Thread: Getting the monkey off my back

Did you get another one? Just kidding. Your a brave man using the barefoot technique in the middle of winter. Well done.

Awesome result. Learn from each hunt and you get better at it. Not so keen on bare feet in winter though.

Gets the big thumbs up

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Dive booties...or the modern version of what is old farts would call Bata bullets might just be your middle ground happy place. The Bata bullets are canvas sides and flexible rubber sole...sort of light duty jungle boot/ poor man's basketball shoe. .keeps feet warmer and gives a heap more protection,but still soft enough to feel sticks etc.

Congrats, so stoked for you!

good eating there

well I just have to ask - why did you carry the two deer out with the heads on- extra what 20 lb why - dog tucker - cut them off lighter weight to carry- why bring them out - I never ever bring the head out - I am just genuinely intrigued why

NotsOsane your story is similar to mine about six years ago. Well done. From here it's easier to stop second guessing yourself.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Dive booties...or the modern version of what is old farts would call Bata bullets might just be your middle ground happy place. The Bata bullets are canvas sides and flexible rubber sole...sort of light duty jungle boot/ poor man's basketball shoe. .keeps feet warmer and gives a heap more protection,but still soft enough to feel sticks etc.

Bata Bullets, argh! Thought they were a POS compared to Skellerup Vikings, wore them a lot during mid/late ‘70’s early ‘80’s. We’re great in the bush.

Yeah cheap n cheerful. Different strokes n all that. I still wear Ashley's stalking ,will wear other boots about half the time but Ashley's are my favorites.

Cheers everyone for the kind comments. It really was a thrill being able to get that close to the sika and then getting two of them!

I was not initially feeling brave to go bare feet in winter, but thought I'd just try it for a bit and if it gets cold I have the options of socks. It took a few minutes to adjust to the sensation and also sometimes lack of grip. But once I got used to it I barely had to look at where I was placing my feet and went more on feel. I would be lying if I said I didn't snap the occasional twig, but overall it felt I was making less noise. I kept thinking about the section in Red deer in NZ where they say we need to move like deer and wondered if that was what they meant? My mate was skeptical, with good reason. I've been managing to stalk in close to deer on most outings now with boots on, which he correctly pointed out. I will continue to experiment with this, especially when it has been dry and I'm not in steep consequential country. I have done a lot of tramping in sneakers with heavy loads, so perhaps I can cut the weight in my pack by heading out in them.

@Barry the hunter : You will laugh, but my wife read somewhere that you can tan deer hide using their brains...so I thought I'd appease her by bringing home two heads. The walk was also not that bad (although I am feeling it today!). Unfortunately she has the flu and is in no mood to deal with deer brains, so they are now buried in my compost pile.

@mopheadrob: You are correct! I've already spotted that I have three days off next week, of which it would be rude not to head out for at least one if not to of those days. I offered the yearling to my mate who has helped me a lot getting setup and taught me a bit as his freezer is empty. Mostly so that I had an excuse to head out again

I'm not suggesting you wear sneakers from carpark...but when in sneak mode lol. Good on you for sharing with your buddy.

Shearers moccasins are good in winter too, they help keep the feet a bit warmer while not losing feeling through the soles.

That said, I'm off to Torpedo7 to buy a pair of dive booties. Must be getting soft.

hey thanks for the awnser brains to cure skins- never heard of that one the old red Indians used urine and charcoal- a word of caution dont put deerskins near anywhere that has traffic mats on floor - on sofa - near dogs- they shed hairs badly and will give your vacuum cleaner over time - but untapped market NZ for buckskin - damn tough and versatile - rifle bags - clothing knife pouches etc

The monkeys now gone so you can get into those deer , well done.