aussiehunter
29-04-06, 09:34 PM
I AM STARING INTO THE EYES OF A RED SPIKE AT 8 METRES, WHO IS THINKING WHAT AM I, AND SHOULD I BE REALLY BE HERE
ITS TAKEN MANY DAYS, WEEKS, YEARS TO REACH THIS DAY, MANY PATIENT HOURS SEARCHING, SCOUTING POTENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE BRISBANE VALLEY REGION. WRITING NUMEROUS LETTERS, ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO HUNT, MANY REJECTIONS, BUT A FEW WHO ARE HAPPY TO SAY YES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME ONCE THE PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN SCOUTED ONLY TO FIND THE AREA HAS NUMEROUS RIFLE SHOOTERS WHO HUNT WITHOUT PERMISSION.
MANY CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, ONLY TO BLOW THE SHOT DUE TO THE OLD BUCK FEVER SYNDROME. LOOKING BACK AT MY MID TWENTIES WITH MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH A NICE DOUBLE 4 STAG. I HAD ARRIVED AT THE PROPERTY AFTER SAYING HI TO THE OWNER. I HAVE WALKED OUT TO A RIDGE ONLY A HUNDRED METERS FROM WHERE I WAS GOING TO CAMP FOR THE NEXT WEEK, SAT DOWN, AND STARTED TO DO A COUPLE MOANS THROUGH MY COW HORN.
IN NO TIME OUT AT ALL, OUT FROM BELOW STRUTS A CURIOUS RED STAG,4 X 4 IM VERY AMAZED, AND AT THE SAME TIME SHOCKED. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW, THE ONLY COVER I HAD WAS A SMALL TREE, LESS THAN 30 CENTIMETERS WIDE, THE STAG IS CURIOUS AND MOVING IN AT 40 METERS, IM SWEATING AND SHAKING.
I TRY TO COMPOSE MYSELF, LEAN OUT FROM AROUND THE TREE, ARROW NOCKED, SHAKILY PLACE THE 40 METER PIN ON HIS CHEST AND RELEASED, TO THIS DAY I DONT KNOW WHERE MY ARROW WENT, EXCEPT TO SAY NOT NEAR THE STAG. IM SURE ANYONE WHO HAS HUNTED RED DEER FOR THE FIRST TIME CAN RELATE, IF YOU HAVEN’T, THEN YOU HAVE THAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
WELL MANY YEARS AND A COUPLE OF ENCOUNTERS HAVE PASSED SINCE THAT DAY, HAVING BEEN OUT OF THE HUNTING SCENE FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS DUE TO LIFE AND WORK COMMITMENTS BUT NEVER LOSING THE PASSION FOR DEER HUNTING WITH THE BOW. WHEN I WAS IN MY EARLY 20’S I MADE A PACT TO MYSELF, I WOULD NEVER SHOOT A DEER WITH A RIFLE TILL I HAD ONE WITH THE BOW, IVE KEPT THAT PACT, AND BASICALLY I HAVE KEPT THAT WITH ALL MY HUNTING EVER SINCE.
THIS BRINGS US BACK TO NOW, HAVING REJOINED MY ARCHERY CLUB ON THE GOLD COAST I STARTED TO CHECK OUT ALL THE NEW FASTER, SMOOTHER BOWS, PLUS CARBON ARROWS AND THE LATEST EQUIPMENT. I SETTLED ON A MATTHEWS LEGACY 70 LBS. I THEN PUT IN SOME SERIOUS PRACTICE, COMBINED WITH COMPETING IN 3D SHOOTS. I FELT IT WAS TIME TO GET BACK ON THE DEER HUNTING TRAIL. AGAIN, MANY MILES, PHONE CALLS AND LUCKILY A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH SOMEONE WHO KNEW SOMEONE.
I GAVE THAT OWNER A CALL AND TO MY SURPRISE AFTER A 5 MINUTES CHAT I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO COME UP AND HUNT. EXCITED WAS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. A TIME WAS AGREED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF, THEN SOME PRE SCOUTING BEFORE THE RUT WAS COMMENCING. ALSO MORE SERIOUS PRACTICE WAS PUT IN, TIME TO SHOOT MY MATTHEWS LEGACY IN WITH SOME SERIOUS BROADHEAD’S, I CHOSE 100 GRAIN THUNDERHEADS, THEY GROUPED WELL AT ALL DISTANCES OUT TO 50 METERS .
