But I reckon I have a hunt in me yet before I break out the boat. What are the rest of you doing?

On a side note a mate of mine went out to a farm to check his bee hives and saw a very nice hog deer stag standing next to them.

Some fishing this week, weather permitting.
End of the month a bit of hunting in the South Island.
Waiting on info to see if my Ibex hunt in Turkey happens this year or not.

Enjoy it !

Sat night we had our first snow of the year, temp down to 24F.
Sunday night it dropped to 12F, High temp of33F,Today Mondy was bright & sunny, warmed up to 49F.
Thats in the SE of Colorado.

Cheers,

George

I'm supposed to go out again mid-month, but it may not happen as my mate is a busy man who often has his plans interrupted.

Despite the recent rain I expect it will be dry up there, a place of corn flakes and joe blakes.

Ive been really busy with the new farm, Setting it up and calving with mating underway now.
However Ive managed the odd bit of fun.

The dog and I collected a nice bit of meat the other night.


I got out one day for an explore looking for a route up too some Chamois country. Found one, and it looks very promising!





Got shown how to find gold on the farm



And also found a different type of gold.





Things will start to get easier here over the next months so will be up chasing Chamois over summer a bit i think, and doing alot of exploring so that when any of you buggers come to visit, I have somewhere to take you.

Bloody beautiful Shanks.

Specks of gold and specks of brown.

Took a couple of old rifles out lately. The 7mm RM and the 300 WM. Both head shots and I took both full carcases home.
Knife is a gift from a mate that made it.
Magnacut steel with a Buloke handle. Buloke is the hardest wood in the world.

Been taking lots of GG pics too.

Hen

Good stuff, John!

After 4 years of no mountain hunting, Im getting out and pushing myself up too the tops once a week. Was pleased with yesterdays effort of a 700 meter climb over 6ks in under 2 hours. Bit of deer sign about but was really looking for a Chamois, and sadly didnt see any and saw very little old or new sign at all, so onto a new spot next time.



Went out this morning for a stalk along the bush edge. The previous farmers had pretty much shot the shit out of the place so Im very careful about what I shoot. Saw a fallow doe first and let it go as my rule at the moment is red stags only due to thier more transient nature. Id rather let the fallow re establish a territory.
100 meters past the doe and I came around the corner to see a Red 40 meters in front of me. Quick check and it was a spiker which is perfect!
I just had the little Grendal in my hands, so no fancy stuff just a shot behind the shoulder into the heart and now I have summer Barbecue sorted.
No pic as I forgot to put my phone in my pocket- which is probably why I got something.

Over 1000 ft per hour climbing once you are over 40 is damn good going!

Good to see you up and out shanks...no camera....hmmmmn

Nice one Shanks. Keep it up.
Interesting and challenging looking terrain in your photo. Looks like Chammy country for sure.
You're getting me keen. Will be down to the Molesworth in about 1 week. Can't wait.

the Pom, yep I did a similar climb last week and really paid for it for a few days. This week the body recovered much faster. I was a bit worried as my hill fitness had slipped over the last years and I know it gets harder to regain it as you get on.

Gryph, Yep I have to gt back in the habit of always carrying one.

30.06, I was sure there would be some there so was quite disappointed in the long term lack of sign. Never mind gives me an excuse to try a new spot.
Starting to get warm now, I imagine those moles worth valleys will be bloody hot. Good luck as I know you will be pushing yourself quite hard in there.

Good bit of hunting country to have close Shanks. Chamois are quite happy around farmland areas and also like to feed and sun themselves on open slips in the bush so don't just expect to have to get to the open tops to find one. I had quite a few favourite slips where I got chamois within short walking distance from the State Highway when I lived in South Westland. Even came across a big chamois doe out feeding when hunting rabbits once on open river flats about 5 mins from home.

Still always nice to get out on the open hill tops and spend time glassing around for the big bucks.

PS: need to change your location on your profile

cheers Eagle, Ill get too it.

10 years ago Chamois used to graze by the roadside by the airstrip at Franz Josef. Didn't see them this year.

As far as I understand it, the farmer there used to love seeing them and didnt allow any hunting. But it became quite well known and rumour has it that more than one record book archery chamois originated from there. Which if true, is sad.

Speaking of warming up, as I had the chiller running for the deer, figured I might as well fill it and sort out the barbecue situation at the same time. Im going to be busy next week.

That beastin the back hanging looks the goods mate,mmmmm.

quote:

Originally posted by gryphon1:
That beastin the back hanging looks the goods mate,mmmmm.

Yep, speckle park/ friesian cross. 2yrs old and kill out around 260-270kg. She was intended to be our winter beast but she put on a growth spurt and would have got too damn heavy to deal with if we left her 6 months.

I can see that it is a yum yum model in good order mate.