aussiehunter
30-04-06, 09:41 AM
AS I CAME UP OUT OF THE SHADOWY SANDY CREEK, SLIPPING IN BEHIND THE SHOULDER HEIGHT BLADE GRASS, CHECKING THE WIND, I COULD SEE A FINE RUSA STAG 30INCH PLUS RESTING. ONLY PROBLEM WAS HE WAS IN A MOB OF 20 PLUS HINDS AND SPIKES, AT LEAST THEY DIDN’T KNOW I WAS THERE YET!!!
AFTER EARLIER THIS YEAR IN SUCCESSFULLY TAKING MY FIRST RED , A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE FOR MANY YEARS AND A VERY SUCCESSFUL DEER HUNTER, DARRYL BULGER APPROACHED ME. KNOWING HOW KEEN I AM TO HUNT DEER, ASK AWOULD YOU LIKE TO HUNT JAVAN RUSA ?
I SAID SURE, BUT I WOULD I NOT HAVE TO GO TO NEW CALEDONIA? NO CLOSER THAN YOU THINK AND IN GOOD NUMBERS AND EXCELLENT TROPHY SIZE, HE REPLIED." TELL ME MORE I SAID."
I WAS DIRECTED TO THE OWNERS THAT RUN 3 DAY FULLY GUIDED HUNTS FOR JAVAN RUSA. ESTABLISHED HERDS FOR OVER 7 YEARS. RUNNING WILD AND UNFENCED ON THEIR JIMNA 10,000 ACRE PROPERTY. I THOUGHT WOW, SOUNDS EXCITING AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, SO I GAVE THEM A CALL.
DATES WERE SET JUST AS THE RUT WOULD BE STARTING, A GOOD TIME TO HUNT, THEIR CAPES WOULD NOT BE THRASHED, MAKING A GOOD HEAD MOUNT IF I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN TAKING A TROPHY. ALBEN AND GLEN OFFERS TWO STAGS WHILST ON A 3 DAY HUNT. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF I WAS ABLE TO TAKE ONE STAG LET ALONE TWO. VERY COMFORTABLE CABINS ARE PROVIDED, AND EXCELLENT HOME COOKED MEALS SHARED WITH THE FAMILY, LIKE BEING BACK AT HOME WITH MUM.
I WOULD BE USING MY MATTHEWS LEGACY, WHICH DID A FINE JOB ON MY RED TAKEN EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE ONLY CHANGE I MADE WAS TO SWAP FROM THUNDERHEADS BROAD HEADS TO FIRST CUT 100 GRAIN MECHANICAL BROAD HEADS. THESE BROAD HEADS FLY EXACTLY THE SAME POINT OF IMPACT AS YOUR 100 GRAIN FIELD POINTS AND CUT ON CONTACT. THEY PROVED LETHAL AS YOU READ ON. I ALSO STAYED WITH MY LEAFY 3D CAMO GEAR.
I ARRIVED THURSDAY AFTERNOON TO BE GOOD AND READY TO START MY HUNTING FRIDAY MORNING, ONLY TO FIND ALBEN WAS KEEN TO TAKE ME OUT STRAIGHT AWAY TO FIND A POTENTIAL TROPHY. THERE WERE QUITE A FEW HERDS IN NEAR DISTANCE TO THE FAMILY HOMESTEAD; I KNEW I WAS IN FOR A GOOD HUNT.
DAY 1.FRIDAY MORNING I WAS UP EARLY, KEEN AND EXCITED FOR THE DAY TO COME. WE SPENT THE NIGHT BEFORE TALKING ABOUT RUSA HABITS, BEING TOLD THE RUSA HINDS ARE THREE TIMES AS WARY AS RED, I KNEW IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE EASY. AFTER A CUP OF COFFEE AND SOME TOAST WE HEADED OUT TO FIND SOME GOOD STAGS.
WELL IT WAS NOT LONG AND WE FOUND A SUITABLE STAG TO STALK ON, HE WAS LAYING OUT ON HIS OWN TAKING IN THE MORNING SUN, DID I FORGET TO TELL YOU HOW COLD IT WAS, MINUS 2 AT 6AM. SO AFTER A GOOD 150 METER CRAWL BRINGING ME INTO APPROX. 40 METERS. I DECIDED TO RANGE HIM FIRST SO I AM SURE OF MY SHOT. HE KNEW SOMETHING WAS AMISS, AS I NOCKED MY CARBON SHAFT TIPPED WITH A FIRST CUT BROAD HEAD. I DREW BACK MY LEGACY AS I SLOWLY ROSE UP OUT OF THE WET FROSTY GRASS BESIDE AN OLD WOODEN POST.
