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! :o So that's what they look like :D 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?
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