California Taxidermist Aaron Armstrong and I recently returned from a hunt with New Zealand Outfitter James Gray. While James provides a full range of outdoor outfitting in New Zealand, we were specifically interested in Gray's $300 per day wilderness Chamois and Tahr hunting package. 7 days at $300 per day plus air charter fees of approx $800 for each hunter makes for a very economically attractive total package of less than $3000. This is the total cost of the package as there are no added trophy fees associated with this hunt.

The air charter flight into the wilderness took us from a pastoral setting into the stark and beautiful Southern Alps. After dropping us with all our gear on a river sandbar, the bird lifted off, leaving us near the foot of a nearby glacier with miles of pristine alpine country in which to engage our pursuit of game until our scheduled pickup the following Sunday afternoon.

May is late Fall in the southern hemisphere. Be forewarned, weather can vary from shirtsleeve comfort to snow flurries in a single day. We set up camp on the highest spot available on the relative flat of the bar, foresight that would pay dividends a few days later with the onset of a nor'wester that would envelope us.

The alpine gear that James provided proved both a secure and comfortable camping experience in spite of gale force winds, rain and lightning storm that eventually assailed us. After setting up camp we began to glass the high mountain peaks, shale slides and tussocks that surrounded our location.

Within an hour I had located a Tahr high in the rock outcroppings near the glacier at the head of our stream. After losing sight of the Tahr, we began working our way upstream, glassing for game as we went. Within another hour we were treated to the sight of two bull Tahr descending a shale slide to water in the stream below. Maneuvering for position Aaron was eventually successful in taking his first Tahr. On each succeeding day we located several Tahr as well as a few Chamois. Three days into the hunt we had taken six trophies that were prepared for a variety of different styles of mounts. In spite of weather forecasts to the contrary, by day four the weather had turned ugly. With no hope for an early break we pulled out of the high country to (successfully) pursue alternative game elsewhere.

I have no doubt that with good weather conditions we would have continued to be successful on a daily basis.

This is a great hunt in beautiful country. There is ample game with good trophy specimens available each day. Good boots and binoculars are your best friend. A flat shooting rifle is a plus; Aaron's .25-06 handled all the situations we encountered quite well.

Expect steep angle shooting. Reasonable physical condition is required, however at 60 years of age this flatlander had little difficulty with these hunting conditions.

This hunt package is a real find in the world of New Zealand Hunting. James Gray is a quality hunter and outfitter as well as an absolute pleasure to hunt with.