Brendan's Blog

Once apon a time there was a happy feral pig family until one day....

Brendan — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:11:00 GMT

Brendan decided to create a pig trap so he could wreck the inner fabric of the pig community. Until this day Brendan didn't have the capability to create such a beast as it required a welder, steel and a heap of skill.

Brendan knew that he could go out and purchase the welder and steel but the skill would only come once the first two items have been secured. Off he went to the hardware store and returned a happy, yet poorer owner of a Lincoln Electrics 180c MIG welder, and a heap of steel. Now all he had to do was learn how to weld.

He soon put flux coated core to steel and before you knew it he had a pig trap in his back yard and deployed to a paddock near you. I must say that he and his mate Mav did a fantastic job creating such a engineering feat, however what good is a pig trap without pigs... How could he find these feral animals that lurk in the darkness waiting for the opportunity to strike on unsuspecting wheat fields. Then he had an idea, it was a fantastic idea, and idea that would dwarf the invention of the steam engine or nuclear power..... He would often see pigs feeding on the carcasses of the dead Kangaroos that were being culled so why not put the trap around these exact carcasses.. To ensure that they pigs would find the trap appealing, he used cracked corn so it would be kinda like having desert... mmmmmm Rotting Kangaroos followed up by cracked corn.. To be a feral pig.. Yum Yum Yum

So a quick stop at the rural shop and he had the pigs desert, now it was time that he had been waiting for... A time that he thought would never come... YES it was time to set the trap...

The corn was spread and the trigger was set, now it was a waiting game... He knew that there was a family of pigs hanging around as he has scoped out the area using a game camera, and on checking the trap he was surprised to find one of the daughters in the trap. The trap was set once again, and the carcass of the daughter was placed in the trap so to encourage its now lonley mother.. The next morning he checked the trap once again....

YES his master plan worked... The mother was in the trap playing with her young one as if to say... "Stand up you naughty girl... what are you doing laying around on the ground like that, don't you know we are feral pigs and we have fences to destroy, and fields to dig up!!!"

Unfortunately for the mother pig, the baby pig wasn't going anywhere and now she was going to join it.

THE END

Have a look in our media section for photo or my YouTube posts for video.

Mother and daughter in trap before I set the trigger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g35UVVL_IGE

Little pig in trap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSNb36K6y5k

Kill the daughter while the mother escapes.

Brendan — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:20:00 GMT

Last week I caught a mother and a daughter on my game camera. Today I can write that problem is no more.

I took some footage of a mother and daughter walking in and out of my pig trap without any issues or concern about the trap... When ever I see this it is time to arm the trap, and arm the trap I did.

The first night I loaded it up with crushed corn and on my arrival the next morning I found the daughter in the trap with no indication as to if or where the mother was location, and if she had been around to get in the trap.

On closer inspection of the game came footage I found that while both had been been in the trap it was by accident that they tripped the trigger and close the door with both of them fully enclosed within the trap. So how did the mother escape?????? Well only the game camera could tell us this... On closer inspection of the photos that were taken at the time the trigger was fired, both pigs were in the trap however the mother was closest to the door, and when the noise of the steel bucket fell she bolted out of the trap before the door could close, but the daughter remainded... mighty unlucky for the daughter I must say.

I dispatched the daughter and reset the trap hoping to catch the mother...... The story continues and I have an update in my next blog so come back for an update.

Feral Pig v's Bull bar

Brendan — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:20:00 GMT

I whipped out the other day to set the pig trap after a fantastic day Skiing in the snow. While the rain was coming down out side of the Hilux and the outside temp around 4 degrees, the heater in the car was just about unbearable but it was something that I think I could handle. I arrived at the property and had to leave the comfort of my heater to open the boundary gate. I must say I couldn't get back in the truck fast enough as the rain ran down the back of my shirt and edged its way toward my plumbers crack.

The property road while normally solid as a rock, when the rain falls they transform into slippery clay it doesn't take much to either lose the front of the car while in the beginning of the turn or flicking the rear around. This was no more evident than when I approached a road that runs parallel to a deep creek that runs nearly all the way through the middle of the property. As I drove down this road I was thinking to myself that this is fantastic weather for ducks and pigs. Now it wouldn't of been 30 second later when three pigs appeared out of the scrub and stood right in the middle of the road. One was a sow and the other two where her off spring of around 5 months of age.

