Wild Goat Hunting in the Tararua Ranges.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1 May 1901, Page 589

Wild Goat Hunting in the Tararua Ranges.

By A. H. Mksskngku

Illustrated hi/ the Author

IBfROM Pal User Bay right through to : ,}fMli the summit of the Rimutaka Range c t i i|^ lies a great stretch of wild broken ■^^j country formed by the lower end of the Tararua Range and its innumerable offshoots. Some of the peaks run fairly high, Mount Matthews being about t\w highest south of the Rimutaka, running up to something over 3,000 feet, and situated in the midst of country that would rejoice the heart of a professional Alpine climber. Most of this great watershed has now been formed into a Government forest reserve, the country being too rough for any attempt at settlement, and its forest-clad ranges and rushing torrent beds have naturally become a sort of sanctuary for all kinds of native game. Wild pigs and goats are also here

in hundreds, roaming the groat gorges mid boulder-strewn river beds in almost perfect immunity, whilst further back still may be found wild cuttle, und even, I Relieve, occasional wild sheep. To three of us who are keen sports, this country had always loomed full of interest, so after mouths of planning we arnmgid to devote a week of our Christmas holidays, in 1898, to satisfying this longing to reach the great ranges, which even from Wellington Harbour seem to tower a silent barrier against the sky. It came about that just before Christmas there was a great stir in our little circle. The old tent, which had done duty often before, was once more overhauled and patched, rifles wore polished up, knives

sharpened, and all oar camp paraphernalia was collected and prepared for active service. Our track lay across the Wainui-O-Mata Valley, thence to the headwaters of a small tributary-stream which would lead us to within a mile of our destination, which was the Orongorongo River. We had previously marked our course out carefully on a map which we possessed, but discovered later, as is usually the case, that marking a course on a map is one thing, and following it on the ground, distinctly another.

One fine morning found us fairly started, our swags consisting of the tent and fly, provisions and ammunition on our backs, rifles on our shoulders, fire-blackened billies slung at our belts, and our three hunting

spell we resumed our swags again, and became greatly excited by the discovery of fresh goat tracks in the muddy banks of the stream, quite close to our stopping place. We loaded our rifles, and proceeded more cautiously on the chance of getting a stray shot, and just as we were crossing a small clearing on a point formed by the bend of the stream, we came suddenly on our first flock of wild goats. They were feeding quietly amongst some low manuka bushes on its further edge, and did not notice us at first, until a 303 bullet went humming amongst them, passing close under the arched neok of an old billy, who appeared to be at the head of affairs, giving him a terrific start. The rest of the mob at once

dogs trotting proudly alongside. We were away with the first streak of daylight, well knowing that later on in the heat of the day, in our loaded state, some of the ridges would become well nigh insurmountable. By the time the sun began to be felt, we had left the first high range behind us, and had gained the broad open valley of the Wainui. Crossing the valleys and rivers, we struck for an open spur which led up to the opposite ridge, and had to be crossed to enable us to reach the leading stream. Once across this we started into the bush following the bed of the creek. The trees being fairly tall, it proved easy travelling for a while, only needing a little cutting with slashers, here and there, where thick clumps of supplejacks and creepers barred the way.

Mid-day found us well up the stream, and a halt was called amid a thick growth of silver birch trees, under which we boiled the billy, and had

our lunch. After a short

made a dash for cover, leaving the old billy staring at us in a bewildered manner, and thus affording an excellent opportunity for a second shot, which took him high up in the flank, bringing him to his knees. He recovered himself quickly, however, and dashed off after the othei's. Knowing that he must have been hard hit, we threw our swags dowu, and putting the dogs on the scent, started after him. The dogs followed the trail hotly up a little stony creek and through thick tangled undergrowth, soon disappearing from view, and shortly afterwards we heard them all barking furiously some distance ahead of us, then we knew that we had him. As we scrambled on, several loud yelps from close ahead made us put on a spurt, and then ,

