north otago.
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Had an awesome trip away.
Seen a nice 5 yr old stag we seen last year as a 12.
We got some pics of him but I had to lend my memory card to a mate to do so, as he had better camera than me so I don't have access to them yet.
He was a very nice 15. All opposing points were long and even but he is still a bit short in length. It would have been a crime to shoot him as he has so much more potential. He was left in peace to service his growing harem of hinds.
If someone else shoots him, then thems the breaks, but we think he is better off to try his luck for at least another season.
The 12 I was keen on was not what I was after. He was a mature, long and even stag but we thought maybe a bit narrow and light when we got a closer look at him.
He was however shot by a mate that did well to get close enough and is very happy with him.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...30710afe84.jpg
Got close and personal with around a dozen stags including one I almost walked into its back end as I come around a bit of scrub this morning.
I reckon I got more of a start than he did. He barked 4 or 5 times as he ran off and then started roaring once he was out of site.
Weather turned to shit so we got out earlier than planned. Covered some country and had a ball with great mates.
Maybe next year I will get to bump into a stag that will be worth lugging the rifle up and down some big hills😆
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Heard a hee haw deep in waipahiki yesterday, too far to close the distance at 330pm
Thanks mate but I won't be getting a go at him. I have seen him several times at a distance but he was first spotted by my mate. I doubt he will give up the chance as he has spent a lot of time sussing him out. He will not be an easy stalk if in the same place. Stag has everything in his favour if he is to be shot on foot.
His decision to risk leaving him alone for another year has to be respected.
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Got to respect leaving animals for another year.
Some will only get better.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...b3cbefc569.jpg
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Thats a bad ass pic mr
Was quiet last weekend and bloody warm where I was.
A little edit I did of our quick hunt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7n8dBiE-II
Looking at getting back into the Whirinaki 7th-10th April for a good go at it.
Dave :D
Yes on all accounts.. Man it's some times a hard call but you do feel so much better at the end of the day when you do make that call.
If he dose get him, it would be lovely to see a pic:thumbsup: I'm sure that more than one of us will be on the look out for it this time next year!
Spent the whole day in pureora yesterday, bump into two hinds, but no roaring stags yet in my usual spots.
Same for piropiro.and this does not help because there were at least 4 parties hunting around where I went, and we are all disturbing the area with our scent for the next few days. I saved my best spot and did not venture to fare in.
Went out this morning in the Tararuas. I had two 18 yr olds with me. The stream across to where we wanted to go was UP so rather than teach them to take risks with streams and rivers we went for plan B. To keep them keen I headed up away from the stream via a little gut that used to produce a deer every now and then years ago when I used to hunt there. there was enough sign to stop the little moans about not getting across the stream.
Saw a stoat cross the stream by climbing across the trees above our heads.
Didn't hear any roaring. Found a few thrashed trees and scrub, smelt one a couple of times but the wind was switching from straight down the ridge to straight up every 20 minutes or so.
It turned into more of a show and tell thing, showing them the type of areas to look in and what to look for.
Was still a good trip, like any into the bush.
Theyve started roaring in central
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