Snake Island Hog Deer

 In mid 2022 I did as I do every year and entered the Blonde Bay Hog Deer Ballot,  but when the places were drawn I was pleasantly surprised to find out I had secured a place on Snake Island during Period 3. I quickly checked my work roster and was even happier to find I was to be on my break during the hunt. Having never hunted Hog Deer before I had a lot to think about, not the least of which was how to get to the Island itself.

Over the next few weeks the successful applicants were informed of the contact details of fellow hunters allocated the same period. From this I was able to make contact with most of the hunters on the list and secure a boat ride to Snake Island with Leon, one of the other hunters. Another hunter Paul was generous enough to offer all 6 of us a place to meet up and stay before and after the hunt, located very close to the town of Woodside this was extremely convenient. Paul also surprised us all by arranging a cool room to use should we be successful. Paul also provided a place to check the sighting of our rifles prior to the hunt.

I had a lot to organize and not much time to get things together considering I would have 4 days to get myself from East Timor (where I work) to my house in Victoria, pick up my gear and head over the mountains and down the coast to Port Welshpool for the mandatory briefing the day before the hunt started. Somehow I managed to do it and not leave anything behind, this was a minor miracle. The early morning Drive over the mountains was spectacular and I arrived in Sale just after lunch time, I had a quick lunch and did some last minute shopping for food and water the drove on to Paul's place arriving mid afternoon. Over the next few hours the other hunters arrived and we checked our rifles and got to know each other a little, it didn't take long before we were cooking venison sausages and telling stories of past hunts. 

The next morning we all made our way to the briefing in Port Welshpool where we received our Tags and information packs from the GMA. We were then allowed to make our way to Snake Island however no hunting was to take place until the following morning. I had chosen to hunt the North Western portion of the Island and Leon dropped me at the Swashaway Jetty and wished me luck.

Swashaway Jetty with the mainland in the background.

As Leon headed off to the other end of the Island I hiked through the no hunting zone and headed towards my chosen camp site, fortunately I chose well and the site was sheltered by a grove of trees. I set up my tent and fly and set about sorting my gear out ready to hunt the following morning, once done with that I went for an afternoon walk to confirm that what I had seen on satellite imagery was in fact what was on the ground. I then revised my hunt plan and decided to spend some time waiting over some water I had located.

My campsite under the trees.

 I hadn't been on the Island before and had done all my scouting online with the aid of Google earth and a couple of other satellite imagery websites. I had chosen my hunting area based on historical weather data for the same time of year, and decided to ground hunt without the aid of a Highseat or Rickshaw and had based my strategy purely on the forecast weather conditions. Something I had kept an eye on over the proceeding week. The forecast weather for the week was for windy days from Monday with rain periods mostly in the evening and night with the worst wind and rain Wednesday fining up over Thursday and Friday. The Island is mostly flat and covered in dense Tea Tree and Paperbark with open areas covered in dense Bracken fern, there are areas of Tussock and open grassy flats and these are where most hunters concentrate their efforts. 

Tussock flats on Snake Island.

Sunday night was very windy and I got little sleep thinking of how things would pan out the following morning. I had an early breakfast and made my way towards the water hole near Big Plain and set up well off the water overlooking where I thought Deer would approach from. No Deer were sighted that first day and I reconsidered my strategy that night as all the other hunter reported having sighted Deer and Danny managing to shoot a nice Stag that later measured at 10 inches.

The water hole near Big Plain on the Western End of the Island.

Tuesday morning dawned windy and rainy after some heavy falls overnight, I had located a small clearing in the Paperbark on the North of the Island and figured it would be sheltered enough that Deer may brave a quick feed during the day. My previous experience with Sambar and Fallow has been that after a period of cold wet weather they will get up and feed during the day, this I believe is to keep warm from heat generated by the fermentation of food in their gut. I figured Hog Deer would do the same but sooner and more often, as being smaller they would chill quicker. I sat over the clearing all day but sighted no Deer. There was however plenty of sign to validate my theory.

The small clearing.

With just on an hour of shooting light remaining for the day I decided I would try and stalk my way back to camp hugging the edge of the bush and see if I could catch a Deer out feeding. I very slowly made my way back towards camp  glassing ahead as I went, there were lots of Kangaroos out feeding on the tussock edges doing just what I hoped a Deer would do. I kept a keen eye on the Roo's and searched every Tussock with my Bino's , paying particular attention to where the Roo's were looking. As I rounded a particularly thick patch of Tussock with thick Bracken behind it I spotted what at first glance looked like a Red Kangaroo hunched over feeding. A quick look over with the Bino's showed it to be a Hog Deer Stag, and a good sized one at that. I stood bolt still watching him as he raised his head revealing a great set of antlers. He had a quick look around and put his head back down to feed, completely unaware of me. 

I slowly put my rifle to my shoulder and quietly closed the bolt and slipped the safety off, the Stag was quartering away from me presenting a perfect shot behind the shoulder and I saw him drop on the spot to the shot. 

The Stag where he fell.

