9 days solo Thar trip (no kill)

[ozzyshane]

Here are some pics of my latest hunt over the ditch had a great time by myself very differant being that far in the back country by ones self you go through some really hard times and some great moments with your own throughts

I will give you a day by run down as i remember it

If you guys would like any info on the gear used i would love to help out

Doing some home work before i left
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/livandted.jpg
DAY 1
flight was to arrive in CHC at midnight go in at 3.30am great start picked up car and drove to the trail head arrived at 4pm to wind and rain stayed the night at the car.
DAY2
Wether was better for the walk in 5hrs later i where setting up camp
walk in
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08walkin.jpg
camp for the trip
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08camp.jpg
After camp was set up i want for a bit of a walk on the sunny side as the thar would be on the shady side found a mob of 20 nannys no time for a stalk today got back to camp at 10pm just on dark
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08dayone.jpg
DAY 3
Walked up river stalked a nanny got winded stalked the big mob from the day before got into 40m got busted by a nanny while at full draw she was gone before the arrow got there there was a storm on the way hobled back into camp feet very sore from being wet from the day before
my poor feet took untill day 6 before they felt better
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08feet.jpg
DAY 4 rained all day felt very low at this point feet where very sore but you either get past it or u go home and be a big girl.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08nevergivein.jpg
DAY 5 Had a good/bad day shot and lost a nanny the shot was a killing shot i just couldnt find her in the bluffs as the arrow didnt get a pass through as it was a down hill shot at 40 deg so no blood trail.
Lots of rocks around
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08scree.jpg
And water to cross
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08river.jpg
DAY 6 Glassed all day looking for the nanny
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08glassin.jpg
You carnt hunt this country without a scope
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08vortex.jpg
Very hot today you need to keep the walter up
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08drink.jpg
DAY 7 Had 2 stalks today the first was on a nanny she was gone when i got up to her level the second was on 3 bulls got into 30m but got busted at the very last trying to pick the distance as my range finder packed it in .
there where a few dead ones around like this a total bloody waist DOC at its best
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08deadbull.jpg

DAY 8 glassed all day looking for the bulls found them late in the day will go up for stalk tomorow last day.
Some of the country
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08mts.jpg
Had a big day behind the glasses
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08vortex2.jpg
DAY 9 Stalked the big mob again had to wait 3hrs for them to move across a scree i were on only to climb up to there height only to have them drop write down low played cat and mouse with them for hours only to have them see me at about 150m away
DAY 10 Packed up camp in the rain big day left camp at 8am
The walk out
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08walkout.jpg
Had a new toy for this trip it worked great jetboil stove a got about 22 boil ups on a 100 gram bottle
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a101/ozzyshane/nz08jetboil.jpg

Hope you all enjoy the pics if you take on the NZ mountains you need to be in top shape i trained for about 3 mnths for this about 3 to 4 30min runs a week and a 2hrs walk with a 20kg pack to get into shape for this kind of hunt .
Thanks Shane

[bowhunting4eva]

great pics thats for sure. would love to do that one day if i ever get fit enough lol

[Trophy Bowhunts]

Good stuff Shane, shame the opportunities passed but I am sure the experience was fantastic. You never stop learning.

Mick

[jindydiver]

Great pics :D

I love the sticker on the limb :D

[rudy]

A great adventure no doubt Shane. Great pics mate, one of the most beautiful places on earth and you had the privilage to hunt there. An unforgettable experience thanks for sharing.

[Bowdy]

Inspiring stuff Shane!!!
Your dedication dissevered a bit of luck on a nice "Big Bull", it will be even sweeter when that "Big Boy" is at your feet in all his glory.
Great photos in great country!!
I especially like the one with your bow in the corner of the frame with the words : " NEVER GIVE IN ".
Grant.

[Luke]

My hat goes off to you mate.

Truly awesome stuff.

:D

[Jack.L]

Amazing stuff mate. I also love the sticker on the limb.

[outback preditor]

exellent stuff and great pics eh..isee u got an ederlstock, is it the just one? and how did it shape up? looks a bit uncomfortable..
hahah, had to laugh when i noticed the little mascot on the belt..good stuff hey.;)

[Al Kidner]

Well done mate to head into that country all by your lonesome. And I too know what you mean about being with your thoughts in country like that.... kinda puts a new spin on things.

Thanks for taking the time to post,

A.K

[howie]

You did well champ..........

[Dongles]

Great post Shane,

It's one thing to take on that country with a bow in hand, to do it by yourself is true dedication! Keep pushing the limits, it reminds us all of the opportunities out there and hopefully it inspires others to follow your footsteps.

I'll have to have a chat to you about your planning/ gear when I get back from the UK (next year), as I am even more keen to head for the high country chasing Tahr/chamois now.

