Thread: Velvet Watch

Let's keep an eye on how the velvet is growing this season.

This is a small bodied Red from the Kaimai plateau area, last weekend 27 Nov 2021.

yeah...but it sure is nicer to see it still walking around....
I struggle to pull trigger on a velvety when antler looks like it may end up as half decent trophy...it may be someones first stag or new personal best....
by same token dont have problem with others shooting velvety for meat.....but when see velvety shot,left to rot 300 yards from car and head cut off and left 20 yards away....well that just makes my heart sad.

Here's one still running around for ya @Micky Duck

And here's one I saw on 27 November last year, saw him run across the road in front of me in hard antler in the winter and he was an absolute beast!

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

And here's one I saw on 27 November last year, saw him run across the road in front of me in hard antler in the winter and he was an absolute beast!
Attachment 185055

You're giving them the absolute best tucker to grow a decent hat rack with. Lovely lucerne

Few more..

I didn't mean this to be a discussion of the merits of shooting velvet stags, just a photo record of antler stages on wild and farmed land across NZ. I'll be lucky if I contribute another one or two pics at best myself.
I goes without saying that any deer killed needs to be treated with respect and as much of it used as you reasonably can.
I don't really need it myself of course, but those antlers are in the freezer ready to go into the next battch of bone broth ...

One from this time last year. Heading in weds for a few nights

Bagheera...I wasnt having a go...not in slightest,its just one of them things that jerks my chain.....
in recent years (the last 10) we have seen ,what I consider,a shocking race to see who can shoot big stags first.....each year the question...are they hard under the velvet yet??? will this huge 12-14-16 strip back and colour up???
years back it was very much frowned upon to shoot velvety stags for reasons I gave above....now days with higher numbers its a bit different BUT we hunting folk should be doing our bit for population control and taking out hinds first if we can...this time of year is hardest...but fawn tastes yummy LOL.

I do shoot or shoot at(cocky bugger missed easy 100 yard shot some 300 yards from car) velvety stag..... but not often.
to each thier own .

One from Thursday afternoon. They are starting to grow.

one way of cooling meat down in a hurry I guess...lol

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

one way of cooling meat down in a hurry I guess...lol

Mmmm I’ve had a couple wind up in the drink lately. They should remember they are dead on their feet instead of trying to cross streams.

Both these were hard under the velvet, fat as too.

OUCH.......good to see them recovered for venison.....man that head in background was going to be something special from what is seen here. oh well,thems the breaks when they in forestry recking havoc I guess.

Yes, it had 13 points and would have been a cracker, the other was 9. Mind you lots will get to enjoy early summer fat venison. Gotta pay the carry out crew.