Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: ozy clint on June 20, 2013, 06:12:00 PM
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gday folks, myself and friend, mark pitts of marksman quivers, hunted in the westland region of New Zealand again this year for tahr and chamios. once again we walked into the hunting area. a total of about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) with 1800m (5900 feet) elevation gain. we decided to use a different creek to get to the hunting area this year. well it turned out to be an adventure. it took us 4 days to reach the hunting area!! one of those days we travelled 750m (.46 mile) horizontally with 300m (984 feet) elevation gain! 3hrs of that was on hands and knees (with pack on and sometimes dragging the pack) through the forsaken westland scrub, such was it's thickness. wasn't fun at the time but on reflection we're glad we explored that creek. it offered a character building adventure that's for sure.
it's become somewhat of a tradition to take a pic before we leave-
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5759_zps67fcd527.jpg)[/URL
the area had copped about 2 feet of rain in 24hrs last summer. the effect was devastating and dramatic! boulders the size of cars had been tossed around like pebbles such was the force of water rushing down a 45 degree slope.
[URL=http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5764_zps68c5effd.jpg.html] (http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5764_zps68c5effd.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5759_zps67fcd527.jpg.html)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5767_zps3f017d3e.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5767_zps3f017d3e.jpg.html)
'team kifaru'
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5769_zps6ffa8258.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5769_zps6ffa8258.jpg.html)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5771_zpsff0bc3c1.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5771_zpsff0bc3c1.jpg.html)
got to download some more pics......
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I probably shouldn't even look at this thread. Y'all Living the dream man!
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Awesome! I'm more than a wee bit jealous here...
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I'm incredibly jealous! Especially about the tahr hunting. Good luck guys can't wait to see more pics. :campfire:
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Lucky guys with that beautiful country. I just have to make due with the Florida swamps, haha.
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:campfire: :coffee:
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Nice mate ... looking forward to the rest eh !
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Another "Bucket List" adventure! Thank you for taking the time to post.
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Wow
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this should be good Thnaks Shane
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I see you're trying to keep us all in suspense. Please get on with it if you don't mind. :campfire: :campfire:
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"(5900 feet) elevation gain".......... :eek:
Now that's what you call working for it!!! Nice job. Can't wait to read more. :coffee:
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This is true hunting. Walking to your hunting spot, carrying everything on your back for comfort and survival. Congratulations on an excellent adventure that will provide life-long fond memories! Looking forward to the rest of the story.
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This is going to be great!!!
:campfire:
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Great adventure !!
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:campfire:
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You truly are Hard Core Clint! Looking forward to this one - the pictures are already fantastic and you aren't even there yet!
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:campfire: :coffee: I'm riveted!!
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Way cool! Can't wait...
Kris
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Hi this is my first post on here. I thought id share some more photos from the trip.
Enjoy.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190825_zpsf912e7f8.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190827_zps0e082d30.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190855_zps41011dca.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190873_zps2b93d1cc.jpg)
Cheers
Mark.
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G'day Mark,
Great pics ... God's country eh !
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Way cool. Thanks
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Super cool stuff. :campfire:
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Wow - my beautiful country NZ. I have lived half of my life now in Australia (27yrs), I have forgotten how beautiful my New Zealand is. I have family there still and can go back anytime. Looks as if this has jogged my memory.
Keep up the rest of the story lads - you have us hanging in suspense.
Sutto
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Welcome to TG Mark! Glad to see you here. Looking forward to the rest of the story! :campfire:
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I want to see blood and fur Thnaks Shane
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Keep it coming guys...great stuff.
Welcome Mark!
ak.
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Oooh I love this thread. Welcome Mark and for the first post, you hit a home run...
Looking forward to more.
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Can't wait for the rest of this report. I've taken the longbow into that country twice this year, and know how tough it is to get even a chance.
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This is a really cool post so far!!
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Come on lads - you are keeping us hanging!
Sutto
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The last pictures were of our first camp. The next morning we started heading up the unknown creek, into terrain that would have been testing without packs full with supplies for 14 days on the mountain.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190883_zpsb37d8775.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190886_zps37e44114.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190893_zpsb5473727.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190902_zps2138f78f.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190908_zpsfd7d9998.jpg)
(http://
[img]http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190916_zpsd922716b.jpg)
This was our second camp (Fern camp).
While following the creek we had to head into the bush to clear a house size boulder, this was at mid morning and by the time we got to a point past the boulder, we had gained some elevation but had come to an impassable wall of rock. We then made the decision to lose the elevation and head down to the creek and hope we had cleared the obstacle we were trying to avoid.
By the time we hit the creek darkness had started its march and we had only one option where to set up camp, it turned out to be one of the best camps of the trip with a magic view.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190918_zps0af77735.jpg)
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nothing like a soft bed of ferns.
