RUTTING CHAMOIS OF THE LEWIS PASS
It was peaceful and quiet but for the birds singing their dawn chorus. The frost made our breath visible as we talked and slow moving clouds turned a pretty pink hue as the sun’s rays peeked over the horizon. Hoisting on our packs laden with a week’s supplies, John and I turned our gaze towards the ridgeline and set off.
The last week of May is the middle of the annual chamois rut. At this time of year winter’s icy grip can come early and take hold of the mountains and valleys. Early snowfall then makes such places less appealing to visit. Usually by now most casual stalkers have oiled their rifles and stored their hunting equipment until spring – sensible, really.
European hunters highly prize chamois as first-rate trophies and there is a rich culture of targeting them during their rut but most New Zealand hunters do not actively hunt the rut. For one reason or another, chamois hunting is not something they plan as their primary reason to head into the mountains – and you certainly do not often hear about hunting parties planning for an epic chamois rut mission.
I suppose the reason is obvious – the chamois rut is overshadowed by the Fiordland Wapiti bugle, the roar, and in recent times, the tahr ballot. A busy stalking calendar means most hunters have committed their available time and resources in pursuit of more revered big game animals and so they give little thought