The Stag with my Rifle, a Mod 70 WIN Super Grade in .300H&H.

A rub tree a few meters from where I shot my Stag, Banksia's seemed to be their tree of choice.

I quickly walked over to my Stag and could not believe my luck, such a great animal to get him in the last half hour of the afternoon, I was ecstatic. I quickly to a whole bunch of photos and then updated the other guys via text. I then proceeded to Tag and field dress the Stag and hung him in a tree in the wind to cool before placing a big meat bag over him. Harvested Deer must be presented whole to the checking station on the mainland as soon as possible so contacted a local charter operator to arrange a pick up on the next high tide, I then contacted the GMA rep and informed him I would be leaving the Island to attend the checking station the following morning. I made my way back to camp and had some dinner before packing the bulk of my gear. One of the other hunters Tallis then sent out a message saying he had also been lucky enough to take a Hind with his Bow.

I got up early and had breakfast then packed the remainder of my gear and hiked out to my pick up point. I then returned to the stag and carried him out to the pickup point and waited for my boat ride back to Port Welshpool. I saw plenty of fresh sign on the walk out and even saw a small Hind feeding along the bush edge. I had a short wait for my ride and took a few photos of various things while I waited to keep me occupied. When my ride arrived I was surprised to see an old work colleague driving the boat, it turned out he owned the charter business and we had a quick catch up on the trip back ashore. 

Hiking out to my pick up point.

 Once back on the mainland I made my way to the checking station where my Stag was measured and tissue samples taken, his lower jaw was removed for ageing and research and I was issued with a receipt with all the details of my Deer. I then drove back to Pauls place where the cool room was and set about caping out my Stag. I turned the ears and split the lips and gave it a liberal coating of fine salt. The carcass and Cape were then placed in the cool room and I cleaned up and had some lunch. I contacted my Taxidermist and he informed me he could take my deer the following morning so I had a relaxing afternoon and a few beers before turning in for the night. Danny came by the next morning to see my Stag before I left and we got news that Trent had also managed to shoot a nice Stag. 

I left Paul's place and drove to my Taxidermists and dropped the cape and head off with him to mount. I then spent the afternoon out with him looking at some great Hog Deer country near his place with plans to hunt the area the following year, he and I have been friends for over 30 years. I stayed the night and then made the journey back East over the mountains the following morning, arriving back at my place early afternoon. I spent the rest of the day cleaning up and washing my gear and reflecting on what a great trip my first Hog Deer hunt had been. I cant wait for the chance to hunt Hog Deer again.

Some Information on my hunt and my gear.

Hog Deer can be hunted on public land in Victoria during a 1 month season in April and Tags are issued by the GMA. They can also be hunted in a Balloted hunting arrangement in select areas outside the April season, I was very fortunate to secure a Balloted hunting opportunity. My rifle of choice was a Mod 70 WIN Super Grade in .300H&H with 220grn projectiles, a bit heavy for Hog Deer I know but it worked perfectly the projectiles caused very little meat damage being constructed for heavier animals, I will note my shot did not hit bone other than ribs. I chose to ground hunt as I did not have the time available to get a high seat or rickshaw organized. 

I would like to thank all the other hunters on the Island during Period 3, I enjoyed meeting all of you, Leon thanks for the boat Ride,  and Paul for the place to stay and the use of the cool room I very much appreciate it. I will leave with a few random pictures of Deer sign and other interesting things for you to peruse

I cant wait to get my Mounted Stag back home.

Deer pellets in the Paperbark,

A brightly coloured visitor.

The hunting area boundary's were clearly marked.

Hog Deer Tracks in the damp sand.

2022 Draws to a close and a new year beckons.

 

As 2022 Draws to a close and a new year beckons, I look back and reflect on the year that was and the events that unfolded and shaped my life over the past 12 months. Early in the year saw me spend an extended period of time at work as the last of the COVID imposed restrictions were relaxed and things were returned to as normal as possible in the post pandemic world. Some restrictions remain in place but they present nothing more than a minor inconvenience.  

In late April and Early May I spent my break hunting and hosted 2 friends for a week. One was fortunate enough to shoot his first and second Sambar, (a young Calf and a yearling Stag) and went home with plenty of great tasting meat. The other was not so fortunate though he did see multiple deer every day and multiple species on some days, the opportunity for a shot just proved elusive, that's deer hunting for you. Both had a great time and will no doubt return to hunt Sambar.  Late June and early July saw me working on the cottage and I managed to complete the second Bathroom and completely gut and replace the floor in  the laundry. I did take the odd opportunity to hunt and secure some prime Fallow Venison for the freezer. I also spent a few days working on our block replacing damaged fences and vaccinating cattle.  I managed to squeeze in a short visit to Perth during this time, which was much appreciated by my long suffering and ever understanding wife. 

