A couple tahr
Mountain Goat
Returning from New Zealand with my son from a great hunt with TJ Metanoia of Metanoia Ventures. We were hunting tahr.
The first day out was raining and foggy most of the day, but we still managed to get close, but didn't quite get it done.
The second day was a much nicer day. After spending the morning in the same area as the first day and not seeing much we moved to a different area.
After we covered a little ground we spotted a nice bull with a big group of nannies , the tahr rut was in full swing and the bulls were very distracted. It was decided that I would try this stalk, TJ and Cody stayed back to watch. There was a shallow gully running towards where the bull and group of nannies were, the gully made it pretty easy to close the distance. Once I got close a couple juveniles popped up over the top, they knew I wasn't supposed to be there, but decided I wasn't a concern to them and continued on their way. A few more steps and a young satellite bull popped up on the other side of the gully, he was more concerned with the nannies then me and went on towards the group. After a few more steps I cautiously peeked over the top of the gully and realized the group had moved and I stalked past them. I dropped back out of sight and back tracked a bit in the gully and checked again. This time I was lined up on the center of the group. After they moved around a little I picked out the bull in the middle of the group.
After a few minutes a nanny separated from the group and crested the ridge of the opposite gully at 27 yards the bull was following the same path interested in her.
The bull followed the same path as the nanny, cresting the ridge facing me, staring at the nanny. The release was on the string ready to go. As he started to turn broadside I started to draw. The pin settled on the spot and the arrow was on the way. The arrow hit the spot and the bull jumped back and started up hill with the nannies like nothing had happened. I dropped back out of sight and started up the gully paralleling him. After a short distance he popped over the ridge again. I dropped to my knees by a bush hoping he wouldn't see me and spook before I could get another arrow in him. This time 60 yards, the arrow almost hit the first arrow. He dropped back out of sight heading up hill again. I continued up the gully hoping to intersect him again if he was still going. When I got to where I could see the group, he wasn't with them. He had only made about 20 yards after the second arrow. Cody and TJ saw him go down and pointed me in the right direction to were he laid.
Tahr are super tough animals, every bit as tough as our mountain goats. Can see both arrow holes here, he soaked them up like nothing.
Good stuff, Gene! Looking forward to the write up. Tahr are some very cool animals, and were quite a challenge to get within bow range. Agree on their toughness, as well. I heart shot mine, and he refused to go down for 15-20 seconds.
After pictures TJ put the tape on him, 13 1/2". TJ mentioned that it was the biggest bow kill tahr he has had taken by a hunter....a record that was going last almost 30 minutes....we decided to continue on looking for a bull for Cody, with such a high number of nannies in the area, TJ felt there should be another mature bull around.
We headed in the direction the group had went, but stayed lower on the hill. Cody and TJ were in front I was back a few yards taking some pictures and hoping to get some video of whatever happened. After about a half mile, they both stopped, looking down hill. Looking over the edge I could just see the top of a bulls mane in the breeze. I figured it was the young satellite bull I had seen , he had went the same direction. TJ pulled his binos up then quickly gave Cody the go ahead. As Cody was nocking an arrow and ranging I took a couple steps ahead with the camera. It was a very mature bull with his head down. He seemed very rut-drunk similar to a whitetail. Without noticing any of us standing in the open above him, the bull continued to 15 yards.
At 15 yards the bulls head went behind a bush and TJ gave a loud grunt type sound. The bull stopped and Cody was already at full draw. With a slight quartering to angle , he hit the bull square in the shoulder with the broadhead exiting behind the opposite should. The bull spun took a couple steps and stopped with his head hanging low, a 2nd arrow just behind the shoulder passed clear though. The bull fell down then got back up, the 3rd arrow was on the way, another broad side pass through, putting him down for good.
Cody's bull was 14", mine was no longer the biggest bow kill for TJ. He also said this was his first double with bows in one day.
After caping and butchering both bulls we headed out in the dark, ending a very long, successful day.
The weather deteriorated again after that day with low cloud cover. We tried glassing for chamois, but only spotted one. We did a little fishing and rabbit hunting for the rest of our time in New Zealand.
Now working on the long journey back to PA.
Heck yeah---->
Congrats,
Robb
Great father and son adventure! Two great archery bulls! Making memories! Congrats!!!
It was nice of Cody to give the old man a few minutes of glory.
Congrats. -Jim
Great adventure. Congrats to two stone cold killers on your success!
Congratulations to you and your son!
Congratulations. What a great memory for you and your son. They a such an impressive and beautiful animal.
Outstanding, well done to the both of you.
Congratulations on another great adventure
Amazing Day, nice work !!
Awesome stuff Gene! Congrats to both of you!
Way to go man , beautiful animals
Gene, Well done to both of you! Did you try the meat?
Yes, the meat is very good and we were able to bring some home
What an awesome hunt and adventure Gene! Congrats!
Looks like a great hunt! Let's see some fish pictures too.
Congrats to you both. Those are a couple of good ones!
Nice... congratulations to you both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats guys, heck of a father-son combo!
Congratulations on making memories with your son.
Absolutely love this! Congratulations guys!
The food in New Zealand isn't too terrible either.
Looks like Cody's bull will easily make top 10 SCI for bow.
Thanks again for all the comments, was a super trip.
What a trip of a lifetime! Congratulations to both of you!
VERY COOL! I’m sure a memory you both will never forget!
I didn’t think the meat was supposed to be very good, though. I remember watching a survival show where 2 guys were floating a river in New Zealand and hunting all their food. They basically said the tahr was so gamey and odorous they could barely eat it. And this was from 2 very experienced hunters with little food, so they were pretty desperate ................not sure if they were in a different area or maybe I have the wrong species?
Congrats again Gene, another heck of a trip!
Super cool animals. Congrats dad and son!
Congratulations to you both! Memories forever.
Here's a short video Cody did on the trip. He did elect not to show the multiple shots on the bulls in hopes of cutting down on the utube haters.
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Great recap, nice job on the video!
Congrats to you and Cody!
Nice video. Your son's enthusiasm for wildlife & hunting is compelling.
Congrats on a "double" for you two! Thanks you for sharing the story and video!
Excellent thread photos trophies and write up. Great job
Awesome! How's the meat??
Good stuff, Gene! Brings back some fun memories from our NZ hunt, this past spring. Congrats to you and your son.
Fuzzy. The meat is awesome!
Thanks again for all the comments.
Cody definitely enjoys outdoors stuff and the filming part of it too.
The meat from our bulls has very good taste, as good as any wild game. It is a little tough , but manageable
Gene
WOW Cody grew up. Big change from the kids that came to the Cinco to hunt hogs and javelinas
He is good at presenting the hunt and the details. Might have a career there.
How old is Cody now?? The Pennsylvania kid that was on the hunts in Texas graduates this year and has scholarship opportunities in Basketball and LaCrosse. I think Florida and Florida State. They grow up and change so much. Never would have guessed that!
Really enjoyed the Tahr hunt story. Tell Cody hi and I hope his next step is awesome!!
Rob,
Yes, he has changed a bit since his first trip down there, shooting his first animal ever. He is 19 now and going to Pennsylvania College of Technology for electrical and building automation.
I will pass your words on to him. Thanks
Awesome Gene Best regards to all.
