Thread: Are these the best kept secret for bush stalking?...

Not long ago i went to the local NZDA meeting where a very successful bushstalker from marlbough was giving a talk on his success in the bush and tips etc.
One of the things that came out which he reckens was"" öne of the light bulb moments"""in his bush stalking success was the use of these things that he swears was getting him alot more deer.
Electronic Hunting Earmuffs


He reckens you can hear so much better with them on, hear more animals moving around that you wouldnt normally hear and at the same time you have hearing protection at the same time.
The amount of deer he shoots you couldnt argue that it was bullocks so i was keen to find out if this is the best kept secret out there or not.


He said the cheap ones are rubbish, and if you want one that works for hunting in the bush buy a good pair and you wont regret it.

So, i got hold of a pair and decided i go for a look for a deer in a good spot at this time of year where i normally get one.

Was time to take the trusty 243 out, as my 308 has accounted for the last couple of stags so armed with 100gr Fed powershoks, the stoneycreek bushline pack, a pair of good electronic earmuffs i was off at 430am hunting for spot X.

Arrived on time and headed of to a valley where at this time of year i always see a deer in the DOC land. Earmuffs turned on and it soon became clear that the quiet bush wasnt that quiet Smiley


You could hear birds from afar and other sounds that without them on you have no chance to hear so it was a interesting walk in trying to listen out for a sound of a animal while looking for sign.
Sure enough, saw some fresh marks and the deer have been moving around recently so had high hopes.

About a hour had gone by and came to the only wallow i know down this route and it had been used quite recent.

Followed some mud trails from it for 10 minutes then suddenly heard a sound, a thump though the Muffs.
Sure sounded strange,and first thought was it was prob a deer so i went on high alert as it didnt sound like a branch etc hitting the deck.

I took 15 mintues to travel a very short distance, i was sure there was something up ahead then suddenly out to my left a young spiker breaks cover and runs into the undergrowth.
Bugger, too slow in seeing it but all is not lost. its thick bush, and often a young animal will only run so far if didnt smell you and stop so i creep in looking ahead for any sign of the spiker.

Couple of minutes(seems like 30 lol) i get lucky and spot him on the opposite face heading up and out of there but he stops and looks back.

Hes broadside on, the crosshairs are on him but im exposed and theres no rest for any shot. Hes at that distance thats marginal for a freestanding shot but i sense my trusty sidekick, the mighty 243 urging me on, take the shot, i ll got this covered .
Boom goes the 243(well think it did, the Earmuffs killed the sound } and down goes the spiker.










Was pretty happy with the shot, straight into one shoulder and blew a hole out the other. The 243 just reminded me the power of these 100gr Fed powershoks, esp on smaller deer.
They do some damage, and on big stags they do the business. i dont mind, in the bush i want them on the ground fast, and these fellows are awesome, check out this exit hole




















By 8am had the prime venison, the question is thou are these Muffs the answer for more success?

One thing was clear, you can clearly hear better, were darn comfty to wear and i certainly heard this spiker before i saw him and even thou he still busted me first being on high alert because of the sound prob helped me get him in the end.
Still, the verdict is still out but i think they could well be a keytool in finding more animals in the bush.

i heard a weka moving though the bush and sounded more like a decent animal and was quite surprised how noisy it was so yes, i think these maybe quite good but i try them out on a few more hunts and see what the verdict is on these at a later date