Mid August saw me once again working on our Cottage and I completed relining the laundry walls ready for painting once the floor is tiled. I took a couple of opportunities to hunt and after 30+ years finally took a very respectable old Sambar Stag. You can read the complete story here  My Quest For a Sambar Stag  I was absolutely thrilled to have finally taken a Mature Stag and returned to work a very happy camper. My next break I  returned to Perth and my wife and I made the journey across Australia by road to our cottage where we spent 4 weeks together working on the laundry floor, Vaccinating more Cattle and some much needed gardening. During this period torrential amounts of rain fell across much of Australia, causing wide spread flooding that continues to this day! We had to leave a few days early to avoid being stranded on the wrong side of floodwaters.

Floodwaters at Moulamein NSW

That pretty much brings me up to date with this years happenings as Christmas is fast approaching and I am once again away from loved ones for Christmas and New Year. We did our usual and celebrated just before I departed and we will celebrate again when I return in the New Year. We have some plans for our block and look to embark on an exciting new project but more of that next year.  I will once again spend Christmas at work with an assortment of people from a vast array of socio economic backgrounds and we will as always have fun, lot's of it! we are in essence a big family due to the years we have worked together. 

It was partly this that got me thinking about why I hunt? 

Most of the people I work with both men and women, are from impoverished backgrounds, subsistence farmers and fishermen. They all take great interest in my hunting stories and photographs as it is a practice they themselves participate in out of sheer necessity. Essentially hunting is how they feed their families, they see great value in a mature Sambar Stag or Hind as they instantly equate the size of the animal to how many people it will feed and for how long. They have no supermarket to buy packaged food and no refrigeration to store it either. They love the sight of a freshly caught trout, or field mushrooms, home grown vegetables and wild harvested meat and produce. 

Field Mushrooms

Venison, Field Mushrooms and Pumpkin

They have what most in our society have lost, they have the utmost respect for the origins of their food.  That is the reason I hunt, I never want to loose respect for the origins of my food. I want to know exactly how my meat was harvested, that the animal was treated with the respect it deserved. I want to know that the fish I eat swam unhindered in a mountain stream or lake and ate natural foods itself, not antibiotic riddled pellets in an overseas fish farm. I like to taste the earth in my mushrooms and the grass in my meat so to speak. I want to know my food and give it the respect it deserves.  

A prime Sambar Leg.

This is just one reason why I hunt and will always hunt.  

So as the year draws to a close and you all celebrate with your families spare a minute and think of where your food actually comes from and why you hunt. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to you all and of course Happy Hunting.

   

My Quest for A Sambar Stag.

My First Mature Sambar Stag.

This Blog entry has it's beginnings just over 31 years ago when I started Sambar hunting. My first foray into Sambar hunting took place in the Buffalo Valley in July 1991, I was 21 years old and full of enthusiasm having read every book about Sambar I could lay my hands on. That trip I let a big antlered mature Stag that was standing in the middle of the road walk away and so began my Quest. Over the intervening years I have spent many weeks freezing, camped out in the bush including being camped out at Lake Cobbler Hut on the 29th of June 1994, that night the temperature dropped to -23 at Charlotte's Pass, I can only hazard a guess how cold it actually was on the Cobbler Plateau. I have been covered in Leaches, savaged by ants and had many sleepless night courtesy of noisy Koalas and other assorted Marsupials. I have enjoyed every trip regardless of the outcome.

My First Sambar Deer, a Hind taken with a Sako .3006.

I have had reasonable success over the years keeping the freezer full of Venison, countless Hinds and Spikers have made their way home with me, but not a mature Stag. I have seen more than a few over the years but luck has always been in their favor not mine. Subtle wind changes, snapping sticks or a Stags uncanny ability to place a tree over their vitals, you name it I have experienced it. I have used the years wisely and refined my gear and my techniques. I have some beautiful photos taken with both game cameras and DSLR to show for my efforts, photography is another interest of mine.

Lake Cobbler Falls circa early 1990's

Yesterday the 23rd of August my luck finally changed for the better. The night before had been bitterly cold, and a blanket of snow had fallen down as low as 800mts and a cold wind was blowing from the Southwest. Around midday the sun came out from behind the clouds and with more bad weather forecast over the coming days, I thought if I was a Deer I would be stuffing my face while I could. So I packed my gear for a quick afternoon hunt in a gully I had been looking at for a while and I suspected held good numbers of Deer.

I knew from past experience that if I could find a sunny, sheltered area out of the wind with good feed I would find the Deer. I also knew that the sound of the wind through the trees, though making the deer edgy, would cover any sound I made. I parked my vehicle in my chosen location and after crossing a very swollen creek I began to make my way into the catchment. Keeping the wind in my face I climbed about 300mts above the creek then contoured along the main face crossing a couple of feeder gully's. keeping quiet was relatively easy given the sodden ground and I quickly bumped into two Hinds feeding on a sunny bench. Unaware of my presence I let them feed on their way and then continued on mine. I found a large wallow that hadn't been used in the last few days and figured that a Stag would be keen to give it a freshen up during the break in the weather. 

The Wallow in the head of a feeder Gully.

From my vantage point over the Wallow.

