I started off the year filling the freezer - at one stage I had shot five deer from three trips into the Ruahines.
I had a relatively quiet roar - covering alot of country but the stags never seemed to want to play game. However - a mate managed to shoot this young stag.
I enjoy hunting during winter and managed to knock a few more over.
I then ventured into the Ruahines yet again and managed a few more for the freezer.
The following day after the above photo - I went in search of a Sambar stag and managed to shoot one. He went just over 24" and 158DS (unofficially).
I then targetted the Ruahines yet again once spring had rolled around - managing a few more for the freezer and also managed a couple more Sambar for sausges and salami's.
I watched this guy for over half an hour before deciding to shoot him as I don't like shooting young stags. He had been given an absolute hiding and had a severe limp.
I managed a few goats throughout the year aswell - shooting a billy that went around 25" - not quite the 30".
Overall it was an awesome year - my first real year of hunting further afield from home and exploring new country. I also moved away from using a ballistic reticle and moved to dialing my shots. I went from shooting 300 yards to now being confident out 5-600 yards.
Goat2.1.mov - YouTube (Cheers Raging Bull for the video).
I finished the year off shooting this young guy two days before Christmas.
2012 has been kind to me so far - Ive only done the one trip with Raging Bull into the Ruahines and managed to shoot a young velvety.
I hope this year is as good as last year was.
Pop Shot
Bookmarks