Looking for an excellent tahr hunt in New Zealand that doesn’t require a helicopter? We have some of the best free range Himalayan Tahr hunting on foot available anywhere in the world.
Update January 2023: New Zealand was closed to tourists from most countries for all of 2020 and 2021 as well as most of 2022 due to COVID. So, we still have a gigantic backlog of rescheduled hunts that we’re working through. For that reason, we’re not booking any new hunts or responding to any enquiries about hunting in New Zealand in the future until we get that cleared up.
Why should I hunt Tahr with you? We have exclusive hunting rights on several massive sections of private land in the South Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. This area around Mount Cook contains some of the country’s best Tahr habitat and it’s also near where Himalayan Tahr were originally released in New Zealand many years ago after being imported from their homeland in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal and northern India. Not surprisingly, this land has the highest Tahr population in New Zealand and some of the best Tahr Hunting opportunities anywhere in the world.
Since we have exclusive access to such a large amount of outstanding Tahr habitat on private land, we are able to keep the hunting pressure on the Tahr very low. Our alpine hunting areas also have very good road access, which allows us to cater to hunters with a wide range of abilities. As a result, we have very high success rates on free range Tahr hunts on foot without the use of a helicopter.
Not only do we have high success rates on our Tahr hunts, but due to the high Tahr populations and the fact that we keep the hunting pressure very low, our hunters are able to be very selective and only harvest mature, and often record book quality bull Tahr.
Over the past three years, we have a 100% success rate on our Tahr hunts. The typical bull taken is over 7 years old and measures over 12”.
Due to all of these factors, we offer an outstanding Tahr hunting experience that is truly in a league of its own. Have you always dreamed of hunting in the magnificent Southern Alps of New Zealand? Are you looking looking for a great chance at taking a monster Himalayan Tahr? Then book one of our spectacular Himalayan Tahr hunting packages.
Continue reading to learn more about our incredible Himalayan Tahr hunting in New Zealand.
New Zealand Tahr Hunting Packages
The Himalayan Tahr hunting New Zealand packages listed below are valid for hunts booked in 2020 and 2021.
1×1 Trophy Bull Tahr Hunt
4 Days (3 Nights) Accommodation
1 Bull Himalayan Tahr
$6,300
$800 per Observer
Please note: we know every hunter is unique, so while you’re welcome to hunt solely for Tahr, all our Tahr hunting packages are flexible. All of these packages may be upgraded with additional hunting days and/or big game animals at our normal daily rates and trophy fees listed below.
You’ll be at a premier hunting destination in the South Pacific with lots of opportunity to hunt other world class trophy animals. For this reason, we also offer several trophy big game hunting packages that allow our hunters to pursue Himalayan Tahr along with Red Stag, Alpine Chamois, Fallow Buck, and Elk (Wapiti). You’re also welcome to hunt Arapawa Ram, Merriam’s Turkey, Feral Goats, and Wild Boar on a trophy fee basis. We can also arrange a trip to the North Island (which is just a short, 1.5 hour scenic flight away) to hunt Rusa, Sambar, and/or Sika Deer. If there is time remaining during your New Zealand hunting safari after you get your Tahr trophy, we can also facilitate a fishing or wing shooting trip.
Mountain Hunting Package
6 Days (5 Nights) Accommodation
1 Bull Himalayan Tahr & 1 Alpine Chamois
$11,500
$1,000 per Observer
New Zealand Tahr & Red Stag Hunting Package
5 Days (4 Nights) Accommodation
1 Bull Himalayan Tahr & 1 Red Stag Up To 410”
$12,100
$800 per Observer
New Zealand Classic 4 Hunting Package
7 Days (6 Nights) Accommodation
1 Bull Himalayan Tahr, 1 Red Stag Up To 450”, 1 Alpine Chamois, 1 Fallow Buck
$22,000
Accommodations For 1 Observer Included
We guarantee a reasonable shot on our Tahr hunts and our lifetime success rate on our Tahr hunting packages is over 95%. However, if you do not take a Tahr (or any species listed in a package) on your hunt, you will receive a $3,000 refund per species not taken. Though every effort will be made to follow up and recover wounded animals, all animals wounded and not recovered will be charged full price.
We have scoped and suppressed rifles available for hunters who do not wish to bring their own rifles. For $150, we provide use of the rifle and appropriate ammunition for hunting Tahr.
