Thread: Gets the Kids out hunting... a weekend with Michael

First off the thanks to Spook’s offer of the use of the Bus and opportunity to hunt there as with Michael doing sports Saturday late sessions ATM my normal haunts are out as we would spend more time traveling than hunting.

I will only be posting the closer pic’s as I know poaching can be an issue when clearings are posted on private land bordering public.

1pm Michael is home….quick shower for him and some lunch and we are off on the road… and before we new it we were at our destination…. Quick meet and greet unload to quad and load the gear on it to take it to the accommodation for the night… With some directions to where to go we were off for an afternoon scout around (well once we found all the gear as some did a disappearing act when put in the bus…ammo is required for a hunt!) With two rifles the idea was to find a spot so we can both be lined up on a deer with Michael taking first shot and it, if the hit looks solid..all good but as in the past if I feel the need I will put it down and on the cut up we can decide if his shot would have done the job.

We had a bit of a look around



We managed a couple of hours of poking around before the sun was starting to set….

But we didn’t really find the ideal setup spot for some Glassing the next day (some good spots just not in Range for Michael).

Quick catch up with Spook on the way back and the plan was set for day two
Not quite enough light on leaving camp base to get a good pic….and I forgot to take one when the sun was out…but this was base camp


Track at one of the flatter spots
We Biked up a chunk of the way and made the first vantage point quite early after walking the last section to get there a bit quieter popping over the ridge to work our way up looking across to clearings …only to be met with the sound of gunfire behind us a bit…..Oh well maybe a target range is nearby..Deer will be used to it, Popped over for a look and in the distance a Ute parked on the road shooting targets so….I guess it might not help the results but we still you never know

We found a great vantage spot…a couple of spots for Michael closer and some a bit further out… But bless his sole as he setup his spot….aiming up for a spot 470 yards away



I had a spot sorted at the top of the gully that was more suitable for his rifle at 180 yards away ( he has shot magpies at over 200 yards so well in his skills) as he shifted sides he questioned “ are you sure that rangefinder is right” Yes Michael...her have a go at Ranging

After a wee bit we decide to sidle around to get closer to the faces and have a peek what is out of sight as well… as we went around it got a little….well lot steeper. Following deer tracks now so anything could happen anytime then a voiced piped up behind me “Are you shore deer go through this” as we pushed our way through flax and low scrub…





Then we found nice posse again this time most of the faces are around 200, We watched for a good stretch as the sun warmed the faces but no movement seen this time



So time to head out and up.




We got to a point we could sidle around again after some steep climbing but Michael wanted to make the top so up we went for him to be on the top





From here we had another quick look around without the day pack on and found more sign but still nothing bursting out or seen, plan was to then head down for another look we had been the day before but further around but it had been a big day and Michael had cross country running Friday and Hockey Saturday so was ready to head back so we will leave that for another day. No deer down but some good area covered and a good trip with the boy and the best way to keep fit

Once again thanks for the Offer of a place to stay and I will see what I can do about getting a few upgrades sorted for the bus…..that I will bring down and help fit

Awesome!!!

Good stuff leathel.

Excellent. Sometimes its just good to be out there...

Good on you Leathal. Cheers.

Originally Posted by Raging Bull

Excellent. Sometimes its just good to be out there...

.

Too right, I know places with more deer but that proved to be a great bit of country and its closer to me...couldn't have gone to my normal spots last weekend. Nice to be away from the workshop and time with the boy

Nice work Leathel. Looks like a great spot for the kids.

Nice one. Great little trip.

Thats a cool trip by the sounds of it.
That 3rd picture can really show how blaze orange blends in with New Zealands outdoors.

Originally Posted by Dundee

Thats a cool trip by the sounds of it.
That 3rd picture can really show how blaze orange blends in with New Zealands outdoors.

When I first saw the orange was earlier in a small pacth of bush... thought there must have been a hunter in there....took some looking to figure out what is was... then came around the corner and orange every where.