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5783_zpscf2ac101.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5783_zpscf2ac101.jpg.html)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5774_zpsf815ff14.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5774_zpsf815ff14.jpg.html)
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Hey guys how did the kifaru tarp work ????in the tops Thannks Shane
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we had a tent for the tops. glad we had the tarp. we wouldn't have been able to pitch the tent at any of our bush camps.
sorry pics are taking so long. photobucket isn't doing what it should for me.
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Great looking adventure. I would love to do that.
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Wow - you forget how hard-core wilderness NZ still is. Can't wait for the conclusion of this hunt guys. Even if you ended up not taking a trophy, it still must have been a memorable time together.
Sutto
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Savoring and reflecting on each and every splendid moment in this picturesque land will provide 1000's of treasured memories.
Thank you for permitting us to partake.
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This is fantastic!!!
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Tough Hunt is an understatement!
The "trail" is killer in itself. Love that tarp camp. Great view is right.
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Do you guys recommend the trekking poles? Always thought of getting maybe one for those steep climbs...
AK.
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Those boulders look awesome. Looks like a neat trip, thanks for the pics. What are the temps like ?
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Al,
absolutely we recommend trekking poles. i'd pack it before my bow. it gets more use. HA HA.
they allow you to set you foot down with control instead of taking a step and hoping you don't slip or having a rock move etc. especially with heavy packs on.
bear with me guys. photobucket doesn't seem to be loading my pics. just says it's loading for hours on end with no result. hopefully mark can keep the thread ticking along.
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Waiting for more, Clint! Looks like a great adventure already, and the hunting has not even started yet.
Bisch
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Clint & Mark,
Thanks for sharing this adventure! This is Hard Core Hunting for sure. Can't wait for more.
PS. I am using imgur instead of photobucket and so far very pleased.Might want to try.
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I keep looking for updates!
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After our fern camp we set of again up the creek not knowing what obstacles lay ahead.
And obstacles there were a plenty!!!!!
We made ok progress, then the creek gorged out becoming impassable waterfalls, we started to try and negotiate through them but the reality soon kicked in that it would be a suicide mission.
We decided to take the next best option, a small side creek/slip which was going the same way we were heading ....up.
After climbing to the top of the slip where it entered the bush we decided that's where we were going to have to go. It was even a struggle just getting out of this sheer sided creek and into the bush with a full pack on.
One saving grace at this point was that I filled my water bladder up with 3 litres of crystal clear h20, this would be our only water for the next 1.5 days.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190920_zps83924ed6.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190924_zpsdcf5d5e8.jpg)
We had to put our crampons into use at this point on the loose leaf litter and sliding wet mud, they instantly warranted the cost and 600 grams(1.33 lbs) of weight they added to our packs.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190929_zps2dc89ae1.jpg)
Looking down.
As we were on a knife edge spur with sides heading straight down to the rocky creek below, the chances of stopping with a loaded pack pulling you down would be pretty slim. the photos don't do it justice. it was quite fatiguing mentally and physically.
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Some rough stuff!!!
Hope it opens up a bit for you???
:campfire:
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Cool adventure, keep it coming!
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Holy Cow Batman - CRAMPONS - to get up the hill!
:saywhat:
Keep it comin'!
This is AWESOME stuff!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
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Keep it coming, fellas!
"The photos don't do it justice." That's the truth! That westland country is formidible and intimidating...and soggy! I'm suprised to hear you fellas had trouble finding water in the westland! Takes a ton of effort to get anywhere in that bush. You really have to see it to believe it!
Which Kifaru tarp/tent did you guys utilize? Did you like it/how did it perform? Considering buying or sewing up a similar one of those myself. Looking forward to the rest!!
Cheers, Matt
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You guys are doing a great job so far, Keep it up. Great Photos. :campfire: :coffee:
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Great photos, guys. I never remember to take photos of the journey, but that's really the way to tell the story. Thanks for taking the time to stop and snap a few.
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Better you guys than me!!!!! Tuned in and waiting for more.
Bisch
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mark has my pics on CD now. he will post them for me till i get them going myself again.
the instant we put the crampons on and started climbing we both looked at each other and without saying a word knew that the other guy was thinking, "why haven't we used these before?" and "i'll will never come here again without these!"
i love crampons!
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Know what you mean, i remember thinking the same first time i used them, felt like i could walk up a wall. Great Post Clint, looking forward to it paning out.
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That terrain is just incredible.....it's like watching a hunting show and Lord of the Rings at the same time!!
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Originally posted by mmgrode:
Which Kifaru tarp/tent did you guys utilize? Did you like it/how did it perform? Considering buying or sewing up a similar one of those myself. Looking forward to the rest!!
Cheers, Matt
Hi Matt, We were using my SuperTarp, it is a very flexible shelter you will see all through this story the different combinations we used it in, and if you were to add the annex to it you can make it even more usable in cold weather plus you can add a stove :) .
Im glad I took it with me as we would not have been able to put our tent up in any of the locations during our journey to the tops.
Cheers
Mark.
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I have loaded some of Clintons pics on to Photobucket now, so lets continue the adventure.