I sat for a while and had a quick snack and a drink watching over the wallow. While there I used my binoculars and spotted a deeply rutted game trail and some trees coated in mud indicating the path the Stags took when entering and exiting the Wallow. Armed with this fresh knowledge, I checked my map and located a reasonably flat section of spur about 500mts further up the gully, the game trail entering the wallow looked like it came from the same direction as the spur. 

I decided I would set off and explore the catchment some more and made my way along the game trail towards the flat area, stopping and looking ahead and both up and down hill with my binoculars every 20-30 meters or so. As I reached the flat area I slowed right down and scanned the sunny spots ahead looking for the smallest movement. A couple of times birds got me a little excited and I very slowly picked my was as quietly as possible through the waist high undergrowth. As I moved between two trees I must have made a very slight sound as not 30 meters in front of me a Stag stood up from his bed in the fern and gums. It was a strange sight seeing him rise sleepily and gain his feet, he was slightly unsteady for a couple of seconds still half asleep, it reminded me of a drunken man trying to get up from the ground, his head lolling around. 

I stood bolt still as he looked around, all I could see of him was his head and a little of his neck. When he looked away for a second I shouldered my rifle and as soon as I was holding steady on his neck I squeezed the trigger. I lost sight of him as the .375H&H  rocked me back and I quickly reloaded and settled once again on the area he had been. I stepped forward rifle at the shoulder and saw him on the ground, once I had a clear view of him I put a second shot into his chest to ensure he was not getting up. I could not believe it had happened I had finally got a Mature Stag.  

My Stag where he fell.

My Stag where he fell.

Standing at the Stag looking at the tree I took the shot from just right of center.

I stood and watched him for a few minutes soaking in what had just transpired, I had waited so long for this moment I wanted it to be right. I dropped my back pack off and took out my camera and started taking pictures of him as he fell. I wanted to record the moment as it was before I attempted to pose him for better phots. I like to record things as they were, the raw details of the situation, an honest picture of the scene. With the initial pictures taken I then set about posing him as best I could on my own, I wanted to do him justice and I hope I achieved that in the pictures I took.

After I had taken the pictures I stood back and took in what had to be done next, I was caping him out for a mount there was no question of that. I took my time and did as good a job as I could in the bush, being extra careful not to slice a hole in his skin. I would do the final caping of the face at home where I could turn the ears and split the lips. I had shot the Stag just after 4pm and knew I would not be out before dark, I was keen to get moving as I had to cross the creek again and I was not looking forward to doing it by headlamp. I took the backstraps and packed them in my backpack and then hung the legs in a tree to be retrieved over the following days. I wrapped the cape over the Stags face and between his antlers and tied it in place with some 3mm cord. With the caping done I hefted my pack on and tightened up the straps, I then swung the head and cape over my head so the antlers hung over my shoulders and the head rested on the top of my pack, it was surprisingly comfortable despite the weight. I had recently purchased a Talarik sling hook and this little device now came into its own, allowing me to devote both hands to either holding the antlers or steadying myself. I would recommend that if you hunt with a pack you purchase one even if only for use during a carry out. 

After about a kilometer it was getting too dark to walk safely with the load I was carrying so I stopped for a break and got out my headlamp, a great little unit from PEAX in the US.  With a light source now assisting me I reached the creek and the crossing was once again cold and the water raging from the recent rain and snow. Once safely on the other side it was only a few hundred meters to where I had parked and I made short work of the distance. At the car I lifted the head from my shoulders and took off my pack then took a couple of long drinks from my water bottle. I packed away my rifle and ammunition, and placed the head and cape in the tray then washed my hands and closed the canopy.  I started the car and just sat for a few minutes before making the trip home. I was in no hurry and actually enjoyed the drive, taking the time to appreciate the mist slowly rising along the river flats as the dull red glow in the Western sky slowly faded to black signaling the end of the day.   

Rest my faithful companion for we have walked
many a mile and you have done you job well.

Once home I unloaded my gear and the meat and Head then spread the skin flat to cool on the back veranda as the frost settled on the lawn. I had a long hot shower and a quick dinner before rugging up and sitting outside, enjoying a quiet Glenfiddich with my stag for a while.

  

I spent the next day caping out the remainder of the head, splitting the lips and turning the ears, before salting it well. The remainder of the day was spent answering emails and texts and talking to a few friends about my hunt. I made an entry in my hunting journal and sent a few pictures to family and friends and made arrangements to have my Stag mounted. I cleaned my gear and split some wood for the fire and before I knew it the day was done.... 

Another Dead Head for the collection.

 Whilst I haven't done much in the way of hunting these last few weeks I did manage to get out for a quick morning hunt last week. 

I hunted up a catchment that usually has a few Deer out feeding in the early morning, I contoured along about 300 meters above the creek and after about a kilometer I smelled a dead animal. So I followed my nose and located a Stag someone had lost some time ago, It had a nice small set of antlers that I figured I would retrieve later so I marked it on my GPS and continued on my way. I saw nothing of any interest for the rest of the morning so I made my way back to the Dead Head to retrieve it. 

The Head I found.