I STAYED WITH MY WELL WORN 3D LEAFY CAMO TO WEAR; I HAVE USED IT SUCCESSFULLY ON HUNTS FOR OTHER GAME. I PREFER TO BACKPACK IN, UTILIZING LIGHT WEIGHT GEAR, SUCH AS A GOOD QUALITY COMPACT SLEEPING BAG, I’VE ALSO FOUND A HAMMOCK IS GREAT TO SLEEP IN, KEEPS YOU OFF THE GROUND IN CASE IT RAINS, PLUS IT IS SEALED AGAINST MOSSIES. THIS WAY I CAN STAY OUT FOR A COUPLE DAYS AT A TIME, COVERING MORE GROUND, STAYING IN THE DEER TERRITORY, SLEEPING OUT THERE HEARING THEM ROAR, PLUS SAVES ME A LOT OF WASTED TIME WALKING BACK AND FORTH TO CAMP.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/HAMMOCKUSEDINARTICLE.jpg
SIAM HAMMOCK USED
ON THE SECOND MORNING OF MY HUNT, AFTER STAYING OUT THE NIGHT, I HEAR A DISTANT ROAR, I WORK MY WAY TOWARDS HIM, AS I COME OVER A RIDGE I SPOT TWO HINDS, I GLASS ALL AROUND THEM , BUT SEE NO STAGS. IT IS STILL EARLY IN THE RUT. WATCHING THE WIND I BACK OUT AND HEAD AROUND THE RIDGE STAYING CLEAR OF THE TWO HINDS. IM EXCITED, I HAVE BEEN ON THIS PROPERTY ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ALREADY IM SPOTTING DEER.
I HAVE SEEN A FEW GOOD RUBS ON THE STRINGY BARK TREES AND A COUPLE OF WALLOWS. I HAVE A GOOD FEELING. COULD THIS BE MY YEAR, I HAVE PUT IN THE HARD YARDS. AS I TRAVEL AROUND THE RIDGE, I CROSS OVER THE TOP. THERE IS A LOT OF RUBS, I HEAR A STAG ROAR OFF IN THE DISTANCE, I DECIDE I WILL DROP OVER THE RIDGE, FIND A NICE SPOT TO SIT AND CALL.
I MAKE A COUPLE CALLS, THE STAG FAR OFF REPLIES, BUT SUDDENLY BELOW ME, ANOTHER STAG CALLS BACK. HE IS CLOSE, BUT OUT OF SIGHT. I HAVE STILL MY PACK ON AND NO ARROW NOCKED, I QUICKLY CHANGE THAT. I PLACE MY PACK DOWN, NOCK AN ARROW, AND RANGE SOME TREES AROUND ME WITH MY BUSHNELL RANGEFINDER.
I GIVE ANOTHER COUPLE OF GRUNTS, HE RETURNS MY CALL QUICKLY. HE IS CLOSER NOW. I AM EXCITED BUT IN CONTROL. HE COMES OVER THE RIDGE, I SEE 3 POINTS ON ONE SIDE, AND HE IS NOW 40 METERS OUT AND CLOSING. HE KEEPS ON COMING, THEN CHANGES DIRECTION, STARTS TO HEAD UP THE RIDGE LOOKING FOR THE STAG THAT WAS CALLING HIM. HE HEADS UP THE RIDGE TO THE RIGHT OF ME .THE YOUNG STAG IS AT 30 METERS NOW, BUT STILL WALKING STEADILY IN. AT 20 METERS HE GOES BEHIND A LARGE GUM, I DECIDE NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO DRAW BACK MY 70LB MATTHEWS.
I AM TAKING CALMING BREATHS AT THIS TIME; I HAVE BEEN IN THIS SPOT BEFORE. HE CONTINUES WALKING BROADSIDE OF ME AND STOPS AT APPROX. 8 METERS AWAY, THEN TURNS HIS HEAD TOWARDS ME AND WE FIND WE ARE BOTH STARING INTO EACH OTHER’S EYES. I AM WEARING FULL HEAD CAM, WITH ONLY MY EYES CLEAR, AND I AM AT FULL DRAW. THE RAZOR SHARP 3 BLADED THUNDERHEAD TIPPED SHAFT IS ACHING TO BE RELEASED.
