Thread: Concerned

Got the "big bald headed chicken fucker"(kinda a work nickname that stuck) Out bush for a overnighter up his favorite creek the last two days. Its his favorite creek not because he has seen animals or even hunted it but...... GOLD.

So we headed upstream in the bush packs on and within 5 mins was seeing lots of sign but all a few days old or more, about a hour up I picked up fresh prints in the leaf litter. It was raining(and had been for the last 4 months) so knew they were real fresh. We followed them up steam picking up the trail here and there till they headed down to the creek(bluff ahead) and knew he had crossed or walked up stream. Goin real slow and quiet 20y into the bush from the creek peering ahead and into the bush on the other side we saw each other simultaneously, the rifle came up and the bolt closed as he took off. I had time to get a good look at him as he had to run back on his side of the creek to clime a 15m bench in the bush to escape,as he tryed to clime he got stuck/bluffed for 5 sec or so and 100odd y away I had a line on a texas heart shot. I waited for him to turn and offer me a lung or neck but it was not to be.
I was certain he hadent smelt us so got wet balls going to follow him up. Once on top of the bench his prints were of a big stag stopping for no one
That delay ment we didn't quite get to where we were intending to camp so just pitched in the bush just as getting dark in the hail.....yes hail constant.
Feed of back country cheers to the forum and into a damp cold lumpy bed,
Up at four and heading up steam again in the now pissing rain/sleet.
As it got light and as we climbed higher sign petered out..........too high too cold for spring to really have kicked in.
Bailed on it and headed back to camp as we were both borderline hypothermic and soaked to the bone
Couple of hot coffees and some more backcountry for breakfast we packed up and headed back.
Got to my vehicle to find smoke out of the chimney of the diggers hut and a happy chappy who was pleased to see us.
Turned out he had walked a couple of k up to the hut after getting his vehicle stuck in one of the crossings! a quick snatch and he was out with no real harm done other than wet carpet.

Was fucken wet, unbelievably cold and bloody awesome

Im goin back for that Stag at some stage, huge animal thick velvet two tines and a lump at the top the size of my fist, he is going to be a goody.