Thread: My first deer shot, processed and carried out: Puketeraki Hunt

In what has become an annual tradition @mopheadrob, @uk_exile and I headed in on a 4-day hunt into the Puketeraki area. 3 years ago on this trip, I shot a deer using @mopheadrob's rifle but could not retrieve it myself.

On this trip, I backpacked carrying my own rifle and the gear I needed and we hiked, fly-camped and hunted and came back out on the 4th day.

On the morning of day two, we climbed from the river camp with day packs up to the open area above the bush. We saw a hind over the next spur at 260m and decided to close the distance by about 100m. She started to bust us, with her head up looking at us, quartering toward us. I decided to quickly line up the shot balanced on Rob's shoulder, as there was no good rest and there were shrubs around us. I rushed the shot and missed and she darted downhill but stopped broadside 3 or 4 metres lower. I changed to bracing on my knee while sitting, lined up more calmly, shot better and she went down!
A pretty amazing moment. The hind dropped straight away!


We found the hind no problem and where we had seen her fall. I had shot her just behind the shoulder and out the far shoulder. After high fives and photos, I harvested the meat and carried the back legs and backstraps (We had already had success on the trip, were confident of more and were trying to plan to survive the future carry-out) back to camp back down the hill.

For 4 years I have worked towards achieving the capacity and skill to do this. I still have much to learn and become more competent at, but this was a great achievement. Thanks to @mopheadrob who has made all of this possible and @uk_exile who has shared his knowledge of camping and bushcraft with me as well. Also thanks to all the forum members out there that have passed on bits of gear or shared their encouragement or knowledge freely on the forum.

Well done. You'll never forget that first one.

Wonderful!

Well done to all, it is a rewarding time to have a successful hunt, enjoy the meat.

Excellent!

Good work.

Congrats, thanks for sharing

Well done, this is what its all about. And the next great moment is when you cook up some of that meat for dinner with family and friends. Thank you for the write up, inspiring.

Nice work

looks like a awesome spot to be in...enjoy the venison..may this deer be the first of many.

Good effort on getting the shot, and also big thumbs up for working towards the goal for 4 years. Will make the venison taste that much more satisfying.

Excellent work

A great achievement for sure, well done.

Well done, good on you for getting out there.

Thanks for the awesome report! I haven't been up I'm that area since the early 80's , you photo bought back some very nice memories . .. I need to make a plan to go for a wander there real soon!