Daily Rates
1 Hunter × 1 Guide: $450 per hunter, per day
2 Hunters x 1 Guide: $350 per hunter, per day
Hunters 16 And Younger: $150 per hunter, per day
Non Hunter: $200 per person, per day
Why Should I Book A Tahr Hunting Trip With You?
- We specialize in hunting Himalayan Tahr and have exclusive hunting rights to private land containing some of the best Tahr habitat in New Zealand. Since this land also has very good road access, our hunters can access Tahr country without using a helicopter.
- We book a limited number of hunts each year, abide by strict quotas, and carefully manage our hunting areas. This ensures that our hunters have high success rates and consistently harvest mature bull Tahr.
- We are not a high turnover outfit. Instead, we focus on providing quality hunts with the best possible experience for each guest.
- The hunting lodge is centrally located on the South Island between 5 and 40 minutes of all our hunting areas. This allows our guests to spend the maximum amount of their valuable time in New Zealand hunting without wasting valuable time driving.
- No hidden costs: our New Zealand Tahr hunting packages include everything except for your air fare, taxidermy, and shipment of your trophies.
- Our Hunting Guides are friendly, knowledgeable, and have many years worth of experience guiding Tahr hunts.
- We take pride in providing authentic Tahr hunts with outstanding personal service before, during, and after your hunt. You will not have problems getting in touch us when and we’ll be available to you through the entire process to provide assistance with anything you need related to the hunt.
- We offer a family friendly hunting experience with a wide range of local non-hunting activities and sightseeing tours. We are situated near the famous Mt Cook National Park in New Zealand’s Southern Alps as well as numerous lakes in the central South Island.
Tahr Hunting Accommodations
Hunters will stay in our well apportioned lodge located between 5 and 40 minutes from our various hunting areas in the central South Island of New Zealand. With individual rooms, wifi internet, an outdoor fireplace, and a miniature golf course, the lodge is the perfect location to relax after a hard day of Tahr hunting.
Best Time For Tahr Hunting
While New Zealand does not have an official Tahr hunting season, we conduct our Tahr hunts all year long. While we have high success rates on Tahr all year round, the best time of the year to hunt Tahr is when they have their magnificent winter coats during the late April through November time period. Winter also coincides with the Tahr rut, which occurs during May, June, and July.
Best Caliber For Tahr Hunting
Most of our Tahr hunters use cartridges like the .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .30-06 Springfield, and the .300 Winchester Magnum. Shot placement is extremely important when hunting Tahr and they can go a long way when poorly hit. For this reason, we highly recommend bringing a rifle that you are familiar with and shoot accurately, even if it is chambered in a smaller caliber. Just like when hunting Chamois, be prepared to take a shoot in the 100-350 yard range, but most shots on our Tahr hunts are between 200 and 350 yards.
Tahr Shot Placement
Himalayan Tahr (scientific name Hemitragus Jemlahicus) are incredibly tough animals, but they will not go far if you use high quality bullets and place your shot appropriately. If you get it right, even a really big bull will not run far at all after the shot. However, if you mess it up, a Tahr will absolutely shock you with the distance it can run before going down.
For the best Tahr shot placement, aim slightly behind the center of the shoulder, about one third of the way up the body if the animal is standing broadside. Aiming at this location should ensure the bullet hits both lungs and gives a bit of margin for error in each direction in case your aim is slightly off. Aim slightly forward if the animal is quartering towards you and slightly further back if the animal is quartering away from you. 
Tahr shot placement can be complicated by the animal’s long hair or when vegetation, like snow tussocks, obscure the lower portions of the body. However, Tahr have a distinctive “pocket” behind the point of their shoulder that can be used as a reference point.
Tahr Hunts Include:
Trophy Fee(s) For Listed Animals
Accommodation For Specified Number Of Days & Nights
Exclusive use of the hunting area
Services of a Hunting Guide
Transportation between Christchurch or Timaru Airport and hunting areas
Accommodation, food, and beverages
Reasonable quantity of beer and wine
Laundry service during the hunt
Wifi internet at lodge
New Zealand Goods and Services Tax
Skinning and field preparation of trophies
Delivery of trophies to a New Zealand based taxidermist and shipping company
Tahr Hunts Do Not Include:
Gratuities for staff members
Taxidermy fees, expediting of trophies,
Crating and shipment of trophies
Export permits
Transport of trophies outside of New Zealand
Airline tickets
Personal, Travel and Trophy insurance
New Zealand rifle import license (NZ$25)
Rifle Rental