Headed to the southern end of the Pureora forest with a mate on Friday, the plan was to maybe knock over something for the freezer over the weekend, with some fickle weather predictions and the fact it was raining as we drove in, we weren't hopeful of staying dry or seeing many animals but you can't get one sitting inside so with gear away we headed out for an evening walk, after walking a couple of tracks finding a little bit of sign but nothing overly fresh we came to a set of prints going in the direction we were headed, very fresh tracks! As we rounded the next bend I glimpsed a deer bum moving slowly into the trees, dammit!! 1 min earlier it woulda been on the track, a careful stalk up and through the thick stuff where it went in yielded nada so deer one hunters zero.
Rain and lots of it greeted us sat morning, but into wet boots and off we went anyway, the morning walk once again yielded nothing other than some promising spots found with plenty of rubbings and whole young trees pulled or pushed down with every last leaf devoured.
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With nothing seen and it still raining at lunchtime, we headed back to camp pretty wet and miserable, and thoughts of an afternoon hunt were quickly squashed with the rain changing to sleet then snow, coffee and sleep were decided a much better idea.
All we were hoping for was a couple of hours sunshine to maybe get the deer out moving, feeding, drying out or whatever they do in the sun, well someone was listening cos after the brief snowfall the sun came out and looked like it might stay clear, boots on bolts in and magazines loaded we hightailed it to an area we thought a deer or two may be enjoying the respite in weather.
Once we had gotten to our spot me mate decided to head further up the track and down the other side of the ridge to a spot he thought would be ideal ( he was spot on as he spooked two that watched him walk past then scarpered ) check it out then come back and meet me at the top on dark
I on the other hand had found that although I'd loaded my mag I'd forgotten to bring it with me so with one shell in my left hand I made my way down the track with rifle in the other heading for a clear patch near the end of the track
I loaded up as I was getting close to the open spot and I'm pretty glad I did as coming to the edge I was greeted by the sight of a deer with its head in a tree, I hit the deck and crawled to a spot where I could get a rest and checked out my quarry through the scope, bloody hell its a stag!!! Now I like to think I'm pretty calm and collected in most situations, but the sight of antlers in the scope had the crosshairs moving way too much for my liking, so safety back on, as wind was good and ol staggy was busy scraping away at the tree, I took a few deep breaths and gave myself a mental uppercut, Righto!! nerves sorted, crosshairs back on stag, safety off Boomfa!!! Staggy rears up and wobbles down hill, saw the shot and was pretty happy he was going down but as he had headed down outta sight I pursued him, cycling a non existent round as I slowly walked down hill ( forgot mag remember ) fortunately I remembered too so grabbed a round outta my pocket and quickly loaded up as a very groggy stag came into view, one more to put him down for good and I'd secured my first red stag, no world beater but pretty damn happy
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Should mention that I also forgot my phone which doubles as my camera so no kill shot.
After gutting and removing the head, I dragged him back up the track to wait for my mate, this effort had me stuffed and near dry retching so I had a drink from a big rain puddle ( forgot drink bottle too ) no water had ever tasted sweeter!!!!
So me mate turns up high fives exchanged and we drag him back to the truck under clear starry skies 700m further up, sleep came easy that night and plans of getting up early and heading back to where the deer were we woke to snow, snow and more snow
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A quick pack up and head out through the snow and sleet to head for home via Te Hoe home kills to drop off staggy I finally made it, one very happy hunter ready for a hot shower.
Gotta love it !!
