I have finally received my Red Deer mount after a long wait. The photos don't do him justice. He is a big boy. Lucky to get in the door.

Measurements: 44 3/8" x 44" x 45 3/4" spread. Total of 368 1/4 DP Total 21 points.


[IMG]http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb27/JohnWKiely/Mount3.jpg

IMG]http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb27/JohnWKiely/Mount1.jpg[/IMG]


JWK

Trouble posting the photos

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WOW very nice mate. Who did the mount?

Very Nice!!!

Bakes,

Thanks for getting the photos up. Ted Wohlers did the mount. He has done a fantastic job.

JWK

That's a big bit of gear John.

No worries John but you can't just post some pics of a big bloke like that and not tell us about the hunt. Spill the beans mate.

Yes John, let's hear the how the hunt went!
What did that bruiser score in at?

Thanks folks,

I shot this big one in January this year. I was on a scouting trip is South Australia. The rutt doesn't start here until late March/early April and I always like to start looking early for sign, deer movement and the like. It was a fairly hot day and to tell you the truth I didn't expect to see much in the way of game, just looking for sign. I had my Sauer 202 takedown with the 300 Win. Mag barrel fitted. When I spotted this bloke I couldn't believe my eyes. I started the stalk but because of the wind I had to change direction completly. I lost sight of the stag for some time, found him again and after about a 2 1/2 hour stalk I was in place. At first I was using a small sappling for a rest but it just didn't seem steady enough, so I decided to risk about a 25 metres crawl to a small log which was laying the ground. Getting to the log, I just layed there for a few minutes going over in my mind how I was going to take the shot. The stag was completly unaware of my presence and was about 135 metres away. I recall thinking about pulling the trigger over and over again and just making sure the shot was perfect. I then set the trigger on the Sauer and touched off. The 180 gn Barnes TSX found its mark and the stag didn't know what had hit it. I was a fair distance from the vehicle and had left all my knives etc there so I marked the location of the animal, went and retreived my skinning gear and returned. I was glad to finish. I was dehydrated, hungry and tired by the time I had finished. I had a fantastic trophy but if I did learn one thing it is never go hunting, even for sign, without all your gear and be prepared for the unexpected.

Measurements: 44 3/8" x 44" x 45 3/4" spread. Total of 368 1/4 DP Total 21 points.

This is a great trophy for me and a hunt I shall always remember. Glad I could share and appreciate your interest.

JWK

John,
Great hunt and one heck of a trophy to show for it.

WOW... ...that's some rack!

I'm moving to Perth in about four months. How does an Expat hunt red deer in Australia? Are there outfitters for that? Can I bring a rifle from the States and keep it with me in Oz while I live there" I should be in Australia about a year.

John, nice trophy and great story!

Kensco, it takes about a year to get a license in the Peoples Republic of WA. If you are prepared to jump through all the hoops, you can get a license, but you might be better off leaving your rifle at home. Probably easier to get one here, or just borrow one.
There are several members who post here who can fix you up with a guided hunt for Red Deer and supply a rifle for the hunt.

Best of luck.