Thread: Hellow Fallow

Been hanging out for the last few weeks to get out for a hunt. So the plan was originally Kaimanawas for the weekend, but having seen how dry it is I chose to try something different and go looking for a fallow on public land. Having never seen a fallow in the flesh I was in uncharted territory. I was up early as usual and keen to beat the sun. Walking through the bush, it was much more open but also noisey compared to the likes of the Kaimais. Slow and steady was the game, and I came to my first open area. I paused for about 30 seconds and heard the rustling of leaves 20m to my left. Eyes then locked onto a dark fallow! So that's what they look like It hadn't seen me and was walking right my way grazing and shortly was going to present a nice side on shot. Heart now racing I composed myself and slowly closed the bolt and waited for the perfect shot. I aimed for the neck and squeezed the trigger. It then bolted a short distance and fell down and the rest was history. Stoaked! By far the most easiest deer I have ever shot, however my shot fell a few inches back and blew out one of the shoulders. Blame that on adrenaline. It looks to be a young stag going my the velvet antlers. Perhaps the more educated can tell me how old it may be? What astounded me was the size of them, so quick to bone out.

Well the sun was just starting to rise, so I decided to hang the meat, and continue my hunt to become familiar with the area in the future. I came to a nice basin with lots of deer sign. By now it was getting hot, and I had decided if a deer walked out I'd leave it for another day (bullets out of magazine to make sure I wouldn't get tempted) and make track for my deer hanging up. I was moving slow and had that sixth sense feeling that something is or should be near by. Sure enough, I spooked another young stag resting up in the shade and watched it run off.

Now the meats in the fridge, has been since yesterday. Do ya have to age a fallow or just go ahead and freeze/eat it?

Nice one:thumbup:

Age it, age anything that eats grass and leaves.

Nice one,I would leave it a few days.

Sweet guys, I can have another beer now

nice one

Top work Rusky, you're killing it - literally!

Good on ya Rusky.

As for aging you can freeze the meat straight away if you want.

I age the meat later by letting it thaw out in the fridge, once thawed I leave it in the fridge in it's plastic bag for a few more days before cooking it.

Fallow taste the best of all Deer IMO.

Cheers
Pete

Well done Rusky, your really onto it now mate, selecting new hunting grounds is the way to go....not too many though....leave some for us!!!!!!

Way to go Rusky

Its a knob head just about 1yr old, hasn't grown its first set of spikes yet. Perfect tender meat won't make any difference if you freeze it now or in a week. Well done

Cheers guys. Thanks Ackley, and I think your right as I poke it now and its pretty soft

Good shit

Originally Posted by Rusky

Cheers guys. Thanks Ackley, and I think your right as I poke it now and its pretty soft

Hope ya talking bout ya deersie

Originally Posted by Dundee

Hope ya talking bout ya deersie

+1....be careful where you say that....

Well done Rusky that ground cover looks quite familiar