Nephew's first trip

Caution - Photo heavy story.

I made an offer to my siblings that when their kids turn 13 they can come for a visit and do something exciting. Depending on what they like the plan gets tailored accordingly.
First up for an adventure was Quinn, they live up Tauranga ways so coming down South is always something to look forward to.

I happened to get a ballot in Lower Greenstone for the start of July, the week before school holidays. After a few phone calls Quinn got to take a week off school. For reasons of "An outdoor educational trip"


Day 1, Drive to the road end and Walk into Greenstone hut. Fairly uneventful walk in carrying packs loaded with 5 days of food and snacks. I took more food than we needed but for a first hunting trip being cold and hungry isn't much fun. Just cold is part of the adventure.

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Day 2, We slowly worked our way from the hut to the edge of the block checking out all the likely looking clearings along the way. Stopped at the top of hill overlooking the Pond Burn and Mavora Valley. It's a real thrill being able to introduce a new perspective to a kid. Big mountains and open country that's all totally different from where he lives. We sat and watched the weather rolled in up the valley, big black clouds driving the rain in front of them. As it started to spit on us we decamped and headed back to the hut in the rain.

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Day 3, I remember why I don't like bush stalking. In the rain. Hmm this isn't too much fun. Loads of sign around with a lack of animals actually spotted. Poor lad is finding all the slow sneaking around a bit tedious. The weather cleared after dark and it started to frost up shortly after, looking like it will be a good frost overnight.

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Day 4, Frozen solid outside. Excellent! Great conditions to slink around the sunny flats looking for deer to come out and feed. We planned the night before to get out of the hut early to get down to the Slip Flat area. We set off just as the sky was starting to show a hint of light on the horizon. Stopped for a second breakfast at Slip Flat Hut and started to work our way through the open bush as the morning wore on and the sun came up over the mountains. There where a couple of Does sitting in the open enjoying the sun, we watched them before they got on to us and trotted away. Then, over the river feeding in the open we saw a buck. Quinn took point and we snuck down to close the range. Boom, step, flop. The 270 did the job and we had a deer just over 100m away. On the other side of the Greenstone river... After a peice of chocolate and discussion on how rain effects rivers we decided to was best to go the 1.2km up to the bridge, cross over then work back down the other side. We got to the deer and during cutting up found one back leg had a healed wound in the "knee" with bone still exposed. The mussel was fairly withered so at a guess I would say it was an older injury.

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Day 5, Another fine and frosty morning. After a good clean up around the hut we walked back up the track to where we had stashed the meat and head from the day before. Quinn was still buzzing from the day before and it wasn't that easy to keep up with him going uphill. Possibly should have made his pack heavier...

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Once we got home it was time to process the head and meat. Managed to send him home with the head and 10kg of venison in the suitcase. I heard later that he fell asleep at the dinner table that night at home.

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It was quite a special trip for us both. At face value it was a fairly normal trip in terms of weather and animals. But when it's the first time out and with family it changes things a wee bit. I can only hope I've taught him a couple of positive things and left some good memories.

Looks like it was a good trip enjoyed by both. Bloody good frost as well

What Great Uncle ,spread the the love of the outdoors[emoji41]

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That’s awesome well done:thumbsup:

Good shit, great story. Well done Quinn :) & you for taking the time to share with him.

Kudos bro, the young fella will never forget that trip. Awesome write up cheers

A wonderful story. A wonderful Uncle. And a lucky nephew.

Nice he will remember that for years to come. Nice to get some venison as a bonus! Awesome

Great stuff mate well done, time well spent with the young fellow,lucky boy to have an uncle like you,good result as well with boning packing etc:thumbsup:

Brilliant, loved it!

I have very fond childhood memories of that greenstone valley. [emoji106] Im sure Quinn will now too.

Well done to you both, great stuff [emoji3]


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I think your nephew will be keen for a repeat adventure , great trip and a nice buck well done.

I enjoyed that, thank you for posting. Cold trip but reading about it left me warm inside. ��

Wicked, he’ll remember that trip forever

Awesome, precious memories that will last forever

What a great thing to do. What an adventure for the young fella.

Hardly looks like he enjoyed that at all, I mean the looks on his face, meh.

Awesome trip, you are a bloody good Uncle to be doing that for your nieces and nephews. Top man.
I hope to be sharing these sort of adventures with my own boy soon. I actually find this quite inspirational.

we shot 3 deer from the very same place one trip years ago....loved the story and agree 100% what a great fella you are for taking your nephew up there...flew over the top a couple of years back and was wrapped to see the hut still standing. a magic place to build magic memories.

Thanks for the feedback.
It'll be good to take my girls out in a couple of years. The 2 year old has learnt to point to antlers on the wall and let out a wee roar.

thats awesome man!

what a good head too! lucky the injury didn't seem to affect it.

Your guna be the favourite uncle for ever !!

Mean adventure for the young fella,what a top bloke you are!