End of Autumn Wabbaly Trip
A mate and I were a bit late to try and get into the wallaby comp earlier in the year and a couple of weeks ago we decided to try a spot we had visited a couple of years ago in the Hunters Hills. At the time this land had just been taken over by DOC and we nailed a few then. We figured that it was likely to have been well shot out by now but it would be good to spend a couple of nights there this weekend.
We left Christchurch mid morning on Friday and made our way via my mates sister-in-laws to drop some gear into them and have a chat before the final drive to the hunting area. We arrived just as the sun dipped behind the mountains and quickly set up camp. The temperature dropped really fast. Once the tents were up we cooked up some porterhouse, spud and stew for a quick feed. By the time that was done there was already ice on the tents.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc8635187.jpg
I woke up a couple of times in the night to roll over and noticed the inner fabric of the tend had even iced up. Obviously got a little chilly over night.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4eb68c91.jpg
After a left over sandwich from the previous day, a can of spag and half a hot cuppa we were off. The plan was to shoot for a while then come back for lunch, then head out again. Within 50m of camp we were crossing the stream with water almost above the gaiters; a little managed to get into my boots, just a trickle, just about freezing. We walked across the flats to the hill spotting one bounding in the matagouri, signs were good.
As we started to climb we could see several wallabies bounding westward but not offering a shot. I see one break off from the group and head back east. My mate followed it and let loose with his new Savage International Trophy Hunter (like @Dougies), I could hear the tell tale thud as it gets it first blood. He wanders off to confirm the kill and I wander along and down a little.
I find a spot with a good view and decide to take a seat in the sun and watch. First out is the el cheapo range finder to get an idea of how far various landmarks are, this patch of scrub, that patch of scrub, that old fence line, ... Once the boundaries are sorted it is out with the binos to sit and glass; something new to me. I spot one bounding along at 450m, a bit far for me and the little Zastava 223. I keep looking and there is one sitting in the sun that looks close enough and the range finder confirms it at 199m. That is good enough, I know I'm sighted in for 200m so just aim for its eye, thud and it tumbles into some matagauri. Magic.
I decide to go and see If I can get any meat off it I leave my pack behind at the prominent rock and to be sure to be sure I mark the position on the GPS and phones GPS, throw a knife in my pocket along with the phone, GPS and range finder. I make my way to where I last spotted it but cant find it anywhere. Bugger, I hate leaving meat.
Another one is spotted further along grabbing a feed it the sun, ranged it at about 150m I aim a little lower and squeeze off another round. This time it just topples sideways over the matagouri it was next to and remains visible. Much easier to see I go and harvest the back steaks and back legs.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...psef7975e4.jpg
Just love the accuracy of this little rifle. Cheap, small, light, but effective.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5574fe56.jpg
The weather was stunning as well as the view.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps761d552e.jpg
After grabbing about 4kg of meat I called my mate to figure out where he'd got to and eventually caught up with him about 3pm. Where we had a yarn about what we'd seen, how we'd shot, before heading back to camp with about 15kg of meat and 12 wallabies between us. The legs were tired as we were both out of shape but we were happy enough. We both knew that last stream crossing was coming up as the sun was disappearing and the temperature was dropping. We ploughed through and both ended up with boots full of icy cold water. As soon as we hit camp it was off with the cold wet gear and in into some dry stuff and getting some fuel into out depleted systems. Man did that temperature plummet! A quick hot drink while we cooked up a hot feed.
We decided not to bother with a morning hunt as the gear was too frozen. My gaiters were like big blue twisties and the socks like cheese balls. Even my boots were frozen solid with a frozen puddle in the bottom despite draining them having them in the tent with me for the night. Again the inner tent was frozen as well and even the shell of my sleeping bag was a little crisp.
The next trip in spring is already in the planning stages.
