Hunting season in the Southern Alps
In New Zealand, May marks the start of the Himalayan Tahr rut – a magical time for mountain hunters. These sure-footed animals, originally from the Himalayas, were gifted to New Zealand in 1904. Since then, they’ve thrived in the Southern Alps, where sheer cliffs and rugged terrain make every hunt an adventure.
When a stable weather window finally opened in July, my partner Ben and I planned a five-day expedition. His goal: his first Tahr bull. A mature one, if possible. In terrain like this, the hunt is never just about the shot – it’s about the experience, the journey, the respect for the mountains.
We set off early, e-bikes fully loaded, our gear heavy with supplies and optics – most notably the NL Pure 14x52 from SWAROVSKI OPTIK. The track we followed was muddy, rutted, and eventually impassable by bike. We ditched the wheels and continued on foot, hauling ourselves up into the mountains.
The climb was tough. We arrived at our first camp exhausted, pitched just below a ridgeline. That night, under clear skies and freezing temperatures, we fell asleep to the sound of wind and frost settling on our gear.
The first sighting – and a tough call
On the second evening, we spotted our first group: a mob of nannies with a young bull. Tempting, but not quite what we were looking for. We glassed them from afar, noting behavior and body language. Ben’s finger hovered over the trigger. Was he old enough? Worth it?
We decided to wait. On hunts like these, patience is the most powerful tool.
The bull of our dreams – but no chance
The next morning, we laid eyes on a dream bull – thick coat, heavy build, full maturity. But the terrain was against us. Dense scrub blocked any clean shot. We watched him drift out of sight into a side valley, helpless.
Setbacks and second thoughts
The following hours were a test. No animals, no movement, just rock, wind, and silence. Our legs ached. Morale dropped. Should we call it?
We regrouped. One last push, one final ridge. We’d come too far to quit now.
A second chance – and a clean shot
At first light on our final morning, Ben spotted movement. “He’s back,” he whispered. It was the same bull, stepping out into a clearing.
Ben exhaled. A steady trigger pull. The shot landed true.
An hour later, we stood beside him – a magnificent old bull, thick-maned and powerful. Ben’s first. A moment neither of us will ever forget.
Optics that made the difference
The NL Pure 14x52 was key throughout. Its high magnification helped judge animals across vast distances, while the wide field of view made it easy to relocate them. Even in strong wind, its ergonomic design meant we could glass for long periods without fatigue. A true high-mountain essential.
About
Willie Duley
Willie Duley is a passionate hunter and conservationist from the wilds of New Zealand. He is the host and producer of NZ’s favourite outdoor television show – NZ Hunter Adventures, a job that sees him spending 100 days each year backpacking in the mountains, climbing and hunting for a variety of big game animals, from deer to Himalayan tahr to chamois.
He grew up in a family that was immersed in the outdoors and nature, with his parents Greg and Fiona producing the popular NZ Hunter Magazine. Now raising his own young family, he hopes to offer them an equally rewarding childhood growing up surrounded by wild people, places and animals.
Willie on Instagram, facebook and YouTube and www.nzhunters.co.nz.