Thread: Another nelson bush stag falls to the mighty 243

Well, after taking a break last weekend after my successful trip down south thought it be rude not to have a go at a local deer when the weekend came around.

I knew where a couple of deer were, and i really should of headed in either of those DOC spots but ive had a busy week at work, felt knacked and both required a fair walk so i decided to flag the hot spots.
Where to go ....had a couple of spots close to town, always a chance of a deer there or a pig but ive been to both recently and i like to give new spots a go so a plan was hatched.
Ages ago a pig hunter told me of a handy spot not many people go to and years ago when he hunted it there was always deer sign on a certain ridge.
He went there for old times sake about 5 weeks ago and the dogs spooked a deer, he thought it was a stag as the smell was strong.
I did tell PENGY about it and he should go for a look. He nearly went friday but decided not to so i decided if hes not going, i go for a look and check it out, see if its worth him having a look there and giving him any infor i might discover
Its not the easiest spot to access, pretty steep but the going gets better when you gain some height.







As soon as i walked into the bush i saw deer sign about two days old Smiley so i knew this spot was going to be worth a look or two.
It was pretty windy, and i couldnt hunt it the way i wanted so i followed a ridge that headed back deep into the unknown and thought i follow that then make my way back higher up with the wind in my face.

Scouting missions in new spots im more worried about finding sign than a animal as it normally takes a couple or 3 trips in to sort out where the animals are.
There was sign alright, but apart from right at the start everything was a few weeks old with the odd bit maybe a week or so.
No pig sign at all, no pig marks which did surprise me.
After a couple of hours and heading in a better direction for the wind i was high up following a game trail when i see a couple of fresher marks.
Going abit slower and creeping along i thought the marks didnt look too bad, the first real fresh sign ive seen.
Well, you wouldnt believe it but as i was following the marks, the bush getting thick and you couldnt see far all of a sudden only a few feet in front of me as i take a bend i see the head of a stag smelling the ground!

Shit, couldnt believe it, it was only 5-6 feet away at the most, rasied the trusty 243 and went to shut the bolt.
Thats when it occured to me that shit, i have to shut the bolt and the stags that close he surely hear it so will he bolt and will i be quick enough. Shocked

As i shut the bolt with the crosshairs on his shoulder he looked up but didnt bolt.
Didnt give him a chance after that and BOOM and down he goes!






As i stepped forward he tried to get up but he was hit hard so i wasted no time and put another one into him from 3 feet and he was mine.

He was a scrubby 8 pointer, still looked abit like he was fuzzed up Shocked but was in reasonable nick for this time of year.








I was pretty happy, great day out in a new spot, pack full of meat and another bush stag falls to the 243.

Maybe my mate should of gone for a walk Grin Grin but i tell him the easy way and there is a deer closer to the carso hope he gets that L=http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/Jason_Boa/media/stag%20juction%20001_zpsef1mxzql.jpg.html][/URL]