Thread: Tahr foundation - give a little page

Originally Posted by Conmad Jackvann

Having only just recently had the privilege to hunt these magestic game animals for the first time with my two young boys, I was literally humbled by the whole experience. As a North Island hunter heading South I had no real expectations or real appreciation for the size of the country or animals we were about to hunt. 10 days later we left with a complete newfound passion/addiction and I was so lucky to share this with my two boys. The mental and physical challenging country was the best I have seen and the environment these beautiful animals survive in was an unbelievable sight.
I am a hunter who absolutely lives for the mental and physical challenges that come with this passion. I love nothing more than a good load in my macpac cascade pushing the mind and body to places it hasn't been before. But I am also a conservationist and like most of us also have the upmost respect for our privilege of being in these hills. We clear tracks, do hut maintenance , pick up and remove any rubbish, set traps and help remove predictors and do our bit to keep game animal numbers reasonable while also providing an organic meat source to not only our family but to those less fortunate. I have seen first hand having had both my boys trudging the hills with me since they could first walk what it does for them. They are confident, strong minded, passionate and compassionate kids who challenge themselves in all aspects of their young lives. We live in a world full of technology which has its positives that's for sure, but we also have a high number of child obesity, mental health issues, and a lot of kids who can't even deal with the real world as they are stuck behind computers playing games to all hours of the night, that could benefit from a passion like this. I'm not saying hunting will solve all these issues at all but I know the positives it has done for myself and my children, the memories and time spent together whilst gaining high fitness levels and mental strength is 100% proof of it and without it I don't know how I'd cope.....just the thought of it makes me shutter. We must all stick together on this as its so much more than just a couple of winging redneck hunters wanting free meat. For my family it's our way of life and a great one at it. It's growing my boys into fine young men with the values that we want in this country in the future......and what a sad waste of such amazing resources not to mention the effect it will have on many peoples business and livelyhoods.
I will do my part to keep my voice strong and my money going towards helping this fight as this IS our passion and we love these mountains and all they provide more than anything.

Matt

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