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Hunting >> Hunting in Australia, NZ & the South Pacific
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tophet1
.400 member


Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag
      #178624 - 09/04/11 05:41 PM




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.



Edited by NitroX (11/04/11 01:22 AM)

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MarkR
.333 member


Reged: 29/07/07
Posts: 296
Loc: NW Vic. Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: tophet1]
      #178625 - 09/04/11 06:22 PM

Ripper John, well done mate.... So now the deer hunting bug has bitten, ehh? Were they roaring?

Cheers,
Mark.

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johnfox
.224 member


Reged: 05/08/09
Posts: 3
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: tophet1]
      #178626 - 09/04/11 06:25 PM

How good is that!!!! Done and dusted with bit of a short walk and before breakfast...Excellent!!

As you know I'm not much into antlers but I'd be pretty happy with that bugger.

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CHAPUISARMES
.416 member


Reged: 16/01/08
Posts: 2908
Loc: DUBBO, NSW, AUSTRALIA
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: johnfox]
      #178628 - 09/04/11 06:57 PM

Well done John, that is a magnificent trophy bull. You are very fortunate to being one of only 3 hunters in 3 years so they have not been pressured by hunters which was very good.

Red Stags are magnificent and to take a trophy like your will live in the "Hunters Memory" forever.

Cheers Mate,

Jeff

.

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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39896
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: johnfox]
      #178629 - 09/04/11 07:00 PM

Well done John. An excellent free range trophy. A product of a location without a lot of hunting pressure, and with good genetics and good feed.

It just goes to show free range, fair chase hunting can be relatively easy, where the game is plentiful enough, well managed and not shot to buggery.

That trophy deserves a full shoulder mount I think. Again well done and good to have some fun.

The countryside looks nice too.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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tophet1
.400 member


Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: johnfox]
      #178631 - 09/04/11 07:07 PM

I couldn't believe it. I was expecting an easy hunt but my guide (who is a part owner of Huntech clothing and has been guiding for 43 years) said, 'NO, we are doing it the NZ way. On foot from the start' (Gulp). Then we bump this boy metres from the hut. I hope to go back in 3-4 years and take an off-spring of the Czech stags.

The thing was, the place is Boutique. Not 5 star but full on traditional and limited access. I have invited Phil my guide to join the forum. I hope he or the owner John, will join and post and correct anything I have said that is wrong. John the owner is a real rifle nut and they both hunt the South Is. tops every year. Real hunting Gentlemen and an honour to meet.

Phil ran hunts in Mongolia for 10 years, was a South Is guide and volunteer rescue chopper door man as well. His job then was to 'look after the Paramedic'. Well he did that this time too.

Mike Harrison from the ADA and his Tassie mate Steve (top bloke) were on the same plane and organised thei hunt through the same owner. We were all on the grog (except Mike) the first night. They went hunting Sika on the tops. Man, are those fellas full on deer hunters and in a class of their own.

Sorry Mark, I'm still a PG man. Yes, they were all roaring. Very deep, gutteral and resonate.

Edited by tophet1 (09/04/11 07:11 PM)

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TheLOTT
.224 member


Reged: 15/10/10
Posts: 2
Loc: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: tophet1]
      #178637 - 09/04/11 09:11 PM

Fantastic John! Well played!
150m from camp....... bloody hell, 20 years of deer hunting I've never had it that easy - bet you did the 'carry out' by quad too!

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Rule303
.450 member


Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5063
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: tophet1]
      #178639 - 09/04/11 09:36 PM

Good going John, I told you you needed to be fit to hunt NZ. Well most people do. haha
Almost as easy as my Sambars, which re taught me, when hunting, animals are where they are not necessarily where you think they will be.

That is an excellent rack, you should be justifiably proud of it. Where in the house are you going to have your trophy mounted.


Cheers

Greg

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Ben
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: Rule303]
      #178645 - 09/04/11 10:09 PM

G'day John, and well-done!

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Homer
.416 member


Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: Ben]
      #178664 - 10/04/11 08:51 AM

G'Day Fella's,

Well done John!
Got yourself a cracker of a Red Head!!!

Doh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27009
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: Homer]
      #178667 - 10/04/11 09:41 AM

Well done, Bravo John!

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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eagle27
.400 member


Reged: 24/01/09
Posts: 1165
Loc: Rolleston, Christchurch, New Z...
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: DarylS]
      #178669 - 10/04/11 10:01 AM

Magnificent trophy. As always it's not so much how the hunt developed and whether it was easy or hard, it's all about an accurate quick killing shot and respect for the animal taken and you've done that well John.
Only cardinal sin is that you took it with my favourite bullet, that plain old cup and core Sierra, how dare you!!!!
Way to go John and wish you many more fine trophies to come.

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tophet1
.400 member


Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: eagle27]
      #178673 - 10/04/11 11:17 AM

Thx guys. I appreciate your positive comments and I'm still buzzing .

I also try to fit in some cultural activity as well when I'm away. John the owner, was competeing in the local dog trials the day I flew out and I was made welcome to watch as I was fascinated to see how it is done. Up at 04:30, loaded the dogs after Breakfast and off we went. They had long and short courses for header dogs and Huntaways.

