Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Al Kidner on March 15, 2010, 07:19:00 AM
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G'day all here on TradGang,
Well as we all know full well, the soul needs time to recharge. It has to be full in order for us to travel through our lives full of contentment, happiness and a regard for what lays ahead.
I've recently returned home from working away the last 3 years as a security contractor, starting off in the mean streets of Iraq, then moving over to the 'Rock Garden' -aka- Afghanistan.
I returned home to be with my family, thanking God at times, that what he lead me to... he lead me through. Working away a lot, one always reflects on his home life, family and what means the most to him. My piroties have always been my family, a stable career and naturally.... hunting, with stickbow in hand.
But, I felt lost upon returning home to 'civi life' and at times just need some breathing space. A place to sit, think, walk the bush and to ponder just what a man is to do now he has laid his weapons to rest for the final time.
So, with a very loving and understanding wife, I was set free to do just that, head out for the weekend scouting for some deer that I knew maybe in the area and to fill up again. Due to having rotar cuff problems I elected to leave my bow at home... and I can tell you it felt very strange being in the bush without my Blackwidow longbow in hand. Some stumps sure needed dusting!
My wife and daughter dropped me off along a creek I planned to scout along and first off I noticed these fellas.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0819.jpg)
Their the shells of circardas and are rough to touch. As you can see, the creek was rather full due to recent rains...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0821.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0829.jpg)
Naturally with all this rain ones boots became rather soaked and loaded with sandy soil.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0826.jpg)
So with that, it was snack time and to get my bearings set for the weekend and a game plan as such. I was scouting for Rusa deer and I know they are in the area as my mate shot a nice stag last year in the same location.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0823.jpg)
...more to come.
ak.
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:campfire: :coffee:
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Hang in there bud, thing will sort their way out for you. A good walk always helps :campfire:
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With all the rain about the local wild flowers were in full rut too...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0838.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0882.jpg)
But all along I made sure I kept an eye out for the signs of deer feeding up on the fresh green pick.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0833.jpg)
More to come people...
ak.
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Looking forward to the rest Al. Always enjoy an adventure. :archer:
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Great Al. Glad you're safe at home with your family.
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Your walk abouts are always a treat for us all Al. Can't wait to see the rest of your discoveries.
Glad to hear that you have finished up your work in the rock garden and can finally settle back in to a less stressful time in your life.
Now to just get that shoulder rehabed and back to shooting again!
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Al,
I'm glad that your trail has lead you home and that God has brought a warrior home safely to his family.
Stay safe and we all look forward to seeing you get that Widow back into your hands.
Josh
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Wow cool pics, thanks for putting them up. What are those big trees you're leaning up against in the last photo?
Glad you're safe and back with you're family.
Dan
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Some fantastic pictures, thanks for sharing, it's always nice to return home!
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Nothin like reseting your "clock". :campfire:
Glad you made it back safely.
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Looks like good times. How was the heat. It looks to be a nice temperature for your walkabout.
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We are perched waiting for more when you get time...relax and enjoy the time you have been given.
JB
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Al, my brother is back in the Rock Garden for another 6 months...I am gonna send him this thread so that he sees even warriors need to stop, relax, and smell the roses. Enjoy your time off my friend.
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Glad you're home safe and getting your batteries recharged. Looking forward to seeing more of your walkabout.
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Mate, I hope you're well soon so that you can carry that longstick around! We might be finally able to line some trips up.
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I love Australian stories.
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After a few hours of walking and glassing I set up camp along a creek bed. Plenty of tree cover, soft sand and the sounds of running water. The trees in the pics are call Gum trees and are a type euclypt and are very hard timber.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0881.jpg)
I set my old army hammock, my old army shelter (hootchie) and colected fire wood for the evening. I then sat back made my self a expresso from a small coffee maker the John the MO Sherpa Berger's son Jacob bought me when I was in CO hunting Elk last season.
I had this little fella stay for a while, telling me all about 'his' tree.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0845.jpg)
He sure gave me the eye!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0847.jpg)
And the expresso maker. Thanks Jacob!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0851.jpg)
And me awaiting for the boil...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0855.jpg)
Expresso anyone?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0919.jpg)
A few more to follow...
ak.
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Al,
Its good to see and hear from you my friend. The only thing you seem to be missing is a wee bit of the Maker's Mark or Glenfiddich. Enjoy the coffee and take time to smell the flowers about you. We will be thinking of you in elk camp this fall.
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Great Pictures Al!
Thanks for Sharing!
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Thank You for taking Us along with You! The Pictures are Great!! Glad You are Home as Well!!
