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Going hunting this weekend.
For the 5th year in a row I have put in for a balloted hunt.......and for the 5th year in a row I missed out.
BUT.........my buddy GB was drawn and he has put his son and I down as his hunting companions. His son who is in his 20's has hunted ducks etc with us but has never shot a deer. Hopefully he will score on Saturday as he has a doe permit.
While on patrol last weekend The hunters on the block GB drew, went home early and I was able to gather enough info on the deer movements to know where to look. I was also able to check out a few areas where deer were hanging out and found a spot that held a few does. I will have my camera handy if he does score........
I was hoping to have the pre 64 308 ready to go but although I have the scope that Wambli sent me mounted, with factory ammo the groups are less than satisfactory ( 3-4" groups with Remington 150's). I have been too busy to work up a load since I got back and knew that I wouldn't have time to get to the range anyway. Looks like the 7mm08 will be the 'go to' rifle this time. ( Was thinking about the 222 but as I have a buck permit and the block is fairly open I think the 7mm08 would be better both from a distance and energy POV)
Here's hoping............
BUT.........my buddy GB was drawn and he has put his son and I down as his hunting companions. His son who is in his 20's has hunted ducks etc with us but has never shot a deer. Hopefully he will score on Saturday as he has a doe permit.
While on patrol last weekend The hunters on the block GB drew, went home early and I was able to gather enough info on the deer movements to know where to look. I was also able to check out a few areas where deer were hanging out and found a spot that held a few does. I will have my camera handy if he does score........
I was hoping to have the pre 64 308 ready to go but although I have the scope that Wambli sent me mounted, with factory ammo the groups are less than satisfactory ( 3-4" groups with Remington 150's). I have been too busy to work up a load since I got back and knew that I wouldn't have time to get to the range anyway. Looks like the 7mm08 will be the 'go to' rifle this time. ( Was thinking about the 222 but as I have a buck permit and the block is fairly open I think the 7mm08 would be better both from a distance and energy POV)
Here's hoping............
Still enjoying the trip of a lifetime and making the best of what I have.....
Replies
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
This area, Woodhill Forest, has a small herd of Fallow deer which is controlled and managed by the Woodhill Fallow Management Council of which I am a member.
Hunting is strictly controlled and 'spots' are drawn by ballot. There are 9 hunting blocks and 3 hunters are permitted on each block. If you are successful in the ballot draw, you get one day to hunt ( either a sat or sun as hunting only takes place on weekends, and the season only runs for 2 1/2 months)
You are only allowed to take one Buck which must have at least 3 points. We normally issue a doe permit to each block but there is no guarantee that you will get a doe permit as the issuing of one forms one of the management tools we use to control the herd.
This is the northernmost herd of deer in the North Island and is susceptible to poaching etc. The herd numbers about 6-700 animals and without managing it, would be very easy to fall below sustainability level. Hence I spend a lot of time in the forest on patrol etc.......
It will be good to get the opportunity to have a hunt instead of driving past the hunters while on patrol and looking at them with envy............
While .222s, .223s, and even .222 Mags are cool cartridges, when you really get serious and the distance may be excessive, Bigger is better up to a point. That 7-08 wanna be .270 will be a much better choice.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.