AS I DID HE STOOD AND MOVE BACK 5 METERS STANDING BROADSIDE. HIS HEAD HELD HIGH, HIS NECK WAS THICK AND BULGING. TAKING A CALMING BREATH I SETTLED THE 40 METER PIN SLIGHTLY HIGH BEHIND HIS SHOULDER ALLOWING FOR THE EXTRA DISTANCE. I RELEASED AND THE ARROW FLEW BEAUTIFUL, STRAIGHT PASS HIS CHEST.
HE HAD TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT AS I RELEASED, SO THE ARROW WENT HARMLESSLY PAST HIM. I HAD WASTED TIME RANGING, MAYBE SOME NERVES, BUT HEY THIS IS DEER HUNTING. I FOUND THE ARROW INTACT IN THE DIRT SHORTLY AFTER. I AM HAPPY WITH A CLEAN MISS RATHER THAN A BAD SHOT ANY DAY…
WOW, FIRST MORNING, NOT ONLY SEEN A NICE STAG, BUT HAD A STALK. I WAS EXCITED. ALBIEN ASSURED ME I WILL GET ANOTHER CHANCE. WHAT WAS TO COME WAS AMAZING.
WE HEADED BACK TO A COOKED HOT BREAKFAST AND TO DISCUSS OUR NEXT PLAN OF ATTACK. WE HEADED OUT AGAIN, SAW SOME OTHER HERDS AND POTENTIAL STAGS, A COUPLE OF OTHER STALKS WERE ATTEMPTED, BUT THE HINDS LIVED UP TO THERE NAME. MAN THEY ARE ON THE BALL
AN EVENING OF GOOD CONVERSATION, WINE, FOOD AND SOME HUNTING VIDEOS PASSED THE NIGHT AWAY. A BIG CHANGE TO WHAT I AM USE TO, SLEEPING IN A HAMMOCK HIGH UP ON A RIDGE, ON YOUR OWN, NORMALLY A TIN OF BEANS FOR DINNER. I COULD GET USE TO THIS….
DAY 2.SECOND MORNING WE ARE OUT EARLY AGAIN. WE SPOT AFTER SOME TIME OUT A RESPECTABLE STAG AND THREE HINDS MOVING ALONG A RIDGE , TRAVELING ON ONE OF THEIR REGULARLY TRAILS. WE DECIDE TO TAKE A PUNT AND INTERCEPT THEM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CREEK, IF THEY STAY ON THERE PRESENT COURSE. AFTER SOME TIME WE SEE THE PARTY OF 4 HEAD DOWN INTO THE CREEK. WE WAIT FOR AWHILE, BUT THEY HAVE NOT COME OUT, WE TALK AND DECIDE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.
AS WE GET APPROX. 150 METERS FROM THE CREEK WE SPOT THE STAG ON HIS OWN FEEDING. THE THREE HINDS ARE SEEN HEADING UP THE CREEK. HE BEDS DOWN; THE WIND IS MY FAVOR .I GO IN FOR THE STALK. AT 50 METERS I NOCK AN ARROW ON TO MY DROP AWAY REST, CAREFUL TO MAKE NO NOISE. WATCHING MY EVERY STEP, I STALK IN USING SMALL GUMS AS COVER. I CAREFULLY PLACE MY FEET SO NOT TO CRACK A TWIG OR CRUSH TOO MANY DRY LEAVES. I CONTROL MY BREATHING AND KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE SETTLED STAG, CHECKING EVERYTHING AS I CREEP IN CLOSER.
NATURALLY I LIKE TO GET IN AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE, TO INCREASE MY CHANCES OF A CLEAN AND QUICK KILL. I FELT IF I CAN NARROW THE DISTANCE TO A NICE 30 METERS OR LESS I WOULD FEEL VERY CONFIDENT IN PLACING A RAZOR SHARP BROAD HEAD INTO THE STAG VITALS.
MY STAG IS STILL LYING DOWN, OBVIOUSLY HAD A BIG NIGHT WITH HIS LITTLE HAREM. I GET INTO APPROX. 30 METERS FROM HIM AND HE DECIDES TO STAND AND STRETCH HIS LEGS. HE DOESN’T KNOW I AM THERE, I DRAW BACK THE 70 LB MATTHEWS AS HIS HEAD GOES BEHIND A SMALL TREE, AND I SETTLE MY 30 METER PIN ON BEHIND HIS SHOULDER. IT IS GOING TO BE A SLIGHTLY BROADSIDE QUARTERING AWAY SHOT.