Now I'm not sure if it was the fact that I was surprised that there were in fact three pigs standing in the middle of the road right in front of me, or that the slippery conditions and the speed I was going affected my ability to respond, but either way I guess it doesn't matter. Within a second or so there was a mighty thud and skid marks around 15 meters long. Normally I would jump out of the car and see what the outcome was but given that the weather was not on the inviting side and that there was possibly that there was a cranky pig in the dark, I decided to do my thousand point turn so I could light up the area with my high beam.

On turning around I could see one of the smaller pigs laying on its side half way off the road and kicking in the final throws of life, to which I grabbed my pig sticker and jumped out of the truck. It was about this time I started to think of the mother of this downed child and how she could be sitting in cover of darkness only a meter from where I was standing..... About the time I finished running the idea of the sow charging out of the bushes and teaching me a lesson, my wind screen wipers sprung into action with the sound of then running across the glass without any water to help then function. I have to be honest here and say that it scared the s**t out of me... It was like someone sneaking up behind me and saying BOO!!!! I quickly grab hold of my composure, check that the sow was not coming to take me down, and chuck the pig in the back of the Ute.

On closer inspection I had crushed its skull so death was instant, and with not damage to my truck I would have to say that Bull bar get one point and feral pig still sits at zero.

I quickly popped up to the trap, and put some extra star pickets in to ensure there would be no more escaping pigs and headed home. On arrival my wife was keen to ask "How did you go?". She was thinking that I would say something like "Good, I fixed the trap and set it up for me to check in the morning", the disbelief on her face when I told her "Yes it was good. I scored myself a pig!!"..

The conversation went back and forth until I convinced her to look in the back of the Ute and to here surprise there was in fact a pig in the back. Go me!!!!

The next morning I took my daughter back out to the paddock to conduct some pig dog training with Scarlet (my fearless pig dog in training).

On arrival at The Pit we saw a nice health fox having around getting a mid morning snack.

http://www.ozhunter.com/media/p/2781.aspx

To which my daughter was very excited about as this is the first time she has seen a live fox in the paddocks. After taking a few photos, I handed the camera to my daughter to video part of the training session. You can see the video on my YouTube page.

Here is a photo of who wins between a bull bar and a feral pig.

http://www.ozhunter.com/media/p/2782.aspx

Pigs of escaping!!!

Brendan — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 08:55:00 GMT

It has been an interesting week. Since setting up the game camera and the pig trap, I must say it has been an exciting and interesting week.

It started out with putting up the trap last weekend and baiting it but not setting the trap. this was so the pigs were used to not only having the trap around but also getting pigs in the trap, then on Saturday night I set the trap and spent the night wondering what the morning would bring.

I popped out early on Sunday morning to see what ferals I might of caught. Where I have placed the trap I can see it from over 200 meters away, and with the help of my zoom lense on my camera I could see that the trap was not in the same state as it was when I left just 15 hours eairler. I could see that the trap had been sprung as the steel bucket was on the ground and the heavy steel door was closed. The strange thing is that it appeared that the trap was not sitting square to the fence.

Grabbing my combination .222/12g and releasing Scarlet from the back of the Ute I stalked up to the trap and on arrival it was obvious that while the trap did catch some pigs, they have managed to move the trap the couple of meters toward the fence and lifted the trap so it was sitting on the bottom wire of the fence, giving the pigs the opportunity to escape. [:'(]

As I wouldn't have time to come back out during the week I locked the trap door open, set the camera, while of course putting the trap back in position.

On getting home I looked through the video footage to see what happened, and I must say that the video evidence was clear. The trap caught 3 pigs with another couple moving around the outside with some fighting to break them out.

Have a look at the footage of the Great Pig Escape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mobq750ovs

Here are some of the photos of the trap after the pigs have escaped.

http://www.ozhunter.com/media/p/2778.aspx

http://www.ozhunter.com/media/p/2779.aspx

Even though the trap had let 3 pigs escape I was very excited that the trap was in great condition considering my lack of experience in welding and the amount of hammering it copped through the night and that I caught it on camera and even more so that my trap worked.....

Now was the time to bring is some extra star pickets to stop even the toughest pig from move the trap again.

The first game camera photos are in.

Brendan — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:04:00 GMT

I popped out today to see what my game camera caught and you wouldnt believe it that it not only caught photos of pigs in and around my trap but it also caught a pig doing a dump right in front of the camera...

For the last week I havnt set the trap as i couldn't go out and check it but today it is set, so tomorrow hopfully I will find a small piglet in the trap.

