After a six and a half hour drive we finally arrived in Franz Joseph for a few days worth of very overdue chamois hunting. After spending a brief time unpacking, plans were made and we were off to bed ready for an early start!
Alarm went off at 4.30 and off we went. After arriving at our first hunting spot we started walking in the dark hoping to arrive at the slip on first light. After an hour long slog we make it to the slip, perfect timing as the sun was just coming up, we decided to sit and watch.
After a couple of hours waiting and seeing plenty of sign but no animals, we decided to head up the creek and check a few more spots. Still nothing. With the wind still in our faces we decided to wait for it to turn so we could hunt our way back the way we came.
We get back down to the slip from the morning to see a chamois feeding. Perfect! And in a good spot to! I crossed the river and slowly made my way in. Closer and closer, until the chamois was happily feeding at only 40 metres, I patiently waited for him to give me a broadside shot. As he slowly feed towards me he dropped down into the creek and all of a sudden I couldn’t see him anymore!
So again, I start slowly sneaking my way in closer. As I got to the edge of the dip in the creek, though the high grass I could see the chamois feeding. Game on! No more than 30 metres from me I slowly went to range it with my range finder and felt the wind on the back of my neck; within seconds the chamois was gone. Busted!
We decided to head back out and try another spot for the afternoon. Out of luck we headed back home and made plans for the next day.
Another early night, followed by another early morning, we set off once again. After a couple hours of walking we made it down to the first flat just on daylight. There were two deer out feeding so we decided to keep watching hoping a chamois would come out. The deer feed off into the bush as we watched the flat. After a while we moved on and checked a few other flats but no luck so we had lunch and started the walk back. As we were walking we saw a few Nannie’s with kids, a stunning sight and an easy decision to leave them alone. We were almost back to the truck I heard “oi over there. two bucks”. Sure enough two nice chamois bucks were feeding on the edge of the river. After a hard stalk crawling through the water I made it to the other side. They were at 75 metres and slowly moving down the river. I made my way closer as they turned and started heading toward me. Now they were only 45 metres away. I slowly ranged the chamois but one of them happened to see me. I stayed low kneeling in the river hoping they would give me a chance but it wasn’t long and they took off. Gutted, busted again! After a long day we were back at the truck, we were on our way home for tea and to suss another plan for a new spot in the morning.
Again the alarm was set and off to bed ready for another early start. Once again we set off for another big walk in the dark to be on flat on first light, and in a change of luck, this time we see a chamois feeding. I slowly make my way through the bush towards him, thinking surely this time I’ve got you! As I was getting ready to range the chamois it decided to bed looking straight at me and all I had was a small bush for cover. After a good half an hour kneeling, and with luck that was becoming very predictable for this trip, the wind swirled and off he went. Busted again. After another long day, seeing only nannies and kids we headed back to the truck to get ready for our last day of the trip.
Another early rise and and off we went. Slowly checking the flats we came across a hind and her fawn. She walked within 20 metres of us with her fawn. We sat and just watched her. The fawn was skipping and jumping all over the place before they both walked into the bush and disappeared. We carried on up the creek to find a chamois walking down to meet us. We tried to get into a good spot but had no cover. It started to run down the creek and next minute it was no more than 5 metres away from me. This time I was just too slow, we looked at each other before the chamois took off. Deciding to check one last spot we saw another chamois out feeding. Surely we would pull this one off. Slowly stalking, closer and closer, I get ready as it turns side on. I draw the bow back settled the pin on its shoulder then all of a sudden the chamois just took off. Left speechless I let down my bow while I tried to work out what exactly had happened. The wind must of swirled. Gutted. A slow walk back to the truck trying to think if I could have done anything different.
Even though nothing was shot it still was a great trip away.
