19th May 2010 Client Testimonial:
I spent 4 days hunting for tahr with John in late April 2010. John is an excellent guide and a very skilled hunter. We saw good numbers of tahr and with John’s assistance I harvested 2 very good animals. The country is breathtaking and the hunting very physical so you need to be well prepared. I have no hesitation in recommending a guided hunt with John Royle and I thank him for a very memorable experience. Darryl O’Keefe, Kaiapoi New Zealand
Tahr "Hemitragus jemlahicus" like all New Zealands other big game animals where introduced into this Country.Tahr were liberated in 1904 in the Mount Cook region of the South Island from Woburn Park in England. They are a Native animal from northern India. Tahr were introduced here as part of the Dept. of Tourist and Health Resorts efforts to encourage overseas hunters to visit our shores. However it was not until the Late 1950's earlies 1960's that the Legendary story teller, Author and hunting guide Rex Forrester, put Tahr on the top of lisit of big game animals that overseas trophy hunters came to our shores for. Mature Bull tahr are big animals and can weigh as much as 300lbs. Both male and female tahr have horns which they retain for all their life adding a new growth ring each year. Tahr have a well developed senses of smell, hearing and exceptional eyesight, a point that hunters need to bear in mind. The best time to hunt for a Bull Tahr is between late March to the end of July with the mating peiod reaching its peak May - June. Summer hunting in November when the bulls are grouped up together can also be a productive time to visit.
Tahr have sometimes been incorrectly mis spelt THAR in some Publications such as " Wild Animals in New Zealand" by A.L.Poole 1969. I first hunted Tahr back in 1989 and I will never forget that first evening sighting a massive bull high up on a bluff system and as I watched he just leaped down a sheer face with his feet touching seeminly impossible foot holds, as he charged down to safely. Ever since that day I have been hooked on Tahr hunting, stalking numerous trohpies for myself, friends and now clients from all around the world and I still get that same thrill as that first encounter, when I see a good bull.
Chamios Hunting
Chamois "Rupicapra rupicapra" were introduced here as a gift from the Emperor Franz Josef in 1907 and released in the Mt Cook region of the South Island. They live mostly in the alpine regions but sometimes can be found close to the sea. Chamois in are extremely weary animals and will vacate the area as soon as they suspect danger is about. They don't do well in captivity and so are still mostly hunted the hard way. They are by far my favorite animal to hunt for they are the most cunning of the alpine species I have hunted
Come on a guided hunt with me for trophy Tahr,Chamios, Red Deer, Feral Goats and wallaby's. All our hunts are for free range animals only ( no farm breed trophy's ).
I have over 17 years of experience as a professional hunter 13 of which as as a Government culler hunting many places and types of game all over New Zealand. When you hunt with me you will able to benefit from a wealth of local knowledge on the best hunting areas and animals that live there when planning your hunting trip. All our hunts are charged on a daily rate ( can take up to 3 hunters at one time on the same rate ) plus expeneses, NO TROPHY FEE. I believe succcessful trips are also about having great memories of your hunting trip, as well as giving you the opportunity to get a trophy animal. The country I will take you into has no fences is breathtaking and generally has good numbers of animals. As your guide I will do my upmost best to help you procure trophies, but the animals I will take you after are wild and not confinded to a small area by 6 foot high fences and much will depend on luck, your level of fitness and shooting ability. what I can garantee is that you will have a great time.
19th May 2010 Client Testimonial:
I spent 4 days hunting for tahr with John in late April 2010. John is an excellent guide and a very skilled hunter. We saw good numbers of tahr and with John’s assistance I harvested 2 very good animals. The country is breathtaking and the hunting very physical so you need to be well prepared. I have no hesitation in recommending a guided hunt with John Royle and I thank him for a very memorable experience. Darryl O’Keefe, Kaiapoi New Zealand
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john royle
1st March 2010 Client Testimonial: “We hunted with John Royle in 2008 for Tahr. The knowledge and hard work that John brings is unmatched. If you want a true free range adventure this is it. While in New Zealand we learned that most hunts were done by helicopter, something we were not interested in doing, we wanted a fair chase hunt and we were extremely lucky to find John. John took us into some of the best country N.Z. has to offer. We saw 5 to 10 bulls a day along with chamois. His ability and knowledge was instrumental in our success of harvesting 3 mature bull tahr a chamois, and a archery wallaby. He is one of those guys who become a friend, and not just a guide”. J.C.Hover & Ryan Owens, Mike Waddell, Phoenix Arizona, U.S.A
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fidog
30th April 2009 We are 3 Norwegian hunters that spent a week Thar hunting with John.
We got 2 thropy bull Thar's each and we saw over hundred in total that week.
John is a very skilled and clever guide.
Great service and food.
A few wet/cold river crossings.(that's the half star) ;-)
will absolute recommend a guided trip with John.
Frode I. Bergen, Norway.
Client Testimonial:
I spent 4 days hunting for tahr with John in late April 2010. John is an excellent guide and a very skilled hunter. We saw good numbers of tahr and with John’s assistance I harvested 2 very good animals. The country is breathtaking and the hunting very physical so you need to be well prepared. I have no hesitation in recommending a guided hunt with John Royle and I thank him for a very memorable experience. Darryl O’Keefe, Kaiapoi New Zealand