After retrieving the Head I made my way along the same contour back towards my vehicle, about 100 meters further on I spotted a Sambar hind feeding. A quick check with the Binoculars revealed another Hind and a small Spiker Stag. I watched them for a while from a distance and decided to take one for meat unfortunately a swirling wind betrayed me and they made their escape before offering me a shot. I continued on my way and located another Hind with a Calf a short time later however neither offered me a shot before disappearing into the ferns.

I made my way back to my vehicle and made myself a cup of coffee and packed away my gear for the short trip home, happy with the mornings encounter and find.

Until next time.

Happy and Safe Hunting.

My Quest for a Sambar Stag takes an unexpected turn.

After a week of hunting with Jeremy and Tom I set about some hunting for myself, my goal being to get myself a Sambar Stag. Well the week didn't go as I had planned it and after quite a few days of stalking, sit and wait hunting and glassing I had pretty much given up and come to the conclusion It would not happen this trip and indeed I was correct. I passed up quite a few opportunities to secure Hind's and lesser Spikers in the hope of securing a representative Sambar Stag, It just did not happen for me, but that's the way it goes in the Sambar caper. I have been hunting them since July 1991 so what's another couple of weeks right? 

In the interim here's a collection of picture from my last trip to Sambarland and a short story of an unexpected turn of welcome events.

Set up and waiting at one of my favorite sit and wait spots

My Rigby Big Game PH in .375H&H .

A Dead Head I found Whilst searching for a lost Deer.

I have been hunting for a representative Sambar trophy for some years now and 2 years ago for my 50th birthday I bought myself a Rigby Big Game PH in .375 H&H, I decided a Deer worthy of my wall deserved to be hunted with a Rifle of  equal class and I had always wanted one so why not, its' a once in a lifetime purchase. I was also adamant that the rifle not become a safe queen and I would actively hunt with it on as many occasions as possible. I made that decision fully aware that the rifle will get knocked about and scratched up, but it's a Rigby and made to hunt not sit in a safe. Every scratch in the stock tells a tale and I know the collector will cringe but the hunter will not. 

I had pretty much given up on securing a Trophy Sambar stag this trip out as time had gotten away from me and my return to work was drawing near. I organized as I always do to take two lovely older Gentlemen out for an afternoon. One is an ageing Malaya and Vietnam Veteran, the other an ageing Mountain Horseman and Cattlemen, both OAM recipients and very good mates.  Ray and Keith love to spend time together and both love to visit the old stone hut on Keith's property and tell stories of old times. So this cold and rainy afternoon I picked them both up and we headed off to drive the boundary of Keith's property before stopping at the stone hut for a hot cup of tea.

I decided I would pack my rifle just in case but not really expecting to see anything worth looking at. We were 3/4s of the way around the boundary when I spotted a group of Fallow Deer on the edge of the bush. Not thinking much of it I pointed them out to Ray and Keith and they both looked on as they walked back into the bush. I made comment that they weren't in any particular hurry and had probably bedded just inside the bush. Well Keith piped up and said why don't you take that big old gun of yours and see if you can shoot one. So without thinking I had much hope and not exactly dressed in my hunting clothes I got the rifle out of its's case unlocked the ammunition box and grabbed a couple of bullets and quietly made my way across the paddock to about 50 meters from where the deer entered the bush.

I sneaked in about 30 meters then turned parallel to the bush edge, about 30 meters later I saw the distinctive shape of a deer's head pop up and look in my direction. I stood bolt still and the deer turned to look away. I slowly closed the bolt and raised the rifle, settling the crosshairs on the deer's neck just below the jawline. I slowly squeezed the trigger and saw the deer fall before I lost my sight picture in the recoil. I walked the 40 odd meters to where the deer had fallen and made sure it was indeed dead which it was. I then walked the 200 or so meters back to the vehicle and informed both Ray and Keith I had been successful and shot a Fallow Spiker.  

The Fallow Spiker.

I packed my rifle away and secured the remaining ammunition before driving as close to the animal as I could. Ray being a little more agile than Keith accompanied me to where the deer lay. Ray insisted I take a picture of him with the deer and the million dollar rifle as he calls it. 

Ray Waters, OAM  Malaya and Vietnam veteran and great old guy.

I then proceeded to use my Rigby folding knife that my ever loving Wife bought me as a 30th wedding anniversary gift to dress the Fallow Spiker. Ray and I then dragged the deer the short distance to the vehicle and we loaded it into the tray. We then cleaned ourselves up before returning to the Stone Hut for a hot cup of tea. I had brought along some cheese and cracker biscuits along with some cold cuts of Fallow backstrap I had cooked the night before. I made up a plate of snacks while Keith boiled the billy and made tea. Once that task was completed we sat down to a hot cup of black tea and I offered Keith a piece of Fallow without telling him what it was.

