Tickets are bought, deposit is in!!! September 7th, the big bird will leave Kansas City. Many stops later, I will be in Townsville in Northern Queensland. - 2 days later (I am going to have such jet lag!!!) If all goes as planned, "Hunt it" will be waiting for me with a cold one. On the 10th we meet up with Andy Ivy, his dad, uncle, and a couple more Ivys and head out for Dixie Station to hunt hogs and other critters, until the 24th. I am excited, but am starting to have nightmares about snakes - I hate snakes.
And I should add, Ted Fry, I will be calling you. I need some AD Traditionals, I don't have enough arrows. I need to start getting some made!
Sounds like a blast! Good luck and have fun. Keep us posted.
You will love Dixie. There are plenty of pigs just waiting to get drilled :)
You are going fairly early, there might be water around so you have to work a little to find the pigs, but at least it wont be too hot. Don't be paranoid about the snakes, most of us walk around up there in bare feet and it isn't an issue really.
Sounds like a great adventure, Mel!
With you and the Ivy's, we'll be looking forward to lots of great pics! :thumbsup:
Sounds like a great adventure! I'm getting a trip put together there as well, except on the west side. Townsville is nice, my wife and I spent a week there vacationing a couple August's ago, the weather was perfect and since it was winter, there were few other tourists. Have fun and kill some hogs!
Mel Have a great time.Great birthday present kill a bunch.After we last spoke I looked at my work load and think I can sneak in Bear Quest in late June with Tom and bowdoc and a bunch of great guys not sure but 90% I can.So it worked out for both of us the fall was gonna be tough.Take care and don't worry about snakes.Kip
don't worry 'bout the snakes...they are nore scared of you than you are of them.
sounds way cool
cheers
ben
Sounds great, have fun!
Good luck, lads.
Funny thing: After all my tough-talk and nonchalance about stalking pigs without any shoes (on me, not them), I got thouroughly-concerned the other weekend at the numbers we were seeing around the swamps; one that I stepped over, despite thinking that I was looking hard, having just removed my shoes and socks to try a stalk on a wee buffy, and another that got all excited and emotional, rearing-up with open-mouth, as we accidentally neared it. I was concerned to the point of agreeing to my wife's plees and promising to keep my boots on in future. Early morning and evening were the worst times, as they are more active then than during the heat of the day; night-time is dangerous, too, and one baddy tried to come into camp, and I was lucky to pick him up in the torch light as I was going up to the billy on the fire.
You'll be right, though. Just have a good look.
Oh, the camp incident was because we were silly-enough to set-up in the shade close to a swamp; out in the harder, higher country, there is far less chance of an encounter, as the frogs are down by the swamps.
I'm gonna get over there to hunt one day!
Sounds like your going to have some fun. Hope you like the heat... your going to feel it that time of year thinking of where your coming from. A camelbak would be the first thing I'd pack if I was you.
ak.
So did Ben make you feel better Mel?
:D
Good luck buddy. That's one of my dream hunts.
Sorry. I should point-out that not all swamps are like this, and that we found it most unusual to see the numbers we did.
Also, if you can, get an esky full of block ice and whatever soft drinks or sports drinks you fancy - it's a morale booster.
No Charlie, he didn't :scared: I plan on keeping my boots on.
Good Luck Mate,
Cody
Don't worry, be happy Mate!! When I asked what happens if one of em Taipans gets ya - I was told we go back to the truck and have a cold beer, one maybe two but no more!!! :scared: :scared: :help:
I think the most feared critter on earth is the snake. But I think Oz will be no different than Africa. Keep a eye open just like in Texas and likelyhood of meeting one is lot less than you think.
We gonna have a blast Mel. Great to have you coming along. Lets hunt together, If one of them hostile hawgs starts chasin, I knows I can run faster than you! :goldtooth:
Don't be to sure Dave - for an old, fat short guy, I have "mad moves"!!
Good luck and lots of pics Mel!
Wow, You guys are gonna have an absolute blast!!
Best of luck to both of you guys :campfire:
Good luck guys! Should be an great hunt; expecting to see a lot of pics.
Mel, I don't think running speed is critical just work on your vertical jump and hang time. Come done behind them hostile hawgs and watch them chase Dave thru the brush. :wavey:
Get your runnin shoes out! How about your pack just throw in 4 doz arras, 4 doz broadheads, 200oz water, camera, 2 cold beers in case of snake bite and note pad to write out last wishes and then run!!!
gee Mel, I coulda carryed your quiver for ya! haha...you mighta had to carry me if we saw a snake though...have fun!
Mel, Ted is away bear guiding for a few weeks, you're gonna have to wait on those shafts. And don't worry about snakes, can't be any worse than a javie under tin - I've seen your mad moves. Good Hunting!
Good luck Mel, Sounds like a great trip and I will be looking forward to the picks and story's when you get back.
Tracy
So I'm guessing the Goat hunt is a thing of the PAST? :scared: :scared:
So have a Ball Bud and "Take NO Prisoners"
You are in for a great adventure!
The absolute most fun I have ever had was while hunting was in Australia. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard for so long, or had as much adventure packed into a few short weeks.
The first photo below is a few of us hanging out in the evening (anyone recognize the cantankerous guy in the middle?). We were having a drink and listening to the red stags roar after sundown and making plans for the next morning's hunt to go after them again.
The second photo is of two pigs I shot in the long grass during a huge fight that erupted when a pack of Dingoes attacked the herd. It was wild, as the boars that were in the herd that couldn't find a dingo to fight just attacked each other and the fight was on. Dingos snarling, pigs squeeling and fighting, and two arrows in the air. Man, it was WILD!
Then it got real hairy as the boar ran a big circle and came right at me with a two-blade broadhead sticking out one side. He was running at warp speed and the wicked-sharp blade missed my leg by two inches or less as I jumped out of the way. Crikey Mate!
(P.S. Stalking the long grass can get a bit scary at times, you can't see the pigs until you are at point blank range.)
(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt252/Rikhinton/Australia_gang_first_trip.jpg)
(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt252/Rikhinton/Two_Pigs_Down.jpg)
Irish,
Is Dixie Station up in the Cape, or somewhere in the interior?
arrows, lots of arrows!
Rik, it's in the Cape. Yep, as Clint said, bring lots of arrows.
Irish if you need someone to carry yor luggage let me know. :bigsmyl:
Grinch, it sounds like he really needs someone to walk point for snakes! Maybe that job is available :) I'm not much on snakes either!
Good for you, Mel!!!!
Pigs.....in paradise.
Keep a diary, bud....and take lots of pics.
I want a full report when you come to Hog Heaven again.
Cheers!
Sounds like an awesome trip! Good luck and stay safe!
Can't wait to hear the stories coming out of this one in the fall....have fun guys!
Thanks for all the well wishes and offers to lug baggage and run point (snake lookout). Plenty of pictures will be taken, maybe some video, and with Stinson telling the stories - they will be entertaining!!
he he :D
ill get you on some big one's Mel :wavey:
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/Australia2094-4.jpg)
Vultures won't beable to fly by time we get done with that place!
Andy, Mel and I need a guy to carry our arras any ideas? :goldtooth:
man this sounds like an awesome hunt, specially if your hanging with the Ivy's. tell ya what, I'll carry your arras, your cameras and anything else you need carrying just to tag a long. :biglaugh:
can't wait to hear the stories and see the photos from this hunt.