Thread: Hunting and that bastard Murphy ...

I think I need to extend this rule to my tramping trips.
I tramp more than hunt, when in a group in remote areas we will often see animals, deer or chamois usually. If I return a few weeks later solo with rifle in tow they are nowhere to be seen.
My wife made comment at a BBQ just last night, "Whenever he goes for a walk with a rifle, all the animals disappear"

It is either that or you see them walk across the track in front of you offering a clean shot, Or the tramper exiting the hut you are arriving at, "Yeah we saw a couple of deer in the clearing 500M up the track yesterday afternoon as we walked in"

4WD trip last Xmas, two wagons driving up the river, nearing dusk, campsite only 2km away. Mate in front exits the riverbed onto a clearing, Over the UHF radio comes "Is your rifle handy? There are over two dozen deer in front of me" We were 100m or so behind and rifles was in a hard case in the boot as we weren't hunting until the next day. We get to the clearing and see two deer arses meandering off into the bush on the opposite side of the clearing.
Worst part was, they didn't even take a photo as they were gobsmacked at the sight.

Around 10 years ago a mate and I took some of our older kids to an old bivy site we use, Kids were8-10 at the time.
Went for a stroll up to waterfall to show the kids. made a fire and boiled the billy for milo and noodles, .270 out of the way, leaning on the bank of the stream bed. 4-5 goats wander around the corner and look at us for a minute or two. Kids whisper "get the gun, get the gun".
Ol Mate says "They'll bolt, watch this", Leans over towards the rifle which is a meter or two out of reach and yep they leap up the bank and gone. We walk in here several times a year and have never seen goats on that section of the walk ever again.