 He promptly declared it was as finer meat as he had ever eaten, I then told him it was Fallow Deer to which he exclaimed in his own particular way "Go On" thats Keith speak for you're joking. We finished the crackers, meat and cheese and drank our Tea and locked up the hut, it was getting dark the clouds closing in on the valley and rain was starting to fall as we drove away. I turned up the heater in the car and Keith and Ray continued talking about different things, I just listened enjoying the time with them. I dropped Keith home and said my goodbye's in the way you do when you aren't sure you will ever see someone again for Keith is of that age. Ray and I went home and Ray helped (watched) me hang the deer to ensure it was done just right. Ray then walked across the street to his home and left me alone for the evening. 

The Entry of 3 Firsts.

It was when I was alone enjoying a Whiskey after dinner that it struck me, today was an unexpected success, 3 firsts shared by 3 people, myself and 2 fine old Gentlemen. I had taken my first Game animal with my Rigby Rifle, I had used my Rigby knife for the first time on a Game animal and it was recorded in the first entry in my Rigby hunting Journal. The Fallow Spiker whilst not being a Trophy class animal by proportional standards is indeed a Trophy to me due to the company in which he was taken, to me it represents the afternoon shared with two of the finest men I have come to know. I plan to mount the head in the simple European style where it will take pride of place on my wall as a reminder of that afternoon. The unexpected turn of events in my quest for a Sambar Stag.

Backstrap and Tenderloins.

The Spiker Hanging.

  

Backstraps and Tenderloins.

 

Hind Legs.

Boned out hind Leg.

 

Hunting once again, Maybe this year I will get my Stag.

 I had been wanting to take a break from renovating my house for a while, and the Fallow and Red Deer Rut coinciding with my break provided the perfect opportunity. I had been in contact with a couple of friends and both were keen to come and spend a week hunting with me. Plans were made and Tom was to arrive and spend one week hunting with me before returning home then, Jeremy was to arrive the following week and spend the week. Well you know how it goes and as things turned out both Tom and Jeremy arrived on the same week. Not to worry I have room for both and there's plenty of country to hunt, I figured with a little planning I could make things work ok. I spent the week beforehand preparing, cutting firewood, servicing my vehicle, and planning just so I could devote as much time to hunting as possible, and with all the preparation complete, including a late afternoon hunt where I was successful in securing a nice Fallow Doe to fill the freezer, yes I was ready. 

A Fallow Doe for the freezer.

I was eager to hunt when Jeremy arrived mid afternoon on the Saturday. We had a quick cup of coffee and a catch up before heading out for a short afternoon hunt at a place that has regularly produced deer for me in the past. I had retrieved a camera from an active wallow nearby a few days previously and was very impressed with one Stag in particular having been watching him for nearly 2 years now. We had received 10mm of rain overnight so the bush was damp and quiet, prefect for stalking. Jeremy and I made our way up the gully just as the catabatic winds started dropping, things were looking good and we hunted up the side of the gully before crossing the ridge into the next gully where I had a good spot to sit and wait overlooking the opposite face. We quietly located my spot and sat and listened to the birds calling as the sunset hoping to catch a glimpse of the Stag. 

My spot overlooking a nice open face.

We could here something moving further up the opposite face but could not see it. I suspected it was a group of Sambar deer but without being able to see them I was not sure. When the light had faded past the point of being able to see properly we donned our headlamps and started to make out way back towards the vehicle. We had only made it about 100m meters when the Honking started, confirming my suspicions of Sambar Deer moving a bit higher up. In all I could hear 3 distinctly different Honks and the Honking continued for a good 5 minutes as we quietly made our way back over the ridge line. We quietly returned to the vehicle and discussed the afternoons events as we drove home for dinner, Jeremy had experienced his first Honking and it was proper Honking too,  we were both  well and truly eager to hunt again the following morning.

The Stag I have been watching for a while now.

We were up early and drove to our hunting spot in the darkness, arriving just on first light. The timing was perfect and with the wind in our faces we headed off up our chosen gully. We hadn't gone more than a few hundred meters when we spotted a Hind and a young calf about 50 meters from us, a quick look around revealed no other deer visible so Jeremy decided to take calf for meat. At the sound of the shot a second bedded Hind burst out of the ferns and headed off  up the hill with the first Hind following. We made our way to where the calf lay and began the task recovering the meat for Jeremy to take home. 

Once the meat was bagged we hung it in a tree and marked the spot on the GPS and continued our way up the gully. Jeremy was concerned there would be no more deer in the catchment after the shot but I reassured him that would not be the case. After another uneventful hour or so we decided to have a rest and a cup of coffee then return to the vehicle and retrieve the meat on the way. We had just started to make our way back when we were honked by a bedded Hind and she quickly made here getaway. Jeremy remarked that he was surprised there were even any deer remaining in the catchment after he had shot the Calf. I explained that that was often the case with Sambar they go on alert after hearing a shot but they often don't move from where they are bedded.

We had a lazy afternoon and decided to have a few practice shots at some targets and then package the meat from the mornings hunt as Jeremy was feeling the effects of the long drive from Queensland to Victoria. Tom was arriving in the morning and I was going to meet him at the airport so I had a few hours driving ahead of me the next day too. Jeremy stayed at home in the morning and I drove into town and picked up Tom, returning home a little after midday. We got Tom settled in and had a light lunch before heading out for an afternoon hunt. I equipped Tom with one of my Rifles and we hunted some easy country close to town that often produces deer but we saw nothing, and returned home for dinner just after dark. 

