PERFECT TIMING

FEATURE Penny Cumming

Each year, Melbourne Cup weekend sees us packed up and heading into the Victorian High Country. We pull the girls out of school and turn it into an extra big weekend of hunting, fishing and enjoying the simple pleasures of life with family and friends. It’s a tradition we started many years ago and, as usual, Robbie hunts the mornings and I head out in the afternoons.

This particular afternoon, on the third day of our trip, the wind was pretty steady, predominantly heading in the one direction besides the odd swirl. I had previously done a bit of scouting in this area but it was relatively new and I knew I wanted to scope it out more. I had left earlier then I usually do for an arvo hunt. I had been reading a really good book, so like any busy mum, I left camp early, found a comfy spot to sit back and read without any interruptions while also stopping every so often to glass and take in my surrounds.

It was now three hours until dark, which meant the book went away and I started to get serious with the hunt. I started in official stalk mode and made my way up and over into a different gully system. The wind was coming straight up from below me so I headed up higher so I could get a better look and give myself more of an area to glass, as I had previously seen deer come out to feed just above me in this area.

Sometimes everything just feels right and you just don’t see or hear a thing. With two hours of light left I was in prime time and I was taking it slowly. We were in dire need of venison and Robbie had gently reminded me before I left that it would be great to have another one on the ground. We are right into our small goods these days, experimenting more than ever. It’s pretty rare our freezer is this low but we were out of slow cooking cuts and mince, which are both a staple ingredient used weekly, if not more, in our household.

I heard a noise in the distance, then all of a sudden a herd of brumbies were running full pace right in my direction! I swore a few times and shook my head in frustration before telling myself I could take advantage of this situation…if something had startled the brumbies then there was a good chance deer would be spooked too. I decided to kneel down and hide my presence so I didn’t spook the brumbies as they ran straight past me.

It was then I heard another faint noise. I can’t really recall exactly what it was but I knew it wasn’t a brumby. I put my binos down and grabbed my rifle. I heard a few more twigs break and then saw the tip of an antler appear…you bloody beauty! I watched as this stag slowly snuck out into a tiny clearing in a full blown sneak. It was incredible and to this day, and most likely forever, it will be etched into my memory. I was still kneeling at the point, there was a bunch of shrubs and trees between us. He was nearly at a clear spot for me to take the shot so I raised my rifle and the millisecond he stepped into that window, I slowly squeezed the shot off. He leapt skywards and bolted! It all happened quite quickly but, at the same time, it felt like everything was moving in slow motion.

I felt really confident with the shot and, after hearing what sounded like a crashing sound, I started to let what had just happened sink in. First, I realised that this stag may not just be any stag and, second, I had just watched him do a full on sneak only 10-15m from me without having a clue I was there! The shakes started and my heart was pumping at what had just happened. I marked the spot on the GPS and decided to slowly creep in his direction. Within metres there was a really good blood trail confirming a good hit to his vitals. It wasn’t long until I spotted him on the ground just down below me. I slowly crept up, making sure he definitely wasn’t about to hit a rush of adrenalin and run off; a slight fear with these tough buggers!

I sat with the stag and replayed over and over about what had just happened. I knew he was a once in a lifetime kind of stag for me with some great style. I ran through all the options in my head as the sun was setting; do I cape him myself, cut up all the meat and just bring the family back tomorrow to help with the carry out? I knew the cape in itself was going to be tough on my own. I thought about doing multiple trips back to the car but then decided I was just too damn excited to do this on my own and, with family back at camp, I knew it was a possibility to come back tonight with Robbie by my side.

I got so caught up in the moment I nearly forgot to take some photos so, after a couple of pics, my priority quickly turned into getting back to share the news at camp. I pretty much sprinted back to my car and the minute I got there I was straight onto the UHF. “Robbie you got a copy? Robbie you got a copy? Robbie you got a copy?”. No joke, this went on for a good five minutes before I decided to give up. Realistically he was never going to hear me but excitement got the better of me and you just never know your luck!

Finally, after driving a big chunk of the way back to camp, I started trying to raise Robbie again and this time I heard a crackle in return! I was bursting with excitement. Robbie was only on a handheld radio so I knew it was only going to reach so far way. The first thing I asked was “how are the kids”, and “are they asleep yet?”. I think I was trying to play it cool and casually asked if Robbie was free to come help me cape a stag. The radio was not playing the game so I decided to be patient and wait. I pulled up at camp, leapt out of the car and bolted over to Robbie who was standing by the fire with everyone. I literally jumped into his arms giving him the biggest hug ever!

I was ecstatic! I play these types of scenarios over and over in my head, no matter how my hunts go.  I always debrief with Robbie, giving him the full story. I love taking photos so I tend to take a lot so I can paint a full story. After a quick chat and sharing some snaps, I was keen to show Robbie the stag in real life!

Rob’s sister Steph happily kept an eye on the girls while we headed back into the bush. Aunty Steph you are truly amazing! I somehow managed to lead Robbie and our pooch Indi through an absolute hell hole, finding a dead head before we finally arrived back at my stag. After chewing Robbie’s ear off and getting a few more photos we got straight into caping him. I already knew how I wanted him mounted; in full sneak exactly how he was when I spotted him.

A couple of hours later we had him caped, the back legs off, backstraps, fillets and as much neck and shoulder meat as we could possibly get. We had already decided he was going to be turned into salami, bresaola and burgers, along with plenty of other delicious meals. We arrived back at camp around midnight and enjoyed a well-earned beer and a big feed of spaghetti by the fire.

The next morning both the girls were so excited for me. Bella kept saying “good job mummy” and Elsie was just proud as punch, telling me constantly how happy she was for me. The compliments lasted for weeks and still to this day they bring it up; you kind of forget just how much they watch you and take in. Elsie decided she wanted to join us and head back in to get the last of the meat and collect the dead head. You only have to look at her face to see how much she radiates with happiness when she is in the bush with us.

Over the weeks that followed, I enjoyed many show and tell moments, dropping in to see family and friends and telling my story over and over again. Even my non-hunting family and friends were over the moon for me. There is something so rewarding about being able to go out into public land to not only fill your freezer with fresh venison but also enjoy everything the journey gives along the way. I hope everyone had plenty of adventures in the bush throughout 2023 and I look forward to making many more memories in 2024.