(I will initial his photos, credit where credits due)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5800_zps41464b63.jpg)
CM.
The higher we climbed the denser and lower the scrub got.
It became awkward as there was still room to move between the trunks, But the tops of the trees started to become intertwined.
This was causing us to constantly be ducking and with a fully loaded high pack on this meant almost dropping to your knees.
Just before we stopped here for a bite to eat we had to remove our packs and drag them through a particularly thick section so instead of put them back on we stopped for lunch.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5802_zpsc08c01bf.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5808_zpsd1356188.jpg)
CM
Then started the 3 hour death crawl............The bush got lower, so we had to follow suit and do the same.
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need knee crampons next year.
this is day 3 now. the previous year it took us 3 days and we were camped at the tops. it seemed like we were going nowhere.
it was pretty mentally draining bashing through that sub alpine scrub but hunting tahr and chamois in the alpine never ceases to give me the motivation to get to the tops.
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This has to be the most difficult looking hunt I have ever heard of! Most guys would be crying for their Mommies by the end of day one!
I'm still following this one closely and hoping you make it to the top :pray:
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Mentally draining, and physically exhausting. Its a tough bash and saps the will.
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And I thought laurel and rhododendron were bad!
Four days of this?
Four hours has me making up new words for sailors to curse with!
But the thought of seeing those wonderful wild prehistoric tahr, like a living cave painting... I completely understand.
Musk oxen. Ibex. Wildebeest. Tahr. They connect in the ancient recesses of our spirits through ancestral memory. What a grand mystery!
Killdeer
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5 pages and 4 days and no bows even strung yet.
That's commitment.
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Wow that is impressive. Great photos, what a place, thanks for sharing.
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I need several Alleve just reading this! :eek: :saywhat:
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Heck, Dave, you hurt yourself just sitting down!
Killdeer :knothead:
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:campfire:
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Now, Killy, that ain't fair!
Standing UP after I sit down, maybe! :saywhat:
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Enjoying it
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Killdeer, nice to read you again! You alway have a way with words
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After 3 hours of hands and knees work by chance we popped out of a hole onto a hill of rock with a little bit of grass
(not big enough for a tent or at the right angle for one either unfortunately)
but never the less it got us out of the bush and afforded us a look at the sky that we hadn't seen for 7-8 hours.
It also gave us chance to try and access where we were and where we needed to be. But all that would have to wait as it was getting on in the day and we needed to find a camp spot, it took us a while but behind our hillock slightly in the bush we found it and after a little clearing we made another top camp.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5809_zps7c18877b.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5811_zps8108d9e7.jpg)
CM
The lay down test for size met with a "thumbs up"
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5814_zpsf7fee60d.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5815_zpsa22bc9ce.jpg)
CM
View from the hillock.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5822_zps3b6e2fac.jpg)
CM
Getting closer..........
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We're getting close now :thumbsup:
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Holy Doolie lads - talk about dragging out the show. You are killing us!
Sutto
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Those thar and chamois are dying of old age waiting for you two to get up the hill! :campfire: :D :coffee:
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Cant wait for the rest.
:campfire: :coffee:
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So far this has been, Outstanding!
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you certainly have a way with words killy.
sorry for my lack of input so far. a snail is faster than my internet at the moment.
the sight of the tops gives me all the get go i need. tommorrow we make it there....just.
tommorrow we make our 1st tent camp of the trip above the bushline and in typical NZ backcountry fashion the comfort level was somewhat lacking. our packs and their contents came in handy for filling in the holes between the rocks on the bench that was smaller than the tent.
flat level ground big enough to acommodate the footprint of your tent is real estate that doesn't come onto the market very often up there.
but alas, the hard, rocky, uneven ground to lay on seemed to be softened by a boost of enthusiasm gained from having had a close encounter with a good chamois buck.........
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Almost looks like bushwacking through Florida swamp planted on the side of a cliff. It looks absolutely brutal. Congrats on sticking with it.
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Keep on living the dream man!!!!
Congrats!
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I have intentionally not looked at this thread until now (I had figured with 6 pages it would be full of pics and the end of the trip would be written)
thats not the case, where are the UPDATES??????
L.R.
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:campfire:
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:thumbsup: more please clint but hurry as you know how long it takes to get here LOL!!!!
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As Clinton said the next day we continued onwe had the decision to go left of the spur we were on and hopefully come out in the creek above the gorges we were avoiding . Or go right and head to the creek we had been up before.......
We headed left, we didn't take any photos until we popped out on the creek, as the journey was testing yet again with varied terrain within the bush from giant boulders that were difficult to navigate around to fern covered understory that covered up large drops and craggy creeks and lets not forget the ever present twisted sub alpine bush. yet again mentally and physically draining as every step had to be planned.
At least we could stand up on this leg and walk/scramble.
Boy we were happy when we dropped into the creek.
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This thread is Great! Keep it coming!
