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Cam McKay’s Tips for Safe Tahr Hunts

2nd June 2026|4 min

As we reach the peak of the tahr rut, Cam McKay from Points South shares his top safety tips for staying safe and making the most of your hunt in the Southern Alps.

The peak of the tahr rut sees hunters heading into the Southern Alps chasing bulls in some seriously wild country. But alpine hunting isn’t like heading out after deer in the bush – the terrain is steeper, so if you fall, the consequences are higher. Even if you’re an experienced hunter, moving safely through the alpine takes a whole different set of skills.

Get fit, prevent falls                      

When you’re hunting in the alpine, you’re twice as likely to get injured in a fall than in other types of terrain. In this kind of steep and exposed country, even a small trip or slip can quickly become serious. It pays to have a healthy respect for the environment, know your own limitations, and have the right gear and the skills to match.

Being fit for your hunt will help you cover more ground comfortably, make the most of your trip, and reduce the risk of injuries. Have an honest conversation with yourself about your fitness and plan your hunt around what you can realistically achieve. Having a good grasp of how many vertical metres you can realistically climb per hour is pretty fundamental to making good route decisions so you don’t run out of daylight hours.

Take your time with route selection

When choosing a route, your priority is avoiding falls and not getting bluffed out. A trip or slip in steep alpine terrain can have serious consequences, and no animal is worth risking your life for. Take your time to plan your route and consider if it’s doable with the extra weight from a successful hunt.

Constantly assess what’s above and below you as you move through the terrain. Look out for things like any potential for rockfall and whether a slip on that icy patch could take you over that cliff band.

 And, as always, don’t even think about pulling the trigger if you’re not 100% sure you can retrieve the animal: be patient and wait for the animal to work its way into a position that makes it safe for you to recover.

Check the conditions

Before you go, check the weather and avalanche forecast (avalanche.net.nz). If there’s a storm brewing or elevated avalanche risk, save your plans for next weekend.

Alpine conditions can change fast, so when you’re in the hills, keep watching the weather and what’s happening underfoot.

Snow conditions can also change dramatically through the day. Firm snow in the morning can turn soft and unstable once the sun hits it, increasing the risk of wet slide avalanches. Once the temperatures drop again, the snow can refreeze into hard ice. While this can actually be helpful if you have the right tools (axe AND crampons) and you know how to safely use them. If you don’t, hard ice is extremely treacherous, and you simply shouldn’t go there.

There’s no shame in turning back if things become unsafe.

Have the right equipment and know how to use it

The usual bush hunting or back-of-the-farm setup probably won’t cut it if you’re caught in a storm on the tops. It pays to have the best gear you can afford. Ignore the marketing hype and look closely at the fabrics – waterproofing and breathability ratings matter. Get yourself a set of descent waterproof and breathable jacket and pants. Gaiters are also a must-have to keep your boots dry. A quality down jacket is also a must.

An ice axe and decent crampons are basic necessities in alpine terrain (and not the little instep type crampons better suited to icy car parks). Don’t skimp – get gear for alpine conditions, and make sure you know how to use it properly. If you’re a beginner, you’ll need real training through a proper course provider.

You’ll mostly be working around the snowline, but if you’re not sure about the snow conditions and stability, again, you simply shouldn’t go there.

As always, go prepared for the unexpected. A PLB, enough food and the right gear to survive an unplanned night out are essential for alpine hunting. The decision to stop and bivvy when conditions change becomes a whole lot easier when you know you can be reasonably comfortable.

Go with a mate

A lot of us like to hunt solo, but in alpine terrain you’re simply better off hunting with a mate. Most alpine hunting fatalities involve solo hunters. Even experienced hunters benefit from having someone to talk through decisions with, help solve problems and lend a hand if things go wrong.

Tips and tricks

Alpine terrain is the last place you want to be with darkness approaching, so plan your hunt well. Minimise travel after dark, or at least make sure you're off the more serious alpine sections well beforehand. Simple things like dropping a GPS pin on camp or key landmarks will make it a damn sight easier to get back to base as the light fades. The same goes for remembering that all-important head torch.

Huge thanks to Cam McKay for contributing this article. Cam is an experienced hunter who partners with MSC to promote safe hunting practices and behaviours. He is the owner of Points South, a Wānaka-based online retailer specialising in hunting and alpine gear.

PHOTO CREDIT | Cam McKay

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