Himalayan Tahr

Originally from the Himalayan Mountains of Asia, these magnificent mountain goats were liberated in New Zealand’s Southern Alps in 1904. Although both the bulls and nannies have horns, those of the bulls are much longer and heavier than the nannies.

However it is not just the horns that make a fine trophy but the lion like mane on the bull is every bit as important as good horn length. The Tahr has been designed by nature as the perfect extreme mountain animal with only the Rocky Mountain Goat challenging him as the ‘King of the Mountain’. The Tahr bound down the almost vertical rock bluffs, their hooves barely touching the rock, while we only can stand and watch in awe.

To see a mature Bull, in full rut, standing on the white snow, his flared mane blowing in the wind is one of the most memorable alpine hunting experiences.

The bulls are either solitary or in small bachelor groups, but at the onset of the ‘rut’ in early may, they join the female groups.

A mature Bull can weigh up to 300lbs and can be tough to put down, so we recommend a heavier caliber rifle like the 7mm mags, 300win mags through to the .338 as being ideal.

At Kiwi Safaris NZ we pride ourselves on the fact we hunt 95% of all our Tahr on foot without the need for helicopter access. Our 4 private properties border one another and have excellent 4x4 vehicle access.

Remember, we hunt on the eastern side of the Southern Alps and it is all ranch country ranging from rolling hills to steep mountain country at the back of the properties. A Tahr hunt, while being quite physical is achievable by most people and we have guided clients as young as 9 years of age and a number of Lady hunters as well to secure the trophy of a lifetime.

For Tahr hunting, the best time for the capes is from May through to October and it is possible to see in excess of 100 Tahr a day with many trophy bulls among them.

It is recognized that Kiwi Safaris New Zealand has the finest foot hunting in New Zealand on its private land for trophy bull Tahr.

It is also a fact the Kiwi Safaris NZ have taken more trophy bull Tahr with the bow than anyone else in New Zealand.