any of the subjects here. But If you want to organise something similar this might provide a useful point of reference.
For me the main benefit is that anyone who does have something to say/ advise or contribute with knowledge that I don't, might be able to do so
I have no ego about this so if you think I'm making a mistake or have misjudged something please speak up!
I thought I'd organise this write up into an initial post with something along the lines of:
on return, followed by :
I'll try to get started ASAP.
) for Fallow on the North Island (married to a Kiwi and we are lucky get over there fairly regularly) this will be my first hunt on the South Island and I thought I'd write it up here as I go with a review of my prep, the gear I'm taking and then the trip itself.I'm leaving next week to go see family on the North Island, from there the plan is to fly down from Wellington to Christchurch on the 2nd Feb, pickup a car and then drive to Canterbury/ Mt cook area for 4-5 days solo in the MT Cook/ Lawrence/ Rangitata.
Haven't yet decided on whether to hike in (probably 10K each way) or Heli (or maybe in on foot, Heli out) but a lot will depend on what the conditions are when I get there (for time of year it should be 12-15 degrees and fairly settled, but the Southern Alps are notoriously unpredictable and right now its a few below freezing at night with rain and gales! I hope its better by the time I get there!).
Prep has being going on for a long time and I thought others might be interested in what I've planned, what kit I'm taking and how it goes.
Aside from practicalities of arranging the trip/ transporting firearms etc, the big factor is that I'll be solo.
I thought long and hard about this and talked to people I know in NZ who hunt along with guys from the DOC about the practicalities/ considerations and in the end decided that providing the risks were sensibly managed I'd much prefer the solo experience.
While that's no problem for the stalking I do over here (summer stalking in Hampshire and Surrey is pretty safe in any case!), I'm acutely aware a mistake over there (that here would be a phone call and trip to A&E perhaps), could get you into serious trouble really quickly as at best help is probably hours away if you can raise it.
Beyond the weather there's the nature of the environment that Tahr live in, the altitude and accessibility being the big factors. Most shots are at a long distance (300M not uncommon) and everything will have to come together for a successful outcome.
So with that in mind, this is NOT intended as a 'how to', 'best practice' or guide to organising this kind of trip.
Though I've spend time in the mountains, climbed a bit and stalked more, I'm by no means expert an any of the subjects here. But If you want to organise something similar this might provide a useful point of reference.
For me the main benefit is that anyone who does have something to say/ advise or contribute with knowledge that I don't, might be able to do so
I have no ego about this so if you think I'm making a mistake or have misjudged something please speak up!
I thought I'd organise this write up into an initial post with something along the lines of:
- Trip Plan
- Objectives
- My key considerations
- (Update: part 1 now posted here )
- Kit I'm taking
on return, followed by :
- Travel (including my experience travelling with firearms)
- Arrival / Decisions on the ground
- The trip itself
- A conclusion (hopefully lots of pics).
I'll try to get started ASAP.
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