About the Tahr
General Information
Tahr are large, sure-footed, wild goat-like mammals native to Asia. Belonging to the bovid family, there are three distinct species: the Himalayan tahr, Nilgiri tahr, and Arabian tahr. They are renowned for their rugged climbing ability, specialized hooves, and thick coats adapted to harsh, mountainous terrain
Description of Tahr
Males measure 4–5.5 feet in length and stand 2–3.3 feet tall at the shoulder. Male Tahr weigh 160–275 pounds, with females being much smaller only weighing 80–160 pounds.
Tahr Species
There are three distinct species of tahr, each native to a different region:
- Himalayan Tahr: The most well-known species, found in the rugged, snowy mountain slopes from Kashmir to Sikkim.
- Nilgiri Tahr: Native to the Western Ghats in southern India, this stocky goat-antelope features a dark coat with a grizzled saddle-shaped patch on the males’ backs.
- Arabian Tahr: The smallest of the three, native to the Hajar Mountains in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
The Himalayan is the only huntable Tahr species of the three. It’s best to hunt Tahr in the late fall or winter when mature males grow a mane of long, luxurious golden hair. The Nilgiri and Arabian species are classified as threatened and endangered.
Suitable Weapons
Any long range cartridge from .6.5 mm up to any of the .30 caliber rifles will work great.
Hunting Area
The Himalayan Tahr can be hunted in parts of Europe, parts of Asia (Nepal), and most notably, New Zealand where a thriving population exists. Free range Tahr in New Zealand can be either hunted on foot or by helicopter in the rugged mountains.
Tahr are also hunted on high fence hunting preserves in Texas.
Trophy Expectations
A trophy Himalayan tahr in New Zealand is judged primarily by the horn length, the quality of its striking winter cape, and the age of the bull.
Horn Length
A trophy bull tahr will have horns measuring around 12 inches. This is considered a classic, mature representative of the species. A premium, record-book-qualifying trophy tahr will measure 13 -15 inches. This size in considered rare and an exceptional trophy.
The Coat
Unlike many big game animals where antler size is everything, a tahr’s coat is often considered the most critical component of the trophy. A prime bull taken between May and July boasts a long, light colored mane and a thick, dark overcoat that makes the animal appear twice its actual physical size. Many hunters value a very old, heavy-bodied bull with slightly shorter or broomed horns over a younger bull with longer, thinner horns.
Age of the Tahr
A trophy mature bull Himalayan tahr is typically 6 to 8+ years old. Judging a bull in the field requires immense skill. Because their sweeping, backward-curving horns are relatively short compared to their massive body mass, hunters rely heavily on experienced guides to count horn growth rings and assess the thickness of the horn bases before taking a shot.
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