Had a bit of a good run of late having taken out two site members who had great success, but I will let them tell your their own story in regards to those.

I had the chance to go Pego’s farm last weekend with my oldest daughter his girls and first morning Peg and I walked up the hill in pursuit of a little goat to cook in his unique hot coals cooker and was successful in shooting this little fella from 30m. Was beautiful to eat and the girls got a good lesson in skinning and butchering

Now back home it was, and we have had some stifling weather. Haven’t had many chances to go out of late, but I managed one afternoon to go last week, with a site member and that was very memorable. The heat has been killer and the deer have only been active in the very early morning, or late afternoon.

Yesterday afternoon was family BBQ day and my brother in law has been busting at the chops for me to show him a little about bowhunting. Once all the guests left I put it to him if he wanted to go for a quick run to see if we find any before dark. He jumped at the chance, much to chagrin of our non hunting wives and we were off in flash. 7.35pm we left the car, so we had about 45 minutes of light to get her done.

I gave Phil some urban cams and he looked the part. First up we spotted two hinds and a young stag. I said we would stalk them, as we didn’t have much time and then we would see what else was about when we got near them. I didn’t want to shoot any of those animals as they were all very mature and it is not sausage making season, but there could always have been a little one about.

I eventually got in on one of hinds at 17m. I got Phil to come in with me, just so I could show him a little in close action, I had no intention of letting an arrow fly, but i wanted him to see what it is like being so near to a wild deer. He stood with me at full draw, but I let down and she took off. For one she had a low bush across her chest and I wouldn’t risk it and two, Phil learnt a little lesson about when and when not to shoot.

As we turned to head off for another spot, before we lost the light, I spotted a little spike only 25m away just down a little hill. This one fitted the bill perfectly, but in taking my time to show what I was going to do, an unseen hind barked some 50m behind us and he fritzed out without even looking at us.

Knowing this spot very well, I hoped he would stop on a little bench down a steep incline. Sure enough there he was and I got a range on him before ducking back down and explaining that I would aim lower than the reading, due to the steepness of the shot. A couple of questions were being asked about why, but I said I would explain later, no time to waste this time.

I then drew and stood, with Phil on my shoulder watching what was about to unfold. I lined him up and touched off the shot for a perfect hit. Phil could not believe it and was blowing right out.

The little buck ran down into the lantana and due to the fading light, I had to get down to at least check my arrow for what sign was on it, before making a call on our next move. Sure enough, it was slick with good blood and the trail was picked up a mere 10m away.

It was a great trail that led into the steepest, deepest and thickest hell hole of lantana you could ever hope for, or not hope for I should say. Sure enough this thing led us down through every little tunnel it could find until finally it lay to rest, not 70m form the hit, but I wish it was 700m of open land, even if it was a hill, given what it was going to take to get him back out. Phil got the full gamut of trailing a deer in the lantana and he was very nicely scratched up just to prove it, as was I.

Now he was to face another first and that was the butchering of an animal. He has never even seen a dead animal, bar road kill, let alone having seen one stalked, shot, trailed and then gutted on the spot. He was really fascinated by it all and also very happy he was getting to experience it. In the dark we worked away under the light of a head lamp and a dull torch.

Eventually got the job done safely and I carried it out whole, backpack style, right back up through all that thick crap. I took a massive fall, but thankfully the deer on my back saved me from any real damage bar some hellish scratches. What a doofus.

So the deer is now in my fridge and Phil reported that he just couldn’t even sleep last night from being so gee’d up over it all. He even dreamt of hunting and now my sister in law is going to kill me for getting him into it. Another bowhunter is born for sure

The deer where we found him

Phil with the deer and a great experience