Now, you dont Sleep On-The-Ground out there do you? I have heard from a Wimpy Brother-Out-Law, That the Spiders down there Will Carry You Away!! :scared: :scared: I am not a Spider fan, they dont bother Me, and I wont bother Them. :eek: Good Luck :thumbsup: , and Nature has a way of Making Everything Just Alright!! :archer:
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Welcome home. May God continue to bless you and thank you for sharing your time in the woods with us. It is healing.
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Love the pics.. Thanks for taking us along.
John III
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Very nice photos, like the bird checking you out!
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Boots dry yet?
Killdeer :wavey:
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Al, So glad you are home with your family. Pictures are beautiful and story telling 1st rate. Thanks for taking us along.
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G'Day Mate ! So glad your home safe.I was in Oz about 15 years ago and loved the place.I can still see,smell and hear that wonderful place.God bless and thanks for the memorys.
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Al, There's nothing that draws my attention to a thread quicker than to see your name on it. I know there will be plenty of great Aussie pictures. It's always been a dream of mine to go there (on my bucket list). Keep the story coming and glad you're home safe. Ben
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:campfire: Keep it comin! Jason
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Thanks for all the fine comments people... it means a lot. And yes John, I'm already missing Elk Camp and it's not even September yet! I'll be back though mate. Your number 1 aussie horse Wrangler is missing 'Tank'! Oh and please thank Jacob again for the expresso maker... it's being put to good use.
And yes Ben, we need to sort out a trip mate. It's been a long time in the planning stages!
Back to my weekend I guess...
The afternoon came in sunny and it was one of those afternoons that really heals the soul as such. With the whole day being rainy and overcast it was a nice way to bring on the evening and the stars.
I snapped this whilst gathering more firewood.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0878.jpg)
Then before I knew it, the sun was gone... not before I treated myself to some deer sangs! No 'roughing it' for this weekend like I normally do and have done over the years.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0873.jpg)
Then it was dark and time to watch man first TV.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0883.jpg)
Naturally a few dry boughs needed to be placed on the coals before I turned in. All the while sampling 12 year old Dimple Scotch whiskey...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0898.jpg)
ak.
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I awoke the next morning early and with the birds. I made my ways along the river failing to find any sign of the Rusa that I was after.
Then, mid morning I cam across these tracks from a healthy stag as well as some older rub trees...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0871.jpg)
The area that I scouted sure looked the part but the deer I'd say are moving about due to all the rain and lots of feed. Not to bother, I know come the rut in June, I'll be haunting the bush that these deer call home.
Then, it was luch again for me but not before this couple turned up. A male and female Emu, and if you look close you'll see a green grub hanging out of the mouth of the male.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0929.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/_MG_0925.jpg)
Then it was time to head to my RV point for my wife to pick me up again as my weekend was over. I had a wonderful and fitting weekend alone in the bush. Thanks again for the comments all.
Cheers,
ak.
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Thanks for sharing Al.I like to see different landscapes and critters.
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Thank you for sharing that sir!
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"Ba-da-doo-da, da-ditzy-da, oom-ba-da-ditzy-da, da-da! He can't fly, but I'm tellin' you, he can run the pants off a kangaroo!"
Thanks, Al! Nice birdies.
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Once again some great pics and story Al. Pity you can't make deer camp this year but your welcome to fly down for a Sambar Hunt whenever you like you just have to make me one of those coffee's!
Best of luck with the Rusa and hope the rotor cuff improves.
Cheers Mate
Paul
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Great stuff Al good luck with the Rusa :thumbsup:
Nice camp set-up, how come you dont cook on the fire?
I use the same Hootchie they are great!
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That's a great weekend Al...good luck on the Rusa!
I hope you take some more "walk-a-bouts" soon...I luv your pictures :notworthy:
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Great pics!
Glad you got back safe to spend time with the family!
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Nice pics and story ...good luck hunting Rusa in june.
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Welcome home, Al, and thanks for helping to keep the world a safer place for us all.
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Wonderful story and pics, thanks for sharing. Good luck on your deer.
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Hahaha... Ben, it's been years since I've heard that song mate!
No worries Paul, I'll book you in soon for a 'Southern Walk-a-bout' mate.
Cheers again all,
ak.
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good stuff Al . as always your pics are great . Hope your shoulder is on the mend .
Ben
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I missed this one somehow, glad you are home, say hi to the family for me :wavey:
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Thank you, great pictures.....man I got to get out more :)
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Thanks for the "walkabout", Enjoyed it a lot. It's good to get the soul cleansed isn't it? Do a lot more of it, and take us along? Thanks for the sacrifice in the hell holes!
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Thanks for bringing me along.
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Welcome home Al! Looks like a fine walk about to adjust to home life. Thanks for taking us along.
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Allways good to be home with family and allways good to be home in the bush!