The success of this trip started in early April when I first went into this block looking for a red stag. The trips started off being mainly sweat bearing, finding all the spots where the deer weren't. I found I was very good at finding these spots where the deer weren't so I figured it was a process of elimination from now on.

The numbers seen were low to start with but I starting figuring out where the animals lived. This meant the walks became more strategic focusing on key look outs. The female red skins and fallow were around in numbers now but I hadn't seen an old boy with fighting stick on his head yet. I kept the trips going hoping I would see one or hear one but on their behalf it was a poor show. Later in to April the fallow bucks were finding there vocals so I decided to skip the stag and look for a buck. A couple more trips followed until I located a couple and had a look at there fighting sticks and decided on one that would look good above the fire place.

All jolly good but I had a problem on my hands, time was getting short; one there wasn't much time between work finishing and it getting dark and two I was off to England at the end of the month. A few desperate trips had me running up and down hills trying to locate, stalk an shoot a critter before it got to dark but darkness beat me every time. I had almost given up hope as it was the last week before I flew out. ANZAC Day fell on Thursday of this last week. That glimmer of hope for a last effort hunt was set alight by the boss saying the cattle weren't away till lunch time. Houston we were all systems go.

Up early in the morning I put my gear in the courtesy car (as my truck was at the panel beaters) flicked on the radio to listen to a dawn service and headed off. The old car didn't get far up the track so the boots were put to use. I checked out some ground I had seen a few fallow does and a buck on before, but no carrot they must be sleeping in. Off to the next spot. Glassing here I saw a few does but no buck. Out of interest I glassed a bit of country nearby just to have a look and blow me down there was a buck with a nice hat rack and a beautiful white colour. Using the camera and its zoom I had a better look and the buck showed a good spread with some nice palmation. Not having to worry about it getting dark to soon I quietly walk in his direction trying to keep the nerves at bay. Being my first chance at a buck I was getting giddy. I crested the last hill and saw him having breakfast. Not wasting much time the usual was done and I had my first fallow buck on the deck.
When I walked over I was stocked with my success/luck. To me it was a beautiful head and a stunning animal. I took a heap of photos, the head, skin, meat and headed home one happy hunter.

A wool fage was borrowed so the rental car didn't get covered in blood and not cop the hearty $450 fine they have inplace. I couldn’t stop grinning when I showed the other half, who was just as happy/ relieved due me “spending all my time hunting”. Looking at it so was I, but I guess it shows what happens when you stick at it.


Photos to Come

Good effort!

Well done mate. Look forward to the photos.

Congratulations on your persistence. If you have shot a truly white buck, it is a real prize. That colour phase is scarce the world over.

That's a nice trophy. A wallhanger. Congratulations.  The buck is Common colour phase, winter coat. If you are interested to learn more, scroll down to Information resources, there is a thread at the top "The Fallow files".

very very nice blacklab! congrats mate, thats a neat trophy. cheers for sharing the photos

A very nice buck, well done 

Primo trophy man. Good stuff.