I AM STARING INTO THE EYES OF A RED SPIKE AT 8 METERS, WHO IS THINKING WHAT AM I, AND SHOULD I REALLY BE HERE.
I DECIDE NOW OR NEVER, HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT I AM, BUT HE IS THINKING THIS IS NOT RIGHT, THERE IS A SMALL SAMPLING COVERING SOME OF HIS VITALS BETWEEN US, I TAKE MY EYES AWAY FROM HIS, LEAN EVER SO SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT SO AS TO HAVE A CLEAR SHOT , CENTRE THE PIN BEHIND HIS FRONT SHOULDER, AND RELEASE.
THE THUNDERHEAD TIPPED SHAFT BURIED IN BEHIND HIS SHOULDER, I CAN SEE THE FLETCHES. HE JUMPS, HE DOESN’T KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED, HE IS NOW ABOUT 15 METERS AWAY, STANDING, LOOKING, HE STARTS TO WOBBLE, AND I STAY EVER SO STILL, NOT EVEN WANTING TO BREATH, BUT SO WANTING TO YELL OUT A HUGE YES.
HE THEN BOLTS DOWN THE RIDGE .HIS FINALLY BURST FOR FREEDOM. HE CRASHES, FALLS, ROLLS; I CAN SEE HIS EVERY MOVEMENT. ALL GOES QUIET. I SIT STILL FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES.
SO MANY THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS ARE RACING THROUGH ME NOW AS I WALK DOWN AND FIND HIM PROPPED AGAINST A TREE. HE HAS 3 POINTS ON ONE SIDE AND ONLY 2 ON THE OTHER I WOULD SAY DUE TO AN EARLIER INJURY. HE LATER SCORED 51 POINTS, BUT HE IS MY FIRST RED , I AM PROUD AS CAN BE. NOW TIME TO REMOVE HIS ANTLERS AND PACK OUT THE MEAT.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/REDDEERSTAG51PTS3X2.jpg
3 X 2 RED SPIKE 2004
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/REDDEERSTAG3X2.jpg
SPIKE ALONG WITH CABELAS BACK PACK AND CATQUIVER BACK QUIVER
ITS TAKEN MANY DAYS, WEEKS, YEARS TO REACH THIS DAY, MANY PATIENT HOURS SEARCHING, SCOUTING POTENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE BRISBANE VALLEY REGION. WRITING NUMEROUS LETTERS, ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO HUNT, MANY REJECTIONS, BUT A FEW WHO ARE HAPPY TO SAY YES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME ONCE THE PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN SCOUTED ONLY TO FIND THE AREA HAS NUMEROUS RIFLE SHOOTERS WHO HUNT WITHOUT PERMISSION.
MANY CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, ONLY TO BLOW THE SHOT DUE TO THE OLD BUCK FEVER SYNDROME. LOOKING BACK AT MY MID TWENTIES WITH MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH A NICE DOUBLE 4 STAG. I HAD ARRIVED AT THE PROPERTY AFTER SAYING HI TO THE OWNER. I HAVE WALKED OUT TO A RIDGE ONLY A HUNDRED METERS FROM WHERE I WAS GOING TO CAMP FOR THE NEXT WEEK, SAT DOWN, AND STARTED TO DO A COUPLE MOANS THROUGH MY COW HORN.
IN NO TIME OUT AT ALL, OUT FROM BELOW STRUTS A CURIOUS RED STAG,4 X 4 IM VERY AMAZED, AND AT THE SAME TIME SHOCKED. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW, THE ONLY COVER I HAD WAS A SMALL TREE, LESS THAN 30 CENTIMETERS WIDE, THE STAG IS CURIOUS AND MOVING IN AT 40 METERS, IM SWEATING AND SHAKING.
