Thread: Pre roar hunt

I haven't been for a hunt since November and the venison supplies were demolished well before that so a plan was hatched to get some meat. In my mind any thing was game with the exception of fawns. I began my stalk and straight away got barked at by a cheeky hind. She gave about 20 barks then moved on. In my experience it's a cat and mouse game when this happens and the mouse always wins. Moving on I slowed down and saw a hind ghost through a bit of bush but wasn't too sure on what I was. I decided to give her some space and sidle around 200m and come at 180 degrees to where I last saw her. Working my way down to the creek I paused and saw what looked like a deer standing side-on the other side with the sun on its face. I looked harder and saw it was a hind. Her ears were flicking back and fourth and she gave a few uneasy steps. I decided she would do so lined up on her neck and gave the 223 a warm up. She dropped on the spot. I love it when they do that. On inspection she was really big. It had just gone 9.30 so was stoked I could have time to bone her out. Unfortunately I got a bit of a shock to see she had a developed fawn inside which had me standing back scratching my head. I made a decision at that point that I needed to re-assess the time I take hinds. Ive only decided since last year id like to avoid pregnant hinds where appropriate. I know a red is pregnant for roughly 7 months of the year which puts her at August/September for being knocked up. I know it comes down to individuals ethics and beliefs when it comes to hinds. I'd like to hear if any one else has been in this situation before so late near the roar. There's also the chance she couldn't give birth to this fawn and wil pass it soon but I'm no expert on these matters. Spoke to other hunters at car park and they too were stumped. Now that meats in the freezer I can focus on tracking down a stag in a months time.



Ready for the carry out:

The name eludes me of what you call the meat from a unborn fawn, it is eaten though I believe.
Its not personally my cup of tea from a resource management stand point and I Im sure my partner would starve to death before she ate it despite spending a fair chunk of her childhood on a deer farm.

Nice man! Result. All I managed achived this weekend is a sore bloody head..... Bloody weddings

I wouldn't beat yourself up about it. A hind being pregnant at this time of year would be rear. Congrats.

Originally Posted by Shootm

I wouldn't beat yourself up about it. A hind being pregnant at this time of year would be rear. Congrats.

+1 mate, no guilt there IMO, hope you crack the father......

Dont worry about it mate, was never your intention, meat on the ground is more important in my opinion either way. Awesome work!

I realise each to their own, but if it bothers you then don't shoot hinds.take fotos instead.

Cheers guys. I was more intrigued with the fact she was pregnant at this time of year to be honest. Think she must have been a cock teaser

Thats nature for you
Is that in the Kaimais?

Originally Posted by sako75

Thats nature for you
Is that in the Kaimais?

Must have been the only pregnant hind in the Kaimais

Nice work @Rusky. You shot the local skank!

Freezer is well stocked now, that's all that matters. Uncommon for her to be up the duff this time of year so don't stress.

Well done.
Yep very odd for a red to be pregnant at this time of year.

I like your compassion for the quarry Rusky

I'd call the unborn a slinkie, but not sure that applies to the meat. Unusual she was carrying now. No way to predict that so don't beat yourself up. Good shot though!
Ive always considered a 223 marginal on reds and go bigger (6.5x55), but plenty of people do it successfully so I might give it a try next time out.

Ive shot maybe 30 deer with the 223 Marty out to 200m and all deer have been accounted for. Just don't take silly shots is my only advice.