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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: shankspony on April 17, 2016, 07:13:00 PM

Title: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: shankspony on April 17, 2016, 07:13:00 PM
......Its time for the fallow rut.

I have been putting in some early mornings and late night this week trying to get a fair chance at a fallow Buck with my longbow. So much fun and so many close calls, getting in range of 12 in all from distances of 6-30 meters. Always something wrong. vegetation,angle of shot, animal moving or caught my wind at the last second. Exciting, frustrating, rewarding and soul destroying all at once. This morning I had a fantastic stalk on 2 Bucks who were not quite fighting over a Doe, but pacing and croaking at each other.
Those who know fallow will know their reaction time is up there with the fastest of deer, and so I wont shoot over 20 meters unless the circumstance is exceptional, and so when one of the Bucks paused side on at 20 and after 40 minutes of creeping close, I drew back just as an errant gust of wind alerted him and like that they were gone.
Patience though, has its reward!  I set myself up on a stalk on another Buck, only to find this guy had the same idea. He never saw me crouched by the log as he passed by at 3 meters! At that range of course the arrow flew straight.

   (http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll56/shankspony_photos/P1020015_zpsavknvxo3.jpg) (http://s285.photobucket.com/user/shankspony_photos/media/P1020015_zpsavknvxo3.jpg.html)

URL=http://s285.photobucket.com/user/shankspony_photos/media/P1020014_zps7ksrnsev.jpg.html]  (http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll56/shankspony_photos/P1020014_zps7ksrnsev.jpg)[/URL]
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: acedoc on April 17, 2016, 07:51:00 PM
Great going!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Anointed Archer on April 17, 2016, 07:52:00 PM
Very nice!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Joeabowhunter on April 17, 2016, 08:02:00 PM
Awesome!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Hickrylb on April 17, 2016, 08:08:00 PM
I like the chocolate coloration on that Buck,very nice one.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Friend on April 17, 2016, 08:10:00 PM
Excellent harvest....congrats!

Love New Zealand.....
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: drewsbow on April 17, 2016, 08:13:00 PM
wow , congrats
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Sam McMichael on April 17, 2016, 08:15:00 PM
Nice deer!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Pete McMiller on April 17, 2016, 08:23:00 PM
Fabulous Craig, that's called persistence.  Good job.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: fujimo on April 17, 2016, 08:29:00 PM
cool hunt- lots of perseverance usually produces rewards- kudos mate!
i love the old saying " funny how the more i try, the luckier i get"
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: ron w on April 17, 2016, 08:36:00 PM
Well done.......   :notworthy:    :notworthy:
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Stump73 on April 17, 2016, 08:37:00 PM
Awesome. Congratulations!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: shankspony on April 17, 2016, 08:41:00 PM
Cheers guys!
I appreciate the comments.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: highlow on April 17, 2016, 08:45:00 PM
What bow are you shooting and the weight?
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on April 17, 2016, 08:49:00 PM
Very Cool, Congrats!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: shankspony on April 17, 2016, 08:51:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by highlow:
What bow are you shooting and the weight?
Its a Toelke Whip, 57lb I use reasonably heavy arrows, around 650gr
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: kennym on April 17, 2016, 09:22:00 PM
Excellent!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: J. Cook on April 17, 2016, 09:44:00 PM
Beautiful animal!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: SAM E. STEPHENS on April 17, 2016, 10:18:00 PM
Congrats sir.....