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(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5834_zps205cd88a.jpg)
CM
Back in the creek.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5833_zpsc9bad445.jpg)
CM
Looks like an easy stroll.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5837_zps39854802.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190934_zpsd3f27362.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190943_zpsd08e3e2a.jpg)
Just keep going up!
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5840_zpse4a88899.jpg)
CM
I was above Clint looking for a a spot to camp, when we re grouped he told me of this buck he had put up.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5841_zpsc0176136.jpg)
CM
The shute this Chamois ran up was on the other side of the creek and near vertical, they are amazing animals.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5843_zps213f4472.jpg)
CM
We found a camp spot as Clinton described, it was pretty average to say the least we couldn't even put the inner of the tent up.
Then the fog rolled in.
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i was making my way up along the creek, a little above the creek bed when i rounded a big boulder. this guy stood up at 20 yards. perfectly broadside looking down into the creek. he had heard something but had not yet seen me.
where was my bow? in three pieces, still strapped to my pack. you walk through near impossible bush for 3 days, bow stowed away for ease of travel. then while looking for camp late in the day, an hour or two after having finally made it above the bushline, you bump a chamois buck and he stands there waiting to be shot. all you can do is admire his beauty and be thankful for the experience and bid him good day with a smile.
those pics were taken when he was going up the side opposite side of the creek. agility that is hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes.
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oh no!
it must have been quite a moment none the less!
cant wait for the rest keep it coming clint!
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Great stuff! That pic of that buck nearly vertical is awesome!!!!
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Beautiful animals. I'm sure it was a pleasure just to get to see one.
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man, I thought this thread would have been twice as long as it is by now! keep it coming!
L.R.
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So these Tahr are an invasive "threat" species in NZ? Is there a limit, or open culling? Wish the states had "Pests" that good looking. We have snake head fish, carp, rats, hogs, etc. Nothing near as tempting to hunt as these critters. Yes hogs are good hunting for food, but as to being a trophy...Not to me they aint. Just a mangy pig with big teeth.
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I just keep coming back to this awesome thread.
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Sorry this is taking a long time, I have a lot on at the moment.
The next morning I was nursing a back injury that I had from before the trip.
There were Tahr in a few spots above our camp so Clint went for the first hunt of the trip.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5859_zpsa706c264.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5860_zpsa41e3614.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5861_zpsb27c5bee.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5862_zps460adbf2.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5863_zps45c37bb2.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5864_zps57f03e7c.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5867_zpse5e02602.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5872_zps058e6f55.jpg)
CM
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Originally posted by Ghost77:
So these Tahr are an invasive "threat" species in NZ? Is there a limit, or open culling?
Hi Ghost, There is no bag limit and no season.
You do need a hunting permit that is obtained online and is free.
They do cull them with choppers from time to time.
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Now this is starting to get somewhere. More please, sir.
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Wow, this is good stuff. I've been looking at pic's, and not reading as much as I should. How many days did it take to get to this point?
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Just read the story in Traditional Bowhunter about hunting tahr.......that looks like a trying hunt!
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who was in that article michael?
i would like to read it myself.
i spotted this herd of bulls above our camp but there was no way to get above them without being in full view and spooking them. i didn't want to risk that after the effort of getting there. i put the 200mm lens on and snapped some pics. i never tire of watching these animals.
i came back down to camp and found that mark's back had got alot better after he had some anti-inflamatory tablets that i brought for my knee in case it played up on me. we relocated camp to the only flat spot in that entire basin. lucky we found it.
then we both settled in for a few days of hunting. finally.
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This is truly a grueling hunt but looks like you're getting close.... fantastic stuff guys :)
:campfire:
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:bigsmyl: :campfire: :coffee:
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OK! Now we are finally hunting! Come on guys, put one on the ground!
Bisch
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The more I look at this thred the more I want to go back to NZ just love that country
Jim
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We kept climbing the creek It was getting on towards lunch time now and we were not far off the saddle heading over the range.
We crossed the creek and headed up a smaller side creek by this time it was starting to rain, and as Clinton mentioned previously we stumbled upon as good a camp site as your going to get that high on the mountain.
Situated in a tiny bowl next to a creek with a low tussock patch the size of the tent footprint and a wind break from gusts coming up the valley.(which were reported to be coming)The angle wasn't bad either.
After clearing a few rocks we got the tent up by now the rain had turned to sleet and would shortly be snow.
So we settled in for the rest of the day wondering what tomorrow would bring.
As the snow got heavier we had to punch the top of the tent every 15 minutes to shed the snow otherwise we end up with a collapsed tent and bent poles (happened last year) so we kept that up for about 15 hours, the shed snow builds up at both ends of the tent and then you have to be careful that doesn't collapse. Oh the fun of mountain hunting.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190951_zps6f6f9c64.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190954_zpsa89c8c70.jpg)
Next morning we cleaned the excess snow off and went hunting.
