Cleddyf wrote:you have strange deer there...
30 feet, thats what, 10 metres? good luck trying to get that close to a deer here.the only ones that tame are farm deer, and even then usually they scarper long before then
Thats about rifle range in most of my region lots of thickets and hollows that make good hidey holes for varmints. I hunt on the ground too and honestly I probably move within less than 15 feet of deer I never see....It dont mean they're tame it just means they're patient and they'll set still till dark if they have to , the older bucks especially are cool customers they dont get flighty and jump like younger bucks. Theres alot of press about a deers speed but what trips up a hunter aint always there speed its there ability to wait. In nature the first to move is more often than not the first to die, then again the opposite is equally true, its astounding how these older bucks know when to set and when to run.
I once hunted a particular buck for three seasons and finally got a shot I had the cross hairs on his heart @ 210 yards the wind was in my face everything was "right" He stayed broad side for a full three breathes I just watched him through the scope and never touched the trigger.....but he "knew" I was there, I would almost swear to it, anyway I didnt shoot him, and I'm convinced he was hot and bothered by a close doe or I wouldnt have put eyes on him even at that distance..... He was a wiley one. Not a "trophy" by flatland standards just an 8 point or 4X4 for you westerners but he lived a long time with alot of folk gunnin for him
Pardon my askin but what type of deer are found in NZ I'll own I'm undereducated about most species outside of the US I'm interested in how you folk hunt down there...any differences or similarities make for good educational conversation
Eric, congrats on your first hunt its not all about fetchin meat some of the best moments will be when you never fire a shot I'm glad you had a good and safe time. heres to many more