Return of The Prodigal Son (nasty for dial up)

[NormGunston]

G'day all- hope this isn't too boring, just thought I'd share my return to Oz. Began in S.A. with a trip out to my cousin's block near Sedan- plenty of native critters and plenty of mallee but no likely ferals. Next was a visit to Archery Park run by Helen Hann on Piggott Range Rd Clarendon. I was dubious at first, but on arrival pleasantly suprised by the beauty of the bush and the quality of the 3 courses.
My daughter Aisha in camo.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/NormGunston/Aishacamo.jpg

Archery Park
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/NormGunston/fieldcourse.jpg
Next was out to the mallee again to take up a very kind hunting invitation from Puk- definitely a "Man on a Mission". His passion and drive for bowhunting is just awesome!! Unfortunately, the Pinnaroo goats were all at a footy game that day and while we saw heapa bunnies, I was a bit gutless and did not take any long shots, so went home extremely satisfied but empty handed ('cept for a beer can!) Lapped up Puk family hospitality that night over a bowhunting video.
Puk's office (He really is a priest!)
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/NormGunston/Pukchurch.jpg

I also visited Trophy Bowhunters S.A. who gave me a very warm welcome. They have an excellent field course at Yatala Vale with plenty of challenging shots. I went home with all my arrows so was very satisfied. I met up with HOOD in a pub and yarned flat out for a couple of hours about everything and bowhunting- 101% committed to his family and bowhunting. Next was a train trip over to Gippsland, Victoria where I stayed with my mate Andrew on his property which is adjacent to a gully where we found these:
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/NormGunston/wallow.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/NormGunston/deerprint.jpg

Circumstances (my daughter!) prevented me from putting in much time hunting but it will keep for the future. One of the highlights was introducing archery to Andrew who was a total natural.
Future King of Slaughter
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/NormGunston/Andrew.jpg

We spent quite a few hours roving or 'stump shooting' while discovering deer signs around the area.
Rub on tree fern next to a creek.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e105/NormGunston/treefern.jpg
A great trip in all, game taken or not.
Ant

[rory]

Good on ya Norm for getting down here and shooting a few arras off :!: :D

[HOOD]

Normy it just means that there are more game here for when you return next.
:lol: Aisha looks like a little Mogui/Gremlin or is that a Ewoke :lol:

[ed]

ahh I know Sedan, I used to even slow down when I went through there sometimes :) I was for many years one of the water skiing shackies that used to pass though there.
One of my favourite memories is from the mallee not far off the river, chasing rabbits with my brother and a dog. Used to run flat out and never catch them, but once jumping through the mallee I got my foot caught about five feet up and dangled there until I was rescued - that would have been after the laughter subsided a bit :evil:

[Puk]

Well,
Ant did get his camo suit caught half way over a barbed-wire fence at one stage, and i was just thinking that it was a good thing it wasn't electrified.
Thanks Ant for very graciously not taking any photos of the bogged bowhunting vehicle, (my commodore) :oops:

We loved having you over here, and hope to see you back home one day. Until then keep scaring those deer and massive fish in the land of the rising sun, and you are always welcome for a holiday hunt.

You guys should have seen him after we watched "feral game" for his first time. He was rapt! It was pitch black outside by then and he still almost wanted to go out hunting again! :lol: It definitely gets the blood flowing!

Contrary to Ant's post, my real mission here is being a Pastor. Bowhunting is only my hobby. (Sorry, i am just trying to convince myself of that! I have to keep reminding myself!) :wink:
Puk

[XTfreak]

Sounds like ya had a blast. Good on ya.
Bill