I TAKE A BREATH AND RELAX, PURELY FOCUSING ON THE SPOT BEHIND HIS SHOULDER, I TELL MYSELF TAKE YOUR TIME ITS ALL GOOD.
I RELEASE, THE ARROW FLIES TRUE. HE JUMPS SLIGHTLY AS THE ARROWS HIT, HE TURNS AND I CAN SEE THE ARROW OUT THROUGH HIS OPPOSITE SHOULDER. IT IS A NICE SOLID DOUBLE LUNG SHOT, IT WILL ONLY BE A SHORT TIME TILL HE WILL FEEL THE EFFECTS OF A WELL PLACED RAZOR SHARP BROAD HEAD. HE ONLY TRAVELS 20 METERS AT A SLOW UNEASY WALK AND GOES TO HIS KNEES AND RESTS FOR HIS FINAL TIME.
I AM SO EXCITED, A CLEAN PERFECT SHOT, WHAT A FINE ANIMAL, BEAUTIFUL CONDITION, IN HIS PRIME. ALBIEN COMES UP AND SUGGEST WE TAKE HIM UP ON THE RIDGE SO WE CAN TAKE SOME NICE PHOTOS. HE GOES BACK FOR THE CRUISER AS I SIT DOWN WITH THIS FINE ANIMAL AND ADMIRE HIM .
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/rusa5.jpg
I CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT HOW WELL EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE AFTER MY LAST COUPLE OF STALKS. IT IS WHAT EVERY BOWHUNTER STRIVES FOR , TO GET AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE AND PLACE A RAZOR SHARP BROAD HEAD INTO THE VITALS OF WHATEVER YOUR GAME MAY BE TO DELIVER A CLEAN , QUICK KILL.
AFTER PHOTOS WE HEAD BACK TO THE HOMESTEAD AND DRESS OUT THE RUSA STAG. SUCH A GREAT SET UP HERE AT DIAPER STATION, NOT ONLY CAN YOU TAKE A GREAT TROPHY STAG BUT YOU CAN TAKE THE MEAT HOME IF YOU WISH. AS I ONLY LIVE AN HOUR AND HALF DRIVE AWAY AND I HAVE A GREAT SIZE FREEZER AT HOME, I WAS NOT GOING TO WASTE ANY, PLUS MY CATTLE DOG KELLY WILL LOVE THE BONES .BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY RUSA VENISON IS SUPERB.
WELL IT IS DAY TWO, 10AM AND I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SHOT A FINE RUSA STAG, HE WAS LATER MEASURED BY DARRYL BULGER SCORING 172 & 4/8THS DOUGLAS POINTS, BUT THE TRIP IS NOT OVER YET. ALBIEN HAS A GOOD FRIEND/PARTNER AND A WELL RESPECTED BOW HUNTER HIMSELF COMING UP TO TAKE ME OUT FOR THE NEXT DAY AND A HALF, KNOWN AS GLEN CARSON. WELL NO SOONER MENTIONING GLEN’S NAME, HE DRIVES UP TO THE HOMESTEAD.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/IMGA0437.jpg
FIRSTCUT 100 G BROADHEADS
WELL AFTER THE G'DAYS, SHOWING OFF MY FIRST RUSA, WE ARE HEADING OUT AGAIN. GLEN SAYS NOW LETS GET A REAL CORKER. I THINK THERE IS SOME FRIENDLY RIVAL BETWEEN THE TWO. WE HEAD OUT TO SOME NEW COUNTRY, AND WE SPOT A PAIR OF FALLOW BUCKS. I WENT WOW THAT WOULD BE A BONUS TO HAVE A HUNT ON FALLOW.
GLEN SAYS LETS GO THEN, BUT TO KEEP THE STORY SHORT, AFTER A LENGTHY STALK AND SOME GREAT SPOTTING BY GLEN, I MANAGED TO PLACE MYSELF LESS THAN 35 METERS AWAY FROM THE TWO FALLOW BUCKS, BUT AS DEER HUNTING OFTEN ENDS UP, AS I WENT FOR THE DRAW BACK, THEY DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO HIT HEAVY COVER.
I WAS STILL STOKED, HAVING THE CHANCE TO STALK THEM AND GETTING IN CLOSE ENOUGH FOR A SHOT. I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD IN HUNTING THEM NEXT YEAR.