clambering up a steep bank,

we came full on the scene

We spent; tho next; day in fixing up the camp, and discovering a way through to the Orongorongo. Cutting our way through thick undergrowth, wo finally succeeded in making a fairly good track which led across the saddlo, and then down the bed of a creek to tho river. The following morning we sallied forth fully equipped for a good day's hunting, and although signs of game were plentiful enough all around the camp, we decided to try the river bed first an being the most likely place to get the best sport;. It was a lovely morning, and tho bush was alive with tuis, kakas, and pigeons fluttering from tree to tree in search of berries, whilst friendly little fantails flitted from twig to twig in front of us as if desirous of

of action. The old billy, having climbed to the top of a log which leaned in a steep slope against a small wall of rock, was standing gallantly at bay, easily resisting the attacks of the dogs, who, whenever they attempted to climb on to the log after him, wei'e promptly butted off again in no gentle manner. Wounded as he was, he fought on bravely until a merciful bullet well aimed passed through his skull? bringing him headlong to the ground below, and there lay the first wild goat of our trip before us. We secured his skiu, as it was in good condition and handsomely marked in fawn and white, also the horns> a fine rugged pair ; then struggling down the little creek again, we picked up our swags, and reached our camping ground just

as darkness was setting in

leading the way through their leafy domains

We took, however, very little notice of the beauty of our surroundings, but hurried on down the track, where after wading through the stream many times and clambering down smooth rocky faces, we at last found ourselves on the banks of the river, which was screened from our view by

a thick growth of low trees. Creeping cautiously through these, we reached the edge of the cover, and peered anxiously round for a sight of game, but in vain, so after a careful scrutiny, we moved out across the boulder bed to the river, which rushed foaming down amongst a wreck of tree trunks and huge boulders washed from the surrounding gorges by the swollen winter streams. Just as we were negotiating a passage something moving attracted our attention on the opposite side, and there, fairly out in the open, we discovered four goats feeding about near the edge of the bush. At first we thought of stalking them, but soon saw that the boulder-strewn flat which lay between afforded absolutely no cover, so we did the only thing possible under the circumstances — tried a long shot at them, at least three hundred yards, a

small mark at that distance, and a snider carbine to try it; a moment of suspense whilst sights and game came into line, then a report rang out sharply, and echoed and re-echoed in a dull roar amid the rugged hills. A little puff of grey dust shooting up from the ground near the goats proclaimed a miss, and in a moment they vanished in the thick scrub on the river bank.

Crossing the river we gained the outskirts of the bush, and had not proceeded far when we became aware that the atmosphere was laden with a strong smell ; we sniffed at it dubiously, it seemed familiar, we sniffed again — " billy goat " right enough, and a real rank one. Following up wind, guided by our noses, we came to one of those steep gorges which lead out everywhere to the river. Some distance up the centre of this gorge, on a great battered tree trunk, amid a chaos of broken branches and water- worn boulders, we could distinctly see a venei-able-looking billy with long white hair and patriarchal beard, standing evidently on the alert, his gaze fixed steadily on the rocks, behind which we had crouched directly we caught sight of him. Standing defiantly there he made as fine a picture of wild life amid wild surroundings as it has ever been my lot to see; but slaughter was in our minds., the 303 cracked out sharply, and with a convulsive spring he fell dead among the boulders, whilst the rifle smoke drifted lazily up in the still air. He proved to be a really splendid specimen of the wild goat, his horns being particularly fine, all scarred and chipped with fighting. His skin of course was useless, but we took his horns and long silky beard as trophies, and after making a sketch of him as he lay we moved on again in quest of fresh sport.

We next tried the bush on the sloping banks, which was fairly open, and spreading out in line, started to beat care Sully through it. While creeping cautiously along I came suddenly on two small wild pigs, busily engaged rooting among the luxuriant ferns that carpeted the bush. They made a perfect picture of comical astonishment as, suddenly discovering my presence,

they stood for a moment irresolute, their little black beady eyes gleaming brightly through the coating of mud which bespattered their features, then fled in terror, only to be captured a few moments later by the dogs, who bailed them up amongst the rugged tree roots.