Cheers

Tim

[tomshaw]

great stuff mate. wish i had the balls to do that.

[Antarcher]

Awesome post Shane and an awesome hunt. Pity about the nanny mate but now you have another to go back to. I have quite a few questions for you.

Is this palce where you have been before?

What kind of boots were they and how long did you break them in for before you left? Those shin blisters look nasty.

Is the scope a good optic, as I do know it is light and good for packing in?

Do you think your tripods sheen gave you away at all?

What sleeping bag did you use and how did it hold up/perform?

How much was the cooker?

What sock combination did you use and would you use them again?

And finally, please keep those white legs away from the forum in future. Way too bright in the last pic;)

[TSTOY]

Fantastic achievement to endure that mountain solitude. Great photos also. Pity about the nanny.

Do you know the weight of that tripod?

Does it allow for smooth panning when viewing through the spotter?

Also, thanks for the use of the spotting scope.

[brucester]

Great story mate, you really put in some effort there. A mate of mine went to NZ chasing Reds and he missed out too, despite that he said it was awesome. Can I ask you to post some info about how you got to hunt there. Not specifics if it's a hunt spot you've found but if it was through a hunting biz can you let us know a little about that. One last thing DOC? I'm a bit low tech on acronyms.
cheers
bruce

[Piggy]

Mate a great effort and well worth the experance

[clint]

Awesome trip!
And what an experience on your own up there!
I do just about all my hunting alone. Nothing of your standard.

What happened with the stalks was it wind, movement, camo? I spoke to a guide last year he told me it was a massive effort to get into bow range. Well done!

[HOOD]

I've gotta say well done, to be out there on your own some may say your nuts but what do they know.
I've hunted NZ but nothing that extream...........YET.

Bad luck on the nanny.

Did you have an emergency beacon with you at all?

[XTfreak]

Awsome pictures and story...
Bill

[ds]

Good to see you back safe and sound mate.

I too long for the return of that 'sweet smell of Tahr'...maybe nextime.

Looks like you have raised a few eyebrows and even more questions.

ds

[AdamK]

Now that is hunting!
Memories to cherish for a life time I'm sure.
I love the "Never Give Up". You obviously didn't and aren't about to. I think those Thar should be nervous about your return to those mountains.
Well done and thanks for sharing.

[ozzyshane]

Thanks for all the replys guys i will try to anzwer some of the questions

Outback Preditor...The pack is a j104 for me it was great it does sit a long way of your back some like this some dont i found it helps my back heaps but cuts into my shoulders.

Tony... to pod is about 900grams not the best for scaning im looking into a better one.

Clint... the thar have eyes that will blow u away getting into range isnt the big prob its getting to full draw and getting the shot away.

Hood/Bruce...DOC is like our National parks/no eperb

Ant....the jet boil cost about $160 im realy happy with it great unit all in one.
soxs a low ankle cool max with a wool base on the outside
boots asolo great boots my feet got trashed buy getting wet
sleeping bag i had 2 both macpac one is just a liner it has 150grams of down the main one is there new Water Proof epic 350 (350 grams of down)combined weight 1kg only needed both on one night the epic is a great bag.

Hope i havnt missed any one keep the Qs coming Thanks shane

[jindydiver]

You have got to love the Jetboil hey Shane :) I bought one last year and I am pretty damn happy with it :D

[Mullac]

Awesome pics and story.

What area did you go in?

Bloody DOC they get me going :mad:.

[stevenn]

Hey Shane great adventure mate,might sound like a silly question,but what type of food did you take to last you that long,that gives good energy.Dose the extreme cold have any effect on your bow,string etc.steve

[kal_mike]

Good on ya Shane, I have a few mates that hunt in that general area and refer to it as "wheelchair country":confused: when compared to the West Coast, I'd get about 100m out of the river bed and need a break:(.

There is a push in NZ for hunters to do thier own selective culling of tahr so DOC doesn't go in and shoot everything, however different people have different ideas on whats "selective".

[fiend]

I'd love to be up there hunting by myself :)

[JMARCHER]

Great pics shane. How did the scope hold up? Do you rate it as the best you have owned? were the thar bedding down in the scrub or up in the bluffs?
Cheers
jason

[benhohnke]

wow you did what i aim to do as soon as i can..
i know from many articles/storys ive read that tahr are one of the hardest game animals even with a rifle. so to take one with a bow would be my ultimate hunting achievment! the thing that i find mind boggling with the pics of the landscape is there are no trees to scale the landscape and hills with! but im pretty sure to the top of one of those hills is a long long way.
great work

p.s did you see any trout in those rivers?

[Arra Slinger]

Truly Inspirational mate
Thanks for taking the time
Ben

[Mitch]

Hey dude well done, It seems you hear of all these ppl shooting Thar with rifles and a very few with Bows, What area abouts where you in mate? I have a brother who lives in Wanaka the south Island fantastic place gotta be some of the best looking country in the world.