END OF DAY TWO,TIME FOR A SHOWER, A FEED AND A COUPLE COLD BEERS, FOLLOWED BY SOME RED WINE. DID I MENTION IT IS A STRICT HOUSE RULE THAT YOU MUST BRING A BOTTLE OR TWO OF RED WINE.
DAY 3.FINAL MORNING, AS USUAL UP AND READY TO GO AFTER A CUP OF COFFEE ETC. CARLO AND MYSELF HEAD OUT, WE TRAVEL FOR AWHILE, NOTHING EXTRAORDINARY STANDING OUT. IT’S MY LAST DAY, BUT I ONLY WISH TO SHOOT A STAG BETTER THAN MY LAST, IF NOT I FEEL I'M VERY BLESSED WITH MY FIRST RUSA, BUT THE GODS ARE WITH ME TODAY, WE SPOT A FINE STAG, THE ONLY PROBLEM HE HAS QUITE A HERD ABOUT HIM.
WE PLAN THE STALK, DECIDE TO COME UP OUT OF THE CREEK, USING THE TALL GRASS AND SHADOWS AS COVER. ALL GOES WELL, BUT THE SHOT IS GOING TO BE A GOOD 35 METERS, I'M FEELING CONFIDENT, BEEN PRACTICING WELL OUT TO 50 METERS FOR MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE HUNT. THE STAG HAS NO IDEA I AM THERE, I HAVE NUMEROUS SPIKES AND DOES FROM 8 METERS TO 20 METERS CLOSE TO ME. THEY ALSO ARE BUSY FEEDING.
THE WIND IS IN MY FAVOR, I DRAW BACK, TAKING IN A RELAXING BREATH, CONCENTRATING ONLY ON WHERE I NEED TO PLACE THIS ARROW, BLOCKING OUT ALL OTHER THOUGHTS AND MOVEMENTS FROM THE OTHER DEER CLOSE TO ME.
I FEEL LIKE I AM AT FULL DRAW FOR OVER TWO MINUTES, AS I WAIT FOR A CLEAN SHOT, FINALLY NO OTHER DEER ARE BEHIND HIM OR IN FRONT OF HIM. THE MOMENT COMES, IT’S ALL GOOD, AND I FEEL GOOD, THE SHOT GOES OFF BEAUTIFULLY. AS ARCHERS WE ALL KNOW WHEN WE HAVE HAD THAT PERFECT SHOT, IT FEELS GOOD. THE ARROW DROVE BEAUTIFULLY INTO HIS CHEST.
ALL THE OTHER DEER KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS AMISS, AND START TO SOUND THE ALARM. MY STAG IS MORTALLY WOUNDED, HE IS UNABLE TO FLEE, AND HE TAKES ONLY A FEW STEPS, TRAVELING ONLY APPROX. 5 METERS AND LAYS DOWN FOR HIS FINAL TIME. THE FIRST CUT BROAD HEAD HAS PENETRATED DEEPLY INTO HIS CHEST. AFTERWARDS IT WAS FOUND THAT IT HAD HIT DEAD CENTRE OF HIS HEART PLUS CUT LOWER PARTS OF HIS LUNGS.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/RUSA197.gif
I AM IN AWE; THIS STAG IS A CORKER AS CARLO WOULD SAY… AGAIN A BEAUTIFUL CLEAN SHOT, A BIT LONGER SHOT THAN I WOULD NORMALLY TAKE, BUT THE CONDITIONS WERE GOOD, THE STAG HAD NO IDEA WE WERE THERE AND I WAS FEELING CONFIDENT. WHAT A MARVELOUS 3 DAYS AND A GREAT YEAR.
EARLIER THIS YEAR HAD TAKEN MY FIRST RED AND NOW A FEW MONTHS LATER TWO GRAND JAVA RUSA STAGS. THIS FINE STAG MEASURED OUT AT 197 AND 6/8THS DOUGLAS POINTS, AGAIN MEASURED WITH THANKS TO DARRYL BULGER. BOTH HEADS WERE CAPPED AND TAKEN TO TONY BIANCO AT MALENY WHO HAS DONE A SUPERB JOB ON MOUNTING THE TWO. THEY BOTH NOW HANG PROUDLY IN MY HOME.
WELL THIS WAS MY FIRST GUIDED HUNT, AND I WAS SO IMPRESSED I BOOKED INTO A RED DEER HUNT IN 2005, PLUS ANOTHER RUSA HUNT, ONLY THIS TIME LOOKING FORWARD IN TAKING MY PARTNER MICHELLE ALONG AS WOMEN ARE CATERED AND WELCOMED.
