Seeing as Mike wrote an awesome story, I wasnt going to ad to it. But as it was such a great trip I had to make a mention also.
As Mike said, plans were causally made a few months earlier. We had 2 plans, one was Eastern Ureweras, and the other was Waioeka Gorge Area.
Luckily we were able to get access through a mates place to the area we wanted to go.
Despite the forecast saying rain two days into the trip we were keen as.
One of our mates had to cancel, so Gizzy and I hatched the final plan.
The drive was good, the usual banter and piss taking when Mike sees a deer 300m off the road at midday. As it was on private property it was left alone, but it was good to see. A good sign perhaps?
A quick catch up with our mate and it was off the the bush! it was great to be back in the area.
ON arriving at the park. Packs where quickly rechecked and we were off.
We had not gone far when we could hear the occasional moan.
Finding a good spot to set up camp, tents were set up. Hunting Gear checked and it was decided to go for a area recon.
We had not walked far when I put out the meanest roar ever....which probably sounded like a gay spiker looking for a husband

We got several replies from all over. We kept walking along the track and a few roars later we zero'd in on a stag to go have a look for.
The bush, while pretty open was a bit crunchy underfoot as it was so dry. We stalked along putting out the odd "moan" to which we got replys! 20 mins in the bush, we heard some twigs snaping and noise! DEER!! While the stag was still several hundred meters away, something was close! Then I saw movement and a spiker stepped out. Looking at Mike, I said I have a shot. I was thinking it was a bit late, the stag was still a wee way away so I thought some camp meat would be a great start to the trip. I lined up a nice spiker, who was side at 30-40m and the Kimber .308 did the rest. A nice shoulder shot and the spiker was down. Turns out there was another deer, a hind or spiker that took off and barked at us for the next 10 mins while we cut up the first deer. We looked at each other, and agreed there are a few animals here.
Now, as mention in Mikes part....the new knife was tested on my finger. At the start I was like "shit...oh well just a nick"...about 30 seconds later and it was all on! turns out it was deeper then i thought. My medical kit happened to be in my pack at camp

so Mike made a rangi version and it was enough to stop the blood but she sure was throbbing.
Carrying the meat out to the track we left it there to collect. we carried on a wee way and ended up walking into a spooking a 6 pointer which bounded off! A quick moan and a hind came out!
Maybe my roaring was starting to sound like a more "manly deer"

As it was starting to get dark, and hearing several stags in the valleys we went back to camp excited about tomorrow.
Guns unloaded, and put into out tents. Dinner was cooked while a quiet beer was enjoyed with the discussions about the day so far and tomorrow! A good feed and a plan was hatched. A yarn on safety and identification was included also.
I was keen to get right into the bush, and I was up at the ring of the alarm....pitch black! hmmm, wee lie in....still dark! WTF! Whens it going to lighten up a bit!

Knowing we didnt have to go far, I waited til it was light enough not to have to use my headlight.
Mike and I went our separate ways.
I got to the spot where I wanted to head in, and let out a long moan. BOOM! replies straight away! Setting the compass, marking the track on gps I snuck into the bush. The first 50m was pretty thick stuff but then it opened up to beautiful open bush! Sneaking along, doing the odd roar I had several replys! I couldnt beleive it! Mike and I timed it all right!
Working along in the bush, I got into a spot where I could go left, right or ahead for a stag. I went left. Moaning every 30 odd meters, this boy was getting a bit riled I was getting closer, But he wasnt moving in.
Eventually I must have got right on the boundry of his area and after a roar from me He came crashing through the bush! Trying to get behind me, he presented himself sideon at 40-50m, I could see he was a 6 plus pointer stag, and I decided I was pretty rapt with having him come in I took the shot. The Kimber again did its job and the stag dropped on the spot! (loving the .308 after 15 years with a 270).

After taking a few photos (Mike posted them) I set about taking as much meat as I could carry. All the while there was a few stags going nuts! I did the odd roar to get them going hahaha.
Carrying the meat back to camp, the bloody flys had decided our camp was a great place to hold the Urewera Annual Fly Convention!!

I wasnt prepared to have tjhe meat wasted, so quickly skinning the hind 1/4 opf both deer, front 1/4s and back steaks, I loaded my pack up. Just in time for Mike to Arrive to help me actually stand up!

I lugged the meat back to the truck which took an hour, and got it safely into the chilly bin. Being keen to get back, I ran back to camp which took 20 mins! Being a bit knackerd at this stage, I had a feed and a bit of a nap!
At about 3, both of us got up (seperate tents

) and I said we should go back to were I shot my stag, as there was more in the area.
Of we went, and getting to the 6 pointer, a few roars were put out. Nothing. We carried on a bit, and nothing at all. An hr in, finally we got a reply!! He was a fair way in the distance so we closed in. AS we were coming in, so was he! The distance quickly closed.
Soon we were only a few 100m apart. I put out a roar and flippen heck!! A freight train come barreling thought the bush! Mike snuck 10m to my right and I keep moaning (and shaking haha) and it stopped next to a tree. I couldnt see it, but Mike could. Being confident he let the .270 go and whack! A hit! He crashed off and Mike and I stayed put to let him thrash it out. It sounded like he was down, so we went in. Finding a bit of blood I was certain we had him. We spent an hr searching, and guttingly had to concede defeat. I HATE losing animals, but as it was getting dark, we had to make tracks.

1.5 hrs to camp, guns away and a nice room temp beer was had while we had a great yarn about the excitement over today. What a trip so far! Dinner was had, and it was decided to go for the stag that was not far from camp.
Stags going all the nights we were there, was pretty cool to hear!
Up not so early this time, breaky was had. and we were off.
Following Mike, I gave a few roars but no replys. HMmmm had the "Camp Stag" gone? Had he smelt the cooking going on not much above where he was?
Again, nice open bush and we got to the bottom of the spur. No roars from anywhere, lots of sign but Ole Camp Stag was keeping quiet.
Sneaking up the other side, we had a sit down and then As I roared...."rooooaaaaarrrrrrrrrr!!!!" from not far away!!
Mike and I looked at each other with a "blimmen hang" look on our faces! He is here!
we worked our way back the way we came, and snuck up through some scrub, with some awesome looking open bush coming into view! Settling myself down, I gave a new roar and the stag came crashing along abouve and to the front of us! he was moaning away, and then come trotting along to get behind us! He stopped above us, side on looking at us! Mike had a good spot to shoot from and this time the .270 did the job! A definate hit!! but he still ran along way the the way he lept at the shot I knew it was a good one!
Settling oursleves down, I made sure I made a good ID on the last spot I saw it fall. We went looking and I found it right were I thought it had dropped!
Handshakes and smiles all round Mike had a got a bloody good stag! We were stoked!!
With another one roaring away I went and had a look but no joy. I came back to help Mike cut the deer up, do the photos and we had to lug the meat all off 400m to camp hahahahah.
We had a bit of feed and more handshakes and smiles, and talked about the hunt!
With the rain arriving a few days late, we decided to end the great trip and head back to truck.
It was a really really great weekend! And to go hunting with a top mate makes it awesome!
Thanks Mike for the awesome hunt bro! And bring on duckshooting!!!