Once again well done mate

[chugga]

Shane what did you eat for 9 days. I do alot of walk in camps and 3 days of food is alot to carry. Great trip and congrats on a amazing trip!

[Bowmancam]

Truly Inspirational mate



Ditto that! Amazing, well done!

Cheers, Cam

[Paul R]

Wow, absolutely fantastic mate.
A hunt like that is defintely on my to-do list.

Thanks for sharing the memories of your adventure with us Shane.

[kevin yates]

Well done mate looks like you had a good trip even though you did not put one on the ground, saw apicture of you in the latest mag with a bull thar, when did you get that one

Kevin yates

[spiderbait24]

wow that is awsome country, would love to just go and see it, instead of going hunting there.

[ozzyshane]

Kev the bull was taken in 03

Mitch i where in the Tekapo area

Chugga the food was

BF... cereal in a zip lock bag with powered milk and protein powder
lunch ...2 boritos with tuna or cheese and meat
tea... dehy meals-protein powder drink
others... sports bars 2per day, GUs 2 per day and some choc/nuts/tea bags

Thanks Shane

[rory]

Great pics Shane, though you'd be hard pressed to take a shizen one in that country you were hunting :)

Shame you didn't drill one this time, what is the average shot distance on those things you rekon?

[Mitch]

Shane did you get the chance to do any trout fishing? Some monsters around tekapo

[clint]

Do Thars range go all over the south island i have been to Queenstown (for the snow). It is amazing country. Just wondering how you picked Tekapo?

[kal_mike]

Do Thars range go all over the south island i have been to Queenstown (for the snow). It is amazing country. Just wondering how you picked Tekapo?

Here is a tahr range map.

http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/Bio12Tuat02-fig-Bio12Tuat02_075a.html

DOC strictly controls the boundary of the tahr range to ensure they don't spread any further.

Note spelling of tahr.

[Mozza]

Good stuff Shano:)
It's a shame you didn't knock one over though.
I would like to have a chat to you about it sometime when I am down your way next time

[hutcho]

WOW, well done, that sort of solitude sounds magnificant.

Just for information, did you carry a personal EPIRB?

[clint]

Top stuff Kal_mike. My next question was Chamois range but got it off that link. Thanks.
Not saying its right but i got the spelling off a DVD Bucks'n'Bulls they spell it Bull Thar.
Thanks again.

[clint]

Going off thoughs maps you could over lap the two animals into a hunting area?

[kal_mike]

Top stuff Kal_mike. My next question was Chamois range but got it off that link. Thanks.
Not saying its right but i got the spelling off a DVD Bucks'n'Bulls they spell it Bull Thar.
Thanks again.

There are some hunters in NZ who are very touchy about the spelling thing I am not one of them ;). The offical spelling is tahr although people have been using the two spellings for a while now.

[maxy]

Good stuff Shane,

Couple of questions for you. You said you trained with 20kg in the pack, what do you rekon your final pack weight was for the hunt? and what was your plans for preparing a cape if you shot an animal?, did you take salt with you or cool enough to carry out without hairslip?

Cheers,

Maxy

[ozzyshane]

Maxy i dont know the exact weight of the pack i would say it was around the 25to27 kg mark

I didnt take any salt the capes are a wast of time that time of the year

Thanks Shane

[chugga]

how did the time alone feel like? 9 days alone is along time. I have slept alone in the bush for 1 night and found that hard enough but 9 days is a feat!

[ozzyshane]

Chugga it was strange being alone for that long the first 3 days where hard the feet where very tender every step was a battle and that was hard on the mind that is where you either give up and go home or hang in there that is why if you arent in there for the right reasons you wont last ,

After the rain day i felt a lot better just doing my own thing when and how i wanted to do it

Yes it is hard u miss family i have a 3year old girl by the end i where mt fit and really didnt want to leave but life as we know it was calling

Thanks Shane

[EcoMuse]

Thanks a heap for the post. As I venture forth into what seems an impossible sport to master, that photo of the sticker you wrote yourself on your bow limb will stay with me for a long time to come...THANKS!

[WesT]

One of the best hunting stories I've read in here. That's what it's all about - man against mountain and beast. Getting out there and finding that you really are small compared to it all. Sensational. A very successful trip!

[ozzyshane]

WesT Thanks very much for your post

EcoMuse When u master it let me know ive been trying for 26years and still learn every day just looks like i have sorted a prob thats been really pissing me of for about 18months now good luck may the force be with you.Thanks Shane

[jasonfish]

I just have to say... Shane that was inspiring. CHEERS!

[Big Bill]

Thank you Shane you have inspired me as well...........Planning a week long walk for next year as a warm up for the AAWT.