Thread: 1st time flying and hunting Tahr

Hi team,

Group of 4 of us are heading down in June 2026 to have a nudge at Tahr and Chamios.
2 places of interest is Hall range (middle gorge hut) and the Rangitata valley.

Keen to hear what these 2 areas are like for numbers both animals, any advice for the time of year and any tips for 1st time flyers.
Appreciate your input,

Plenty up around the Rangitata. Malcolm from Mesopotamia Stn will fly you in and sort you out.

Originally Posted by JonoW

Hi team,

Group of 4 of us are heading down in June 2026 to have a nudge at Tahr and Chamios.
2 places of interest is Hall range (middle gorge hut) and the Rangitata valley.

Keen to hear what these 2 areas are like for numbers both animals, any advice for the time of year and any tips for 1st time flyers.
Appreciate your input,

Not Middle gorge. Its to restrictive. Only one main short valley to hunt. Head up the Rangitata

Lot of experts here.
There's very little chamois numbers in the rangitata, say compared to rakaia or further north.

For the flying part, if helicopter Use duffle bags for your kit, easier to stack and pack and easier to fit, easier to load and disembark as they have a lot less dangly bits to get caught, and by virtue of mass when full pose less of a FOD risk

Also a helpful to the operator if you need to pull out at a moments notice due to poor weather windows as you can just shove them in and go with minimal fuss

Scott at Methven Heli also very good.

If you are flying in and were thinking Hall Range. I would be calling Mackenzie Helicopters. Good operators and will make sure to put you in somewhere that suits your needs.

Animal numbers are good in both spots though so no issue there

+1 for Malcom if you head towards the Rangitata. I flew with him back in 2023.