Well after a couple of not so successful trips I finally got my first Tahr.
After waking up late to a light covering of snow on the bonnet of my 4x4, I decided on a drive down the valley with the binoculars to see if I could spot any animal activity.
After a couple of KM's I saw a vehicle parked up with a spotting scope so thought I'd head over and say hello.
The guy in the truck explained he was watching his son on a guided hunt on the opposite side of the river...they had spotted a big bull and a nanny and were currently in pursuit.
I said goodbye but out of curiosity decided to park further down the track to have a look.
After a bit of searching I spotted the two of them and could tell they were close by the way they were stalking and their focus on one spot, but I couldn't see the animals.
After a couple of minutes I suddenly caught some movement and saw a large bull with a big head making his get away. And with the sound of a distant bang watched him head into the top of the bush line unscathed but somewhat wiser!
Having watched this and taken note of the altitude and type of country they were in, I decided to head up the opposite side of the valley to see what I could find and leave them well alone to try and improve their luck.
Up I headed until I was high above the bush line and having reached a good vantage point I sat down to have a scan and see what was about.
It was about 2pm, so I didn't expect to see much movement for a couple of hours.
Looking back down below me at a patch of bush, I was just thinking how good it looked when I spotted some movement and what I first thought was a sheep about 300m below and maybe 500m to my right...after steadying the binoculars I was somewhat surprised when I realised 'that ain't no sheep'!
This was soon followed by the sighting of another 3 animals and after a quick plan of my route I was heading down and across to close the gap and try for a shot.
After a difficult scramble down and across the slope I finally came out of a gulley to my planned vantage point.
I could clearly see four bulls and choosing the one with the best head I settled the crosshairs of the .270 on the top of his heart and squeezed...Boom!
The bull leapt forward and I knew the shot was good, he took several bounds down towards the top of the bush and I watched as he tumbled out of sight...even from 250 meters I could see plenty of blood and knew he was done.
It took me over an hour to cover the 250m to where he lay in the top of the trees, just meters from where I had seen him disappear.
I had left my iphone in the truck by accident so don't have any pictures of the hunt...sods law that the one time I forget it I had probably my most memorable hunt to date.
Even 2 weeks later I think the smile is still on my face though! :-)
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