It was our last chance of the season to use the accommodation on the station as a new worker was moving in. Steve packed up his two kids, quad, some guns and tucker and got on the road Friday afternoon. They wound up several hours ahead so headed into the hills before dark. My Jack was supposed to be on the deer gun first but he would get his chance the next day.
Me, Jack, Jarno and some Irishman somebody found in a backpackers headed out in the evening. Mark was a lucky man to be coming with us at all. These days, I only bring along useful people who have proven themselves worthy. And, of course, kids and new hunters for training but not randoms. Mark was going to get a lot of the domestic duties.
So we headed to the Cabbage Tree Block, which, like the rest of the station, we know pretty well. This block is shaped like a giant football stadium with a creek at the bottom and very steep sides. The first trees we got to were loaded with peafowl. It had been a couple of years since we last culled this station. I carefully picked out the mature males I could find then let Jack take about two dozen other birds. Not a single one flew before taking a .22 round. Mark watched and learned. We walked around for a while and found some more birds. All were hung where they were shot to be processed after a good sleep. We saw a lot of possums and Mark, under supervision, shot quite a few. Me and Jarno decided to hit one more spot before we left and picked up two more big males. I think we round up with three dozen peafowl when we called it quits.
We got back to find Kadin had shot deer so we regailed in his stories. It was another proud Dad moment.
The next morning was deer heart and eggs for breakfast. Mark had never eaten venison so he started with heart. Jarno and I grabbed some processing gear and headed back to the birds. I had instructed Jack not to leave Steve'e side as he was next on the big gun. Mark was too tired to join us. You would think he would have been keen as mustard to have more experiences.
I do like processing in the field. It saves a big carry and mess wherever I wind up processing (usually my garage). It is nowhere near as efficient but I get the main products. Jarno followed with a knife to harvest the meat. After a few hours, Steve, Dylan and and Jack showed up on the quad to see if they could help. I showed Dylan where we saw a lot of possums the night before. He was keen to pluck as Jarno did the night before.
So after about five hours, Jarno and I trekked out the meat, feathers and tails. The tails I would bring home to process later.
With the meat safely in the freezer and some lasagna in our bellies, Jarno and I went for a late afternoon nap before another big hunt. Meanwhile, Steve Kadin and Jack were out hunting They shot a couple of goats then three pigs ran out. Dylan ran off for a shot and got one. Unfortunately, his clip was empty after the goats and the ammo was back in the truck.
So on Saturday night, Kadin and Mark came with me and Jarno to the top of the Coast Block. Jack went with Steve to find a deer and Dylan went on his own with the quad to shoot and pluck possums.
We heard some birds calling just on dark so knew where to target. We went for a big walk and Kadin and Mark took turns shooting possums. We tried to find a patch I had found birds years ago but it was just a bit too far away. Drizzle was setting in so we decided to target the closer birds. I took the big peacocks because if they fly away to die and be lost, I would rather it be me doing the losing. Mark and Kadin took turns on the peafowl and shot about a dozen. All of the birds were carried out to be hung in a dry shed. We were rained out after a few hours.
As we found out later, Jack got his first red deer shot at 220 yards after a big walk. On the way back Jack was hitting the wall. Then Steve spotted the spiker. It was a big climb up to get the shot but Jack got there and shot his second-ever red deer. What a night and Steve almost had to carry Jack back to the truck. There is nothing like a young fella hunting until he literally falls over. It will make him a determined hunter when he was older.
So what a weekend! Jack got to shoot his first two red deer. Steve is a legend for making this happen. As much as I would love to take Jack for a deer hunt, I am just too busy with peacocks. Besides, there are always volunteers to shoot deer when we have permission on peacock blocks. As long as I get my cut of the meat, I am happy.
The deer were hung for a week in Steve's chiller and nothing was wasted, not even the ribs!
