Really great recon in the Ruapehu area last weekend @mickey Duck with over a hundred animals seen. Red's, Sika and Fallow all looking in great nick this year after we've had a bit more consistent rain and plenty of feed around as a result. Although this was on Private land it relies upon animals getting drawn out of the adjoining DOC land.
The Stags and Bucks were already starting to get a wriggle on. Saw some massive absolutely massive Buck heads already in hard Antler and in one shot the week before we got there had inches of fat on him.
the Red Hinds were making good good recovery and I ended up taking two younger 2yr old's of these (missed a sitter of a neck shot at 300 on a Sika which I'm still not happy about). A couple in our party took Fallow hinds and these had 15-20mm of back fat on them so also in really good nick.
So overall have filled the freezer, and those heads are looking really good this year. So warm barrels everyone -enjoy!!
Carpe Diem..
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