SONNY AND DADS FIRST STAG TOGETHER.

FEATURE Sonny D’sylva

It was a cold afternoon in Benambra. My Dad and I were getting ready for our hunting trip with my cousin Ethan, Uncle Dan, and Pappa.

It was early in the afternoon when Dad said, "Let’s get ready." I started putting on my hunting gear and packed my backpack. Dad grabbed his rifle, and we started heading down the back track to our hunting spot.

We checked the wind to make sure it was blowing in our faces, so the deer wouldn’t catch our scent. Quietly, we snuck into our special spot and waited patiently for the deer to come out.

Dad was looking through his binoculars for a long time, trying to spot something on the other side of the gully. After a while, we decided to take a break. Dad pulled out a couple of cans of Coke so we could have a drink.

Just as I took a sip, I saw something move. “Dad, I see a deer!” I whispered.

My dad grabbed the binoculars and took a look. "It’s a stag!". We were so excited.

While I watched the deer, my Dad got everything set up to take it down. The deer lifted its head to sniff the air, checking for danger before stepping out into the open where we could see him clearly.

“I see the deer, Dad!” I whispered, pointing so he could spot it too.

My Dad got his gun ready, aimed carefully, and pulled the trigger. Bang!

Dad fired the gun, and the bullet hit the deer. It dropped to the ground but quickly got back up and ran behind the trees, where we could just see him. My Dad and I celebrated with high fives. We started walking up the very steep hill, looking everywhere for the deer.

“There it is, Dad!” I said. After we got there, Dad and I took lots of photos. The deer looked so big up close, and its antlers were huge. Dad pulled the radio out of the backpack so my Uncle and Pappa knew where we were.

We watched them come up the gully. We waved our orange hats so they could see us. When Uncle Dan and Ethan found us, they helped us cut up the deer in a special way. First, we removed the antlers, then we cut up the meat and put it in the meat bags.

My Dad, Pappa, Uncle, and my cousin Ethan helped carry the meat to Uncle Dan’s hunting truck. As we started the long walk back in the dark, it began to snow. I was so cold, and my hands were freezing. Dad said, “Just keep on going. This is what hunting is all about.”

My 82-year-old Pappa led the way out with his dog, Buddy. We finally made it to the hunting truck, where we loaded the meat and antlers, then headed back to camp.

We hung the meat up, and Dad carefully packed away the antlers and cape. I warmed up by the fire with my cousin while Dad, Pappa, and Uncle celebrated with a beer. I love spending time in the bush with my family, but I will remember this stag forever — especially with my Dad.