The hunt was on a private sheep farm that backs straight onto the Ruahine National Park Range which then stretches for approx. 30km to the south east. About 10 years ago the owner introduced to the indigenous Red Deer population in that region, 3 stags with superb Czech genetics, another 7 stags and about 20 hinds. My 6-7 year old Stag is probably the offspring of one of the hinds and an existing 'scrubber' stag.

The farm is approx 3K acres + with 3 foot fences. The nearest game farm would be 30km away. I was only the third trophy hunter allowed onto the place in the last three years as it is the owners private Red Deer hunting block. Thanks to a contact on the internet I was given an introduction to my hosts. Access was only by quad runner.

Our hut.

After scouting the area the previous afternoon and seeing three shootable 12 pointers we went to bed. My guide ( Phil Whitelaw) said he almost never shoots on the first day and we may find something better. We took off before dawn from our hut to walk into the hills and bumped my stag after going only 150 metres. He was roaring with three hinds near him. About 45min into the stalk we could finally see his head gear well enough in the growing light to make a judgement and realised he was a 'taker'. The whole hunt only took 1.5 hours and covered approx 1.5km. I took my shot from the ridge on the left across 120 yards to the slope on the right.

The 140 Sierra SptBt from my 7x57 custom Mauser 98 went in behind the left shoulder and angled forward towards the right leg. He went very stiff at the impact, turned his nose straight down hill, took five steps and torpedoed like a spear into the bush. DOA.

Needless to say I am very happy with the result.