FOR SOME OF US THAT HAVE BUSY COMMITMENTS ETC, HAVING EVERYTHING IN PLACE AND ORGANIZE MEANS YOU CAN JUST CONCENTRATE ON THE HUNTING. SO I FEEL IT IS A GREAT OPTION TO LOOK AT.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/rusamounted176.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/rusamounted197.jpg
AFTER EARLIER THIS YEAR IN SUCCESSFULLY TAKING MY FIRST RED , A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE FOR MANY YEARS AND A VERY SUCCESSFUL DEER HUNTER, DARRYL BULGER APPROACHED ME. KNOWING HOW KEEN I AM TO HUNT DEER, ASK AWOULD YOU LIKE TO HUNT JAVAN RUSA ?
I SAID SURE, BUT I WOULD I NOT HAVE TO GO TO NEW CALEDONIA? NO CLOSER THAN YOU THINK AND IN GOOD NUMBERS AND EXCELLENT TROPHY SIZE, HE REPLIED." TELL ME MORE I SAID."
I WAS DIRECTED TO THE OWNERS THAT RUN 3 DAY FULLY GUIDED HUNTS FOR JAVAN RUSA. ESTABLISHED HERDS FOR OVER 7 YEARS. RUNNING WILD AND UNFENCED ON THEIR JIMNA 10,000 ACRE PROPERTY. I THOUGHT WOW, SOUNDS EXCITING AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, SO I GAVE THEM A CALL.
DATES WERE SET JUST AS THE RUT WOULD BE STARTING, A GOOD TIME TO HUNT, THEIR CAPES WOULD NOT BE THRASHED, MAKING A GOOD HEAD MOUNT IF I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN TAKING A TROPHY. ALBEN AND GLEN OFFERS TWO STAGS WHILST ON A 3 DAY HUNT. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF I WAS ABLE TO TAKE ONE STAG LET ALONE TWO. VERY COMFORTABLE CABINS ARE PROVIDED, AND EXCELLENT HOME COOKED MEALS SHARED WITH THE FAMILY, LIKE BEING BACK AT HOME WITH MUM.
I WOULD BE USING MY MATTHEWS LEGACY, WHICH DID A FINE JOB ON MY RED TAKEN EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE ONLY CHANGE I MADE WAS TO SWAP FROM THUNDERHEADS BROAD HEADS TO FIRST CUT 100 GRAIN MECHANICAL BROAD HEADS. THESE BROAD HEADS FLY EXACTLY THE SAME POINT OF IMPACT AS YOUR 100 GRAIN FIELD POINTS AND CUT ON CONTACT. THEY PROVED LETHAL AS YOU READ ON. I ALSO STAYED WITH MY LEAFY 3D CAMO GEAR.
I ARRIVED THURSDAY AFTERNOON TO BE GOOD AND READY TO START MY HUNTING FRIDAY MORNING, ONLY TO FIND ALBEN WAS KEEN TO TAKE ME OUT STRAIGHT AWAY TO FIND A POTENTIAL TROPHY. THERE WERE QUITE A FEW HERDS IN NEAR DISTANCE TO THE FAMILY HOMESTEAD; I KNEW I WAS IN FOR A GOOD HUNT.
DAY 1.FRIDAY MORNING I WAS UP EARLY, KEEN AND EXCITED FOR THE DAY TO COME. WE SPENT THE NIGHT BEFORE TALKING ABOUT RUSA HABITS, BEING TOLD THE RUSA HINDS ARE THREE TIMES AS WARY AS RED, I KNEW IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE EASY. AFTER A CUP OF COFFEE AND SOME TOAST WE HEADED OUT TO FIND SOME GOOD STAGS.
WELL IT WAS NOT LONG AND WE FOUND A SUITABLE STAG TO STALK ON, HE WAS LAYING OUT ON HIS OWN TAKING IN THE MORNING SUN, DID I FORGET TO TELL YOU HOW COLD IT WAS, MINUS 2 AT 6AM. SO AFTER A GOOD 150 METER CRAWL BRINGING ME INTO APPROX. 40 METERS. I DECIDED TO RANGE HIM FIRST SO I AM SURE OF MY SHOT. HE KNEW SOMETHING WAS AMISS, AS I NOCKED MY CARBON SHAFT TIPPED WITH A FIRST CUT BROAD HEAD. I DREW BACK MY LEGACY AS I SLOWLY ROSE UP OUT OF THE WET FROSTY GRASS BESIDE AN OLD WOODEN POST.
