Thread: Tahr Ballot 2025

Thanks for that bit of info oddsOund, we're going to take 2or3 sacrifice tents to store gear in with the hope that they may take their curiosity out on them, our big tent maybe a bit hard to take down each day, so we might have to take a chance on that. But thanks for the info. Cheers.

Originally Posted by Lambie

Thanks for that bit of info oddsOund, we're going to take 2or3 sacrifice tents to store gear in with the hope that they may take their curiosity out on them, our big tent maybe a bit hard to take down each day, so we might have to take a chance on that. But thanks for the info. Cheers.

Take in bird netting from the $2 type shop, just drape it over the tent and secure with cable ties.. works very well.. I also took in a electric fence unit and that completely stopped them hopping in at ground level.. but I got a growling by doc after the fact.

Originally Posted by Lambie

Hi Hayden C, we're going into Teichelmann for the 8th period, not good to here about the rubbish left behind, we'll take a few extra rubbish bags with us when we go in. A couple of questions, was there much snow about when you were there and were the keas a problem? The snow depth on Windy.com seems to be pretty consistent for that area at 2-3 metres, so how that's actually measured I'm not sure. Thanks.

Hi Lambie,

Keas were a bloody nuisance - There was a resident mob of 10 or so around camp the whole time so make sure your stuff is well locked away. We have an MIA tent undergoing extensive repairs because of them trying to get in while we were out each day.....

There wasn't a lot of snow around but that might change over the coming weeks which will make it a tricky block to get around. Your campsite is quite high, and you'll probably be doing a lot of climbing each day as a majority of the animals (the good bulls especially) are in the scrub well below camp so think 500-600m vertical climb back to camp each day. You also see a lot of bulls up high in the bluff systems from camp in 'no man's land' as well but these all seemed to be in that 6–7-year-old bracket and what I call 'regratabulls' - they look impressive until you're standing over them and realize they are some way off being something special. DOC seem to have culled out the nannies and left the majority of the bulls as we didn't see high numbers of nannies so good on them.

PM me if I can help further. The rubbish should be gone as I took it out, we left some firewood, but chances are that will be gone to.

Also, if you’re heading in for the Ballot here are a few common courtesy tips to ensure that the people in after you are not left wallowing in your filth.

1) Take your rubbish home. It's not hard.
2) Bury your shit and at the very least don’t shit close to camp where others walk or create 'mine fields'
3) Don’t leave dead animals right next to camp or on the Heli pad!

If it was you, then shame on you, you’re a grubby bastard and honestly shouldn’t be allowed back.

Far out, thats very poor form !!
Not many folk in there before you @Hayden C so should be easy for the powers to be to figure that one out.
Perhaps a nicely worded email to accompany your hunting diary might point them in the right direction

Also well done on the old battler bull, looking forward to a picture
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Just out from Bubble.

Very lucky weather wise, got 4 good days in, 2 with rain and pulled out a day early as James reccomended due to weather we should. Heaps of animals about, we timed it just right with the rut, all got a Bul. Missed out on a couple of big boys we assessed to be around 12.5 - 13, but light and an unsafe skyline shot saved them. Awesome trip.

If you're into Bubble and want a handover feel free to contact.

Originally Posted by mawzer308

Just out from Bubble.

Very lucky weather wise, got 4 good days in, 2 with rain and pulled out a day early as James reccomended due to weather we should. Heaps of animals about, we timed it just right with the rut, all got a Bul. Missed out on a couple of big boys we assessed to be around 12.5 - 13, but light and an unsafe skyline shot saved them. Awesome trip.

If you're into Bubble and want a handover feel free to contact.

Awesome mate been wondering how you got on

Originally Posted by mawzer308

Just out from Bubble.

Very lucky weather wise, got 4 good days in, 2 with rain and pulled out a day early as James reccomended due to weather we should. Heaps of animals about, we timed it just right with the rut, all got a Bul. Missed out on a couple of big boys we assessed to be around 12.5 - 13, but light and an unsafe skyline shot saved them. Awesome trip.

If you're into Bubble and want a handover feel free to contact.

Sounds like you had a good trip! We're heading in period 6 shortly, any tips/advice/notes would be greatly appreciated. Have been into the Landsborough before down at McKerrow Ck but not as far as Bubble. Looking at the snow around, it'll be a cold one.

Elizabeth St period 3. Pulled out on Wednesday. Few young bulls about. One of the lads shot a 7yr bull as his first. Had the old man out for hist first tahr hunt at 68 yrs old. Couple monsters that with more time and better weather may have been able to make a play on.

Also snakes seemed to work as a Kea deterrent...

Here is a friend's bull from the trip. He needed a long shot to get him after a few failed attempts to get closer, but he was by far the most mature animal we come across.

The photo doesn't really give you a true appreciation of how much bigger he was body wise compared to the 6-7 years olds that seem to be everywhere. Unfortunately, his head is short, being heavily broomed and all his teeth were missing so a real character bull for him.

Nice mane on it too by the looks

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@Lambie need a clear day but this can give an idea of snow level too

https://cawthroneye.cawthron.org.nz/

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Thanks for the info Hayden, we're still 4 weeks away from going and if things get a bit more snowy and icy it could get quite interesting when having to climb down, it's a pity the block doesn't have a Low camp option for late in the season, we'll wait closer to time and see what the conditions are like before we commit.
Thanks Kukuwai for the link to the Cawthron Institute, it's nice having an up to date view.

Anyone been into Able Lake this year?

Hi All.

We have been shafted by DOC who have decided to 1080 / Zip line the North Barlow block we had...
They have given us the option to fly into Callery Lake area where we will run the real chance of being Heli Hunted over.

Has any one on here who had the Barlow or North Barlow gone into the Callery over the last few weeks of the ballot.?
If so how did you get on , is it worth going & were you Heli Hunted over.? Any info would be really appreciated as we are really unsure what to do.
Cheers.