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On the hunt for chamois - Dive into our adventure of hunting chamois in the Hinterautal valley this autumn. Landscape

The Alpine challenge awaits.

On the hunt for chamois

Reading time: 3 min.

The pristine slopes of the Karwendel mountains in Tyrol, Austria, are home to a respectful population of chamois. Hunting these Alpine animals is very challenging physically, but all the more rewarding.

Dive into our adventure of hunting chamois in the Hinterautal valley this autumn.

Taking on a challenge like a chamois hunt, is usually a team effort, not only because of the challenging terrain, but also to make chosing the right specimen easier. It is recommended to embark on this adventure in groups of two or three: hunting guide Stefan and his apprentice Tobias are taking Nikolaj out today.

Before heading out, we go through the plan of action and get going.

Chamois live in the higher parts of mountainous areas. In summer, they may dwell in altitudes of up to 3.600 meters. In winter, they usually wander into lower regions and into the forests down to 800 meters.

This autumn, there is still not much snow, so we have to follow small tracks or go trackless across county to reach their habitat above the tree line.

On the hunt for chamois with Nikolaj Juel - This autumn, there is still not much snow, so we have to follow small tracks or go trackless across county to reach their habitat above the tree line.

From afar, we try to spot where the chamois are currently located, in order to choose our route.

On the hunt for chamois - Dive into our adventure of hunting chamois in the Hinterautal valley this autumn. We walk on, but constantly stop to check whether we are still heading into the right direction, towards the game.

We walk on, but constantly stop to check whether we are still heading into the right direction, towards the game.

Chamois are always very agile creatures, but even more so during the rut season. The males chase each other over miles and miles across mountain slopes. There is constant movement.

On the hunt for chamois - However, chamois are also very attentive and cautious. They are used to looking for predators from below. Our presence is causing their attention. We have to be extra careful.

However, chamois are also very attentive and cautious. They are used to looking for predators from below. Our presence is causing their attention. We have to be extra careful.

Even for experienced hunters, it can be hard to spot the chamois’ sex and age.

On the hunt for chamois - Dive into our adventure of hunting chamois in the Hinterautal valley this autumn. Suddenly, we see a female with a broken leg. In these harsh conditions, she would not survive the winter. We know that this is the one we are going to take out.

Suddenly, we see a female with a broken leg. In these harsh conditions, she would not survive the winter. We know that this is the one we are going to take out.

We approach the chamois hide through precipitous, rugged, and rocky terrain. Being in a good physical shape is vital now, otherwise we could not be stalking here.

We find the perfect spot to take aim. Our backpacks and jackets serve as the shooting rest.

On the hunt for chamois - Dive into our adventure of hunting chamois in the Hinterautal valley this autumn. With the SWAROVSKI OPTIK EL O-Range, we measure the distance to set the ballistic turret of the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Z8i rifle scope correctly.

Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 P€2,880.00

ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE . PERFECTLY DESIGNED

With the EL O-Range, we measure the distance to set the ballistic turret of the Z8i rifle scope correctly.

Nikolaj focuses on his breathing. His body is calm, his mind fully concentrated. This is the right moment. While Stefan spots the chamois through the ATX spotting scope, Nikolaj exhales and releases the shot.

Thanks to a precise and clean shot the chamois falls to the ground.

On the hunt for chamois - Dive into our adventure of hunting chamois in the Hinterautal valley this autumn. Thanks to a precise and clean shot the chamois falls to the ground.

What a relief! We have reached our goal. Emotions wash over us.

As is tradition in the Alps, we respectfully approach the chamois to give it its last bite.

Waidmannsheil!

Then,

the hunting guide congratulates the shooter on a successful hunt with the customary greeting:

Waidmannsheil!
answered with a
Waidmannsdank!

Grateful and at ease, we carry the harvested animal down the mountain. With every step, the adrenaline, tension and excitement are slowly fading away and an immense joy takes over.

On the hunt for chamois - Dive into our adventure of hunting chamois in the Hinterautal valley this autumn. Now, we can truly appreciate the breathtaking mountain scenery, the fresh memories of a successful hunt still lifting our spirits.

Now, we can truly appreciate the breathtaking mountain scenery, the fresh memories of a successful hunt still lifting our spirits.

Precise equipment for a successful chamois hunt

If you are taking on a challenge such as a chamois hunt, you want to make sure to be in excellent shape and to be accompanied by high-quality gear. The EL O-Range helped to measure the distance separating us from the chamois. When selecting the right animal to harvest (the one with the broken leg), the ATX 85 with its high magnification and still manageable weight was our first choice. In order to place a clean shot, we took the Z8i 1,7-13,3x42 along with us. It is an absolutely precise rifle scope, yet still light in weight and small in size, which came in very handy during the demanding ascent and descent. The reward was a swiftly harvested female chamois.

Thanks to their healthy diet of alpine herbs, weeds and needles, the chamois’ meat is very tasty and their leather is of high quality. We will gratefully accept these gifts of nature and make use of all parts of our prey.