AS I DID HE STOOD AND MOVE BACK 5 METERS STANDING BROADSIDE. HIS HEAD HELD HIGH, HIS NECK WAS THICK AND BULGING. TAKING A CALMING BREATH I SETTLED THE 40 METER PIN SLIGHTLY HIGH BEHIND HIS SHOULDER ALLOWING FOR THE EXTRA DISTANCE. I RELEASED AND THE ARROW FLEW BEAUTIFUL, STRAIGHT PASS HIS CHEST.
HE HAD TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT AS I RELEASED, SO THE ARROW WENT HARMLESSLY PAST HIM. I HAD WASTED TIME RANGING, MAYBE SOME NERVES, BUT HEY THIS IS DEER HUNTING. I FOUND THE ARROW INTACT IN THE DIRT SHORTLY AFTER. I AM HAPPY WITH A CLEAN MISS RATHER THAN A BAD SHOT ANY DAY…
WOW, FIRST MORNING, NOT ONLY SEEN A NICE STAG, BUT HAD A STALK. I WAS EXCITED. ALBIEN ASSURED ME I WILL GET ANOTHER CHANCE. WHAT WAS TO COME WAS AMAZING.
WE HEADED BACK TO A COOKED HOT BREAKFAST AND TO DISCUSS OUR NEXT PLAN OF ATTACK. WE HEADED OUT AGAIN, SAW SOME OTHER HERDS AND POTENTIAL STAGS, A COUPLE OF OTHER STALKS WERE ATTEMPTED, BUT THE HINDS LIVED UP TO THERE NAME. MAN THEY ARE ON THE BALL
AN EVENING OF GOOD CONVERSATION, WINE, FOOD AND SOME HUNTING VIDEOS PASSED THE NIGHT AWAY. A BIG CHANGE TO WHAT I AM USE TO, SLEEPING IN A HAMMOCK HIGH UP ON A RIDGE, ON YOUR OWN, NORMALLY A TIN OF BEANS FOR DINNER. I COULD GET USE TO THIS….
DAY 2.SECOND MORNING WE ARE OUT EARLY AGAIN. WE SPOT AFTER SOME TIME OUT A RESPECTABLE STAG AND THREE HINDS MOVING ALONG A RIDGE , TRAVELING ON ONE OF THEIR REGULARLY TRAILS. WE DECIDE TO TAKE A PUNT AND INTERCEPT THEM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CREEK, IF THEY STAY ON THERE PRESENT COURSE. AFTER SOME TIME WE SEE THE PARTY OF 4 HEAD DOWN INTO THE CREEK. WE WAIT FOR AWHILE, BUT THEY HAVE NOT COME OUT, WE TALK AND DECIDE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.
AS WE GET APPROX. 150 METERS FROM THE CREEK WE SPOT THE STAG ON HIS OWN FEEDING. THE THREE HINDS ARE SEEN HEADING UP THE CREEK. HE BEDS DOWN; THE WIND IS MY FAVOR .I GO IN FOR THE STALK. AT 50 METERS I NOCK AN ARROW ON TO MY DROP AWAY REST, CAREFUL TO MAKE NO NOISE. WATCHING MY EVERY STEP, I STALK IN USING SMALL GUMS AS COVER. I CAREFULLY PLACE MY FEET SO NOT TO CRACK A TWIG OR CRUSH TOO MANY DRY LEAVES. I CONTROL MY BREATHING AND KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE SETTLED STAG, CHECKING EVERYTHING AS I CREEP IN CLOSER.
NATURALLY I LIKE TO GET IN AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE, TO INCREASE MY CHANCES OF A CLEAN AND QUICK KILL. I FELT IF I CAN NARROW THE DISTANCE TO A NICE 30 METERS OR LESS I WOULD FEEL VERY CONFIDENT IN PLACING A RAZOR SHARP BROAD HEAD INTO THE STAG VITALS.
MY STAG IS STILL LYING DOWN, OBVIOUSLY HAD A BIG NIGHT WITH HIS LITTLE HAREM. I GET INTO APPROX. 30 METERS FROM HIM AND HE DECIDES TO STAND AND STRETCH HIS LEGS. HE DOESN’T KNOW I AM THERE, I DRAW BACK THE 70 LB MATTHEWS AS HIS HEAD GOES BEHIND A SMALL TREE, AND I SETTLE MY 30 METER PIN ON BEHIND HIS SHOULDER. IT IS GOING TO BE A SLIGHTLY BROADSIDE QUARTERING AWAY SHOT.
I TAKE A BREATH AND RELAX, PURELY FOCUSING ON THE SPOT BEHIND HIS SHOULDER, I TELL MYSELF TAKE YOUR TIME ITS ALL GOOD.
