Thread: more newby questions

So local gun shop puts me onto a piece of local doc bush, Heavily hunted and he said be prepared to go there and see lots of vehicles, pig hunters ect. If busy don't bother and deer are cunning as shit house rats. Path in over first ridge and into hunting area. Visibility is 20 to 50 meters. So 1st time in missed track over the ridge, climbed onto ridge and see lots of shit. Very narrow ridge with track, shit, graze lots of sign. follow ridge and it widens out with brakes in the canopy and tall cutty grass (or whatever it is) No sign of hunters on ridge. Today third visit, down to end of ridge, hunt slowly along ridge. Not slowly enough as see arse patches of deer followed by full deer heading down from ridge .(10 seconds) About 15m ahead over slight rise in ridge is the spot they were laid with very fresh shit. (know what that's like now) On the way back on the ridge saw footprints (downhill skid marks) so another I didn't see separate area from the 2 . Carried on over ridge to known hunting area. Came out onto road 4ish hrs later walked back to car. Thought about going back in to first ridge for a look, but its steep country and legs said no. Still not got my first deer but what a cool day. Questions. How long before they return to a area once disturbed. Hours, days. Is there much point following them, guess they will be on full alert. Binoculars thought about getting some, but do they really help when most of the time visibility is around 50m max. I have a piece of cotton on the end of my gun to give me wind direction , first thing when on the ridge there was no wind. Is there a right/wrong direction to hunt when no visible wind. Another day off work tomorrow , cant wait to get on my ridge.

Sounds like you are all over them, more time and you'll have one on the deck. How fast are you moving, maybe slow right down.

When theres very little wind stay on ridge as air mostly drifts upwards.

Return to hunt same area after 2 or 3 days.

Well worth following a disturbed deer specially if not very alarmed. Maybe 1 in 4 can be spotted again within 50m. Or you see another one that wasnt disturbed. I always follow them a little way 20 or 30m .

Binos can be helpful in bush but more so in semi open areas like cutty grass. Depends how good your eyesight is. I dont bother in thi k bush.

Thanks gibo, as soon as I spooked them I knew I was to fast although I thought I was going slow. I watched them disappear (probably 10 secs) and just thought how cool was that, there was no f#%k it moment which was kinda strange. In fact I stalked my first deer and feel pretty stoked. Must be more to hunting than killing shit. Awesome morning

Originally Posted by chindit

Thanks gibo, as soon as I spooked them I knew I was to fast although I thought I was going slow. I watched them disappear (probably 10 secs) and just thought how cool was that, there was no f#%k it moment which was kinda strange. In fact I stalked my first deer and feel pretty stoked. Must be more to hunting than killing shit. Awesome morning

Sounds like youve got a good hunting ethic mate. Good luck for the next mission. On fresh sign slow down, then slow down some more

Give out a loud whistle when you see their arse vanishing into the bush, I've had it pull up a few

Def worth a follow up if they didnt get your scent.
Also a whistle or bleat can often stop them for a look back.

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Just keep doing what you are doing.

agreed with Rushy

Can always sit on the downwind side of some fresh sign and twiddle your thumbs for 20mins and see what walks past

imagine you just shagged a really horrible chick ...... you wake up in the morning , look what your in bed with ..... the stealth and speed you use to leave that room and house quietly is about right for stalking deer .....like anything take your risks early ... no point stalking from car park , ... good luck

Originally Posted by stumpy

imagine you just shagged a really horrible chick ...... you wake up in the morning , look what your in bed with ..... the stealth and speed you use to leave that room and house quietly is about right for stalking deer .....like anything take your risks early ... no point stalking from car park , ... good luck

Smashing the nearest window as I dive through it is not very stealthy

Originally Posted by stumpy

imagine you just shagged a really horrible chick ...... you wake up in the morning , look what your in bed with .

I have been that guy stumpy. There have been a few ten whiskey uglies where I have considered chewing my arm off to get away but then I guess I wouldn't be the only fellah that has found himself in that predicament. You gotta laugh otherwise you would cry.

Slow and quiet, then slower and quieter, you've got the making of a good stalker.
If the grounds OK consider taking your boots off for the last few yards, works for me!
Down the Motu I took 35min to cover 300m, got x2 deer for my trouble.