Any how have a look at the photos of the pigs and the dumping pig.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB--S0IFwec

Hunting trip

Brendan — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:29:00 GMT

Mavrick and I hit the road last weekend and headed north/west towards nygan.

I have posted some photos of our brief but successful trip, and have a story to come, along with some more photos.

Pig trap and Game camera are deployed

Brendan — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 07:44:00 GMT

today was the day where I had some time to whip out and put out the "Black Hole" aka Pig Trap, that I and Mavrick created, along with getting a chance to also deploy my new StealthCam HD game camera.

I gathered all the equipment in my truck grab Scarlet (my hunting partner and pig dog in training) and hit the road. The great part about the property where I was going to deply the trap and camera is that it has a bait station in the form of a Roo pit, that I have been baiting for the last few months and because of that there is a healthy number of pigs that come into the area.

To get there you have to cross an open field and today as I reached the edge of the field I spotted two wedge tail eagles leaving the pit, and thought to myself - "Damn I guess there is stuff all chance of driving up on some pigs!".. Well before I could think out it any further I was right up at the edge of the pit, and a big sow jumped up and out of pit of death, quicly followed by two young suckers. I had to do a double take as that was the last thing I was expecting.

I jammed on the brakes, open the back door and gave the command for Scarlet to chase the pigs. She bolted out of the truck and was hot in the sent. Across the pit and through the fence and crashing into the scrub on the other side.

I could hear her and the pigs in the bushes as I bailed over the fence and into the scub myself. The pigs has run up and through another fence and up into the thick scrub that surround the property. Scarlet was standing at the fence looking in the direction of the pigs as if she was waiting for me to give her the go ahead to chase the pigs. One word from me and she was through the fence with me in hot pursuit.... I could see the the fresh pads on the ground and Scarlet was following this line.... She dissapeard in the scrub once again, while I was pushed through the thorns, to come out a clearing with no Scarlet or pigs to be seen.

I waited there for about 5 minutes for Scarlets return, and I must say that she had the biggest grin and foming from the mouth with excitment.

After all that excitment I put the pig trap together, and placed the camera over it so see what I can catch.

Tomorrow I will venture out and see if I caught anything and if I have any HD video on my game camera. I am sure to let you guys know how I go.

Here are some photos of the setup.

http://ozhunter.com/media/p/2744.aspx

http://ozhunter.com/media/p/2743.aspx

The Black Hole - Not even light can escape!

Brendan — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 05:29:00 GMT

The main welding is complete on the new pig trap and with the first coat of paint on it wont be long before fields trials begin.

I have make the trap so it can be pulled apart, extended or even turned into a transport container, and let me tell you... With my new found welding skills the trap is soo secure that I have painted it black and called it "The Black Hole - Not Even Light Can Escape - Mark I".

I also have a Stealth Cam HD game camera in transit so I can use in conjunction with the Black Hole.

The only problem is as I am a mate a heading out west (Near Nygan) for the long weekend, I wont have time to test out the trap and the Camera. So it wont be until a week later that I will really get a chance to give it a try.

http://ozhunter.com/media/p/2702.aspx

Pig traps - Stage 1

Brendan — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:10:00 GMT

Stage one of the pig trapping has commenced.

I popped down and purchased a MIG welder , a heap of iron and a whole heap of ideas. With some assistance from maverick, we have welded up three quarters of one trap and hope to finish the rest of them off this weekend.

Once it is completed I will put lick of paint on and then put it out in the paddock a field tests and let you guys know how I go.

Feral Pig, Roo shooting, Deer and great times

Brendan — Thu, 27 May 2010 08:20:00 GMT

As you would know from reading mmy posts, I am a licenced and accredited Kangaroo Culler here in the ACT (Canberra Australia). The licence not only allows me to help out the farmers in ACT it also gives me an excuse to get out of the house, shoot of some rounds (OK hundreds of rounds) and just enjoy the great outdoors.

Every now and then you pick up the odd rabbit, or fox, but this year I must say the bar has well and truly been lifted.... Gone are the night where you spend 6 hours knocking over Roos, the nights are turning into what I would call, a hunting trip where you just happen to take the odd Roo.

