Tahr very much for the assistance.
It’s one thing to talk about the funds we support. It’s another thing (entirely) to see the direct value and outcomes of the great work our donors are enabling.
In early January 2024, an application was made to the Hunters for Conservation (HFC) Trust for assistance with funding of NZTF management hunts in the Jacobs (Makawhio) and Mahitahi River headwater sites. These sites are also DOC Wilderness hunting ballot sites and highly sought after by recreational hunters, as they have produced superb trophy bull tahr. The NZ Tahr Foundation has been targeting these sites to improve the habitat and quality of trophy bulls by reducing the nanny tahr population.
On the 1st March 2024, a grant agreement was signed between the HFC Trust and NZTF granting $2500 for nanny Tahr harvests planned for March 2024.
Around some challenging weather patterns, approximately seven days of hunting were completed between 17 and 29 March, and 330 tahr were harvested. This work was carried out by two teams: one operating in the Jacobs ballot area, while the other flew into the Mahitahi.
Notable wildlife observations included Kea, Whio, Rock Wren, Kereru and native Falcon in the Jacobs (Makawhio). Kea and rock wren seen in the Mahitahi. A few deer were seen in the lower end of the lower Jacobs hunting site.
Quite a few immature and some mature Bulls were seen in the Jacobs compared to the previous year which was encouraging. No large groups of bulls were seen this year in the upper Jacobs basin, as was the case last year.
In the Mahitahi, a reasonable number of bulls were seen, both immature and mature. Comments from the lead hunters indicate there were more bulls than in 2023.
The work completed in March was successful thanks to the organising and participation of the eight volunteer hunters backed by the sponsors of the Funding supplied by the DOC and the Hunters for Conservation Trust.
This year’s participating Volunteers included: Dave Keen, Hamish Norton, Nigel Jordan, Jason van Beers, Shane Hall, Derek Johnson, Bruce Hansen and Luke Care.
Plus we had a double dunny bonus. DOC had funded a member of the NZTF, a builder (David Keen), to build two portable temporary toilets to be installed at two of the wilderness ballot sites - One at the upper Jacobs and another at the Mahitahi site. This is a trial to improve hygiene and reduce human impact during the ballot periods. The funding for flying provided by DOC and the HFC grant meant that hunting teams could install two of these toilets this year by the hunting teams.
The NZTF were very grateful to the Trust for the grant, which enabled this valuable work to help maintain a quality trophy herd that is balanced with the environment in these catchments. We look forward to doing more good work with them in the future.
