I thought I would share the first hunt I had with my Bob Lee recurve. This is a recurve I purchased a year or so ago from a Tradgang member "Soap Box". When I spoke with him he told me this bow came with Mojo. Well he was correct about that, this bow had a sense of presence about it. What a first hunt it was, read on.
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I just received my new Bob Lee takedown 60" AMO, 55lb @ 28"one week before Xmas from a Tradgang member. I spent the next couple of weeks building up some shafts which ended up at around the 600 grain mark with a 300 grain point weight. A couple of weeks later I was heading to the River to get acquainted with Bob and blood him. On this trip there would be Special and myself, after a bit of planning we were set. The date would be the Australia day long weekend. We arrived at the property about the middle morning and spoke with the property owner. After a rather long conversation we were off to our camp site for the weekend, which was only a couple of Km's away from our current location.
As soon as we hit camp Special was into the Weaco for a Super Dry, after all it was Australia Day. With the gear unpacked we set a couple of block targets up and I assembled the takedown and began slinging arrows. The day was very hot and we decided to do a little fishing prior to an afternoon hunt. Special decided he would continue on the Extra Dry and catch river rabbits.
I grabbed my kit after touching up a few ribbies and I was off into the hills. We did not bring any meat with us for the weekend so my first task was to put a nice young goat on the ground for a goat roast for dinner. I jumped in my Kayak and headed up river, stopping every now and then to glass. It wasn't long and spotted a small mob of goats feeding about 100 metres off the river. I beached my yak and planned the stalk; the wind was up to its old tricks as it does.
I decided to head up high and that would give me a few options pending wind and the goat's movements. I walked about 400 metres and I now had about five goats 100 metres below me. I dropped into a gully and used the lay of the land to close the gap. Before I knew it I was 40 metres out with a slight rise in front of me. An arrow was nocked and I pushed forward using a small tree as cover on my final approach. Now at 30 metres and normally I would take the shot with my Monster MR6, but still too far with the curve. I finally made it into 15 metres and ready to draw, the young nanny gave me a quartering shot. I released and the arrow was away finding its mark, initially I thought may be too much quarter and only one lung. I nocked another arrow and it was away to secure dinner for day one.
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After taking the back straps I moved on, about an hour later I was on to a small mob of young Billys. I made my way through the timber, half ghost and half cat. Closing the gap to about 25 metres I wanted another five to 10 metres. Finally the goat turned away from me allowing the extra few metres. I came to full draw anchored for a few seconds and the arrow zipped on through. A couple of photos and I was off again.
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I moved off and began to climb high in pursuit of more game. I wanted to just walk the river and about 100 metres in from the water, but the wind was changing as I passed each gully. I decided to move up higher for the reason of the wind and too allow me the option with an approach. As I got higher I sat and glassed the river flats, whilst doing so I heard movement from behind. I turned around and hoped up; I observed a small billy which looked lost. An arrow was nocked and I began to nanny call, after a minute or so I had the small billy running at me like a fox too the whistle. As he got to about 15 metres I drew and held anchor, finally at 5 metres I shot him quartering on.
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I was one very happy hunter now, I came with the intent to down a critter with the Bob Lee takedown and I had already had dinner and a couple on the ground. A couple of pics were taken and I sat there reflecting on the last couple of stalks. I love bow hunting goats and have managed to down a lot over the years but the recurve takes that to a whole new level. I thought then I need to take stock of my arrows and cleaned a few up and touched the blades up with a small diamond file. As I did this I spotted movement down below me and a couple of hundred metres to my left, mmm pigs.
Checking the wind I devised an approach plan, continue up higher and drop down to a ferned area along a game trail. I got to where I had last seen the pigs and nothing, as I edged further over a small bench I spotted a couple of small ones. I then thought there could also be some pork on the menu for dinner. Managing to get into 10 metres from them I noticed there were three pigs. With an arrow already on the string, I drew and the arrow was away only to shoot over the top of the pig. The arrow sailed into the water and I nocked another arrow, as the pig walked across to my right I drew and shot in one motion hitting my pork dinner nice. I was over the moon that I had downed a pig with the new curve.