,,Sam,,
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Gil on April 17, 2016, 10:36:00 PM
Excellent
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Basinboy on April 17, 2016, 10:59:00 PM
Way to stay after them! Congrats
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Hummer3T on April 17, 2016, 11:00:00 PM
very cool, what is with the melanism (black), is that normal I`ve only seen them tan with spots.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: fujimo on April 18, 2016, 12:05:00 AM
it happens, i have shot them like that too.
in south africa- where they were introduced as well!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: South MS Bowhunter on April 18, 2016, 12:12:00 AM
Great story and a great looking buck!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Michael Arnette on April 18, 2016, 12:54:00 AM
Very nice!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: shankspony on April 18, 2016, 01:02:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Hummer3T:
very cool, what is with the melanism (black), is that normal I`ve only seen them tan with spots.
Black fallow are very common in NZ. probably the most common colour phase, but we get them in every shade from white through Tan with spots and into black. A shiny black summer skin is worthwhile having on the floor, they look cool.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: awry on April 18, 2016, 01:15:00 AM
Well Done    :clapper:
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Thumper Dunker on April 18, 2016, 02:20:00 AM
Really cool stuff.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: memo on April 18, 2016, 06:09:00 AM
Haha, I was wondering how you were going on the Fallow Shanks. Great stuff mate, He's a nice looking buck.
I now know what you mean by their reaction time, the nimble buggers.
Cheers,
Steve.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Tom on April 18, 2016, 06:26:00 AM
Fine fallow buck and good story, good shot by the way.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Paul Cousineau on April 18, 2016, 06:35:00 AM
Awesome! Congrats!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Warden609 on April 18, 2016, 07:01:00 AM
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: shankspony on April 18, 2016, 03:37:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by memo:
Haha, I was wondering how you were going on the Fallow Shanks. Great stuff mate, He's a nice looking buck.
I now know what you mean by their reaction time, the nimble buggers.
Cheers,
Steve.
Cheers Steve, Hows the hunting been for you? We have to catch up some time.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: desprez on April 18, 2016, 03:55:00 PM
Hi
a good games animal ,congrats men !
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: on April 18, 2016, 03:58:00 PM
Way to go!

Congrats,

Bich
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Bill Turner on April 18, 2016, 04:06:00 PM
Congrats on your success. That quite a change from the normal spring time turkey and pigs that we see on here. They tell me fallow deer make for excellent table fare. Eat well and thanks for sharing the highlights of your adventure.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: shankspony on April 18, 2016, 04:30:00 PM
Generally they are awesome eating Bill. The rut though is not the best time to harvest the males though. This one will hang in the chiller for a week to ten days before I decide whether he is destined for steak, or turned into salamis.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: jonsimoneau on April 18, 2016, 07:10:00 PM
Awesome. I'd love to hunt there someday. I've read a lot about it and am afraid I wouldn't want to come home!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: J.W. on April 18, 2016, 08:07:00 PM
Beautiful animal. Congrats!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Russ Clagett on April 19, 2016, 09:43:00 AM
Nice....you live in a beautiful place sir. That's a bucket list hunt for sure....
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: BWD on April 19, 2016, 09:54:00 AM
Real nice. Good job.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: joe ashton on April 19, 2016, 10:51:00 AM
Out standing...
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Zbone on April 19, 2016, 12:00:00 PM
shankspony - Congrats on you kill, great looking animal...

Curious, is there any public hunting land in New Zealand or is it all private like Australia?

Thanks ahead...
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: DennyK on April 19, 2016, 01:39:00 PM
Beautiful Buck. Congratulations!

Denny
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Sirius Black on April 19, 2016, 03:38:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: hybridbow hunter on April 19, 2016, 04:12:00 PM
Wonderfull  :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: shankspony on April 19, 2016, 07:48:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Zbone:
shankspony - Congrats on you kill, great looking animal...

Curious, is there any public hunting land in New Zealand or is it all private like Australia?

Thanks ahead...
There is an abundance of public land to hunt. I think about 1/3 of the country is public land and huntable. Plus there is a great system of walking trails and cabins for use. Animals are a bit tougher to hunt in some respects, as there are no seasons and no limits, so they get chased every day of the year. But the remoteness and size of the forests means there are still good numbers of game.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: ESP on April 19, 2016, 08:26:00 PM
Congratulations
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: ozy clint on April 20, 2016, 05:50:00 AM
way to go mate. doesn't get any more NZ than rugby shorts, tights and gumboots!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: rastaman on April 20, 2016, 08:46:00 AM
Way to go sir!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Zbone on April 20, 2016, 10:33:00 AM
Way cool shankspony, thanks much for your reply...

Again, congrats...
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on April 20, 2016, 05:30:00 PM
Hey, that's excellent! Happy for ya!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: Colotrad on April 21, 2016, 09:37:00 AM
That looks like quite a challenge and lots of fun.  Love hunting NZ.  Hope to do it again some day.  Congrats on your trophy!
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: shankspony on April 21, 2016, 10:56:00 PM
Thanks once again for all the kind comments! I Appreciate them.
Title: Re: April in New Zealand means.....
Post by: rraming on April 21, 2016, 11:27:00 PM
:clapper: