JE Wilds and longtime hunting mate Joe Fluy reunite after three long years on a new hunting adventure, being dropped into steep New Zealand Tahr country by helicopter. A fast changing winter forecast suddenly compresses their plans, turning a relaxed hunt into a tight mission to find two mature bulls in barely a day and a half.
Betting on the Basin Below Camp
Rather than gamble on distant bulls in dangerous terrain across the valley, they commit to the scrub faces immediately below camp, where access and exit are at least achievable. From a glassing point just above their tents, they patiently watch the basin and start to turn up bachelor mobs of bulls in terrain they can realistically stalk and safely climb back out of before the weather closes in.
Two Bulls, Two Clean Shots
As the last light bleeds out of the valley, a wide, heavy bull with a standout golden mane steps from the scrub, followed by another long-tipped old warrior in the same basin. Running a Weatherby Mark V Backcountry Guide in 7 PRC, topped with a Leupold scope and supported by our Javelin Pro Hunt Tac, JE settles into position for two steep 400 metre shots that drop both bulls cleanly on the spot.
Recovery Through Classic Kiwi Steep
The next morning’s recovery is pure New Zealand, knife edge ridges, loose scree, vertical scrub and no room for errors as they pick their way down to the bulls. Heavy bases, thick winter capes and old fighting scars tell the story of hard seasons in harsh country, while the lightweight, minimalist Pro Hunt Tac setup earns its place for being easy to carry, straightforward to use and always reliable.