I TRY TO COMPOSE MYSELF, LEAN OUT FROM AROUND THE TREE, ARROW NOCKED, SHAKILY PLACE THE 40 METER PIN ON HIS CHEST AND RELEASED, TO THIS DAY I DONT KNOW WHERE MY ARROW WENT, EXCEPT TO SAY NOT NEAR THE STAG. IM SURE ANYONE WHO HAS HUNTED RED DEER FOR THE FIRST TIME CAN RELATE, IF YOU HAVEN’T, THEN YOU HAVE THAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
WELL MANY YEARS AND A COUPLE OF ENCOUNTERS HAVE PASSED SINCE THAT DAY, HAVING BEEN OUT OF THE HUNTING SCENE FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS DUE TO LIFE AND WORK COMMITMENTS BUT NEVER LOSING THE PASSION FOR DEER HUNTING WITH THE BOW. WHEN I WAS IN MY EARLY 20’S I MADE A PACT TO MYSELF, I WOULD NEVER SHOOT A DEER WITH A RIFLE TILL I HAD ONE WITH THE BOW, IVE KEPT THAT PACT, AND BASICALLY I HAVE KEPT THAT WITH ALL MY HUNTING EVER SINCE.
THIS BRINGS US BACK TO NOW, HAVING REJOINED MY ARCHERY CLUB ON THE GOLD COAST I STARTED TO CHECK OUT ALL THE NEW FASTER, SMOOTHER BOWS, PLUS CARBON ARROWS AND THE LATEST EQUIPMENT. I SETTLED ON A MATTHEWS LEGACY 70 LBS. I THEN PUT IN SOME SERIOUS PRACTICE, COMBINED WITH COMPETING IN 3D SHOOTS. I FELT IT WAS TIME TO GET BACK ON THE DEER HUNTING TRAIL. AGAIN, MANY MILES, PHONE CALLS AND LUCKILY A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH SOMEONE WHO KNEW SOMEONE.
I GAVE THAT OWNER A CALL AND TO MY SURPRISE AFTER A 5 MINUTES CHAT I WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO COME UP AND HUNT. EXCITED WAS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. A TIME WAS AGREED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF, THEN SOME PRE SCOUTING BEFORE THE RUT WAS COMMENCING. ALSO MORE SERIOUS PRACTICE WAS PUT IN, TIME TO SHOOT MY MATTHEWS LEGACY IN WITH SOME SERIOUS BROADHEAD’S, I CHOSE 100 GRAIN THUNDERHEADS, THEY GROUPED WELL AT ALL DISTANCES OUT TO 50 METERS .
I STAYED WITH MY WELL WORN 3D LEAFY CAMO TO WEAR; I HAVE USED IT SUCCESSFULLY ON HUNTS FOR OTHER GAME. I PREFER TO BACKPACK IN, UTILIZING LIGHT WEIGHT GEAR, SUCH AS A GOOD QUALITY COMPACT SLEEPING BAG, I’VE ALSO FOUND A HAMMOCK IS GREAT TO SLEEP IN, KEEPS YOU OFF THE GROUND IN CASE IT RAINS, PLUS IT IS SEALED AGAINST MOSSIES. THIS WAY I CAN STAY OUT FOR A COUPLE DAYS AT A TIME, COVERING MORE GROUND, STAYING IN THE DEER TERRITORY, SLEEPING OUT THERE HEARING THEM ROAR, PLUS SAVES ME A LOT OF WASTED TIME WALKING BACK AND FORTH TO CAMP.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/HAMMOCKUSEDINARTICLE.jpg
SIAM HAMMOCK USED
ON THE SECOND MORNING OF MY HUNT, AFTER STAYING OUT THE NIGHT, I HEAR A DISTANT ROAR, I WORK MY WAY TOWARDS HIM, AS I COME OVER A RIDGE I SPOT TWO HINDS, I GLASS ALL AROUND THEM , BUT SEE NO STAGS. IT IS STILL EARLY IN THE RUT. WATCHING THE WIND I BACK OUT AND HEAD AROUND THE RIDGE STAYING CLEAR OF THE TWO HINDS. IM EXCITED, I HAVE BEEN ON THIS PROPERTY ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ALREADY IM SPOTTING DEER.
I HAVE SEEN A FEW GOOD RUBS ON THE STRINGY BARK TREES AND A COUPLE OF WALLOWS. I HAVE A GOOD FEELING. COULD THIS BE MY YEAR, I HAVE PUT IN THE HARD YARDS. AS I TRAVEL AROUND THE RIDGE, I CROSS OVER THE TOP. THERE IS A LOT OF RUBS, I HEAR A STAG ROAR OFF IN THE DISTANCE, I DECIDE I WILL DROP OVER THE RIDGE, FIND A NICE SPOT TO SIT AND CALL.
