Sidling around a spur about a click below the hut where we were staying. I wanted to drop down into the creek where a stag was roaring and my mate wanted to go back to the hut. I said just keep going in the up direction and you can't miss it as its above the bushline on this spur. See you there later. Twenty minutes later, 3 shots rang out followed by a shot every few minutes. I raced back up and found him apparently 'lost' He was used to the open Australian desert shooting from a 4WD and the NZ bush was a bit too much. Still enjoy my trips with him and he is learning every time.
Another interesting one was in the Ureweras in the early 80's. Took this guy who found navigation a bit of a challenge for a day trip. Got to a favourite spot in a saddle and I heard some movement above us. I told him to wait and watch as it seemed an animal was moving down toward us. He was about 10m away from me when a hind and fawn popped out. Before I could say don't shoot, he did and missed from around 20m. The hind decided she didn't want to stick around and ran in an arc around me. He was shooting as she was running and I suddenly found myself between her and him. I dived to the ground and heard the shot that finally connected with her. Needless to say, I read him the riot act. The poor fawn was bleating further down the gut by this stage and we couldn't get close to it. I never took him again.
Bookmarks