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(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1190977_zpsd9b91563.jpg)
This guy was on the other side of the creek heading out of the catchment.
After the snow we saw no mobbed up groups just individuals.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200011_zps64b558ed.jpg)
Early on the wind was gusting hard blowing fresh powder everywhere, it made being out in the open pretty unbearable. We huddled for a while next to a big rock and tried to glass to no avail then we decided to go our separate ways as it started to subside.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200014_zps21eb9106.jpg)
Clint went over the range behind me and I headed round the front of the range we were on.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200015_zpse46a6453.jpg)
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MORE UPDATES PLEASE!!!!!
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Wow! I thought the steepness of the slopes would have been more than enough to do me in. Add snow on top of them and I would have surely been a goner. :scared:
What an amazing trip. You both have my utmost respect :notworthy: :notworthy:
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Keep it coming fellas! The photos you guys post are spectacular! What sort of camera are you guys using?
Cheers, Matt
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my camera is a canon EOS 450D with 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses.
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:campfire: :coffee:
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What an great hunt.... I wish I still had the legs and lungs for a trip like this!!!
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Fantastic so far!!
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Awesome adventure! Keep it coming!
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(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5899-Copy_zps752b14f6.jpg)
CM
From Clintons lofty perch on top of the range he was able to look to where I was glassing.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5901_zps7925ae37.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5908_zpsd9e7b323.jpg)
CM
At one point during the day , Clint came over the radio rather flustered telling me a Tahr had bedded below me on a small saddle.
I gathered what gear I needed and dropped over into a small steep creek knee/waist deep in snow, When I got to where the Tahr had been he was gone it was just to noisy getting down in the snow.
I climbed back up and saw the Tahr 80 meters away he had crossed where I walked up earlier and headed towards Clintons direction.
In hindsight I would have been better coming down the front of the ridge, but there the breaks when your stalking blind, as we were to find out more and more on this trip terrain just doesn't look the same viewed from afar.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5920_zpsb00c81dd.jpg)
CM
I watched later in the day as Clint put the bull Tahr up from his rocky hiding place Just by the sound of him climbing down in the snow .
The Tahr ran right out the front of the range non stop, it was amazing to wath him move that fast in such fatal terrain, what he did in minutes would have taken us hours.
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that's the tasman sea behind mark in that pic.
i really thought mark was going to get a shot at a bull that day. i was having lunch and periodically looked to see what mark was doing. i couldn't believe it when i saw a tahr bedded just below him. like mark said the terrain looks very different from afar. trying to talk someone in by radio proved difficult because what seemed easy to me probably looked like death to mark.
the shoe was on the other foot later in the trip.
the ease with which that tahr traversed that bowl can not be described. they are the king of the mountain.
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:coffee:
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what a fantastic hunt!
please more of the story! more photos!
thanks
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Guys, you gotta get this out before its blurred with your next trip lol.
Great stuff Keep it coming.
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(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5924_zps7bbc8e0d.jpg)
CM
A little reminder of why we are doing what we are doing on Clintons bow.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5925_zps34fa16ae.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5935_zpsf6eb100a.jpg)
CM
The range where we had some close encounters with Tahr 2 years previous.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200050_zps37f52217.jpg)
Back at camp.
Temps that evening when we were cooking dinner in the tent were 0.8 degrees C (33.44 Fahrenheit) outside the tent and 4 degrees C (39.2 Fahrenheit)
inside.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200107_zpsc302b360.jpg)
Our gaitors and boots were frozen rigid in our vestibules.
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Originally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Guys, you gotta get this out before its blurred with your next trip lol.
Great stuff Keep it coming.
bear with us guys, we're still in the recovery phase.
i should change my self motivation sticker to- 'if you want to kill the devil, you have to go through hell and back and then through hell again'
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Great thread,guys!
:thumbsup: :notworthy: :clapper:
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To quote a line from Crossfire Trail movie, "you boys gotta be tougher than the back wall of a shooting gallery!"
Recoup...but we sit by with fish-bait (baited) breath! :)
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Fantastically beautiful terrain!!!
I'd love to be able to do something like that. Kudos to you both!!!
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Next day was a big day, both of us headed our separate ways again, I was to sidle around the front of the range again but further this time as a recon to check we could make it round to the creek we were going to use to decend the mountain when the time came, and also to look for Chamois.
Clinton was to head farther up the range towards a saddle that dropped into another gnarly catchment.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200115_zps94289210.jpg)
A little ways around the front I came upon a doe Chamois and her kid basking in the sun, I watched them for a while and decided they were pretty un approachable from my position.
I continued high on the range and dropped over into another gutter where I came upon this guy again soaking up the suns rays.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200131_zps6cfb9a9a.jpg)
Again from my position he would have spotted me descending.
As Clinton and I were going to make another camp this way in the days to come I opted not to pressure the animals to much unless a really good opportunity presented itself.