I MAKE A COUPLE CALLS, THE STAG FAR OFF REPLIES, BUT SUDDENLY BELOW ME, ANOTHER STAG CALLS BACK. HE IS CLOSE, BUT OUT OF SIGHT. I HAVE STILL MY PACK ON AND NO ARROW NOCKED, I QUICKLY CHANGE THAT. I PLACE MY PACK DOWN, NOCK AN ARROW, AND RANGE SOME TREES AROUND ME WITH MY BUSHNELL RANGEFINDER.
I GIVE ANOTHER COUPLE OF GRUNTS, HE RETURNS MY CALL QUICKLY. HE IS CLOSER NOW. I AM EXCITED BUT IN CONTROL. HE COMES OVER THE RIDGE, I SEE 3 POINTS ON ONE SIDE, AND HE IS NOW 40 METERS OUT AND CLOSING. HE KEEPS ON COMING, THEN CHANGES DIRECTION, STARTS TO HEAD UP THE RIDGE LOOKING FOR THE STAG THAT WAS CALLING HIM. HE HEADS UP THE RIDGE TO THE RIGHT OF ME .THE YOUNG STAG IS AT 30 METERS NOW, BUT STILL WALKING STEADILY IN. AT 20 METERS HE GOES BEHIND A LARGE GUM, I DECIDE NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO DRAW BACK MY 70LB MATTHEWS.
I AM TAKING CALMING BREATHS AT THIS TIME; I HAVE BEEN IN THIS SPOT BEFORE. HE CONTINUES WALKING BROADSIDE OF ME AND STOPS AT APPROX. 8 METERS AWAY, THEN TURNS HIS HEAD TOWARDS ME AND WE FIND WE ARE BOTH STARING INTO EACH OTHER’S EYES. I AM WEARING FULL HEAD CAM, WITH ONLY MY EYES CLEAR, AND I AM AT FULL DRAW. THE RAZOR SHARP 3 BLADED THUNDERHEAD TIPPED SHAFT IS ACHING TO BE RELEASED.
I AM STARING INTO THE EYES OF A RED SPIKE AT 8 METERS, WHO IS THINKING WHAT AM I, AND SHOULD I REALLY BE HERE.
I DECIDE NOW OR NEVER, HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT I AM, BUT HE IS THINKING THIS IS NOT RIGHT, THERE IS A SMALL SAMPLING COVERING SOME OF HIS VITALS BETWEEN US, I TAKE MY EYES AWAY FROM HIS, LEAN EVER SO SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT SO AS TO HAVE A CLEAR SHOT , CENTRE THE PIN BEHIND HIS FRONT SHOULDER, AND RELEASE.
THE THUNDERHEAD TIPPED SHAFT BURIED IN BEHIND HIS SHOULDER, I CAN SEE THE FLETCHES. HE JUMPS, HE DOESN’T KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED, HE IS NOW ABOUT 15 METERS AWAY, STANDING, LOOKING, HE STARTS TO WOBBLE, AND I STAY EVER SO STILL, NOT EVEN WANTING TO BREATH, BUT SO WANTING TO YELL OUT A HUGE YES.
HE THEN BOLTS DOWN THE RIDGE .HIS FINALLY BURST FOR FREEDOM. HE CRASHES, FALLS, ROLLS; I CAN SEE HIS EVERY MOVEMENT. ALL GOES QUIET. I SIT STILL FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES.
SO MANY THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS ARE RACING THROUGH ME NOW AS I WALK DOWN AND FIND HIM PROPPED AGAINST A TREE. HE HAS 3 POINTS ON ONE SIDE AND ONLY 2 ON THE OTHER I WOULD SAY DUE TO AN EARLIER INJURY. HE LATER SCORED 51 POINTS, BUT HE IS MY FIRST RED , I AM PROUD AS CAN BE. NOW TIME TO REMOVE HIS ANTLERS AND PACK OUT THE MEAT.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/REDDEERSTAG51PTS3X2.jpg
3 X 2 RED SPIKE 2004
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/REDDEERSTAG3X2.jpg
SPIKE ALONG WITH CABELAS BACK PACK AND CATQUIVER BACK QUIVER