The long course. Sheep are released 80% up the hill to be brought back to the shepherd. The goal is not to let the sheep deviate from a straight line down or you lose points.


It was great to watch the Shepherds (male and female) control these marvelous dogs with nothing more than different whistle cammands. (Find and watch some on YouTube).

What fascinated me, if your dog did a shit on the course it was instant disqualification Lol.
Some shepherds have up to five dogs each with seperate whistle calls so they can work five dogs and five mobs of sheep from the valley floor at the same time. I had to leave early to catch my flight. The event is followed by a huge hot lunch and then the bar opens. I'm thinking it is more of an excuse to get on the grog than anything else.

I had no troubles with customs or Ag coming back into Australia. I was careful to declare everything possible. I brought the boiled skull cap and antlers with me wrapped in bubble wrap with hose sections fitted over the points.



I thought some Greenies may have had a go at me and I certainly got some worried looks from people. Our society has lost a percentage of its cultural backbone that's for sure. The only two who said anything to me were a couple of old fellas interested in the hunt.

Edited by NitroX (11/04/11 01:23 AM)

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Matt_Graham
Sponsor


Reged: 26/02/04
Posts: 602
Loc: Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: tophet1]
      #178678 - 10/04/11 01:01 PM

Super stag John!! well done... congratulations!



--------------------
www.huntaust.com.au

Edited by Matt_Graham (10/04/11 01:11 PM)

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johnfox
.224 member


Reged: 05/08/09
Posts: 3
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: Matt_Graham]
      #178679 - 10/04/11 01:05 PM

Quote:

Super stag John!! well done... congratulations!

You might want to check your comments above though, as far as I am aware, it is against the law to deliberately release deer into the wild in NZ!! Dont want to get your mates into any shit eh!! I can edit this comment too...



Maybe that should have been a PM. That would have eliminated the 'alert' factor.

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Matt_Graham
Sponsor


Reged: 26/02/04
Posts: 602
Loc: Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag *DELETED* [Re: johnfox]
      #178680 - 10/04/11 01:09 PM

Post deleted by Matt_Graham

--------------------
www.huntaust.com.au

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FATBOY404
.400 member


Reged: 14/11/09
Posts: 1730
Loc: QLD
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: Matt_Graham]
      #178691 - 10/04/11 05:55 PM

Well done John.
Created a few more memories with the 7mm as well.
I was going to put a post on about my 5x5 but after seeing that !!! I don't know.

--------------------
"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"

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tophet1
.400 member


Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: FATBOY404]
      #178695 - 10/04/11 06:14 PM

Neale,

It is the memorys for me. Memorys I will take to my grave.

1) The site picture as he face planted off the side of the hill
2) The reverberating sound of the Stags roaring travelling across the hillsides.
3) Sitting with my guide Phil the previous evening with our binos as Phil taught me a bit about deer.

Post a report mate I'd love to see yours

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mauser57
.224 member


Reged: 06/07/10
Posts: 24
Loc: Nth Queensland, Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: tophet1]
      #178697 - 10/04/11 07:05 PM

Excellent Trophy John
well done got to love the 7x57's
Carl

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Cinghiale
.333 member


Reged: 15/04/08
Posts: 406
Loc: Northern Territory
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: mauser57]
      #178707 - 10/04/11 08:22 PM

Brilliant mate just brilliant, next thing I spose is to go and get a Tahr, the way your luck is running might just have to walk out the door in Fox Glacier mate!

Glad that you had a great time,

Regards,

MOG

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eagle27
.400 member


Reged: 24/01/09
Posts: 1165
Loc: Rolleston, Christchurch, New Z...
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: FATBOY404]
      #178709 - 10/04/11 08:25 PM

Quote:

Well done John.
Created a few more memories with the 7mm as well.
I was going to put a post on about my 5x5 but after seeing that !!! I don't know.



Come on, its not the size in the fight, its the fight in the size, Please share your story and pictures with us. Always good to see those reds.

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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39896
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: tophet1]
      #178728 - 10/04/11 09:49 PM

Quote:





Did it go in the checked luggage?

Skull/cap mount, or are you getting the cape sent over?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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tophet1
.400 member


Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: NitroX]
      #178733 - 10/04/11 09:59 PM

It went with checked luggage. It ended up with the rifle as 'oversize' baggage. Qantas handles that for Air NZ.

I'm not getting a shoulder mount done. It would cost too much money with other trips planned this year.

As you know, at heart I'm not really a trophy hunter.

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theanimal
.224 member


Reged: 20/02/11
Posts: 2
Loc: Penrith NSW
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: tophet1]
      #178758 - 11/04/11 04:24 AM

beats the shit out of anything I have done

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blacks
.275 member


Reged: 17/03/11
Posts: 83
Loc: South-East South Australia
Re: 14 point NZ 7x7 Red Stag [Re: theanimal]
      #178794 - 11/04/11 02:17 PM

Congrats John, ripper head mate. I know you're not a 'scoresheet' man but has he been measured at all?

Cheers

blacks

--------------------
You won't shoot anything at home on the couch...

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