For example I was out, we got to a point where I was deciding which Roo to take, then a rabbit popped out, and then a Deer. Well by looking in the media section of the website you will know which one I took, but the choice has been fanstastic. Shortly after this we saw another 3 deer in the distance, then only to come back on the Roo pit (The hole in the ground where we have to put the harvested Roos) to have two pigs jump up and out or the pit... Lets just say one didn't get as far as his mate did.

http://www.ozhunter.com/media/p/2630.aspx

Then the very next trip it was a decission between a huge pig or two deer....

I am now working on a project to build some pig traps where I can not only capture some pigs alive but also help in the farmer to reduce the ferals that are coming onto his land from the public land next door....

Pigs pigs everywhere.

Brendan — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:02:00 GMT

As the rain fell on Canberra my family decided to pop out and have a look at our horses... Of course it was raining and the weather was getting worse, but hey... We werent going to be bothered by anyone.

Anyway to cut a long story short, after lookin at the horses for awhile the farmer showed up and yelled out his window.

"Do you have your rifles on you?"

"No, why whats up?" was my reply

"There are a whole heap of pigs and piglets down the back"

Damn, damn..... As it turned out that they were driving around checking out the property and come across a mob of pigs, to which they managed to snaps some great photos. The piglets sat by the car, not knowing what to do as the parents ran off over the hill.

This has not been the first time I have been caught out by not having my rilfe on me... I dont intend to be caught out again.

Dont forget to have a look at the media section for the photos.

You never know what might happen.

Brendan — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:45:00 GMT

The last 4 days have seen Canberra covered in rain and water that just about washed my house away, but thats a different story.

We have two horses located on a farmers property not far from my house, and yesterday we recieved an SMS saying they had some problems with one of their dams and it has over flown and damaged a road. Now me being me, the wife, daughter and I decided to go for a look see.

All the dams were over flowing with water that had eludged the property for some 12 months, and the creeks were fully up. We drove around for a bit and then decided to turn around a head for home. Well what was until the new Hilux hit slipped on the soggy ground and then stopped any forward motion..... On getting out and having a look the front wheel was at least 1 1/2 foot in mud, and the rear was almost up to the diff.... It was about this time that I wish I had my old truck back, as its mud tires and double diff locks would of made getting out of this a whole lot ease, and if all else failed I could of used the 12,000 winch.

Well that was then and this was now.... Putting the wife to work in digging out mud and getting the daughter to find some roughage for the wheels I removed the extra mud from the sides of the truck... All this proved to be in vain as it became obvious that this truck wasnt coming out with out help... A quck phone call to the farmer had him down in my direction and a quick snatch backwards saw the trusty hilux free again...

While this only chewed up some time, it would of been much more serious if I was out of reach and was unable to get some extra assistance. Heck I could of been there for days or until the ground dried up.

What it did highlight to me is that I need to transfer all the safetly equipment from my ould truck to this new hunting truck so I can get our of situations like this if and when the need arrises. This is something everyone that hits the bush to go hunting should consider. Just because you have a 4x4 doesnt mean that you can get into trouble every now and then, and the best thing to do is be prepared.

3 Ways to Hunt Feral Animals With Night Vision Equipment

Brendan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:05:00 GMT

I purchased myself and night vision scope some years ago now and since that time I have had plenty of opportunity to use it both hunting and areas of observation (camping, bushwalking, etc), and I must say that every time I put it into practice while hunting I am extremely impressed with not only the performance but also the ability to be able to find and hunt game with no visible light source.

Just to get you up to speed and to ensure that we are all talking about the same thing I'll give you a quick rundown of what night vision equipment is and in particular my nightvision.

There are typically two types

1) Uses heat to determine an image while another
2) Amplifies light to give you an image.

The first one is typically used by military, law enforcement and emergency services, and is commonly called thermal imaging. I'm sure you would have seen many hours of this footage during the Iraq invasion. It is typically the image that is used from attack helicopters and the like.

The second of the two types is what we are interested in, it is the nightvision that you can get access to as a civilian and as a citizen of Australia.

With nightvision there are different levels of performance, these levels are rated in generations. These generations also reflect the way the technology has changed over the years, for example generation 1 or Gen 1 as it is called, was first used in the Vietnam War while generation 4 is what is currently used by the military. Because of the effectiveness of this type of technology in warfare the American government has placed limits on exportation of night vision equipment from the USA to other countries. Some countries are strictly prohibited to receive any night vision equipment while others such as Australia are permitted to receive up to and including Gen 2+ nightvision equipment. Within each of these generations they also have different categories to determine the clarity of the image and as with all things the better the clarity the higher the price.