I had arranged for a friend Steve to hunt with us the following morning and we would split up into pairs. Steve would guide Tom, and head from the ridgeline downhill and emerge on the edge of some farm land at a pre determined time. While Jeremy and I would hunt higher up the catchment and return to the vehicle in time to pick up Steve and Tom. Steve arrived just before dawn and we set off, I dropped Steve and Tom off and continued up the ridgeline for another 2kms. Jeremy and I parked up and began the descent into the catchment. I had not been in this area since the bushfires 2 years ago and was surprised at how thick the regrowth had become. Hunting was going to be extremely hard for the next few years until the trees grew some height. I took the opportunity to replace some cameras I had lost in the bushfires, and was pleasantly surprised to find the old wallows well and truly active again.

The extent of the regrowth from the bushfires, Silver Wattyl has become the dominant species.

We encountered plenty of Sign but no deer and after a few hours and placing 3 cameras we began the long climb up a spur to the ridgeline. Just over an hour and a half and 600mts gained height later we emerged on the ridge track soaked in sweat and made our way back to the vehicle in time to pick up Steve and Tom. We had a short rest and a drink then drove to our predetermined meeting spot, a call on the UHF confirmed they were waiting to be be picked up. Tom was quite tired but well and truly happy with what he had seen even though he hadn't seen any deer, Steve had shown him plenty of sign and given him a crash course in Sambar Deer along the way. After a catch up and some lunch we slowly drove across the the tops to an adjoining catchment where I thought we could have an easy evening hunt.  We arrived late afternoon and once again split up with Tom and Steve taking one side of the catchment and Jeremy and I the other. 

Jeremy and I made our way across the creek and slowly up the gully glassing as we went, we had progressed about 500mts when I spotted a familiar shape slightly above us. A closer inspection revealed a Stag looking in our direction not sure of what we were. I pointed him out to Jeremy and told him to take a shot if he could. Unfortunately despite my directions Jeremy could not locate him in the fading light and told me to take him if I had a shot. I could still see him quite clearly and seeing him grow increasingly uneasy I decided to take the shot before he departed. At the shot I lost sight of him momentarily and then saw him running across the face before turning uphill for a few paces then back across hill before stumbling, I tried to get a second shot but lost sight of him in some thick bush as he stumbled. 

Jeremy and I made our way to where he was standing when I shot and could see some running marks which we followed in the fading light. We lost track of them in the area where I had seen him stumble and could not relocate them as we lost light. We marked the position with the GPS deciding to leave the area alone in the dark and return in the morning, rather than trample all over any sign in the dark. Dejected but hopeful of following up in the morning we returned to the vehicle, we relayed the events to Tom and Steve when we arrived and Steve suggested we bring his dog with us the following morning. It was a beautiful evening cold and clear and the stars were bright, freezing conditions with rain and snow however was forecast the following afternoon. 

The evening stars from my back Verandah.

I didn't sleep well that night and was glad when Steve arrived at dawn with his dog, I was hopeful of retrieving the Stag as we headed out to begin the search. Jeremy and Tom hunted the other side or the creek while Steve and I searched for the Stag. We started where we had lost sight of the Stag and quickly discovered lot's of deer tracks going in every direction, we had been searching for just over 2 hours when I finally located a very small spot of blood, this was followed by another some meters away. We marked and followed the drops as we found them for the next 4 hours the spots becoming smaller and further apart until we eventually lost them after the Stag kept making his way uphill and crossed a ridge into the next basin. Dejected at the loss we made our way back to the vehicle, however we were confident that the lack of blood and the fact the Stag continued proceeding uphill indicated the Stag was not mortally wounded and would most likely survive. Jeremy and Tom relayed that they had sighted a Fallow Doe whilst sitting and waiting over a gully but were unable to get a shot.

After a quiet lunch we decided to hunt some farm fringe and Tom once again partnered up with Steve and I with Jeremy. We hunted the same face separated by about 50mts in elevation and about 300mts in distance. Jeremy and I saw nothing and on returning to the vehicle discovered that Steve had sighted a nice Stag and attempted to get Tom a shot, unfortunately Tom could not see the stag through the bush in the fading light, and the Stag evaded them unaware of their presence. That evening was cold and wet and had the feeling of snow falling at higher elevations. The Venison roast I had in the slow cooker was eagerly devoured that night and we all slept well with full bellies and the warmth of the fire radiating through the house.