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With photos taken I thought I would make my way back to the Kayak and have a few coldies back at camp, it was only day one and I had achieved the blooding of the recurve. I made my way to the top of the spur line this allowed me to glass both sides of the ridge on my return. Further glassing along the way, then I spotted two pigs rooting through some blackberry bush down on the river. A plan was devised and I was dropping down to their position, as I did so I made my way across a small flat with thick dead tussock. As I approached all off a sudden I dropped down to my waist in what I realised then was a wombat burrow. The tunnel had collapsed and I was now in it, after I made my way out of it I took stock of a number of cuts to my arms and checked my bow and arrows. By this time the pigs were gone, but glassing around had me onto another small billy. The wind was perfect and I put a few trees between me and him. I was now at about 20 – 25 metres, I thought I could get another 5 – 10 metres on him. Now at around 20 metres I drew anchored for a couple of seconds and the arrow was on its way. I watched as it entered tight in the sweet spot, the arrow zipped out the other side and into a tree. The billy made a half circle and ran down hill about 30 metres, awesome stalk and shot. I made my way down to the billy and obtained a few happy snaps.
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I made my way towards my kayak and as I glassed ahead I spotted a feral cat, a nice plump fat one. As I glassed, it was I noticed two black cats, it was decided to back up and go higher to drop down on to the location. I made my way back into the timber and climbed higher.
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After getting up higher and dropping down to where I thought the cats were, they were nowhere to be seen. After some attempts to squeak them in I decided I would head back to camp and as I paddle in I see Special with his rod bent over and fighting hard on the rod. As I pull in he is dragging a 10lb carp to the water's edge, he hooks it with a homemade wire landing jig and drags it up onto the shore. I see he has set up his stool and surrounding the stool there would have been 15 – 20 carp and as many empty extra dry's beer bottles next to him. By this stage I am rather parched and get into the spirit of Australia day. What a great first day on the hunt with another two days to go.
To be cont...
In Classic Bob Lee form, it's a vehicle for taking game when in the right hands.
Great job!
Love those Lees!
WOW what a day! :campfire:
Great Hunt and story! Thanks for sharing. :bigsmyl:
That's one way to break a bow in!!! Congrats on some fine game.
That is way cool!! :thumbsup:
DAY 2:
I arose early and made some eggs and sausages for breakfast. After sharpening a few arrows I was off again paddling my kayak down river to a location where I thought I may cross paths with a few critters. After a short time I glassed a small billy not far from the river's edge. I closed the gap and I was now at 35 metres but still a bit too far for a high % shot with the curve. After some anxious moments I was now at 25 metres. I managed a nice shot from 25 ish metres and secured another small Billy.
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After a few photos I headed for some high ground to glass another section of the river. It wasn't long before I spotted two small pigs around some black berry bushes down on a small flat. I checked the wind a came up with an approach plan. As I got close to where I had last seen them I nocked an arrow. They were no where to be seen, I heard a noise to my left and observed one of them. I edged my way over a small rise and drew, anchored, the arrow was away sailing across the 20 metre gap connecting with the pig.
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After the mandatory pics we were off again heading back to the Yaks. After getting back to camp Rob checked the supply of coldies, grabbing a couple we grabbed our rods and had a quick fish before dinner. Over a couple of coldies we discussed the day's events and sharpened boadheads which became a ritual every night. It ended up being a late night that and it was more about the whole experience not just hunting. We were fortunate enough to be staying the shearer's quarters that night so was pretty comfy. We were getting mini storms in the afternoons and the wind and rain came in sideways for short periods. After a night of talking tall stories and downing coldies I retired to my swag.
It wasn't long and I heard an all mighty bang out the front of the shed, this was not a one off and the banging was scary. Both of us jumped up and I walked towards the door, next thing I know and a feral cat burst through the door with an empty tin can on its head. I jumped out of the way and it was bouncing of walls, I did not want to get cut up with this cat. The cat ran into the door pillar and the can popped from its head and vanished as quickly as it appeared, WOW what a rush. After a short conversation with Rob I was asleep
To be cont....
Day 3:
I awoke early as the plan was to hunt the first half of the day then to break camp and head home. Again I was in the kayak and paddling along the river stopping every couple of minutes and glassing the timber along the river. It was not long and I spotted a mob of goats up on a ridge.I was hoping I may get a quick stalk on a mob of young goats ahead and we would turn and head for camp. Things went my way and it wasn't long before I was at 25m, but I wanted to get real close on this last stalk. I had a tree between me and one of them and the other turned and started to feed away from me. I seized this moment and pushed on to the tree and the goats turned towards me, I was now behind the tree with five goats under 10m. I waited till the grey turned and gave me a good quartering shot. The goat turned, I drew anchored, settled the arrow was gone, straight threw the spot where I was burning a hole through with my eyes. The heart was pumping, the other grey quartered and I had an arrow already on the string. I drew and the arrow was gone, now there were two on the ground, I regained my composure and just took it in for a minute.
