Thread: Got too be philosophical!

Since moving south, Ive been concentrating on trying to sus out areas within 30 minutes of home that I can head out and go for a short morning or evening hunt on. There are not that many access points, and the conclusion Ive come too, is that these areas are getting a lot of nighttime pressure. Judging from the fact that every time I head there for a morning hunt, there are fresh tire tracks and foot prints, but Ive yet to see a person.

So my hunting focus has changed and Im spending less time on the areas that style of hunting can target, and a lot more time trying to find pockets of good stalking forest amongst the thicker areas away from the direction the traffic is focussed.

It's taken a while But I have started to put a few of those areas together, and working out ways to link them into a decent hunt. The deer are there, Its just they are very concentrated on thick, swampy ass cover and very early and late movers. But Ive spotted deer on two of the last 3 mornings though nothing on the ground, and my hunts are generally only a couple of hours in duration. Typically I spend the best hour and a half hunting these areas, then a similar time exploring and scrub bashing looking for more, before heading home.

So this morning I get too where I park on the roadside to take an old logging track in for about half a k. There has been a 4wd in last night and its still quite dark, so My brain tells me not to chamber a round Until I get better light and or I know the vehicle is gone.

Gun over shoulder, I head on down track to check out the end where any 4wd would be parked..... 200 meters and a wider area lets in extra light onto a patch of grass growing on the track. Around the corner I walk and my brain tells me instantly that there is a massive set of antlers in the middle of the track. I freeze and the stag turns to look at me. Most likely the biggest stag I have sen in the wild on public land in my entire hunting career Is turning away from me at 30 meters.... The gun is moving and the bolt is working, he runs 5 meters and stops then starts again heading for the bank. Bolt is turned home and scope coming to eye and I have 2 massive back legs in front of me in my left eye but scope not on him yet. Scope hits him just as he no longer offers a shot, and I raise my head, hoping I will get an indication of his route and the possibility he will cross a clear area. But no, he's gone.

So philosophical time.... I was being safe, and he probably wasn't quite hard yet...

I used to kick myself if something like that happened to me. But with more experience and maturity came to learn it's just part of the hunting journey. And it becomes a memory to savour among the others. I laugh about it now when it still happens and still try to take in the lesson learnt.
As you know you will score again it won't be that long until you do. Hope you find that big boy again.

A great hunt is not always when you drop something

Yep, it's just how it is. And I know he's about now, so something worth looking for a bit more.

It very much sounds like it is only a matter of time. And a great experience was had in the meantime.

You're right, he wouldn't be hard yet and not shooting him now has given you the opportunity to wait a month and then shoot your trophy of a lifetime.

My guess is that stag is in big trouble. You have his number..it’s only a matter of time now! I know how persistent you are!

Great to hear your coming to grips with the area. It frustrated the hell out of me lol

To be really philosophical.. sometimes areas that get shit tonnes of spotlight and thermal pressure are the opposite to normal and you will get plenty of sporadic animal movement during the day as the smart ones have learnt to hold tight at night

The old Murphy law kicked in on that one, always when you lest expect it it will happen. At least your onto a good one , be nice to catch him with his pants down in a few weeks time. Good Luck.