After despatching the pigs for fresh meat for our camp, we came almost immediately on a small mob of goats, who, being completely surprised, scattered in all directions. I heard the other two rifles ring out, and next moment a graceful little nanny came bounding up the slope straight towards me. Catching sight of me, she turned sharply round, and taking hasty aim I fired. On the smoke lifting I discovered her lying on the ground, the bullet, by a lucky chance, having passed right through her head, from the back of the ear almost to the point of the nose, killing her instantly. I secured her skin, which was

a beauty, being a rich, warm brown colour, white underneath, with a line of long black hair along the ridge of the back, and tufts of the same colour on either quarter. In company with several others, it now adorns my floor in the shape of a rug, forming a lasting memento of our trip. . The other two shots had each accounted for a goatj both of them nannies. One had a white skin with brown markings, and the other a mottled slate colour, almost blue in places, each of them handsome trophies.

Thus loaded we struck out of the bush, and started back down the riyerbed, getting several long shots on the way. In one place several goats were discovered feeding high up on the face of a steep cliff some distance away, affording us an excellent chance to try the range of our weapons. We opened on them at a range of six hundred, and judging by the commotion that followed the first shots, must have gone unpleasantly near them. We felt perfectly contented with our day's sport as we struggled back to camp that evening, fairly, laden with the spoils of the chase, and with a consuming hunger on us. Pork chops, fried, formed the fare that night, and we solemnly

vowed that nothing ever tasted so delicious

The next, day brought more sport, one goat especially giving us quite an exciting time. We flushed a mob, and bagged one fine billy by a lucky chance shot through some thick scrub, then set tho dogs on to bail up the old leader of the tribe. Am we had expected, the old chap, on finding his family pursued, at once stopped to do battle and cover their retreat, and a plucky stand he made of it. Guided by the barking of the dogs, we soon reached the scone of conflict, where the old veteran, hard

pressed, was now keeping up a continuous nnmitif? h'jrht, and gallantly holding his own. At last becoming exhausted, bedashed out of the hush into the river, whore, standing kneo deep in the swirling water, he shook his head defiantly at the yelping dogs who, afraid to venture after him, rushed up and down on the hank in aimless fury. Presently one of them leapt in to

attack him, and was immediately bowled over and over in the water, getting Home pretty severe prods during the process, which sent him dripping and howling up the bank again, the others met with the same fate, and at last, struck with his plucky bearing, we called the dogs oil', leaving him to go unharmed, though, no

doubt, a good deal disturbed in body and mind. I remember how, even after getting a good distance away, we paused to look back, and saw the old billy still standing as we had left him, immovable in the clear rushing water of the river-, defiantly watching us out of sight. Toiling steadily up a torrent bed shortly after, the plaintive bleating of a t»oat came

faintly to our ears from the

high, precipitous banks

which rose

steeply on either side of

us. It took us

some time to locate the sound, and at last we discovered the

author of it, an

groove across his back showed where the first shot must have gone, just grazing the skin, a very close shave indeed.

We invariably' found the billy goats exceedingly plucky, always stopping to cover the retreat of the mob, and fighting obstinately, un-

inquisitive old billy, standing at the edge of the bush high above us, his fore legs planted Hgainst a tree trunk to

enable him to

get a better view of the

intruders. Immediately a rifle shot echoed in a roar up the goi'ge, and the goat vanished suddenly, only to le-appear a moment later leaping down the steep face abont a hundred yards further up. "Crack! Crack! Crack!" spoke the rifles, and at the third shot be stumbled and fell among the rocks. We were quickly up to him, and found him lying quite dead, a neat hole drilled through his ribs by the last bullet, whilst a ragged

that, knowing that in them we carried trophies that would ever recall pleasant memories of this, our first wild-goat hunting trip.

Compared to deer stalking, wild-goat hunting may be considered by some very poor sport, but I have heard an accomplished deer stalker speak highly of it, and noticed that he had amongst his collection of heads some fine specimens of wild billy goats which had, he affirmed, afforded him excellent sport.

til, as was generally the case, we called the dogs off, knowing that to kill these old veterans would only be wantons laugher, their skins being too rank to be of any use to us. It would take many pages to record all that befell us on this eventful trip, suffice is to say that a morningdawned wet and dismal, when we had to strike camp and start reluctantly back for civilisation again. Our swags were heavy, but we

did not mind

Vol. lI.— No. 8.—40.