Thar Hunting Testing Sport

Press, Volume C, Issue 29527, 31 May 1961, Page 13

Thar Hunting Testing Sport

4 sporting attraction which ■*u proving of increasing appeal to overseas sportsmen is provided by New Zealand's growing thar population.

First liberated as a gift from the Duke of Bedford 56 years ago, thar now range as high as 8500 ft in the Southern Alps. They thus not only provide fine sport for shooters but demand high mountaineering skill as well, for they are capable of alpine gymnastics which

could test the most dauntless climbers. Thar have incredible agility in spite of their weight of up to 2001 b. They can drop vertically 20ft or more without injury.

Their survival in New Zealand seemed in some doubt until in 1916 Chief Guide Peter Graham sighted a group of 16 near the Hermitage. By 1930 their numbers threatened to reach pest proportions and Government culling was introduced. This

has continued each year since 1936. Since then thar have been found as far north as Maitai river in Nelson and as far south as the Haast. Their greatest concentration is in the Mount Cook-Ohau-Dobson area. New Zealand still holds the world record for a thar head which was shot at Mount Cook by the late Mr Rudolph Wigley. It measures nearly 15 inches along the leading edge.