Alpine Species of NZ
Chamios - Rupicapra rupicapra
Chamois were introduced into New Zealand in 1907 , they were imported from Austria and released in the central South Island at Mount Cook Hermitage.
Due to the favourable climate and abumdance of food they have now become wide spread throughout the alpine area's of the South Island.
Cahmois are a similiar size to a domestic goat weighing in at around 100lb and standing about 36 inches at the shoulder.
The coat of the Chamios is a real trophy with it's beautiful tan and chochlate markings, the horns on the Chamois are very unusal and from a bale hook shape and anything over 9 inches is classed as a good head.
Chamios live in mobs usally consisting of females and the young of both sexs and groups of males although it is not uncommon for males to move on there own, the only time these groups meet is during there rut in may.
Chamois are normally alpine grass feeders but due to hunting pressure they have moved lower into the bush line and can now be found habiting similair area's to deer, the Chamois I have shot have been found quite low in river valleys.
The Chamois are very nimble and quick creatures,
I have many a pleasurable time watching them play and frollick on steep slip faces.
The 2 pictures to the left show the Chamois horns you will note the bail hook formation which most hunters would like to add to their collection.
Here is a great friend of mine and hunting teacher.
(thanks for the picture's billy)
Billy shows us this fine Chamois trophy.
Note the beautiful facial makings which make this animal a wonderfull addition as a wall mount to any collection.
Thar - Hemitragus jemlahicus
Thar were introduced into New Zealand around 1909-1919 from British stock although originally from the Hymalayan Mountains.
Thar live in the most rugged terrian known to man, high on rocky, icey ledges making them one of the ulitmate alpine trophies.
Thar grow to around 300lb's for a mutre bull and a nanny at around 150lb's.
Thar are a very large mountain goat that have a very thick long haired coat during the winter and a shorter coat in the summer, the bull Thar have a large shaggy mane mane of lighter colour.
The usual coat colour of the Thar is dark brown.
Thar live in family groups consisting of the nannies and kids in one group which will live in the lower reaches and the Bulls that will live where angles fear to tread.
Mating for the Thar is April-June where the males will fight for dominance.
Thar are the most incredible of all alpine creatures, also the hardiest.
To watch a thar run up and down a sheer 1000ft cliff face is something to behold, they will run across razor backridges faster and easier than humans can walk across a road.
The horns of the Thar are very much like that of a goat but very thick a good trophy is 11inches.
Once again thanks to Billy
here is a fine trophy bull Thar.
Note the size of the animal and the horn structure.
This is one animal i have yet to hunt,
but I can't wait the experince alone is worth the wait.
