Chasing Tahr in the Southern Alps
- AussieJohn
- Jun 9
- 5 min read
There are few places left in the world where a hunter can step from a helicopter onto a mountain ridge and find himself staring across some of the most spectacular country on earth. The Southern Alps of New Zealand are one of those places.
Recently, I flew "across the pond" as our Kiwi mates like to say, with a couple of old friends in search of several species. High on my list was Himalayan tahr, one of the most challenging and iconic animals available to hunters in the Southern Hemisphere.
Our guide and outfitter, Joe Sheridan, knows this country like the back of his hand. When you're hunting the steep, rugged mountains of New Zealand's South Island, having someone like Joe in your corner is worth its weight in gold. At 65 to 70 years of age, most hunters are realistic enough to know that getting to the top of remote alpine basins under your own steam is becoming harder every year. That's where helicopters become an invaluable tool, allowing hunters to access country that would otherwise be beyond reach.
Before the trip, I spent a lot of time thinking about preparation. Physical fitness is important, but perhaps even more important is understanding the role of the helicopter and the people who operate it. My advice to anyone considering a tahr hunt in New Zealand is simple—listen carefully to your pilot and your guide. They know the terrain, they know the weather, and they know exactly what needs to happen to keep everyone safe.
The mountains are unforgiving. There is no room for complacency when climbing in and out of a helicopter on narrow ridges with steep drop-offs on either side. The pilot and guide have a plan. Your job is to follow it.
Another factor that quickly became apparent was the cost of operating in this rugged alpine environment. With fuel prices having climbed significantly, helicopter time was costing around $3,000 per hour. That means there is no time to muck around. Every landing, every stalk and every retrieval must be done efficiently and safely. Time is precious, but safety is even more valuable. Once the rotors start turning, everyone involved needs to know their role.
For this hunt, I carried my trusty Browning X-Bolt Pro chambered in 6.5 PRC. It was topped with quality optics and loaded with 143-grain Norma Bondstrike ammunition. Having used this combination successfully on tahr before, I had complete confidence in the rifle and cartridge.
What I wasn't prepared for was just how quickly things happen once a tahr is spotted.
The Southern Alps are a world of sharp precipices, knife-edged ridges and steep mountainsides covered in native tussock and long grass. Unlike many forms of hunting where you have time to set up and carefully prepare for a shot, tahr hunting often demands immediate action. A bull may appear for only seconds before slipping over a ridge and disappearing forever.
My first opportunity taught me a valuable lesson.
The bull was above us, moving steadily towards cover. I struggled to get high enough above the grass line to establish a stable shooting position. The long grass obscured my view and despite my best efforts I couldn't get the crosshairs where they needed to be. Within moments the dark shape vanished over a rocky ridge and the opportunity was gone.
The mountain had taught me something.
Back home, most of my shooting positions involve prone shooting with conventional bipods. In New Zealand's alpine country, that approach doesn't always work. When a tahr is above you, the long grass and steep terrain can make prone shooting almost impossible.
What you need is height.
An adjustable bipod capable of extending to 24 to 28 inches, a sturdy backpack used as a rest, or an adjustable tripod can make all the difference. Being able to get above the grass line while maintaining a rock-solid shooting position is critical. It is a lesson that is now permanently locked into my hunting brain should I return to chase tahr again.
Before I got my second opportunity, my mate Graham had already connected on a magnificent mature bull tahr. Watching his success reinforced just how quickly these opportunities develop in the mountains and how important it is to be prepared when they do.
Fortunately, I got another chance.
This time the range was 370 yards.
The setup came together quickly. The crosshairs settled, the rifle felt steady and the shot broke cleanly. The 143-grain Norma Bondstrike entered low in the neck and anchored the bull instantly. The tahr tumbled four or five times down the steep mountainside before finally coming to rest in the long grass below.
The 6.5 PRC had once again proven why it has become one of my favourite mountain hunting cartridges.
With both tahr secured, our pilot showcased the true magic of helicopter hunting in the Southern Alps. He perched the helicopter on top of a stunning mountain peak where we stepped out into a world of towering snow-capped ranges, deep valleys and breathtaking alpine vistas stretching as far as the eye could see.
It was one of those moments that no photograph can truly capture.
The trophies were important, but as with most hunting adventures, they were only part of the story. Standing on that mountain top, surrounded by some of the finest scenery in the world, sharing the experience with Rick, Graham, Joe and our pilot was what made the hunt truly special.
The success of the trip didn't end with the tahr. During our four days of hunting, Rick and Graham went on to take two very mature bison bulls, while Rick also collected a magnificent fallow buck. It was one of those rare hunts where everything seemed to come together. Good mates, experienced guides, spectacular country and quality animals combined to create memories that will last a lifetime.
The older I get, the more I realise that hunting is rarely just about the animal. It is about the places we visit, the lessons we learn and the people who share the journey.
My New Zealand tahr hunt delivered all three.
It was challenging, spectacular, educational and unforgettable. For anyone considering a tahr hunt in the Southern Alps, my advice is simple: listen to your guide, respect the mountains, bring a rifle you trust and make sure you have a shooting support that gets you above the grass. The tahr won't wait for you to get comfortable.
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