Trad Gang
Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: Al Kidner on November 15, 2008, 06:12:00 PM
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G'day all,
Well now I'm at home and taking some time off from the roads of Iraq I thought I'd share with you all a hunt I had a few weeks back now.
I've held off for as long as I could, that being as the story is going into print here in Oz soon. So in saying that I think I can post it away on here with all my mates on Tradgang.
This gem of a place I hunt Chital (Axis) deer on is just one of those places. I always like to head up there and just relax, do some work on the land with the owner, smell the bush in the morning and push a few deer around the traps.
These first two pics are from a couple of young stags that I stalked in on to see what was what...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08001.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08002.jpg)
Just recently I watched a doco on the Tigers of India, it was called "Tiger, spy in the Jungle". Not only was the super footage of tigers just doing there thing, it also had footage of Axis deer that the stripy jungle cats hunt. And I felt sorry for poor ol Mr Tiger as he sure did put some stalks in and came up empty handed more often then not. I forget the % of stalks blowen but it was high.
Hunting these deer on foot is something one has to try to be able to have the respect for there eyesight and hearing.
But they do make mistakes.... like walking on the same trail to often...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08016.jpg)
More to come...
AK.
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Al...did ya get my email?
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:campfire:
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Negative on the email mate, try this one...
amkidner@hotmail.com
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I only had 4 days of hunting up my sleeve as I had a few things to do around the house in the form of Renovations. But I found that 4 days was enough to clean out my hunters soul, do some walking and shoot some arrows at stumps and such.
Along my travels I found this nest of a Bower bird,
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08003.jpg)
He collects all shiney items to put around his house in order to attract a mate. It always pays to have a look see in a bower nest. You never know what you'll find. My grandfather found a set of cuff links... both of 'em!
Naturally a midday "poppy nap" is always on the cards.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08019.jpg)
AK.
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:campfire:
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Oh man, a tale from OZ! This is going to be good! :readit: :bigsmyl:
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:campfire:
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what feather cut are u using, looks interesting :)
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Al,
I'm not sure I would be napping in tiger country. :scared:
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I am loving this hunt, Al. I saw a documentary once which included bower birds. Gotta love them, how many species exhibit a love of beauty? They gotta be kin!
Killdeer :) :wavey:
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Oh, and napping is fairly safe in tiger country...if you're a tiger! :D
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Yeh your kinda right there Mr Leatherneck, but there's only snakes, crocs and other bitey stingy things here in Oz!
I spotted this fella on his way out into the morning sun. His reflection from his skin gave him away in the grass. As I hate sankes, this was as close as I was gonna get to him even though he's only a Python.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08029-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08030.jpg)
more to come.....
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Oh and I must say sorry for the poor quality in my pics this time. I only had my backup Canon "point & shoot" with me on this hunt.
My DSLR is in the workshop getting surviced.
AK.
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Looks like fun!
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Forget the tigers, look out for the snakes!!!! I hate snakes as well sir.
Mike
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Al, I have a feeling that the magic happened on this one! Keep telling!
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awesome :bigsmyl: looking forward to the rest Al
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Glad you made it back to Oz safe. Looks like you've got some nice places to recharge. Looking forward to seeing more of your hunt.
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i'm liking that "poppy nap", must remember that when next i'm in the bush. :campfire:
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Tales from OZ...SUPER!!!
David
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Hey Al! Glad your back safe and sound. I am loving your story telling as always. Keep it coming!
D-
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Can't wait but so long Chief!
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:campfire: :archer: Come on Al, lets hear the rest!! :jumper:
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beautiful python!
is that a black-headed or a childrens python? or are those the same snakes?
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Nope not the same mate as far as I know but yes it's a Black headed python.
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Sorry for the slow reply guys and gals... I've caught the flu offa the kids and am just recovering now. Gotta love good drugs!
HA! Take that you nasty flu bug!
Now where was I...
The first morning was a slow one as I spent more time talking over coffee with the landowner then thinking of hunting. We are good mates as well as having a owner/hunter deal happening. Something I've always held in high regard. Anyhow I did spend some time out and about in the bush, scouting around and working out wher the deer were moving to and the likes.
I did stumble accross this cast though...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/Casts004-1.jpg)
It reads 32" on the tape and is more then ample when asking for a shot at the animals who supports it. Little did I know that the next day I would get just a shot at said animal.
With the next morning's coffee and conversations out of the way I stalked my through some likely areas but came up with nothing. I sat down on a fallen log and was about to call it quits for the morning when I spotted a fine stag walking his way towards me.
As if he was on a string he walked on a game trail not 20 yards from my position and as he made his way towards me I drew 66# of well made longbow to anchor.
Now I'm not sure if the shot went high I he jumped the string or even a combonation of both but the following pic is what was left of my shot....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08028.jpg)
Looks like this Tiger is going hungry again today.
