Thread: Grandad Delight

I never imagined that at age 71 I would be taking my 14 year old Grandson out hunting. But there we were, him and me out camping in my little piece of Eldorado. Of course, the stars only align if more than one person plays their part – the wider supporting family and friends. And my farmer friend who encourages us to enjoy his property that bounds endless scrub and bush.

The 2.5 hour drive consisted of a competition between constant chat and blue tooth music, both at full volume. And eating. Lots of eating. I’m glad I’m not funding his food bill. It was all a delight for me.

We were greeted by the farmer and Jame’s eyes widened when he said “now James, I expect you to shoot no less than a trailer load”. So the quad was loaded up and we were off for the 45 minute ride to the far end of a scrub block to camp where we could hunt back into the strong NW wind. We saw 3 Fallow on the way up but cruised on past as they jumped the boundary fence and chuckled when the buck got caught up and had to have a few attempts.

James helped pitch the tent and make ready for what was hopefully going to be our late return to camp.



Then it was sneaking out of our camp hollow and beginning to glass for deer. We spotted 5 different deer on a face about a km away but they were very unsettled and appeared and disappeared many times – I figured that they were being chased around by the cold wind and were seeking the best shelter.

At about 5pm I led James off on a big semi-circle through the scrub to avoid the wind from scenting the area up and ended up on a ridge where we could get a view in several direction. All of my favourite spots were very quiet but at about 5pm I glanced back to where the 5 deer had been and there was one on the edge of an open spur. Then 2, and finally 5. They were still on the move and unsettled but I decided to get James closer and set and to wait it out. 30 mins later we arrived on a little clearing with a nice little knob to shoot off. I got James set up over his pack with mt 7-08, ‘scope focussed etc, and we waited...

And then after 20 minutes, there they were, and just a quickly gone again. This happened three times, but I just kept scanning the scrub for a sign of movement and eventually spotted a hind in the scrub and tracked it onto a tiny open spot. Range, 391 and up hill, so I dialled in 375 yards for James. The deer wouldn’t go side on for a shot but lady luck sent a 2nd deer onto the clearing and it stood broadside for James. All I needed to say to James was “there you go”, and at that James fired. Through the binos I saw the deer lunge forward and heard the whop of hit.

I told James to keep his scope on exactly where the deer had been and to fire again if he saw it, and to memorise some land marks. Mean while, I ranged onto a clearing I thought the other deer might appear on and dialled the 300 yards into my little .223. Sure enough, one appeared and I let one off high into the shoulder. It lunged into the scrub and was gone.

Now I said to James to scan with his binos for any others, and blow me down his response was “there’s 2”, can I shoot one. “Go for it I said”. Bang, and it poll-axed at about 275 yards.

Grandad and Grandson 3, dear nil! But now we had to find them and cart all of the meat back to camp.



We had to cross 2 ridges and steep little creeks through the scrub to get to the closest (the last one) which turned out to be 2 year old hind. It was a wonderful shot, hit high in the shoulder which was spot on because silly old Grandad forgot to dial Jame’s scope back down from the 375 yard shot.



I gutted it and left it to cool and we trooped off up hill to find the next one.

AS we got near-ish to where I thought it was Tilly’s nose went up and off she went tracking and we followed. James found it piled up in the scrub – a high shoulder shot with my .223. the 69 grn tipped match king had fully penetrated and the little lead innards’ were just under the skin. It was a big red hind and had run about 30 yards after being hit. We were ok about shooting hinds because that’s what the farmer wanted.



James carried the back steaks and I lugged the rest up hill for 20 minutes and then we dumped them and headed off for next one.



Same story, Tilly confirmed a dead deer and led us down and James found it. Hit a bit far back but dead and only 10 yards from where it was hit.



So we carted that lot to where the dump was. Now we had 3 whole HQ (one was dumped -ruined from an exit), 4 back steaks etc and had to hump them down to the first deer. I carried 2 HQ’s and back steaks and James carried back steaks and a HQ. 40 mins later were were back at the gutted one and I proceeded to bone the lot out while James helped and took pics. He was on cloud nine.

It was 8.45pm by the time our load was ready. James with 4 back steaks and a HQ and Grandad with 2 back steaks and 3 boned HQs. We got a bit stuffed up on the way back to camp with me getting onto the wrong ridge and floundering a round in the scrub a bit. It was all part of a great adventure although James was a little anxious an I had to be careful not to push him. But he was great and stuck to it like a little soldier. Grandad was proud.

We staggered into camp at 10pm, and James was straight onto his mobile phone to tell his Dad about his adventure. Blow by blow, detail by detail. I smiled a happy Grandad smile of contentment, and got dinner on, which James woofed down, and half of mine. Topped off with hot chocolate.

The wind really got up during the night but my Quasar tent handled it no problem. Breakfast Back Ridge Butcher chorizo sausages and eggs and hot chocolate. Same story, James ate all of his and half of mine.

Then it was pack up and head for home.

The drive home was a lot more quiet than going up. Thank goodness. At one stage driving home James said, “Gandad, do you have hearing aids”. “Yes” I replied, “but only for work and not hunting”. If I wore them for hunting I would have ripped them out and thrown them into the bush yesterday”. “Yes”, James said, “and put on ear muffs so you couldn’t hear me”. “Exactly”, I said. And we both chuckled.

Great stuff, well done.

One hell if a granddad! Awesome work!

Fantastic Tahr.

Great yarn mate, your grandson will remember that trip forever. Well done team!

Good one Grandad. Memorys will stay with him for ever. I never got to spend time with my grandfathers.

Great times for the young fella.

great yarn fella

That yarn brought a ray of sunshine to the forum. Simply awesome your Grandson wont forget that in a hurry

Nice work Bruce.
Lucky you weren’t on this side of the hill last night, high wind and heavy rain.
Cherish the moments they grow up pretty quickly.

Fantastic for the both of you. Keep up the good work!

Thoroughly enjoyed the read Bruce. I think we all want to create memories of our own like this someday.

Cheers.

awesome stuff 😎🤙👍

I never met either of my grandads, let alone got to go hunting with them.

James is blessed to be able to spend time with you like this.