2025 Veterans Hunt

We had the absolute privilege of hosting Mark on our 2025 Veterans Hunt. After a lifetime of dedicated service to his country and helping others, it was an honour to welcome him into camp. An avid hunter and passionate explorer, Mark brought an infectious enthusiasm and great sense of humour that made him a pleasure to have around. We are incredibly grateful to have shared this experience with him and thank him for his service.

We kicked off the trip with a range session to ensure Mark was comfortable and confident with the rifle he selected from our lineup for the hunt. Once everything was dialled in, we headed to a local indoor range for a friendly competition using their open-sighted .22 rifles.

With four targets each, it quickly became clear that Mark was in his element. His smile said it all as he comfortably outshot both Chef Liam and me, putting on an impressive display of marksmanship. Safe to say, he dominated the competition and gave us both something to aspire to!

After waiting for a break in the weather, we finally had our opportunity to head into the mountains in pursuit of Himalayan Tahr and chamois. Our original plan was to give Mark the chance to take a bull tahr with his bow, and after a rewarding climb into the alpine, we located a magnificent mature bull surrounded by a large group of nannies.

After carefully assessing the situation, Mark turned with a smile and said, "With a bull that good and that many eyes to get past, it might be time for the long bow—the 6.5 PRC."

With a single, perfectly placed shot, Mark harvested an outstanding old bull, with an exceptional mane.

With the weather keeping us out of the mountains for a couple of days, we made the most of the downtime by exploring some of the best experiences the region has to offer. We spent a day salmon fishing before visiting the renowned Cardrona Distillery for their signature whisky tasting and seasonal tasting menu.

The experience was exceptional from start to finish, showcasing outstanding local produce and craftsmanship. It was easy to see why the Chef Jack Foster and restaurant team had recently been awarded a prestigious Hat in recognition of its outstanding culinary excellence. The whisky was just as good!

After two days of waiting on the weather, our pilot called to let us know we had a window to fly into our remote chamois camp. We wasted no time, loading up and making the most of the opportunity.

Once we landed, camp was quickly established before we headed up the valley, hiking through fresh snow alongside the icy alpine river. It wasn't long before we spotted a rutting chamois buck across the valley, confidently holding his ground and working the face above us.

Using the terrain to our advantage, we carefully closed the distance before briefly losing sight of the buck amongst the boulders. As snow continued to fall, we did our best to keep our optics clear while waiting for another opportunity. Moments later, the buck reappeared—this time much closer, although still across the river.

With the steep mountainside offering little opportunity for a conventional shooting position, we built a stable rest using Mark's backpack. Once he was settled behind the rifle, he found a clear sight picture, made the necessary adjustment, and delivered a perfectly placed shot.

He took a exceptional mature chamois buck—an absolute giant well worth the effort. After crossing the freezing river, we packed the animal back down the valley through the snow to camp.

By the time we returned, it was clear the worsening weather meant we would be spending the night in the mountains. We were certainly grateful we had flown in a supply of firewood, making for a warm and comfortable evening despite the conditions outside.

The following morning, an InReach message from our pilot brought welcome news: a solid weather window had opened for extraction. We packed down camp, loaded our gear, and waited for what we jokingly refer to as our "Sky Uber" to arrive and carry us safely back out of the mountains.

From start to finish, this was an unforgettable adventure and an absolute privilege to be part of. We are incredibly grateful to the hunters who choose to hunt with us each season, as their support makes it possible for us to give back through experiences like our Veterans Hunt.

Being able to share New Zealand's wilderness with those who have dedicated their lives to serving others is something we never take for granted, and we are honoured to continue making these trips possible year after year.