The Old & The New

[Luke]

The 8 months since my last hunt have been both very long and remarkably short.

The time has been filled with relocating to China, a new job etc and all that comes with that, along with having nearly every spare moment consumed with the design and publication of the new magazine.

I returned to the sacred southland in early July and have had a few hunts in the past few weeks.

Starting with an overnighter with Puk and Hefty chasing reds in the Brisbane Valley:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040560.jpg

Then on to South Qld with Paul R chasing some pigs:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040571.jpg

With a little caving thrown in for fun:
Going...
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040573.jpg

Going...
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040580.jpg

Gone?
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040584.jpg

Nah he's back ;)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040585.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040586.jpg

Here's the makeshift "pot belly" we made in the shack after the first night and day were bone chillingly cold:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040594.jpg

The shack we cleaned out and were very thankful for keeping us warm.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040610.jpg

Although no deer or pigs were taken, I enjoyed my time immensely with the boys. Just getting back out in the bush was exactly what the Dr ordered after the hustle and bustle of living amongst 25 million people in Shanghai :)

It was awesome to hunt with good mates again and to catch up on a few more details of life and times since I'd left Oz. A huge thanks to Paul and Puk.

I then had a week in SA where I caught up with Hood, Shalee and Chris for an arvo at the range and a night of pizza and hunting vids at the mansion of hoodlum.

Shalee taking a "tree stand" shot at the range:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040706.jpg

Oops:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040710.jpg

Hood on the rampage:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040701.jpg


It was then off to Wolongong via Brisbane (to pick up the young fella) to catch up with Antonio. We had magazine business on the agenda along with a hardcore jam packed hunting schedule that involved many very early mornings and long drives.

As Ant has already shared in detail, I'll just put up a few extra pics to compliment his thread.

Frank with the spiker shot on the Monday morning we nearly got blown off the mountain. A cracking shot that saw the deer down in only a short distance with a very easy blood trail.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040850.jpg

Ant's 2 eaters at Pego's property:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040857.jpg

Another angle of my 2 billies shot from without moving from the one spot:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040895.jpg

And another:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040905.jpg

Taylor glassing for goats as we took the meat:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040919.jpg


We then headed south to Mozza's to hunt with he and Batesy. I also had the pleasure of meeting Rory and sharing a feed and few beers with him as well.

Mozza taking Taylor in on the rabbit hot spot:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1040993.jpg

The boys sharing the joys of the first recovered coney by Antoin:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050046.jpg

Check the tusks on this killer coney!!!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050038.jpg

A huge thanks to Mozza for putting us up for the night and for taking us to a few coney islands as well. It was great to also be hunting with Batsey again some 4 or so years since we were last in the hills together. Great to meet ya finally Mozz, and John, as always it was a hoot mate ;)

It was a full days hunting and was a long day by the time we got back to Ant's late that evening.

The next day saw us farewell Antonio and drive to Newcastle and catch up with Adam. We geared up his ute and headed for the next desitination arriving at around 9:30pm that evening.

Wasting no time we got the boys to bed, and whilst setting about getting the hunting stuff in order for the next day Adam and I caught up on the past 4 yrs since we too had last hunted together. Boy where did the time go? :eek:

The next morning saw us back in country that we'd hunting together before and it was great to reminisce as we rounded bends and walked gullies that we'd shot game in and shared adventures together in the past.

The first game to fall was the very nice billy to Adam's bow.

Here's one of Adam taking Taylor in on some goats:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050098.jpg

The shot was taken at 20m's but again, it went amiss by merely inches and Taylor only came away with the thrill of the stalk and another lesson to remember for the next time:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050118.jpg

My little billy fell next:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050142.jpg

I also then took a sow and later my first fox which I have been striving to take for a long time.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1010728.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1010757.jpg

Monday was the last day we hunting after seeing Adam, Hunter and his nephew Clint off the night before.

The morning dawn very overcast with low flying cloud shrouding the mountains. We'd had a few showers the day before and with more rain that night any driving on this place was out of the question. I new this for sure as it was the same property Adam and I spent 2 days recovering his ute from near grim death after it had slipped from the side of a mountain track the first time we'd visited the property.

So, Taylor and I set out for the back of the property on foot. We new it would be a big day's walk, but that if we wanted to get him his first kill with the bow today was our last chance and a mammoth effort was called for.

We headed out at 9am with the cloud still very low:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050158.jpg

3/4's of the way up one of the mountains between the shack and the gullies where the pigs and goats live:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050171.jpg

We whistled in 2 foxes on the way over the plateau's. The first coming to 25m's unsighted by me, but in Taylor's full view. It was not until I had stopped whistling that he said "Dad did you see that fox?!!". I said "NO, what fox?". "It was just there Dad" he replied. Turns out Taylor didn't think he'd get a shot off as the fox had him pinned in sight and so didn't want to scare it off by moving. Still he was pumped to see his second fox whistled in 2 days.

We moved off and had another whistle which again brought in a hungry reynard. This one was more wise than the previous and did the 50m arc to pick up our scent before thinking the free feed on offer was not worth the risk and ran off to live another day.

We headed down the back of the mountain then and took a line to intercept one of the several mobs of goats feeding in the bottom of the gully. I was able to get Taylor in to shooting distance (less than 20m's for him) on 4 occasions. He took 2 of the 4 shot opportunities but, as with the previous ones in the other days hunts, was cursed with only shaving hair. In all Taylor must have had about 20 shots on game in the week or so we hunted and each shot was so breathtakingly close one was bemused as to how on earth the were not connecting. :eek:

After we'd stalked one small mob and Taylor had just missed, we sat having a bite to eat. I spied a bachelor mob of moderate billies feeding on the other side of the gully. I had my food and said to Taylor, "OK, my turn" ;)

So, he stayed put with a bunch more to snack on and drink and positioned in a spot where he could watch the hole show unfold. I whipped down the hilly, cross the gully and up the other side. I moved along the hillside and positioned myself about 20m's above the mob as the fed toward me. I picked out the billy I wanted and took my shot angling down at 60 degrees.

