Phil- The bike trips were some of the best trips Ive done. Ground breaking in that we took sambar on all of the trips. First trip aussie bow record was taken by Damain Zeinert, 26 inch. Same day Mark Ballard took a 13 inch only problem they were 11km apart. Big effort to get heads and capes out.
Pretty fast from top of Rileys to the bridge then a big push up and a quick run down into the Gatta. Near drowned swimming the Gatta crossing in flood, then problems with hypothermia, as the snow was melting. Pushed pretty hard in those days. Id come of night shift straight into the rileys then about 18km on the bike and expected to hunt well. I missed 5 sambar with the bow before taking one. Had some horrible weather on some of those trips. lived on trout for a few days on one trip until a deer was taken.
Mick Presnel broke his neck on the way out, came of his bike.
Everyone reckoned we were MAD.... until we were sucessful. Good to see bowhunters taking sambar regularly now.
great trips great country awesome hunting and good mates.
Cheers Mick.
Ill post more pics when they are scanned