Anniversary Stag

29 years of marriage on the 5th November, my wife was having a gardening group around for the afternoon and lawns had been mowed as per instructions from the domestic authority :wtfsmilie:



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So I decided the legs and 308 needed some use, I headed into the local jungle to a sweet little spot I've been visiting off the North / South track. Significant sign of a large animal on the track so now I just had to find him down we go


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Tent bivvy located in the area


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Couple of stream crossings nice water then I picked a likely ridge system and climbed for an hour or so relatively new area for me so it was always going to be a data collection for future trips



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3.00 pm Had a orange & ginger nut break and took time to think about a exit strategy picked a likely ridge and headed for home came out on a likely looking slip which due to the rain the Kaimai's have had was greasy to say the least ... had a fall heading down here no damage done more mud deposited than skin lost. Back across the stream slightly further North. Starting seeing more sign


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So flicked the switch eyes, ears & nose engaged 1st gear slow and steady progress. Great Kaimai bush stalking country not that dissimilar to this photo the usual fare we have to deal with in these ranges.
By now blood was trickling down my shins from the hammering they were getting, ever had the premonition that something is looking at you, I did at this stage and checked out my surroundings more intently then less than 5 metres away a stag in velvet stood up looking straight at me. The 308 up to the shoulder > safety flicked off squeezed the trigger .... nothing misfire :oh noes: stag looks at me then bolts I give him a whistle hoping to stop him and get another chance cleared the chamber put another one up the spout
stag last seen heading towards Katikati at 30 kph. Good sized animal they can't grow good heads in the Kaimai's but certainly achieve body weight until next time grey stag with the 8 inch velvet and 4 inches of body fat my barbecue awaits, ;-)


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Bugger, pity about the misfire.

Bit of an anti climax after all the effort you put in. At least you checked out some new country so it should provide you with an or two in the future. Good write up.

I probably would be looking for an anniversary stag instead of shag after 29 years too