NZ Hunter

a word from the editor

We are in interesting times to say the least! With the whole world and now New Zealand reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the things that were extremely important before the outbreak suddenly seem less so. As I write this the situation is changing daily, and we are all wondering if we are going to be able to get to our Wapiti and Red ballot blocks, roar trips, and then opening of the waterfowl season followed by the tahr ballots and all the other things we had planned for this time of year. Travel round the country is going to get progressively more difficult and helicopter firms are shutting up shop for the roar and for the foreseeable future. As frustrating as this is going to be, we need…

q&a

HI GREG I just bought a Tikka T3x Aspire in 7mm Rem mag and my question is would you recommend I get a muzzle brake or suppressor? If muzzle brake what would you recommend? Thank you for your time. THANKS, ADAM HI ADAM, It all depends on what weight and how portable you want your rifle to be? And how important noise suppression is to your particular hunting circumstances. Muzzle brakes always reduce recoil more than suppressors, and obviously weigh and increase the barrel length a lot less. On a serious mountain rifle that is going to be carried much more than it is shot, I would go with a muzzle brake, and use ear plugs when I shot it. I would carry it spook and shoot without the brake on for a…

self-isolation subscription

By the time you read this we may all be in self-isolation or required to stay at home and be looking for something to read to get our hunting fix! If you can’t go down town to buy your magazine, why not subscribe and be in to win some of the fantastic subs prizes up for grabs on the inside back page. During this uncertain time we're even selling single issues for people who can't make it to a store, just email subs@nzhunter.co.nz to arrange a one-off delivery. Or, alternatively get online to Zinio and get either a single issue or a 6 issue subscription digitally. Go there direct or find the link on our website at www.nzhunter.co.nz or www.zinio.com…

fallow of the greenstone

The area began its anthropogenic history as the primary route from the West Coast to Central Otago by early Maori, and the first Europeans to see it were the runholders David McKellar and George Gunn in 1862. In fact the name ‘Greenstone’ was translated from the Maori name for the valley – Pounamu – as they used this valley on their travels searching for the rock of the same name. For many years the pack route up the Greenstone and down the Hollyford was the only land access to the West Coast and the remote settlement at Martins Bay. The first runholders began farming in the Caples and Greenstone in 1868, and the original homestead of Birchdale Station still stands. Eighteen Fallow were captured in Tasmania and released from the shores…

landsborough trophy bull tahr

For many years since the 2000s we’ve applied for a Wilderness tahr ballot, mostly for the Landsborough area, as over that time we’d developed a deep fondness for this great valley. We were successful in 2018 with a 5th period ballot block, again in the Landsborough. On that trip my mates Peter and Grant secured a respectable 13 inch bull each. I had shot tahr in the mid-1990s when I took a respectable 12½ inch bull from the Landsborough region. From that time forward I continued with many adventures chasing tahr, carrying not a rifle but a video camera along with good mates in the hope that they too would eventually secure a trophy bull each. In November 2018, the tahr ballot results were released but I was not successful in getting…

rutting chamois of the lewis pass

It was peaceful and quiet but for the birds singing their dawn chorus. The frost made our breath visible as we talked and slow moving clouds turned a pretty pink hue as the sun’s rays peeked over the horizon. Hoisting on our packs laden with a week’s supplies, John and I turned our gaze towards the ridgeline and set off. The last week of May is the middle of the annual chamois rut. At this time of year winter’s icy grip can come early and take hold of the mountains and valleys. Early snowfall then makes such places less appealing to visit. Usually by now most casual stalkers have oiled their rifles and stored their hunting equipment until spring – sensible, really. European hunters highly prize chamois as first-rate trophies and there…