Uhunt Mag Information

• Posted By : BRISTLE UP
• Posted On : Jan 12, 2020
• Views : 2408
• Likes : 11
• Category : DEER HUNTING » ARTICLES, TIPS & HOW TO GUIDES
• Description : My best stag fo 2019 - 35" Long 6x6

Overview

• By Caine Svenson
  
  It’s about being in the bush for me, 2019 Red Deer Roar was upon us and anticipations were high. The thought of getting in close to these animals while they go about their business at this time of year is exhilarating. Many hunters, young and old, enter the Australian bush around the March - April period. Some are looking for trophies others wanting to fill their freezers and some no doubt going out to experience it for the first time and maybe even shoot their first deer. For me, it’s about being in the bush and experiencing the sights and sounds, seeing things that most don’t get the privilege to. It can be a testing time trying to get a look at cagey stags. 
  
  
  
  I hand load with 130 grain Hornady interlocks pushed by reloader 22 powder which gives me good results for killing power and accuracy out to 300 metres. The photos I have shared are from recent hunts and also some great tree camera pics I have gathered so far this year. 
  
  
  
  I have learned the tricks of the trade over the years on how to stay safe an out of sight, makes it very rewarding when it all comes together when you’re looking at undisturbed Deer doing their thing.  Each hunt is different; sometimes things fall into place while other times are a constant struggle, that sometimes results in a failed attempts. Personally, I have had plenty of both scenarios, both keeping me keen, learning new things and content on coming back each, and every year. This year I was fortunate with some great success taking a beautiful bush 6x6. To spread the light on some of the tools I use to give me some advantage while hunting is a good set of binoculars. 
  
  
  
  I use 10x Leica binoculars to help locate animals at a distance an if needing closer inspection without wanting to disturb them the spotting scope on a tripod is a great way to do so. The spotting scope is a Nikon 15-45x. My rifle of choice is an excellent all-around caliber for medium to large Australian game the .270 Winchester in Tikka T3 topped with a vortex 4-12 magnification scope.
  
  (NIKON 15-45x SPOTTING SCOPE)
  
  
  (10x32 Leica Binoculars)
  
  
  
  
  MY BEST STAG FOR 2019
  My trophy this year was a 35 inch long six, six; sporting great long top tines. This year we also took some management animals that lacked good genetics and I felt needed to be removed from the herd. I get just as much satisfaction out of this as taking a trophy and so should fellow hunters. It only betters your chance of shooting a trophy in the future as those inferior animals you take away don’t get the chance to spread their weaknesses. I do a lot of reconnaissance leading up to the rut along with many hunts for meat and just general time out in the bush during the year. This helps me build an understanding of where animal might be held up at different times of year and also the quality of stags getting around in certain areas. This year was no different an although things just fall into place on some occasions it’s the overall effort leading up to this point that really counts for the overall success.  On this particular morning the stags were roaring well with atleast 4 being heard within a kilometre radius. I approached the first stag high on the hill right on first light.
  
  
  
  He was holding a handful of does and keeping himself busy running backward an forward along the ridge roaring and chasing his girls. I took some video an let him be, keen to get a look at some more animals. The deer went quiet but I sat tight hoping to locate another stag that may get vocal later in the morning. This paid off as an hour or more later 2 stags were content roaring back an forth answering each other just enough for me to slowly move in and try an get a look at the closer of the two. Plenty of leg work and I was within 200 metres of him. The only way I was going to see him let alone get a shot was by closing the gap given the terrain he inhabited. I slowly and carefully stalked in as he payed roaring in his day bed . The only option I had was to close the gap to 40 metres before getting a look at him as that’s all thick terrain would allow. 
  
  
  
  Firstly I seen a top tine move as he moved his head. The ground was noisy so I tried to make him stand using a doe call with no luck. I had a lean against a small sapling that I gave a light shake but he still wouldn’t stand for me . The wind was good an constant so the waiting game began. I stood motionless for what felt like an eternity but may have only been 10 minutes before finally he stood to roar to a rival stag further below him. I controlled my nerves placed my crosshairs right behind his shoulder and slowly squeezed off the shot. He lepted at the shot an only made it 30 metres down hill before expiring. The excitement was uncontrollable as I approached the beautiful animal. A hunt I’ll never forget. It’s occasions like that which keep me going back time and time again spending countless hours walking and glassing the hills listening to the sights an sounds and giving me an escape from the everyday stresses that most of us endure in this day an age.