Turmoil to Torment.....Pics added

[HOOD]

Well got home after two days hunting and am still sore in the legs from a lot and lot of walking, and not one arrow flung at an animal.

I wasn't fortunate enough to take a deer, But one thing I did get to bring home was a wealth of knowledge of the deer in the area and their comings and goings in the area.
the biggest issue being the lack of knowledge of the area and terrain. The bracken fern is so think it's near impossible to move about with out making noise.
for future hunts I will be setting up on one of their trails and ambush them as it's the most logical way due to the thick scrub.

I found absolutly heaps of rubbed (thrashed) trees and scrapes.

After two unsuccessful stalks I decided to use the rest of my time there trying to work out some sort of pattern to their lives. I found 3 seperate bedding areas, two major rub areas which I have called their THRASH PADS. As well as a wallow which had all but dried out from the lack of rain and the ground being so sandy, but it still looked like it was being used.
I also chased a couple of foxs but got given away by the roos and wallabies in the area.
I put one fox up in the bracken, as he was about to exit the scene I let out a small whistle and he pulled up and turned to check it out. So I got the whistle out and tried to convince him to come over for a look but he wasn't playing fair and turned and took off into the dense scrub. Just as I've seen the last of his red ass a fallow doe that was bedded in the same lot of bracken decided that it was time she left as well. I had no idea at all that she was there. I think that the fox leaving allerted her to something was wrong in the area even though (as far as i could tell) she hadn't seen me.
After that I continued on over towards a small rise to where I had seen a Buck and his Doe's earlier playing in the other side on the edge of the scrub. As I was going to get into possition for an ambush on their return to their bedding for the day it happened...........they had headed back already and as I got to the top of the rise so did they only 40m away. I could see the top of the Bucks big rack as he moved to the top of the rise (all 28 inchs or so). I froze and at that moment a Doe's saw something but she wasn't sure what it was so stared a little to work this odd shape out.
So the stare continued for what seemed like fore ever then she let out a bark and they turned and headed back over the next rise and dissapeared not to be seen again. with my blood still rushing I was both disapointed but stoked that I had seen a nice buck and 5-6 does. If only I got there 10min earlier things may well have been different, but then again maybe not.

I later put another lone doe up from her bed in the braken not 20m from me.

Some would say it was not a succesful hunt but to me it was very successful. I was just buzzing the whole way home wondering when I'd be able to get back out there again. When ever it is it won't be soon enough.

The property owners are a lovely family and were very welcoming and showed me true coountry hospitality. As to did their neighbour who has given me permission to hunt his place as well.

I have some pics of the country side and deer sign which I'll post up later.

So for my first trip there I'd say I'm a very lucky hunter with years of good hunting ahead on this place.
I saw 1 Buck and all up 8 or 9 does and 3 foxes and one lonely little rabbit.


Some of the rubs/thrashed trees I found
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07027.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07028.jpg

Some of the thick bracken in the scrub

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07030.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07022.jpg

Here is the proof in the pudding.
You can see a doe inbetween the dead gum and the tree line, just in the tree line was the Buck and the other 4-5 does.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07016.jpg

And something different for ya
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07011.jpg

And one for Norm Gunston :wink:
My they rust in peace
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07035.jpg

Oh yeah forgot there was a forth fox I saw and managed to get up close and personal for a picture.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07037.jpg
:lol: :wink:


can't wait to get back out there in few weeks time, rut might be over then but hey what the hell.

yeah and here's on on the wall from the area
I called this one "Inspiration"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/NotquiteRHood/SouthEast1stHuntApril07047a.jpg

[Antarcher]

Nice going and good strategy in choosing not to chase them around too much due to the noise. Get the binos out and pattern them. Sounds like a tree stand might help too. Good luck next time. There appears to be quite a few animals there too.

[NormGunston]

Sounds like a very successful trip to me as well, bloke. As well as your ambushes and blinds, were there any likely scenarios, such as the thrash pads, that would lend themselves to a tree stand?

[granty]

sound like a very good weekend sounds like plenty off deer in the area and congradulations on an exta property :D

[HOOD]

Sounds like a very successful trip to me as well, bloke. As well as your ambushes and blinds, were there any likely scenarios, such as the thrash pads, that would lend themselves to a tree stand?

That there are Ant. have kept notes :wink: but will also invest in a GPS as soon as I can as it's very easy to get lost disorientated in that bush.
"did I turn left at that tree......or was it that one......no maybe that bush then" :lol:

Antarcher there cetainly was a nice variety of game. not to forget the native birds, lizards and flora. I love been out in the bush :D

[Dale Furze]

Howdy Hood, I consider most of my hunts 'Scouting' even when I've been to a place many times, everything is always moving so it can be hard to keep up with the where's and whys.
If you can find a regular pattern in the deer, by all means, set up on them. It can be quite boring if you sit on the ground there for two hours or more, but it can also pay off. I sat in my tree stand for a couple of hours each morning and night over the Easter break while my friends scoffed at me and 'still' hunted around the area. I had 2 shots from my stand (both over the backs) and saw many Deer just out of range. Not once was I bored, you can hear and see everything for about 120m so your senses are always on alert.
You mentioned the thick Bracken. Should there be a large area with target animals living in it, take some small seca.. seket.. CUTTERS with you in your pack and trim yourself a narrow track that will allow you some stealth. I carry some to cut Prickly Caprosma whilst Sambar hunting, they can make life easy.
Sounds like a good place to have, look after it and you will keep it for many years. Good luck.

[XTfreak]

Keep at em Hood.
Im sure it is only a matter of time before you score something.
Paitence and persistence are the name of the game...
Bill

[HOOD]

Dale thanks for the tip will take some cutters with me next time, along with the tmahawk, axe, pull saw and the chainsaw just for good measure :roll: :lol:
But really i will take the pruners with me.

Bill paitience isn't one of my one of my better attributes sometimes, so I guess these deer will teach me and I'll force myself to be patient like grasshopper.