So I continued on sideling, I was on a steep patch of tussock with a bench below me that I couldn't see fully. Suddenly there was a swirl of wind and 10 sets of horns appeared on the shelf below and to the right of my position,
They were alert but not sure why, I stood frozen about 40m away to far for me to do anything but wait.
It took 15-20 minutes for the group to feed off the bench descending as they went but my attention was on a young buck that had walked off to the left still on the bench out of view, I thought to my self this is it I will just stalk down slowly peer over the bench and maybe have the chance at a shot. now all the others were out of sight I knocked an arrow and slowly started heading down.
After only a couple of well placed steps the young buck appeared still out of range and continued feeding across to where the rest had disappeared.
Change of plan, when he was out of sight I made my way down to the bench dropped my pack
(hence, why no photos)and crawled over to the edge of the bench peering over I was greeted with the sight of 14 Chamois all bedded in the sun in various locations within a small area un aware to my presence. Although only 60m away with all them eyes, noses and ears I had no chance of getting closer so I just sat and watched these beautiful creatures for the remainder of the day.
It was interesting watching a rutting buck run around pestering all the does, its unbelievable how they cover the terrain with such ease.
Later on in the day I decided that was that and backed out giving myself enough time to get back to camp.
The next event proved to be quite bizarre.....
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200170_zps89fc3e46.jpg)
Earlier on in the day Clinton had let me know that he spotted 2 bulls above camp.
As I was on my way back I spotted this guy across the bowl above camp where Clinton had said,
I watched for a while and took some photos over the next 30 minutes or so, trying to decide if in the time I had left, I could head round to my right and drop over on top of him ? it would be quite a dangerous climb across the top of the range and time was getting on.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200144_zpsfd159ffb.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200151_zpsbbacc6e3.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200176_zpsf314d31f.jpg)
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I decided to show my self and see if he would head back towards Clinton, I was fully expecting to see the reaction we had seen from the previous Tahr. this bull just stayed put and didn't seem bothered about me 100 m away.
He bedded back down and watched me.
Then he got up a while later and slowly made his way down into the gut on the right and below him.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200158_zps0a12d996.jpg)
What happened next was a massive surprise....
un beknownst to me Clinton had been on an epic 3 hour stalk culminating in him being 12 meters the other side of the bull but with no shot opportunity.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/7357ae7e-2fd2-43d9-834e-5433a63cc8be_zpsa298cbc9.jpg)
From what he described this is some of the route the stalk took in with quite a scary ascent up a tight snow filled chute towards the end.
I am sure Clint will recount the details.
The next thing I know Clint's head is poking up and I am frantically trying to signal to him that the bull is 15 meters away below him.
I am going crazy, I should have been taking pictures with both of them in the frame but I was just trying to use my best sign language to alert him to the bulls where abouts.
Suddenly the bull bolted up the other side of the chute giving Clint a brief chance at a 20 m shot but it was not to be as the shaft struck rock.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200202_zpsc0d3f6d3.jpg)
The bull didn't go far and Clint tried to pursue it but the cliffs became to dangerous.
I was pushing round my side of the bowl hoping to push it back towards Clinton, the bull just kept on getting closer and closer to me he just didn't seem bothered it was like he was testing how far I would go.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200205_zps28041392.jpg)
As the bull and I kept closing the circle around the bowl my thoughts went from I wonder if I can push it back to Clint , to I wonder if he will keep coming and if I might get a shot ?
After some tricky climbing on my part, as he traversed the terrain with ease, we stood apart at 60m I had an arrow on the string. but at that point it was like he thought your no match for me and just flicked over to the other side of the range where I could not follow.
My heart was racing and as I looked back I thought how am I going to get back.
Its funny when everything is in full swing and the hunt is on you just push on. I was now on a steep slope covered in snow and ice with no crampons...
After some tricky manoeuvres I was back on relatively safer ground and heading back to my pack and then back to camp where I met back with Clinton and we discussed what had just happened .
And talked of tomorrow when we would move camp around the front of the range and hunt chamois.
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:clapper:
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Fantastic! thanks again for taking the time to tell the story. bloody great pictures too
I cant imagine a more difficult hunt
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mark explained the situation very well.
the red line is the exact route i took to get above the bedded bull. i spotted him bedded up a long way up a mountain behind where that pic was taken. i couldn't believe after all that effort in getting into position that he was still there when i got there. the top of the chute put me right on him. i was at about 15 yards before i could see him and was able to get into about 12 yards by slithering through the tussock on my side on the steep slope. however, unfortunately i couldn't get a shot because of the angle he was bedded at and because i was lying on my left side on a steep slope. this might not sound significant but think about it....i'm a right handed shooter lying in the tussock in the bulls partial view on my left side with a stick bow.....a hopeless position to be in for a shot. i would have had to stand up in full view just to clear the bow let alone draw and shoot. there was no other way to get a shot though other than get in closer and hope he moved down hill a little allowing me to into a better position while he was out of sight. had circumstances been the other way around with me able to lie on my right side i would have been able to simply rise a little out of the tussuck with a canted bow for an undetected 12 yard shot. the mountain was the wrong way around for me.
