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2 Attachment(s)
Double first
The mid-semester "study break" at uni had me heading for the hills literally. The Kaimanawas were where I was headed. Monday morning I was at the carpark bright and early and I was at the hut by 9am. After a quick feed I was off on a stalk. I was coming across some fresh sign and the wind was right so I was thinking I might spot one any time soon but it wasn't to be. Back to the hut and met up with Haggie who had walked in the day before. The next day I hike a wee ways further afield but I had a tough time getting the wind in my favour and I got into some ravine country which was giving me a bit of grief. Not such a productive day but ah well, back to the hut and Haggie had the fire going already so all was well.
The third day brought about some new luck. A fresh frost on the flats boded well and I was off to check out a ridge that another guy on here had put me onto (I owe you one bro :beer:). The wind wasn't favourable so I planned to cut in then come up onto the ridge on the other side and stalk down it. As it went the wind had shifted by then and I popped up onto the ridge at about the midway point with a steady cross wind blowing. I deliberated for awhile as to whether I go left or right as the wind was pretty much the same either way. After a quick snack I decided to head the way that lead away from the track so at least if the wind changed or something, I'd have a few more options and the hunt wouldn't be buggered. So I head off stalking up a very open ridge with some not bad sign on it too. The upwind side of the ridge had some nice open bush just off it so I kept looking down those ways but I didn't see anything. I got to the point where I was going to cut around then stalk back towards the track with the same crosswind. It was about midday and I sat down for awhile overlooking some open bush hoping to see something move or walk into my firing zone. After about 30mins I was at the point in the trip where you really start to think "where are the beggars?!" So I got up and sidled around into the wind. Not more than 50m from where I had sat down I spotted a white rump, then saw the rest of its body :yuush: I dropped on my knee in front of a fallen tree for a place to hide that doubled as a rest for my shot. Lined it up and let rip!! The young spiker dropped and I gave him another on the ground - I wasn't taking my chances on this guy!! So here he is, my first Sika and my first DOC-land deer
Attachment 14077Attachment 14078
I'm so stoked, I'm still pinching myself writing this now! It's been a long time to bag a deer on Doc land. Big thanks to everyone on here who has given me pointers. Being the only one in my family who hunts and not know many other people who hunt, the forum has helped me a hell of lot to getting into deerstalking. Here's to all you guys and to many more deer hitting the deck :beer: :thumbsup:
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Yeeerrhaaawwww!!!!! Nice on bro you deserve it!!!!
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Great day for you Phil just reward for the hard work
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Well done Phillip. Hard earned and well deserved. See the sweat equity pays off.
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that first one is always special.
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Bloody awesome Phil well done.:beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:
Have a few on me .
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good shit the first one is always the hardest.:thumbsup:
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well done. They keep getting easier form here.
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Good work Phil, the Sika are canny and any one is a worthy opponent. Well done!:)
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Awesome Phil, you've done the miles now reap the rewards! :thumbsup:
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woooooooooooooooo Blondini, awesome stuff!!! :thumbsup:
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Blondini lol
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Congrats again mate, you know you have to post the selfie though :ORLY: