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Sometimes the simplest trips turn out to be the most enjoyable. I enjoy my overseas hunting but getting back to my roots is just as enjoyable. After a long stint away from camping in the Aussie bush, I recently had the pleasure of a night away from distractions and the company of a good friend and an afternoon hunting.

Once a year AFRO408 and I go for a camp and hunt. This is usually in the first quarter of the year. AFRO408 has built me a number of custom rifles and also rifles for other forum members.

I've been able to do some shooting for dog tucker and feral animal control over the last 9 months but have not had time to relax and 'get away from it all'.

We arrived at the RV on time and set up camp. Now AFRO is very particular about the way things are done (this is reflected in his gunsmithing) and after we had set up camp to his satisfaction it was off for a drive around the property.

Camp AFRO. The mobile Taj Mahal to the right of the tree was AFRO's sleeping quarters.

After testing my Rodeo twin cab's off road capabilities in the remote back blocks we located a local 'mob' of goats and dismounted for a short stalk. AFRO was after a young goat to eat and soon had a young one in his sights. His 6mmMyra (6/222)on a Brno action soon accounted for the youngster with the 75grain Hornady HP nearly decapitating the goat.

I was after dog tucker and two nicely coloured young billys filled the order. Leaving AFRO to gut and prep his goat I headed off around the rocky hill to get above the 'mob'. My 7x57 was loaded with Sierra 140 SptBt's and I was keen to test it (again) before a Red Deer trip in NZ next April. From the same vantage point I was able to drop both billys with shoulder shots. The reaction from both goats was the same. Two to three steps and then collapsing on the spot with bright pink frothy lung blood showing at the exit site. The Sierra 140's were expanding and exiting perfectly.

Goat 1.

The plant in front of the goat is not a 'cash crop' but a local weed called 'farmers friend'.

Goat 2

We had a very subdued night around the open fire without the normal quantity of Rum being consumed. We must be getting old. We were up at 5am and out to scope for more goats.

AFRO testing his new Hakko 10x42 binos just after dawn.

After retrieving my dog tucker from the two billys shot the previous evening, we had a good feed of bacon and eggs, struck camp and headed off in our seperate directions towards home.

My two Jack Russells enjoyed the change of diet and many thx to AFRO for another great hunt.