The FMJ lead by a Magnus stinger made very short work of this big bodied goat and he only managed 10m's before dropping.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050184.jpg

He was a huge bodied goat and took every ounce of strength I had to position him for pics.

My favourite pic of Taylor and the billy:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050195.jpg

We left the gully at 5pm and amidst rain, some hail and zero light we stumbled our way back to get back to the shack by 7pm. It was a huge day. Taylor and I walked about 8km's and hunted hard for 10hrs. I was immensely proud of such and effort from a boy only 11yrs old.

All in all we have to say that we had a great time hunting with all the boys who graciously took us out.

It was fantastic to get home and be out bush again. I can't wait til next time I can do it with you each again some day.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k205/griffo79/July%2008%20hunting/P1050216.jpg

[Clemo]

Good read and some top picks there mate.:D
How the hell are you going to go back to china after that?:P

[hunt or be hunted]

EXcellent stuff Luke. great photos and nice little write up.

I enjoyed that.





Thanks, Dan.

[Luke]

Thanks boys,
Clemo, I'm wondering that myself mate ;)

Luke

[grimmobow]

fantastic read luke, top pic's as well.
just keep thinking of the next trip, mate.

[MICK_]

Nice work mate, that last pic sitting out the front of the shack is worth more than any kill i reckon.

[Piggy]

A fantastic trip by the looks of it, Antonio some nice Ivory on the rabbit

[Antarcher]

Excellent pics there Luke. I must say I was very impressed with Taylor's perseverence over the whole trip He is going make one fine hunter very soon. It certainly was a trip to rmemebr and all the more for you as you spent it with your son. Glad we could all chuck and make it great for the both of you.

Piggy that bunny was one savage beast. I took all my strength to draw down on such a dangerous foe. I reckon he went all of about 0.5 douglas score. A real ripper of a trophy snaggletooth coney.

[DavidJHardy]

good onya luke and taylor... sounds like a great time

[howie]

Excellent stuff.
Dont forget the sunscreen on those receders! LOL

[killthatpig12]

great story and animals

[Jeffro]

great stuff luke well done on your 1st fox.
some good photos there

[brucester]

Great read and cool picks, can't wait til my youngin is a bit older. Not sure her Mum agrees.
cheers
bruce

[WesT]

Great stuff Luke and Taylor. Well done. Enjoyed the read very much.

[AdamK]

Geez mate, you certainly made up for lost time. What a dream run of hunts. Some great game taken too. Well done.
Just remind Taylor that the misses he experiences now will make his first hit all the sweeter.

[Paul R]

Good read Luke, looks like you blokes had fun down south.
I'm happy I was able to play a small part in your adventures mate, we'll have to do it again next time your over.

[XTfreak]

Good story.
Nice pictures...
Bill

[HOOD]

Great pics Luke though I'm not sure about that fat guy in the red jumper :P

Nice job on your first fox to he's a beauty.

Was good to catch up with you again to, till next time.

Nice job on the nasty little fur ball to Antonio He could quite easly of taken the tip off your little finger. :P

[Luke]

Thanks again to all.

Paul mate, as ever it was a pleasure to hunt with you and likewise am always looking forward to the next time.

Hood, I can't recall seeing Santa there mate, what are you on about LOL :D

The trips we had are certainly testament to the mateship, generosity and hospitality of the blokes on this forum and I am honoured to be able to call these fellas my good friends.

cheers,

Luke

[rory]

Nice one 'Griffin's' :)

Was good to meet you both :)

[Bowdy]

Well done Luke & Taylor,
A great effort young fella to walk around those hills!!
Congrats on your critters.
Some top photos and great story.

Luke,
What is the Sitka Gear like?
Does it breath as good as they say?
What's the cut like for Bow hunting?
What are the pieces of gear you bought??
I have been thinking of getting some for a while now.
Grant.

[Luke]

Thanks Bowdy.

I meant to also reply to a few other Q's on the sitka gear, but it slipped past me with the host of other things I have been catching up on.

I purchased the following items:
Core Zip Tee
Celsius Vest
Ascent Pants (on back order)
Nimbus Jacket
Nimbus Pants
and a Sitka Cap

I have nothing but rave reviews of the gear so far.

I have lived (almost literally) in this gear for the past few weeks of these hunting trips and have been so happy with fit, comfort and performance that I'm seriously considering ordering more items to be shipped with the Ascent Pants when they come into stock.

I did find the Core Zip Tee to perhaps be a tad susceptable to pulling on sharp bushes such as "wait a whiles" or black berries but, then again, most items get hung up on these bowhunter unfriendly shrubs ;)

I wore the gear in warmer bright sunny 25 degree days, cold -8 degree mornings as well as high winds, frost, snow, rain and sleet... so gave it all a good workout. :D

I was most interested in the rain gear and made my purchase with these as the main items. I did wear these in rain, light snow and hail. I was very impressed all round.

Failing that I haven't owned them all that long, but that I believe I've given the gear a solid workout in a variety of situations I do believe this stuff to be as good as the numerous reviews I've read and that it will see me in good stead for a long time to come.

I hope that helps some.

Anyone keen to purchase any gear, please shoot me a PM and I can point you in the direction of a good supplier who will look after you.

cheers,

Luke

[troy]

Good to see you get them hunts in and take a few game with the young bloke Luke. Something he'll remember for life.

[Luke]

Thanks Troy.

[robvic]

Awesome report and photos Luke. Geez you blokes must be able to shoot straight!!