For a more detailed look at how night vision work have a look at the ATN website.

http://www.atncorp.com/hownightvisionworks

ATN are the premium night vision manufacture in the US, they are also the manufactures of the night vision rifle scope that I also own.

The best way to explain the difference between hunting with nightvision and not is like the difference between hunting during the day and spotlighting. The amount of animals that come out at night by far outweighs the numbers you see during the day. Now just imagine if you had those numbers that come out during the twilight hours except that you had the visibility of daylight, however this is not entirely true. It is much more than this.

Not only do you have the numbers which are seen at night but you also have the cover of darkness as your prey does not share in the nightvision technology.

This becomes very apparent once you use nightvision in the field. I have personally followed pig's, foxes and cats in complete darkness without their knowledge and within 10 m. Bloody amazing!!!!

However there are ways to which you can use this technology to give you a superior advantage in the field. Here I will list the three top ways.

1) Sit and wait.

This is by far has produced the biggest yield of feral animals than all the other techniques that I have used. It is also not too different from the citywide technique you would use in the early mornings or at dusk without nightvision equipment. The process goes along the lines of: find an appropriate spot where your prey is likely to come during the night and then find an appropriate location where you can sit and have good clearance over this area. It is then a simple process of sitting and waiting.

Places where you would typically used this technique is sitting over dams, crops, game trails and my favorite - carcasses.

I would typically use this technique when I know there is going to be game coming to that exact spot. This is normally determined through research and observations.

This technique also gives you the ability to predetermine concealed location and configure that location so that you can sit there for a long period of time accompanied with all the accessories that you might need. An example of this is that I use my double swag. I position in such a location where I can look down on to the target area and within that sway I can also store extra batteries and a high-powered infrared spotlight, not to mention pillows, sleeping bags and other niceties.

I would typically move into the swag and then roll down one end so I made in seeing through to fly mesh. In the ready I would have my rifle situated on a bipod along with the nightvision scope and only located around 20 to 30 m from the target area. The system gives me the ability to be able to be able to go to sleep and then when there is any pig activity there is enough noise that wakes me up. It's then a simple process of lifting the rifle, turning on the nightvision and taking advantage of the situation before me.

I also known people which have used this technique within barns to reduce the bird population as they roost at night. But this friend he was a simple process of taking them out one of the time without the knowledge of the other ones sitting around (most birds are really stupid at night).

Here are some photos of how I have used this out west of bourke.

http://ozhunter.com/media/p/2419.aspx

http://ozhunter.com/media/p/2420.aspx

http://ozhunter.com/media/p/2421.aspx

2) Stalk and wait.

This technique is very similar to the sit and wait, the only difference is, is that instead of sitting and waiting on a location you stalk into the location and then wait. It also means that with the sit and wait you would normally would have constructive concealed location where you can sit an extended period of time, where this technique is mainly used for locations which you might not want to sit ay that long. It is also good that it gives you a good understanding of the surrounding area along with giving you a good indication of night-time activity.

One of the drawbacks of this method is that as you are not stationary the nightvision requirements increase. What I mean by this is that with the sit and wait technique you only need a nightvision rifle scope while you can get away with only using the scope is more effective to use some form of night vision goggles in conjunction with the nightvision scope.

The other limitation with this method is that while the other two methods give you the ability to have high-powered infrared spotlights this restricts your ability to carry this equipment as you also have to carry the batteries to power such spotlights.

3) Drive and wait.

This technique is typically used when you want to cover a large amount of area in the shortest possible time, and would normally be used in areas which you are unfamiliar with. For example if you suddenly get access to a property which has multiple dams have an extended range you would use this technique.

While this technique is typically used for reconnaissance it can give you hunting opportunities. The technique goes like this: you first locate the multiple target areas which you would like to survey during the evening, then once the sun has set it is a process of driving to within nightvision visible distance and surveying the area, then once you are happy you can move on to the next area. The benefit of doing this is that you can also have high-powered infrared spotlights which increases your visible distance considerably. The downside of this technique is that there are times when your quarry will be scared away by the sounds of the vehicle approaching, however given my experience animals don't tend to get scared the same way at night as they do during the day, and because of this they are more likely to return quicker and flee less.

Combinations

I have in the past with great success utilised all three combinations. I would drive to a location and then wait there for a while, then once I see my game old then stalking the location and utilise a pre-built concealment area.

