Tahr Hunting in New Zealand will Change After Culling
Tahr in New Zealand are being targeted and culled on government land due to the minister Eugene Sage from the political Greens Party to wipe out these amazing animals. DOC (Department of Conservation) under Eugene’s order have begun killing tahr in Aoraki/Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks by way of helicopter gun ships before undertaking consultation with the hunting sector. This will change tahr hunting in New Zealand.
“The 1993 Plan was put in place as a best-guess at a time when little information was really known about tahr in our alpine environment to manage wild animals of crown land. The intention stated within the Plan was for it to be reviewed and updated as more science and information was developed which has never happened.” “DOC have never undertaken the proper research on vegetation impacts, herd densities and the contributions of recreational and commercial hunting that are necessary to inform future management. Instead they focus on short-term culling programmes like what is happening right now that pit the various stakeholders against each other.”
Hunting Tahr for the foreseeable future on government land will now be extremely challenging, and trophy Bulls near impossible to locate as the helicopters are currently shooting all Tahr they come across including Bulls. Jim Gibson from New Zealand Safaris has been for the last 14 years been guiding international clients on privately owned wilderness land exclusive to New Zealand Safaris. These areas have more so now than ever before become a very important refuge for not only managing the Tahr on these properties, but the Bulls have the opportunity to grow mature (6yrs old+) and have the ability for good feed without being constantly hunted by local hunters and helicopters. Giving them a high economic value to the land owners has meant that they can cohabitate in certain parts with their Merino Sheep and cattle in the mountains becoming an important part of their income, thus also encouraging management of these animals which includes reducing some of the female numbers for meat when required. Tahr hunting in New Zealand is set to change forever, hunters and more part time Outfitters will find it very difficult to even see a mature Tahr in the foreseeable future on government land, with mature Bull Tahr on private land likely to increase in value due over culling these privately owned Wilderness areas are set to play a major conservation role to the species that are already considered under threat in the Himalayas.