he did eventually decide to move on and i followed where he went but couldn't relocate him again. as soon as i moved to follow the bull, much to my suprise, i saw mark on the opposite ridge. i'm not sure who was the most stunned. probably mark, he had just been watching a bull tahr and without any warning i pop out from behind it. i looked at mark through my binos hoping he could tell me where the bull had gone and his sign language told me he was still below me. i crept forward looking over a ledge but still couldn't see him. by now mark looked a little flustered. i was close but couldn't see him. suddenly the bull lept forth from somewhere below me and gave a whistle and stopped on a rocky knob about 20 yards away. there was barely enough time to think. he stood just long enough to get away a very rushed snap shot but it fell short. i never shoot well in such quick snap shot situations. i'm a settle for a few seconds kind of guy.
with that he was off up the mountain with mark in pursuit.
it was a shame how it turned out in the end but i was fully content with just having made a great stalk in such difficult terrain. 12 yards from a tahr was an experience i'll never forget. time spent in such close proximity with a tahr without any killing is something only a bowhunter can comprehend.
my trip had been made that afternoon.
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lunch the previous day. taking in the ocean views while in the alpine.
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5903_zps79a9e44c.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5903_zps79a9e44c.jpg.html)
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Very cool, great pics and story telling!
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You guys are a couple of tough birds.....
Spectacular guys!!!!
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
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Awesome hunt gentlemen!
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Awesome guys! Keep it coming.
Bisch
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Still Loving this hunt!
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TTT
clint and mark i understand you may have jobs but this thread is surely more important!
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What, are those statues in that pic?
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His boots with crampons attached.
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That hunt sounds like a "peak experience" for sure! And with your photos and telling it really comes alive for the rest of us. Thanks.
JW
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:campfire:
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Next day we packed up our snow camp (5th camp)
and headed around the front of the range.
We were heading towards the area Clinton had shot his Chamois last year.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5939_zps16c75bd4.jpg)
CM
Eagle eye Chamois
This was part of the same mob I was watching on the previous days.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5943_zps656b3baa.jpg)
CM
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5941_zpse3c30a4d.jpg)
CM
We ended up finding a semi flat spot right on the creek we would be heading out on.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200365_zps81b0f83c.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200304_zpsbd8af14d.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Clints%20NZ%202013/IMG_5947_zps0f3b3788.jpg)
CM
Another example of not so level camp spots.
I had all my gear except my bow crammed under the tent to level it up a bit and this is how I would wake up in the mornings.
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(http://www.runemasterstudios.com/graemlins/images/toetap.gif)
:pray: :coffee: :archer2:
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:campfire:
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wow just wow!!!!!
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the following morning we awoke to another superb morning. before our eyes the fog rolled in up the valley from the ocean, threatening to envelop us and leave us tent bound with less than 30 yards visibility. however for the entire day it stayed low in the valley. it's always in the back of your mind that you can get fogged in at any moment. only a fool sets off for the day without taking mental notes or even gps marks on how to get back to camp since you may have to try and find camp in near zero visibility. it's very easy to get excited and rush off for a hunt without remembering how many gullies or ridges you are away from camp or knowing the quickest and safest way back to the tent. little things like this add to the ellure and challenge of the hunt.
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5951_zps245836cd.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5951_zps245836cd.jpg.html)
that day i hiked way up from camp so i could hunt a small basin in the neighbouring catchment. when i got up there it didn't take long to spot some chamois bedded down for the morning. it was a very open approach but they were looking down hill away from me and i thought i'll give it a go and see what happened. i had nothing to lose afterall.
after a couple of hours of descending down a steep face in full view, (should they look my way) some of it in an uncontrolled manner on my butt following my bow down the slope, i was suprised to be within less than 80 meters. now the terrain had started to ease into the basin floor which made the final approach a little easier and still they were unaware of my intrusion into their domain. slowly i managed to get into a boulder which was about 40 meters from the chamois. all i could do was monitor the situation and hope they would play the game. after about half an hour of spying on them from behind the car sized boulder a nanny got up and started feeding away across the slope. soon they were all up and feeding, moving about all over the place. an arrow was placed on the string and i moved into position ready to pop up from behind the boulder for a shot. as soon as i did they saw me, which i fully expected, and ran out of sight. however moments later one came back to the same spot, again i appeared from behind the boulder with tension on the string and again it fled down the slope. thinking surely that was that, i was amazed to see it come back again a little closer. this time it hesitated as i came into view but so did i. it stood broadside for a moment but i passed it up. instinct told me it was too far. this time it had made it's mind up to leave for good. it joined the rest of the chamois on a rocky knob below me in the basin. it was a magnificent sight. again i was pleased with the stalk considering it looked impossible at the start. it's strange though, most times they will spot you a mile away, sometimes it pays to just give it a go.
spot the chamois-
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5954_zps859c0a77.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5954_zps859c0a77.jpg.html)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5962_zps534dd035.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5962_zps534dd035.jpg.html)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5963_zps9d0d9425.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5963_zps9d0d9425.jpg.html)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5970_zpsba7ea9d1.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5970_zpsba7ea9d1.jpg.html)
when i arrived back in camp not much had changed.