I RELEASE, THE ARROW FLIES TRUE. HE JUMPS SLIGHTLY AS THE ARROWS HIT, HE TURNS AND I CAN SEE THE ARROW OUT THROUGH HIS OPPOSITE SHOULDER. IT IS A NICE SOLID DOUBLE LUNG SHOT, IT WILL ONLY BE A SHORT TIME TILL HE WILL FEEL THE EFFECTS OF A WELL PLACED RAZOR SHARP BROAD HEAD. HE ONLY TRAVELS 20 METERS AT A SLOW UNEASY WALK AND GOES TO HIS KNEES AND RESTS FOR HIS FINAL TIME.
I AM SO EXCITED, A CLEAN PERFECT SHOT, WHAT A FINE ANIMAL, BEAUTIFUL CONDITION, IN HIS PRIME. ALBIEN COMES UP AND SUGGEST WE TAKE HIM UP ON THE RIDGE SO WE CAN TAKE SOME NICE PHOTOS. HE GOES BACK FOR THE CRUISER AS I SIT DOWN WITH THIS FINE ANIMAL AND ADMIRE HIM .
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/rusa5.jpg
I CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT HOW WELL EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE AFTER MY LAST COUPLE OF STALKS. IT IS WHAT EVERY BOWHUNTER STRIVES FOR , TO GET AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE AND PLACE A RAZOR SHARP BROAD HEAD INTO THE VITALS OF WHATEVER YOUR GAME MAY BE TO DELIVER A CLEAN , QUICK KILL.
AFTER PHOTOS WE HEAD BACK TO THE HOMESTEAD AND DRESS OUT THE RUSA STAG. SUCH A GREAT SET UP HERE AT DIAPER STATION, NOT ONLY CAN YOU TAKE A GREAT TROPHY STAG BUT YOU CAN TAKE THE MEAT HOME IF YOU WISH. AS I ONLY LIVE AN HOUR AND HALF DRIVE AWAY AND I HAVE A GREAT SIZE FREEZER AT HOME, I WAS NOT GOING TO WASTE ANY, PLUS MY CATTLE DOG KELLY WILL LOVE THE BONES .BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY RUSA VENISON IS SUPERB.
WELL IT IS DAY TWO, 10AM AND I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SHOT A FINE RUSA STAG, HE WAS LATER MEASURED BY DARRYL BULGER SCORING 172 & 4/8THS DOUGLAS POINTS, BUT THE TRIP IS NOT OVER YET. ALBIEN HAS A GOOD FRIEND/PARTNER AND A WELL RESPECTED BOW HUNTER HIMSELF COMING UP TO TAKE ME OUT FOR THE NEXT DAY AND A HALF, KNOWN AS GLEN CARSON. WELL NO SOONER MENTIONING GLEN’S NAME, HE DRIVES UP TO THE HOMESTEAD.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/IMGA0437.jpg
FIRSTCUT 100 G BROADHEADS
WELL AFTER THE G'DAYS, SHOWING OFF MY FIRST RUSA, WE ARE HEADING OUT AGAIN. GLEN SAYS NOW LETS GET A REAL CORKER. I THINK THERE IS SOME FRIENDLY RIVAL BETWEEN THE TWO. WE HEAD OUT TO SOME NEW COUNTRY, AND WE SPOT A PAIR OF FALLOW BUCKS. I WENT WOW THAT WOULD BE A BONUS TO HAVE A HUNT ON FALLOW.
GLEN SAYS LETS GO THEN, BUT TO KEEP THE STORY SHORT, AFTER A LENGTHY STALK AND SOME GREAT SPOTTING BY GLEN, I MANAGED TO PLACE MYSELF LESS THAN 35 METERS AWAY FROM THE TWO FALLOW BUCKS, BUT AS DEER HUNTING OFTEN ENDS UP, AS I WENT FOR THE DRAW BACK, THEY DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO HIT HEAVY COVER.
I WAS STILL STOKED, HAVING THE CHANCE TO STALK THEM AND GETTING IN CLOSE ENOUGH FOR A SHOT. I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD IN HUNTING THEM NEXT YEAR.
END OF DAY TWO,TIME FOR A SHOWER, A FEED AND A COUPLE COLD BEERS, FOLLOWED BY SOME RED WINE. DID I MENTION IT IS A STRICT HOUSE RULE THAT YOU MUST BRING A BOTTLE OR TWO OF RED WINE.
