my favourite place ....

[Ben Maher]

just thought i'd share my w'end with you all ...

after neglecting my favourite hunting grounds over the past few years , i returned this last w'end for a back pack hunt with minimal gear .the late seasonal snow gave me a great chance to test myself once more against the elements .




The idea was to whack a lot of stumps, try out some new survival gear and generally poke around for Sambar . within an hour of arriving i had re connected with all those childhood lessons my Dad and his friends had instilled in me . Those gentleman had taught a different set of rules , a place where ethics and adventure surpassed antlers and numbers in books ...

as i found out in my beginning preparation for an Idaho Elk hunt in 2010 i am decidedly  unfit ... i also realised that at the end of the day,  results are borne out of the effort put in , regardless of outcome .
so after several years of chasing goats and swine across the dusty parts of this great country , i have returned to the mountains i roamed so often and excitedly as a kid .
i am at heart , as reminded by my father so often ...
i am  a deer hunter
Ben

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Ben, that countryside looks superb... and cold! Happy hunting, both for sambar now and elk next year!

[Ben Maher]

Northern Ben ,,, yes mate it is an amazing place . and that offer of a tour round here is still open to you always ... at the least you can come somewhere that doesn't involve shorts and singlets !!!

[Australiamick]

We certainly have some magic country in Victoria. We're also very lucky in that we can freely access millions of wilderness acres in the pursuit of sambar all year round.

You look a little cold in that first photo Ben.

I hope you 'smacked' a few stumps while you were there. It's good to see that you're still passionate about your bowhunting.

Mick Smith

[TomMcDonald]

Ben, it's good to see you're getting out and about.
It looks very cold.

[Bear]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[Talondale]

That "late season" comment through me off until I saw where you are.  Nice photos and thanks for sharing.

[straitera]

Picture Perfect! Cold mist is my favorite. Didn't know OZ had cold spots. Thanks

[Al Kidner]

Narhhhh... it's not cold!


Good to see you getting out mate, well done. Any animal with a longbow is trophy.


ak.

[snag]

Rekindling those lessons learned as a child and then applied as a man is a good thing...and a good reminder.

Looks like a lot better atmosphere to get in shape in than a gym!  lol

Thanks Ben

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

I actually had NO idea it snowed in Australia. See what I know?

[John3]

Great pics Ben.. Post more for us if you can..

Beautiful country...!

John III

[Cherokee Scout]

Outstanding post., very well said.

[ozy clint]

great stuff ben. not long now till idaho hey?

[Mudd]

Originally posted by NorthernCaliforniaHunter:
I actually had NO idea it snowed in Australia. See what I know?

Whao!!! How cold.. err cool is that? I don't think I've ever had the words Australia and snow in my mind at the same time before.. ever!!!!...lol

Thank you Ben!! Just for that I'll just give your new Rudder bow a permanent visa...lol and I won't require it to be a work visa either..lol

Your Humble Servant
God bless,Mudd

PS: Am I still bad..????...lol

[Ben Maher]

John......
here's one for you .....

and Mudd...yeah your still bad, but in the best way mate ...  

[John3]

What will a large Sambar weigh?

That is a great pic..!

[piggy]

Nice pic Ben, love hunting the inclement weather.

John3 a mature Sambar stag can weigh about 350kg or about 771 Lb.

[lpcjon2]

That looks like a great place to hunt and find yourself.And that Sambar is gorgeous.

[excelpoint]

Nice pics. Not long now mate