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5973_zps866834bd.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5973_zps866834bd.jpg.html)
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Spectacular!!!!
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5951_zps245836cd.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5951_zps245836cd.jpg.html)
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I headed back up the mountain to try and locate the Chamois we had seen the days before.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200235_zps05c033dc.jpg)
I glassed this Chamois doe from the other side of a knife edge ridge for a couple of hours to make sure there were no others in the area where I was going to approach from.
I had picked all my landmarks and had a plan to drop down from the exposed face I was on into a small creek that would put me out of sight.
This would take me close to where she was bedded and I could make the rest of the approach through the broken boulder terrain.
I grabbed my pack and as soon as I tried to slither over the ridge she was onto me....
It is ridiculous how good their eye sight is.
She sprang up and made a dash up the hill and paired up with another Chamois.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200248_zps9450b2c9.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200250_zps9193d8fa.jpg)
This is the kind of range they spot you at.
She was originally at the bottom left of the picture, then she made a dash up to the hillock in the centre of the picture.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200297_zps239f93bf.jpg)
Another un hunt able Chamois.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200328_zpsd8e5a354.jpg)
I soaked up the beautiful views, and continued glassing these majestic mountain dwellers, hoping for a reasonable chance to develop.
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(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200344_zps97764dd1.jpg)
Centre of picture is the ridge I was on earlier in the day.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200434_zps029503e4.jpg)
Gear for a days mountain hunting.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200512_zps8e95bd50.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200535_zps69cf0848.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200526_zpsaaf39d2d.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/NZ%202013/P1200579_zps3b5b9e55.jpg)
Back at camp after another beautiful day in the mountains.
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hope ya'll are safe from that earthquake i heard about last night
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These down under son's of Zeus probably stood laughing and shaking a fist as the ground shook under their feet
:biglaugh:
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:campfire:
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:campfire:
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:archer2:
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You guys still on the mountain???
:campfire:
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Epic. Where do I sign up for the next trip???
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Is there any way we can get this post put into a standalone story so we can read it from start to finish without the gaps and Tradgang coments? Not badmouthing anybody, but OMG, this is the best DIY hunting story I have ever read!
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Ya been writing for 2 months fellas! Did ya get anything ?
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the next day i was planning to go over to the same area as the previous day. i was out of bed a little earlier than mark that morning (he must have been enjoying the comfort of sleeping on top of all his gear that was leveling out the ground) and had already made a start up the mountain. about halfway there mark's voice came over the UHF saying there was a number of chamois feeding below me and that it might be possible to get a stalk on them. so with mark's guidance by UHF i slowing made my way down towards them. unable to do so in silence because of the low monkey scrub in the area, they were alert to something heading towards them from above and this is where it gets interesting. mark tells me on the radio that one of the chamois, presumably a buck, is heading up to investigate the source of the noise. none of them had seen or smelt me so far so we thought we'd let this play out. mark tells me in a more excited voice that the chamois is still coming and that i had better get an arrow on the string cause he might just walk right onto me. looking through his binos mark gave the best directions he could. he said get ready he should come into view anytime at about 12 o'clock. i got myself set and waited.........
but the difficulty of giving directions by radio had foiled the show once again for us. the chamois appeared at about 15yards at 10 o'clock and we both spotted each other at the same time. the chamois, having satisfied his curiousity as to the source of the noise in the bushes made a hasty retreat leaving me there suprised but happy. i consoled myself with the thought that after all the tribulations of our adventure it would have been 'too easy' to have one walk up to you and stand there waiting to be shot at.
so this trip both myself and mark had very close chances only to be undone by the difficulties in giving accurate radio directions. it simply doesn't look the same from a different vantage point.
by this time it was too late too go and hunt where i was planning to hunt so i returned to camp to hear mark's version of events.
it was decided that we would start making our way out as the weather forcast called for some heavy rain and we didn't want our way out to be flooded.
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5983_zps70fed196.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5983_zps70fed196.jpg.html)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5984_zps4acf0905.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5984_zps4acf0905.jpg.html)
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_5989_zpsc89c60bd.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_5989_zpsc89c60bd.jpg.html)
we made it to a nice beach on the river and had the luxury of a bush TV. staring into the flames we reflected upon what had been and looked forward to next time......................
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/IMG_6002_zps02116a4a.jpg) (http://s530.photobucket.com/user/ozyclint/media/IMG_6002_zps02116a4a.jpg.html)
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I don't think I have ever read about a hunt that epitomizes traditional hunting more than this.
Really outstanding and very few outside our community would even understand how incredible and successful this hunt was.