Thread: Successful Hunt in Eastern Ruahines

Hi guys I had a wonderful day of hunting last Sunday. I went out in Ruahines with Jase ("Neckshot"). I have to thank him for taking me with him. I started from home at 4.30 am and reached the access point with him 6.30 am. Started the hard walk through the non forgiving Ruahine bushes till 8.45 hrs and we reached a place where we can glass a clearing. Guss what!!!! we saw 3 deer nicely feeding in the clearing. We ranged it 425 metres. We moved closer to the deer as it was a little too far for a perfect shot. Then we had to move closer while keeping an eye on the deer. That was hard for me as the bush was really thick and there was a lot of onga onga there. I slowly followed him slipping, huffing and puffing but never felt the struggle as it was the first sight of a deer for me. I was so excited as we got closer. We ranged it 320 metres. I accepted the offer to shoot one of them. We sat in a comfortable position and waited for the right time. As I looked though the scope I could feel my heart beating faster and stronger. Then came the moment of truth BANG!!!!! what to say I missed it and I thought I spooked them all . The shot went an inch or two higher. There was some wind there and I compensated for it 4 inches to the right but it was not enough. Luckily the deer was still there. Then I decided not me again missing the shot; so it was Neckshot's turn. Guss what "Neckshot" made a perfect neck shot on a nice spiker. The deer stood there for a few second wondering what the hell had just happened. All that I could hear was another shot and the deer tumbled down to the bush below the clearing. Then started the hardest job of retrieving it and carrying it out. The deer fell down to a creek which was across some steep water falls. Well done Neckshot for doing the tough job. Gutted the deer and he showed me how to make a pack out of a deer for easy carrying.
I had a very heavy pack an I was very tired by that time. So it was Neckshot the lucky man who won the lotto of carrying the deer. After walking with the load for a while we decided to butcher it to make it weigh less. We took the back straps, loins, front and hind legs. It was a relief. We carried it out with ease hanged in the meat freezer. Cant wait to have the beautiful steaks

It was a wonderful day to begin with. Amazing experience. I learned a lot. I can say I was learning every minute of the hunt even though it it still hurts on my back and leg and sting on the cuts and bruises in my hands. I am ready to try that again....
Thanks again Neckshot for the beautiful ever lasting experience.
Jojiyo