DAY 3.FINAL MORNING, AS USUAL UP AND READY TO GO AFTER A CUP OF COFFEE ETC. CARLO AND MYSELF HEAD OUT, WE TRAVEL FOR AWHILE, NOTHING EXTRAORDINARY STANDING OUT. IT’S MY LAST DAY, BUT I ONLY WISH TO SHOOT A STAG BETTER THAN MY LAST, IF NOT I FEEL I'M VERY BLESSED WITH MY FIRST RUSA, BUT THE GODS ARE WITH ME TODAY, WE SPOT A FINE STAG, THE ONLY PROBLEM HE HAS QUITE A HERD ABOUT HIM.
WE PLAN THE STALK, DECIDE TO COME UP OUT OF THE CREEK, USING THE TALL GRASS AND SHADOWS AS COVER. ALL GOES WELL, BUT THE SHOT IS GOING TO BE A GOOD 35 METERS, I'M FEELING CONFIDENT, BEEN PRACTICING WELL OUT TO 50 METERS FOR MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE HUNT. THE STAG HAS NO IDEA I AM THERE, I HAVE NUMEROUS SPIKES AND DOES FROM 8 METERS TO 20 METERS CLOSE TO ME. THEY ALSO ARE BUSY FEEDING.
THE WIND IS IN MY FAVOR, I DRAW BACK, TAKING IN A RELAXING BREATH, CONCENTRATING ONLY ON WHERE I NEED TO PLACE THIS ARROW, BLOCKING OUT ALL OTHER THOUGHTS AND MOVEMENTS FROM THE OTHER DEER CLOSE TO ME.
I FEEL LIKE I AM AT FULL DRAW FOR OVER TWO MINUTES, AS I WAIT FOR A CLEAN SHOT, FINALLY NO OTHER DEER ARE BEHIND HIM OR IN FRONT OF HIM. THE MOMENT COMES, IT’S ALL GOOD, AND I FEEL GOOD, THE SHOT GOES OFF BEAUTIFULLY. AS ARCHERS WE ALL KNOW WHEN WE HAVE HAD THAT PERFECT SHOT, IT FEELS GOOD. THE ARROW DROVE BEAUTIFULLY INTO HIS CHEST.
ALL THE OTHER DEER KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS AMISS, AND START TO SOUND THE ALARM. MY STAG IS MORTALLY WOUNDED, HE IS UNABLE TO FLEE, AND HE TAKES ONLY A FEW STEPS, TRAVELING ONLY APPROX. 5 METERS AND LAYS DOWN FOR HIS FINAL TIME. THE FIRST CUT BROAD HEAD HAS PENETRATED DEEPLY INTO HIS CHEST. AFTERWARDS IT WAS FOUND THAT IT HAD HIT DEAD CENTRE OF HIS HEART PLUS CUT LOWER PARTS OF HIS LUNGS.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/RUSA197.gif
I AM IN AWE; THIS STAG IS A CORKER AS CARLO WOULD SAY… AGAIN A BEAUTIFUL CLEAN SHOT, A BIT LONGER SHOT THAN I WOULD NORMALLY TAKE, BUT THE CONDITIONS WERE GOOD, THE STAG HAD NO IDEA WE WERE THERE AND I WAS FEELING CONFIDENT. WHAT A MARVELOUS 3 DAYS AND A GREAT YEAR.
EARLIER THIS YEAR HAD TAKEN MY FIRST RED AND NOW A FEW MONTHS LATER TWO GRAND JAVA RUSA STAGS. THIS FINE STAG MEASURED OUT AT 197 AND 6/8THS DOUGLAS POINTS, AGAIN MEASURED WITH THANKS TO DARRYL BULGER. BOTH HEADS WERE CAPPED AND TAKEN TO TONY BIANCO AT MALENY WHO HAS DONE A SUPERB JOB ON MOUNTING THE TWO. THEY BOTH NOW HANG PROUDLY IN MY HOME.
WELL THIS WAS MY FIRST GUIDED HUNT, AND I WAS SO IMPRESSED I BOOKED INTO A RED DEER HUNT IN 2005, PLUS ANOTHER RUSA HUNT, ONLY THIS TIME LOOKING FORWARD IN TAKING MY PARTNER MICHELLE ALONG AS WOMEN ARE CATERED AND WELCOMED.
FOR SOME OF US THAT HAVE BUSY COMMITMENTS ETC, HAVING EVERYTHING IN PLACE AND ORGANIZE MEANS YOU CAN JUST CONCENTRATE ON THE HUNTING. SO I FEEL IT IS A GREAT OPTION TO LOOK AT.
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