Hey team,
I thought maybe I should re-introduce myself because I have been away so long :) It's nearly been two years since I joined!!
So, how am I getting on? Well I am a hell of a lot closer to my first public land deer, but still no blood on Black Beauty. In all truthfulness I have become a little frightened of her and need to get down to the range again soon to get some time in. I would like to produce a couple new loads as I have had some pretty scary moments with safety catch failure, jams and misfires. Not quite sure what has been going on but I've gotten a new trigger and safety built but have yet to try out a load that a few key players helped me make up (Cheers Abe and DAF you guys are stars!)
I took her out for a blast up at my local goat spot but had some loading issues so she was left back at base and given a bloody good clean and check over when I got home. She's been safety locked up since. A real shame as it's an awesome rifle, I just need to get my confidence back up with her.
A while back I did a review on a Savage Trophy Hunter 223 and loved it so much I managed to purchase it for a bit of pocket money. It's been great for the close up scrubby crap as it's small and light. Nothing overly amazing shot with it yet either although I'd be confident to pull the trigger on a deer with it. It's slayed multiple goats at varying distances up to about 220 yards in good conditions.
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I've sort of dropped my commitment with NZ Blokes. They are doing really well but sort of travelling towards a different goal to me.
I've written a fair few articles for NZO Magazine now, I think I've been working for them over six months now. I'm really enjoying the challenge of new hunts and places the guys have put me on to. I am getting pretty fit now and the hills are always calling. I'm constantly working on my fitness as I have another big goal that is seeming not too far off now - going to the boys (and girls) in blue and have already been waiting to be called up for a good 12 months now. Here's hoping. I'm working in a job that is heavily supporting my future career. It's very full on though and soaks up a lot of energy. Luckily, heading out for a hunt pretty much weekly now is what is keeping me healthy and sane!
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Dog is doing great, he is full on tracking now and coming along nicely. We are able to consistently tackle soft tracks with 90degree turns and some lower-level hard surface tracks with a short time delay. He's nearly four now and has become an excellent judge of character. A whole lot of what I do every single day is supporting my journey to becoming a dog handler, which seems insane, because there is a very high likelihood that Jet will still be around when it comes time for me to foster puppies and the strict rules are that no other dog must exist at home. Still not sure what I'm going to do about that when our bond seems to grow with every challenge.
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Hmm what else. Still haven't won the lotto.
Anyway I've been lurking but I guess I should make an effort to be a little more vocal! Very much still as keen as when I first started on here, just perhaps a little more wiser (and busier!)
Will be good to catch up with everyone soon :)
Dougie
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