Had the day off yesterday so I opted to go for a wander down in Pureora for a day with my boy and a dog.
Mainly to blow off s few cobwebs and get the dog back in the bush.
Had a leisurely start and got to the road end about 1130.
We went in the bush with a general plan to follow the wind and give the dog some practice.
She was not too bad but got a bit keen at times and I had to bring her in.
We saw plenty of sign and spooked a couple but not close enough to get eyes on anything.
It was getting later in the day and I hatched a plan to hit a clearing not too far from the track. I had the dog in beside me with Oliver behind.
Ahead of me I saw a Deer side on to me head down, oblivious.
I aimed just behind the front shoulder and fired.
It ran off at the shot and disappeared.
We made out
r way to where I thought it had been but couldn't find any blood or trace of a hit.
You begin to second guess yourself.
We searched around and eventually found some blood. Things were looking up.
There wasn't much though and after a while it began to peter out.
I got Bea and Oliver on the job
He stayed at the last blood spot and after giving Bea some blood to smell, I followed her. It didn't take too long and we found more blood again. Probably 40 our 50 meters though. I called Oliver up and we repeated the process. Shortly after that we found it. A 5 point stag. Still on his feet but not well. I gave him another finisher.
This was a real team effort and without Oliver and Bea I don't think I would have found it.
I think my shot needed to be a bit higher.
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Back at the truck
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