Thread: Spring Trip Success

It’s been a while between trip reports. I’ve managed to make a few trips since my last write up some were successful, some not so much. Either way a trip into the mountains is always worthwhile, and I’m always learning new stuff. Interestingly, I’ve always been keen to talk someone into going out with me, but on the last few trips, I've preferred to go on my own. In fact moving forward I think I enjoy it more solo.

I did a recent trip at the end of September to a spot that I’d seen a few deer in the summer. On the walk in, I managed to spook at least 8 deer in various spots. I often listen to music, and my rifle is in a sleeve strapped to my pack, so I never have time to make a quick shot.
There was loads of pig rooting on the walk in, so I wasn’t surprised to find 7 or 8 pigs out on a flat near where I set up camp. Due to not carrying in loads of ammo, I wasn’t initally going to bother them, however thought if a reasonable one presented itself I’d have a crack. While pitching the tent, I kept my eyes on the mob and eventually, a fairly decent one popped out. I managed to get within 100m so took the shot. I felt pretty guilty leaving such a pig to rot, but figured I was helping out the environment. If it wasn’t such a long walk from the road, I’d have definitely taken it because it would have made great sausages.

After a few photos, I started searching the bush edge for a deer. I’d only gone about 300m, and an opportunity presented itself. A hind was standing in a small clearing staring right at me. It stood there while I got myself set up for the shot and managed to get the venison I was after. I’m still fairly fresh when it comes to getting all of the meat, so it was a fair while before I was back at the tent. I had intended to spend a second night anyway, so I decided if I saw some more pigs I’d try to put a further dent in the population the next day. The interesting thing was I didn’t see a single animal all of the second day or the walk out on the 3rd. That included possums. The first night, they were all over the place. It was bizarre, but it didn’t worry me as I had my reward. It was a long walk out but I had all day!

Good stuff

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Good stuff

Thank you

It's just as easy to take meat off a pig as it is a deer....back legs and back steaks take no time at all to remove and give lots of good eating.

Mate a successful mission. It's interesting how once you have been hunting a while with others, you start to preferer your own company.

I have noticed that I seem to have greater success when hunting alone. I seem to hunt differently when hunting with others, make different decisions maybe. Hard to explain.
Anyway, I enjoyed your story.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

It's just as easy to take meat off a pig as it is a deer....back legs and back steaks take no time at all to remove and give lots of good eating.

Absolutely! Had I not been so far from the road I'd have taken it for sure. In fact once I'd shot it I did consider not looking for some venison and just taking the pork!

Originally Posted by Kimber 84M

Mate a successful mission. It's interesting how once you have been hunting a while with others, you start to preferer your own company.

I have noticed that I seem to have greater success when hunting alone. I seem to hunt differently when hunting with others, make different decisions maybe. Hard to explain.
Anyway, I enjoyed your story.

Thank you. It's interesting because when I first got into fly fishing there was no way I was going by myself. One day I bit the bullet and went out and loved it. The same has happened with hunting. I think I'd do too much talking if I was out with a mate!