WALKING WITH GIANTS

Andy and I have had many memorable hunts over the years and this high country sambar hunt was no different. The decision was made to throw the packs on for one last weekend hunt for 2022 before the festivities of summer rolled around. It was a strange year for weather but I wasn’t complaining, the hills were still pleasant to climb this late in the year. 

For those that have followed along with my past sambar hunting stories the night drive was no different on this one. We arrived at our spot with just enough time to throw on some camo and head up the trail before the sun came up. Quietly gaining elevation, glassing faces and likely habitat as the sun slowly illuminated the hill side. It was a clear morning with the occasional cloud in the sky, the forecast for tomorrow was not as pleasant as this.

The plan for this first morning walk was to get high, set up camp to lighten the pack weight and start stalking in hopes of spotting a stag moving from his morning bed to his main bed. Making good time getting up the hill, the day was still very young when some fresh rubs were found. Intrigued with the chance of seeing the animal that left this evidence, Andy said he was going to drop his pack to follow the marks.

I looked ahead at where the stalk would take place which caused me to make the decision to stay behind with the packs. It was extremely thick and the leaf litter was crunchy under foot, I didn’t want to ruin the stalk. Within a minute and about 15 meters, through the spiderweb of brush, I see Andy shoulder his rifle. Moments later, a shot is fired. After the echo of the shot had traveled down the mountain I heard Andy quietly call me into the bush to help track the deer. 

It was so thick that we weren’t sure what calibre of deer the animal was. We found blood where the deer was standing at the shot and after a few more meters I was excited that we would find this deer. The blood got heavier and regular which indicated a fatal shot. These deer are huge and extremely strong willed which makes the moments after the shot nerve-racking.

With each step closer to the hopefully downed deer the bush started to open up slightly. Only 50m on, we got to a patch that was rather clear when Andy spotted the deer wrapped around a snow gum. In that initial sight we both thought the deer may have been a hind because the body didn’t look heavy like a stag. 

As we arched to the left to get a glimpse of the head, a giant antler was sticking up above the foliage on the ground. We both looked at each other dumbfounded, this might just be that stag of a lifetime! Could this be the one that goes over thirty? 

It might sound strange to some but I often get more satisfaction when the guys I hunt with get a good deer than when I get one for myself. I live for the experience, sharing the adventure, these moments, I’m stoked when we can harvest a deer because heck there are a lot of times where we come home empty handed! 

With only one antler visible, the other presumably buried under the mess of twigs and leaf litter, Andy was nervous the other antler was cast or possibly broken. As he grabbed the stags left antler to lift the stags head, the other antler materialized and relief flooded our minds. The stag’s body appeared to lack condition, I thought possibly from the rutting activity, but it may’ve been from age because the year was wet and I presumed the feed was good, not sure. 

As we sat with the stag, in awe of him, we smiled at the fact we weren't even to camp yet. We had all of our gear and needed to haul out meat and bone early in the hunt. After the butchering was complete, we walked back to our packs, we paused for a moment to contemplate what our plans were now. With a stag down and our packs extremely heavy, was it wise to continue up hill to our original camping spot or make a plan to camp near to where we are and hunt high with light packs?

The smart move was to set up camp, we backtracked slightly to a flat spot near a running water source to set up camp and look after the meat. With packs mostly unloaded we split up and headed off for an afternoon hunt hoping to cross paths with a stag that I could hunt. 

For those that have followed along with my sambar hunts, you will know we hunt in some thick and nasty habitat, this area was no different. I like the thick because as long as the wind is right, the deer will sometimes let you get close enough before busting off. They may give you enough time for a shot if you see them soon enough. Unfortunately for me I wasn't fast enough to spot three deer down to my left by 50m. I heard the commotion before seeing two deer contour in front of me and another u-bolt behind me. I coudnt make out if the deer had antler but it was an opportunity missed. That gutted feeling came over me, bottom lip dragging on the ground, wondering if that was my chance at a stag of a lifetime. 

I soldiered on and arched to my left heading down hill towards a trail that would lead back to camp. The going was tough. It was that bracken fern, rocky type country that could easily break an ankle if you're not careful. The sun fades fast in the mountains which caused me to hustle through some decent looking terrain. I took a mental note to come back for a look here tomorrow morning. 

I was taking a breather on the trail when I heard a distant gun shot, not too far from me but far enough to wonder if it was Andy getting lucky for the second time today. Between our crew we have a rule that when a shot is fired we turn on our Garmin Rhino’s and wait for an update. 

It was getting to the point where I wondered if I should be the first to open the dialogue but I was cautious of messing up the situation so I held off. Then I heard movement in the forest above my position. Eagle eyed, with light fading, I spotted a stag contouring broadside about 40m from me. I slowly fed a round into the chamber of my .270WSM and cautiously shouldered the rifle, spotting the stag for a split second before he vanished like smoke. I was perplexed at the fact that I lost the deer because the bush isn't thick enough to completely cover a standing deer. I listened intently for the noise of a deer walking through the brush but all I could hear was something breaking sticks way back in the gully system. I radioed Andy asking if he was the one making the noise. He responded with a yes and added that there should be two deer coming towards me, he wasn't sure if he had hit one with the shot I heard earlier. I told him I saw one but lost it in the bush. I waited at my position until I saw Andy, I tried to point where I’d last seen the deer but I think I confused the situation. Andy was about 30m above where I’d seen the deer and as he looked down towards where I was pointing, he quickly raised his rifle and fired a shot. The deer I’d lost had dropped down and bedded, that's why it had disappeared on me. 

I met Andy at the stag and congratulated him on his second deer for the day. I have to admit that this bloke works harder than anyone I know when in the bush chasing these stealthy brown critters around. He deserves every bit of success that he finds! 

We noticed that the stag had been wounded from the previous shot and was on its way to expiring there. The first thing I noticed was that the deer was in great condition, completely the opposite of the big boy from the morning. This indicated that there was decent feed around so maybe the first stag was aging harshly. 

Andy told me how it all went down while butchering the deer. He had arrived at a nice looking gully, similar to the one I made a mental note about, he stopped and let out a couple of mouth calls. Two stags came charging up to him, the first cut his wind and took off. Following the deer he couldn't get a shot but thought the second deer would take the same path. Sure enough, it did, and Andy was ready. The deer was moving at the shot so the impact point was slightly back but because Andy never gives up he was able to track down the stag. I am sure if I wasn't there he would’ve found that deer without me.

When we got back to camp we smashed down a couple of Go Native meals and retired to bed with a plan to get me a deer in the morning.

We awoke to a misty fog blanketing the top third of the mountain which turned into a heavy rain as we were packing up camp. We decided to bail on my attempt at a stag and headed back to the car with packs full of meat and antler.

I am grateful for the public land hunting we have in Victoria and the experiences it allows us to have because without it, a weekend like this doesn't exist.

TIPS

The Sea To Summit Ether LightXT Extreme Regular Wide is massive. It’s super comfortable but packs big and covers a lot of surface area in the tent. If you’re planning to take this sleeping pad when sharing a 2 man hiking tent, don’t be surprised if it takes up more than half of the tent!! This pad will be perfect for solo missions but only if you have the room in your pack. 

If you’re looking for meals that are delicious, quick and easy to prepare, that take minimal water look no further than Go Native. My pick is butter chicken and always pack the mash, its delicious.

Camping near flowing water makes gathering water easy. However, we got so many leeches on us! I didn't think it was a spot where leeches were going to be so I was rather surprised.

PACKING LIST

Dont forget to download my back packing gear list below.