Tahr hunters get bigger role

A new plan by the Department of Conservation to manage himalayan tahr is being welcomed by the Game Animal Council (GAC) as a pragmatic approach.

DOC said the Tahr Control Operational Plan 2021-22 provided groundwork for hunters to play a bigger part in tahr management within a popular hunting area.

‘‘We have started discussions with the Tahr Plan Implementation Liaison Group (TPILG) on what hunter-led management would look like for the tahr population within the South Rakaia/ Rangitata Management Unit,’’ DOC wild animals manager James Holborow said.

‘‘This could involve hunters managing tahr populations as well as reporting on tahr numbers and the health of ecosystems.’’

Holborow said a survey being undertaken would give detailed information on tahr numbers in the South Rakaia/Rangitata and the Gammack/Two Thumb management units, including the gender balance of the local tahr population.

While welcoming the management plan, GAC general manager Tim Gale said they were still committed

‘‘We believe the more collaborative process DOC has embarked on has resulted in a better-balanced programme of tahr management for 2021-22.’’

Tim Gale

Game Animal Council general manager

to developing a long-term management programme.

‘‘We worked closely with DOC and stakeholder groups in the development of this plan and provided constructive science-based recommendations to help inform it.

‘‘We believe the more collaborative process DOC has embarked on has resulted in a better-balanced programme of tahr management for 2021-22.

‘‘The GAC is pleased to see the majority of control work will be

concentrated on areas with remaining higher densities of tahr and which are extremely difficult to access for recreational hunters.

‘‘Most of these areas are west of the divide where we know tahr can have significant conservation impacts,’’ Gale said.

‘‘For the more accessible eastern parts of the tahr range we continue to work towards greater hunter-led management that will enable official control work to concentrate on where it is most needed.’’

Gale said there were some parts of the plan they recommended should be changed, ‘‘such as the priority to remove all recognisable male tahr from national parks.’’

Holborow said DOC had decided not to control tahr in the South Rakaia/ Rangitata management unit over the next year.

‘‘It’s while we analyse the survey data from this popular hunting spot.

‘‘The area is accessible by vehicle, has a range of huts available and is favoured by hunters for day hunts or longer trips.

‘‘We look forward to seeing recreational and guided hunters play the major part in control efforts.’’

The new Tahr Control Operational Plan also outlined how DOC would work with recreational and commercial hunters to control tahr on public conservation land in other areas of the South Island, but DOC would continue to target all tahr in Aoraki/Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini national parks, and outside the feral range.

‘‘This year we will be sharing maps showing identifiable male tahr observations, and spots where we have seen high tahr densities in recent surveys,’’ Holborow said.

‘‘Hunters will be able to find this information on our website and Facebook page to help plan their next hunting trip and contribute to tahr control.’’