Thread: PSA/Confession

don't we all!

Taking unknown 'shortcuts' can lead to unexpected time consuming extended bush bashing, backtracking to avoid bluffs, big deep swampy mud, deep stream cuts etc. But anyways I mark these on my gps as shit areas to avoid. At times I will go an explore areas that I have walk past for many years (never took a look in before) but knowing what could be instore, be prepared to backtrack. and as expected it had been shitty going. Been surprised at times of the areas I have walked right past holding deer right under my nose when going to slips and clearings. Speaking of nose, if you suspect you see a deer bed get down and sniff it, a strong sent indicates one is in the area.

I always record my track on the gps and mark way points. Every now and then when having a rest pull out your paper map you printed off beforehand and mark on it where you had been as a backup and it also gives you the big picture of the area. Compass is fine if you know exactly where you are in the first place, some places one cannot get a visual/known reference point and as you found out estimating of travelling distance is difficult esp when panic may set in.

The last deer I came across in their beds was a few years ago with my son trying to bag his first bush stalked animal. Having seen nothing all morning and he was getting tired walking uphill and downhill and needed a rest. I said we will take a 'shortcut' by me cutting a path thru the supplejack down to the river, wait here and I will come back when done. Left him with my pack and the one rifle we had. 50 metres down and along a narrow ledge behind some dense ferns two velvet heads pop up, I was still cutting away at vines when this happened making hell of a racket, eyeballed the nearest deer who returned the favour (could of poked it with my finger, that's how close it was) As it was just getting up I turned instantly and ran back to my boy instantly thinking crap crap crap Murphy's at it again, no gun and my son is going to miss out again and reinforce his belief that there is no such thing as deer in doc bush. Anyway he heard me running up (as he was napping) then saw me with arms waving and pointing in general direction mouthing wildly "stag...stag...stag" Up he woke, grabbed rifle and off we went, within minutes we where at the spot, up went the rifle and soon there was a spiker on the deck. It had not moved more than 5 metres and that was the distance he shot it at, on the other hand the bigger stag I had also seen had buggered off and left the spiker wondering what the hell? As quick as that, he got his first bush deer and has been keen as ever since.