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With pics taken it was back to camp to pack out gear and make our way home. In summary and reflecting back, it was a great weekend over all. I had an absolute ball playing with the recurve for the weekend. My goal was to just go and have fun which I did, there were no big trophy's taken this trip but that's hunting. The arrows worked a treat with the ribbies and the bow shot true. I did manage to see 5 monster goats together and maybe we may cross paths next time.
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Bob and I are now acquainted, thanks for reading my story.
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Wow congrats!!!! For sure thats an incredible hunt in a beautiful locale. Happy Australia Day.
Whenever you start to feel that hunting and weapons laws are restrictive in Australia just remember this. Killing feral cats in NY is a felony as well as possessing cat parts in the rest of the country, such as a cat hide. They are a real problem in our ecosystem bringing rabies and killing lots of wild life. Some of our leaders have lost it and have become dangerously emotional.Mind boggling isn't it?
Izzy, killing cats is a felony, wow. We have a huge feral cat problem over here in Australia.
The country that this hunting story took place is a magic area that I have bow hunted for 15 years. It holds a good population of game which also include Red and Fallow deer. I just luv hunting feral pigs and goats with the bow. It also adds a differn't perspective while doing it out of a kayak.
Yes sir! Great hunt in a beautiful area. The story telling was straight to the point with no fluffy frills. Congratulations!!!
Always enjoy stories from "down under." Congrats!!
WOW... What a great hunt!!!
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
Fantastic! Thanks for taking us along. You gotta be the luckiest wood arrow shooter ever; I've never seen that many bloody, unbroken ones. :thumbsup: Everytime I shoot something with mine they seem to fall on them. :goldtooth:
Todd, I would say you and the Bob Lee are made for each other... thank you for taking us on a great Holiday.
Nice hunt, looks like a lot of fun!
Pretty sure those are gt's Mr. Cook^
The arrows I used were 5575 Goldtip Trads, broadheads are Ribteks, overall weight just under 600g. I usually take the black writing of the shafts when I get them. Good arrows and they just fly so sweet out of the Bob Lee. I am shooting the bow at 57-58lbs. I have a number of recurves and I shoot this one more consistently.
Thanks for sharing your story! I always enjoy hearing about hunting Australia.
Bill
Wow! nice shooting, got to love those Bob Lee bows.
That was an awesome hunt, and one of the most productive that I have seen. Congrats, and please make posts on your future hunts.
Yep, I see the inserts now that I looked closer. Maybe time for a new glasses prescription :saywhat:
Wow it looks you live the dream there,congrats on your successes.
Patrick, it was a very productive hunt indeed. I am going back to these hunting grounds in 5 weeks time for 10 days. I will be taking lots of arrows ;) Last trip I shot 6 pigs and watched a nice red deer feed at 25m.
Holy Cats! Now that's a hunting trip. Thanks for that story.
Enjoyed the telling and pics of your several stalks. :archer:
Interesting story! That's a lot of meat in the cooler. How much goat and pork did you end up bringing out??
Incredible trip! Congrats!
Holy Batman that was a hunt. I have to imagine that the stickbow held it's own against the wheelie bow. Hope you have a back quiver for a ten day adventure, you are going to need lots of sticks.
Skitch, I did end up with a bit of meat. Most of it went to the property owner and his dogs. Habu I will take 3 dozen shafts with me for ten days :bigsmyl: I can always bring a couple home. I hope I cross paths with a cranky monster mountain boar and I will let Bob do the talking.
Great story, thanks for taking us along.
Macca,
How do you prepare the goat tenderloins when you cook them? I have had goat in the Caribbean, but it was always in a sort of stew. Pretty good though I thought! Rich like domestic mutton.
Harry
Takedown, with the back straps I dice and scure, add a bit of onion salt and pepper and pan fry. I may even cut small fillets and pan fry, with the back legs of the younger ones I will roast in a camp oven or stew with vegies.
How good is it sitting around the camp fire :campfire: eating fresh game meat, drinking cold beer with hunting buddies. Some how the stories get taller and the game animals bigger :archer:
Awesome story and pictures...thanks for sharing. It is always great reading hunting stories from other countries. It makes me think bigger.
Yup... Great adventure!
I would love to go on a hunt like this one day.
Chalk another "thanks for sharing".... Loved it..
Todd
just a hunter, if you are ever coming to Australia let me know and we can get a hunt happening. That goes for all the Tradgangers here just give me advance notice and you have a place to stay also.
Cheers Macca.