The morning was bitterly cold and damp betraying the fact that it had indeed snowed on the tops. We left the house in the dark to arrive at our planned starting point just on dawn. We parked the vehicle and geared up before crossing the creek and heading up the gully. After a slight detour caused by my missing the correct path we were again on track up the correct gully. We made out way quietly through the waist high ferns and were promptly honked by an unseen Hind, she promptly showed us her ginger rump as she disappeared. We contoured our way up from the bottom of the gully and had progressed about 300 meters when I spotted a bedded Spiker looking our way not sure of what we were. I indicated to Jeremy where he was and he soon had him in sight. The Spiker was not looking concerned and I suggested Jeremy take the chance to sneak closer and take a rest against a tree in preparation for a shot should one present itself. 

Jeremy took a rest against a tree and waited, the Spiker turned side on presenting the opportunity for a perfect neck shot, Jeremy made no mistake and I watched the Spiker drop in my binoculars at the sound of the shot. I glanced at Jeremy and indicated the animal was down then looked up to see what I thought was a second deer making it's way down the hill towards the creek. I took a hasty running shot and heard the sound of a solid thwack before losing sight of the animal. Jeremy proceeded to where the Spiker had been when he shot and I to where I had lost sight of the deer I had shot. As Jeremy followed the substantial blood trail I located a downed Spiker not 5 paces from where I had lost sight of the deer I had shot. It soon became evident it was indeed the same animal Jeremy had shot, my shot had merely ended what was in fact a "dead run".

Jeremy's Spiker as we found him, the exit wound clearly visible on it's neck.

  

Jeremy was extremely surprised to see that the Spiker had regained its feet and run just over 120mts despite being hit well in the neck, his spine clipped and having carotid arteries completely severed. I explained that this is not uncommon with Sambar and a deer that drops to a shot quite often regains it's feet only to run away from the surprised hunter. I congratulated Jeremy on his first Sambar Spiker and we sat quietly for a few minutes before taking some pictures to mark the occasion.

Jeremy with His  first Sambar Spiker.

Jeremy and I with His first Sambar Spiker, credit Tom Marshall for the pictures.

We made ourselves a nice hot drink and had a short rest before processing the Spiker and bagging all the meat. We then hung the meat in a nearby tree too cool in the frigid morning air before continuing our hunt up the gully system. We were now keen to Secure Tom a Deer. We made about another 500mts progress before a change in the wind and the arrival of freezing sleety rain dictated we change our plans and return to the vehicle. We recovered the meat and with Jeremy, Tom and myself fully loaded we were able to recover the whole animal in one trip. We arrived back at the vehicle exhausted but jubilant at Jeremy's success. We returned to the house for a well deserved hot lunch of Venison Liver and Kidneys, fried Onions, scrambled Eggs and Baked Beans with bread and a rest, before one last afternoon hunt to try and get Tom a shot at a deer. 

 Jeremy chose to stay at home and package some of the meat from his Spiker, while I took Tom out for the afternoon. I had chosen an easy to access spot on some farm fringe to hunt thinking that with the cold turn the deer would be keen on an early afternoon feed before bedding down for the night. I was proven correct as not 30 seconds after we were settled into out spot I located a Red Deer Hind stepping out of the bush line. I quietly indicated to Tom where the Deer was and told him to take a shot as soon as he had located it and was happy. Tom was again unable to locate the deer in the fading light, and at that moment I inhaled a bug that induced a coughing fit. Despite this the Hind was unaware of our presence and I was confident Tom would get the chance of a shot. Tom did eventually locate the Hind when she moved, unfortunately she stepped back into cover and did not reemerge. We waited until it was far too dark to see before walking back to the vehicle by the light of our head lights.

The arrow indicates where the Hind stepped out.

With Temperatures dropping and rain starting to fall we headed of home for a hot meal and a good nights sleep before one last morning hunt. 

In the morning we were up before dawn again and headed out for one last try to secure a Deer for Tom. We hunted up a gully and found a good vantage point to sit and wait for deer returning from a night feeding on farm land to pass by on their way to their bedding areas. after about 45 minutes we could hear something moving above us but could not see anything. We waited another 10 or so minutes them made a move as it was nearing mid morning and we had things to take care of in the afternoon. We had walked about 50m meters when we were honked by a group of Hinds bedded above us that quickly climbed over a saddle and out of view. That was the last deer we saw whilst out hunting and sadly Tom had to return to Perth without shooting a Deer. He is however as keen as ever to return and try again as we encountered Deer every day of the hunting trip.

We cleaned up and packed all our gear that afternoon, I would be hunting the alone the following week but took the opportunity to wash and clean all my gear. Tom and Jeremy were leaving early the next morning, Tom returning to Perth and Jeremy to Brisbane. We had a last night dinner at the local Pub with one of my neighbors and a few drinks before retiring to bed tired and exhausted after a weeks hunting Sambar Deer. 

Jeremy left early the next morning on the long drive north and I drove Tom to the airport in Albury for the flight back to Perth via Sydney. It was a foggy and rainy morning and I was quite surprised to see 3 Stags and a Hind bedded out in the open in a paddock on the way back to town. It just goes to show Sambar are where you find them.

Sambar Deer bedded in the open. 

 
With Jeremy and Tom on their way to their respective homes I still had another week to fit some more hunting in, maybe my luck would change and I would finally get the Stag I have been hunting for all these years..