Thread: Stags shot 2017

Just got home from a weeks hunting two Otago catchments.

Mate got a beaut 14 on Monday, 400m shot, epic 8 hour mission walking out in stinking hot weather. We'd watched him crest a saddle into the valley early morning, spent all day getting there, then waited till he showed himself. Finally with light fading he stood up and had been within a stones throw all afternoon! How he hadn't seen or heard us I'll never know! He stood up and sidled out of view, so we got into position further down the ridge line and thankfully he came out of a small gut into sight again. After tossing up for quite some time whether to shoot or not, we made the call to take him. Mates best red stag by far, so we're both stoked.



I shot this big 10 yesterday. 43 long x 38 wide inches. Very old stag, going backwards, teeth were down to his gums and most of his front teeth were gone or loose. 345m shot across a gully. We'd spotted him a few kms in a head basin under some bluffs in the shade late Wednesday evening. Didn't know how big he was, but thought he was worthy of a look. Left camp well before daylight to walk the few kms into the valley head, getting into position as day broke. Thankfully we located him again, further up the valley, and managed to close the gap to within 400m. Stoked with this stag, being such an old stag tops it off as a trophy.



Ironically I think it's the same stag I passed up and took his 12 point mate (possibly offspring) 2 years ago in the valley over the ridge. I left him because he was 10 with a weak side...still has a slightly weaker side.

We saw a number of great looking young stags during the week, which is really pleasing to see on public land that is heavily hunted by machine and foot. Covered a shitload of country though.

Best few days hunting for a long time.

More photos and report next week.

Cheers
Josh




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