New to this forum. Planning first time hunt in NZ.

[whanahuia]

Re Ixe axe crampons etc. My view is that unless you are using them alot and are comfortable with their use, dont take them. They will only get you in trouble if you are not completely proficient in self arrest etc.
Myself I have not taken them in close to 20 years, and if the tahr are where they are needed, I just go find some other Tahr.

[Northern Canuck]

Regarding Ice equipment, plan was to make sure everyone in the group were proficient with basic techniques before we get there, but my first goal is to make sure everyone makes it home in one piece and has an enjoyable experience, so will make sure to follow advise and stay well within our technical abilities and not to carry the extra weight, if not required, is a plus.
We would only have access to a rental vehicle so would have to hike into this proposed hut or area. Looks beautiful. I presume this area can get really busy during hunting season.
The idea of accompanying a resident on a weekend hunt would be great, but I do understand that this is a lot of work for the host. We would definitely consider it if someone were looking for company and willing to share knowledge onsite.
Again, I appreciate all the great advises.

[norsk]

10 days is to short if you and your mates are going to do it yourselves on public land.

You will have swapped hemispheres and you will think you are hunting east but your heading west,north but south etc,its a real phenomena and something that might really trip you up.Just as much as getting used to driving on the left hand side of the road in a car with a steering wheel on the right side.Thats all after the four days its going to take for you just to get over the jetlag.

Please dont be another statistic in the back country or another tourist dying on our roads. Come over for at least a month,preferably six weeks. Hunting in New Zealand is bloody hard work,alot harder than anything I did in Canada anyhow.

Bonne Chance!

[Northern Canuck]

I agree that we should not minimize the impact of jetlag. Noted.
Takk!

[Billbob]

One thing you will need to think about is getting any trophy's back to the US with you.

Get in touch with same taxidermists here if they are to mount them for you and send them over once completed or just tan the capes for you to get mounted by your local back home.

If you just want euro mounted skulls I can help you with those with a quick turn around if needed

[Northern Canuck]

Thanks for the offer, will keep that in mind. I still need to dig into this subject a bit more, before I bring it back to Canada (if successful). If we shoot something descent was planning on salting the cape(s) and only keeping the horns/skull caps if we are running out of time. Since they are compact they can fit quite well in a duffle bag.

[moosemeat]

Fellow Canuck here freshly back from NZ South Island west coast Tahr hunting trip end of May this year, as always great advice from the forum members it’s where I got started, by talking to members asking the questions that could make a dream become a reality! First advice I would have for your first trip is to not do a DIY 10 day trip too many cons to mention on this thread a lot have been mentioned already, individual licensed guides or outfitters provide gear you’d only use once if at all which makes travelling easier with less gear and also they can help be a guarantor for your firearms license which you won’t get unless you have someone.
Once you’ve got enough posts send me a PM I can answer a lot of questions for you especially the travelling from Canada to NZ aspect of the journey Good Luck

[Rushy]

Welcome aboard. It seems that you are getting a lot of good advice above so the only thing that I will add is that our high country weather can be like my mother in law (nice as pie one moment and an absolute bitch on wheels the next) so research and prepare well.

[Northern Canuck]

The travel to New Zealand with all the technicalities and returning with some animals, if lucky, are on my list of concerns. Would love to pick your brain. Like previously stated by a few, what we see online and what we get can be two different things.

[moosemeat]

Not worry ! If done properly everything is doable northern Canuck !PM has been sent, just plan as it’s a trip of a lifetime and budget accordingly!