Game Animals

Chamois

Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) Available year-round.

Undoubtedly one of the most attractive game animals in New Zealand, the Chamois is a native of the European Alps and challenges even the Tahr for agility and sure-footedness.

Females range in shoulder height between 600-800mm, weighing between 19-35 kg (42-75lb). Exhibiting little sexual dimorphism, males are slightly larger weighing in at 25-45kg (55-100lb) with a shoulder height range of 650-900mm. Chamois’ Summer coats varies from grey-brown, to tan and honey tones. They are much darker in Winter, becoming almost black.

Both males and females have horns which are black and slender – they form almost like sharp hooks, curving rearward to point directly downward. A trophy quality buck should have horns that exceed 23cm (9 inches).

Inhabiting similar alpine terrain to the tahr, this mountain antelope is an incredibly challenging hunt, possessing extremely keen eyesight, hearing and sense of smell. Chamois are active during the morning and evening, often necessitating an early start or after-dark finish to accomplish a successful hunt. A successful Buck Chamois foot hunt is likely to be one of the most difficult – and rewarding – stalks you are ever likely to undertake.

At High Peak, we offer both helicopter-assisted Chamois hunts as well as genuine, free-range foot hunts on Lake Heron Station where no helicopters are permitted.