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Did you ever twist those footings Al?
Hanging by a string here on the other side of the world!
J
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TTT so Al doesn't forget to tell the rest of it.
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LOL Ben..... I maybe crook but I'm not dead!
Just had to pick the kids up from school but now I'm on the homeward run...
With the mornings missed shot at the stag I still had high hopes of putting an animal on the ground. I could just feel it in my gut... something special was going to happen.
I had some lunch and rested on the front porch of the homestead for another midday nap. I awoke later then I'd planned to and I had to hurry in order to be at my predeterminded ambush spot. My idea was to settle between the bedding areas and the afternoon feeding areas of the deer.
I stalked my way along a spring towards some feeding deer. I'd made my way to an area I thoght was a good position with both cover in front and behind me in order to brake up my human outline.
I did not have to wait long and a group of deer feed in and around me. With all the sets of ears and nostrils about me I had to hurry up things as I've been busted like this before.
At 12 yards she did everything right as I followed her movements with bow raised and arrow upon the string. Waiting for her front leg to move forward as I listened to her nip fresh shoots from the earth, I burnt a hole into the spot my arrow was going to eclipse.
As she looked over her shoulder away from me chewing on some grass, I drew, anchored and painted my fingers along my face after the release.
Now I'd like to think my BlackWidow with 620 grain arrows is as quiet as a church mouse. But the speed she moved at still has this stalking Tiger in amazement. At the shot her reaction was to duck, turn and she had already made a 90 degree turn away from me when a Woodsman head caught her at the base of the neck.
She may have been fast but not fast enough. I'd rather have a little luck then be good anyday.
This is how I found her after her 30 yard death run.You can see the entry wound under her ear.....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08005.jpg)
From another angle...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08004.jpg)
And here is a better angle of the end product....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08007.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/AmarraOct08009.jpg)
It's been a long time comming to enjoy all the meat off these fine animals to hunt. I truely thank them for all the fine hunts over the years. No better chess game can one play other then hunting on foot.
Thanks for looking,
AK.
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Hat's off to ya, Al; you've certainly done the hard yards over the years to collect this chital! Well-deserved, mate...
:thumbsup: :archer: :clapper:
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:notworthy:
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Well told as always Al! Congratulations on a beautiful animal.
Always nice to have a little luck in your pocket while stalking!
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Al... nice going bud! Glad to see you have some deer to chase down your way. Nothing better!!
Great story well told too... by the way.
Congrats. :wavey: :thumbsup:
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Great story Al! Those Axis deer are beautiful animals, and very high on Tracy's wish list.
Bill
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Good on ya cobber! Well told and well hunted.
Hopefully our dollar will pick up enough for me to follow through with a trip to your back-yard in 2010. Until then, keep the great tales coming.
By the way, you home for good now?
JC
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Awsome story Al. about time I see you with one of those beautiful deer in hand! You have no idea how much I always root for your success when I read your stories.
I am curious, why aren't you smiling in the final picutre?
Perhaps your feeling that mixture of excitement and sadness that a lot of us feel with the taking of an animal?
D-
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Congratulations. Persistance eventually pays off if you don't weaken.
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:thumbsup: Congrats on a great animal. I hear they are some of the finest table fare.
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Cobber JC, if our dollar is low to yours mate the more $$ you'll have to spend. It' the other way for me though if I was to come to the US right now ... it'd cost me more with the falling aussie dollar to the Greenback. Just having a brake also mate, got some renos to do to the house and spend time with the kids and wife. Looking forward to showing you and the Whip around the place, bring some of that luck in your pocket too.
Thanks for all the kind words everyone, it was a long time comming and I spent more then my fair share of time in the bush after these critters. And yes she is super eating and the skin is away getting tanned as we speak, felted too.
Oh and that is my happy face Derek...lol. But yes I was humbled at taking such a fine animal.
AK.
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Nice deer Al.
Where did the arrow exit?
That tongue looks like a tasty snack.
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Well done mate!
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Awesome persistance on your part. Outstanding :thumbsup:
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That story was well worth the wait friend. Great pics, great story.
J
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Great story and beautiful animal...congrats Al!
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Al, did you pick a spot? :goldtooth: I couldn't resist,
Right on, consistent persistent effort is what it takes.
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I enjoyed your story, congrats on your deer. :clapper:
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Thanks again fellas.
AK.
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Excellent!
Well done mate! Very nice deer! ;) It was a great read, following your story! Thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:
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Beautiful deer, Al.
"My God! It's full of stars!"
Killdeer :)
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Nice telling and shooting. I have heard that those Axis are wonderful on the table.
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Al, Thanx bud for all your contributions to TG....always well told... you're a class act bro :notworthy:
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great stuff mate congrats on a great deer. :bigsmyl: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: