Sometimes plans go to crap, but still have a great day in the bush
Couple days ago took a day off to chase a fallow buck.....right from the start things started to turn pear shape.
Been looking forward to this hunt for 2 weeks , weather had just cleared, arrived at the spot nice and early and soon the cursing started,
First, took the 223 and when got the rifle out of the gunbag left the suppressor behind, first curse word. Ok, not the end of the world and grabbed the rest of the gear and started to head to the track.
Then discovered the track was closed by DOC, tape all over the place, keep out signs, tracks shut etc and that really got the curse words going!
Wasnt happy but decided right then Fallow hunt was off and i drive to another spot about a hour away and see if can get a Red.
Not long and i arrive at this little DOC block that only takes a couple of hours to hunt but there are a couple of deer hanging around in here generally.
Got my gear and discover the best way to hunt it the wind was all wrong and that didnt surprise me at all how this day was going.
So headed up valley so can hunt back toward the 4x4 with the wind in my favour ad thats when the day from hell all started to change for the better.
Was only 100 yards from the 4x4 and a stag started up across the otherside then another one really started going to town, straight above me, maybe 200-300 yards away.
Well, thats some luck and headed up to the direction of the stag keeping the wind right.
Wasnt long and closed the gap to 150yards, hes not far away then another stag higher above him starts to moan as well.
Its sure exciting stuff when a stags going for it and you know hes just 60 yards away over a little rise and you just cant wait to pop over it and take a look.
But the stag had other ideas, it started to move higher up, heading toward the other stag moaning so it ended up a cat and mouse game for 30mins.
I got so close, withing 50 yards, maybe 40 at one stage, hes roaring great, the sound vibrating thur my body but he was in the thick stuff and i just couldnt see him.
It was quite unbeliveable how i just couldnt see him at all apart from the scrubs and tree branches moving, a little bit of a antler, twigs snapping right in front of me but no eyes on him for a shot.
As i tried to get closer i stepped on a twig and SNAP. The stag was about 60 yards just out to the right and he started to come in, roaring with power that just gives you goose bumps.
Right, this is it! Hes coming and im all set just waiting for the 223 to say hello.
But no, the bush was just hiding him, he wouldnt come that last 5 feet and then he just shut up. Shit, the wind had changed, blew right up the face and thats the last i heard from him again.
Bugger!!
Ok, the other stag was maybe 100yards up, he moaned then a stronger breeze blew and that was the last i heard of that one too.
Darm, but that was exciting stuff so decided to give a couple of extra loud roars to see what happens.
Well, bugger me days, below me a stag answers, sounds abit different than the last 2 but its clearly another one just below where i walked up from.
So i head down there, coming from above, now the winds changed its blowing good for me and i stalk in thinking its not all lost.
I come to a open bit of native, as i came out into it i looked the wrong way, as just below me over a dip was the noise maker.
It was a spiker, a tasty looking spiker at that but he saw me first and was off down the hill.
I had the crosshairs on him as i followed him down the hill a wasnt running flat out.
Wasnt going to take a shot with the 223 on the run but as he hit the bottom he stopped for half a second. I had the crosshairs right on just behind the shoulder and decided i have a crack.
Squeezed off and ....nothing. safety is a 2 staged one and only clicked it once and then he was gone lol.
Bugger, but then again it didnt worry me, it was prob a little dodgy anywy as it was pretty quick so he lives another day.
Yes, sometimes plans all go to crap, but that was one of the better days out bush stalking for me and you dont have to get a animal to enjoy a great stalk and day.
Ill be back and those fallow bucksi didnt end up chasing are still in the danger zonel
