Thread: hunting incompetence

My Turn,
Some 5-6 years back I was over by Waiawa Hut in Te Urewera Park with a couple of mates and my young Dog. It was spring so we had done an evening and sunrise hunt up and down the River flats. So back to the hut for breakfast. Then my mates decided they would do a loop up a side creek to what looked like a couple of grassy areas and back around.
I was felling a bit sore so decided to stay in the valley and go explore another side creek that looked like it may have some clearings.
About 11 am I was walking down the main river with my Rifle strapped to my pack and ammo in the pack. Just walking through a small punga grove on a bend in the river and the dog freezes up. Thats odd I thought, 11 is a bit late for hunted bush deer to be out in the open, looked out into the river and there on a gravel island was a hind and a yearling.
By the time I dropped down, got my rifle and ammo out and was ready to shoot i was watching them disapair into the bush on the other side.
My Dad gave me shit over that when I told him. Your in animal country, keep your rifle ready. (I was sore and using my sticks so did not want to carry my rifle plus it was almost midday and what self respecting deer is out wandering around at that time of the day)

Came back the following morning and got one of them for the pot.
Z
PS The Ongaonga turned me back in the side creek as I was not felling like climbing up to find a way around it.