Well, after tues roar action and running boars lol i was of again on easter friday having a look for a stag i saw sign of two weeks ago in a well hunted DOC block. Took my mate along who in Auguest took him to the same spot to shoot his first bush deer, which he managed with a nice hind.
Arrived at spot x, bush was as wet as, creeks were high and to top it off i could see boot marks from another hunter a few days before.
Anyway, arrived after a long walk to the terrace that i knew was \or should be holding a stag. Let out a couple of roars and no replys. As we stalked the terrace i spooked a hind and gave a couple of more roars but nothing.
No sign of a stag, so decided we hunt high to look for hjim as im sure he shoul;d be here. Gave a couple of roars half way up the ridge, nothing so carried on. 50m on saw fresh marks, real fresh.
So we stalked and followed the marks for another 80 m then we had a sit down for a chat about the plan. I was thinking that its likely the stags crossed over to the next ridge at some point so we keep heading up and see where hes crossed.
Well, what a surprise when straight opposite us a stag roared only 80m away!! Simon had a 7mm mag, i had my trusty and awesome 243, told him to chamber a round as hes just there somewhere and we should see him.
Another roar!...but we still cant see him on the ridge. I decide i better get the graf caller and do a roar but simon says i hear him coming. Not long and he sees him making a bee line straight for us.
Should i shoot he says, i say YES!
He couldnt get a clean shot as i saw him adjusting, i look and see the stag just below us on the opposite ridge looking straight at me...Busted!
Had him lined up, no shots from Simon and as he looked like he was going to bolt i Squeezed the round off, a 100 gr FED power shok on its way. It was a solid hit, the stag turned and ran uphill and disappered in the thick bush.
It only got 25m then we herad some crashing and we could tell it went down and rolled to a stop.
Awesome, but unforturely i knew when i pulled the trigger the shot was the wrong angle. Knew its shoulder be stuffed but the angle was wrong to hit the vitals so we waited for 15 mins before we sneak over and hope its down.
Over we went, and as my mate got within 15m the stag was up and crashed away though the thick stuff. With Simon in hot pursuit, i decided to go high and sprint around the face . Ten minutes had gone, Simon had lost the stag way low, i was way round then i heard a crash in front of me and saw the stag on 3 le. Lucky it was open and lined him up and bowled him over .
Success!!!
Me with the stag.
Lucky the bush was open where he ran, was steep but its good hunting bush
He was a pretty goodbush stag for this region in a well hunted DOC block. Was a soild 9 pointer, 33x31, 27.5 spread. Couldnt be happier. Packed out the meat, my mate carried the head, and two happy hunters have the first stag for 2016, and its a good one !!!! cheers
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