Here are a couple of pictures of my success with my night vision.

http://ozhunter.com/media/p/40.aspx

http://ozhunter.com/media/p/39.aspx

In my up-and-coming blogs I will discuss some hunting trips when I have used each of these techniques giving you a real-world experience so you can understand the practical uses.

First Contact

Brendan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:47:00 GMT

The other week I had one of those hunting experiences which get your heart puming, adrenaline running and leaving you with a sence of euphoria, the main difference is I wasn't out hunting.

A property that I cull on, was having some trouble is with pigs coming in from the National Park, across the fence and not only destroying their dams, but also harassing and scaring the horseriders that frequent this property.

The pigs coming across the border had increasing frequency and tenacity when it was becoming not uncommon to see a few of them during the day and within 20 or so metres from the main residence.

It was my job to try and understand the numbers, frequency and location of where these pigs might be coming in, so I could then create an ambush plan, part of this plan was to set up some game cameras around the property to track the numbers, Times and locations of when these pigs were coming across. To do this I find appropriate locations which already had signs of pig activity and then situate the cameras to oversee these areas, leading to adapt to a comeback and check the footage.

It was on one of these trips to check the footage I took my daughter along and Scarlet. On locating the camera in question my daughter being full of beans wanted to run up and down a hill that was adjacent to the galley I was in. My daughter and Scarlet would walk up the top of the hill then I would call Scarlet and to have both come running downhill as fast as possible, after doing this about five or six times to check the camera and was ready to go.

My daughter being my daughter still had some energy she wanted to get rid of, so agreed to walk up this hill with her one more time, just so we could all come running back. Now, I don't mind walking up the hill every now and then when there is a purpose, I must say I wasn't overly excited to walk up the hill just come straight back down. I guess it's just one of those things you do as a parent.

As I dragged myself up this hill with all the enthusiasm that I could muster, I noticed on the opposing hill there were some out of character shapes, sitting in the middle of an open clearing. After a double take, and then another double take I realised what I had before me was a mob of around eight full-grown feral pigs soaking up the sun and fresh grass shoots as if they didn't have a care in the world.

I quickly ushered my daughter back as she was some metres ahead of me. "hey what to think that is over there on the hill?" I asked with interest as to see what her reply would be. Kind of as I suspected she didn't know, then when I informed her they were pigs a little eyes almost popped out of her head. I quickly assess the situation to only realise with great horror that not only were there were pigs around 150 m away, but I had no rifle, no knife or even a camera!!!!! I just couldn't believe it, such an opportunity with no way to capitalise on.

I had a plan. My daughter was to stay on the hill, with strict instructions to keep an eye on this mob with pigs while I traced back to the car and grabbed a rope. We would then stalk around behind the mob and push them out into the open where Scarlet would have the opportunity to see them running, with the hope and natural hunting instincts would kick in.

I grab a rope and raced back at my daughter when she informed me that the mob had walked down into a gully and was heading towards the open plains. I created a short lead for Scarlet to ensure that she wouldn't jump the gun too early and I could control her release. As we were stalking towards the mob I gave my daughter the rundown of pig hunting on what may or may not happen. I also informed her of the safety aspects and the dangers of these animals, and that she was to stay behind me at all times.

With that we stalked down the gully and onto a ridge where the mob had found a dam in a similar clear area. This was their opportunity, we could stalk within 15 to 20 m of the mob and then launch an attack from behind a small bush...... well, this was the plan anyway.....

Stalking close we kept the wind in your face to stop chances of us being detected early through our scent, and we managed to get right up to the bush. One last peak around and I could still see the mob, now was the time to secure our plan of attack. I made sure my daughter was right up close to me before I lept from the bushes with dog in tow and hopefully pigs running into the distance. I poised ready to the attack. Ready set go!!!! I stood up, that the dog off the lead and moved out from the bushes, only to my surprise there was no pigs to be seen.... I must say it felt a little bit anticlimactic as I was ready to chase.... Oh well, I figured I would take the dog down to where the pigs were standing with the hope that she would pick up the scent. On covering the short distance, I looked around in confused state, trying to understand exactly where these pigs could have gone to, after all there was no other trees around or bushes except the ones which I had used the cover. Of course that was it, before I lept out from the bush I turned around to seek my daughter was okay and that she was by my side, it was at this point in the pigs wandered off and entered almost in the same bushes I was hiding behind. Kinda weird really!!!

I grab Scarlet and directed her up into the bushes while I scouted the edges look into any sign and it wasn't long when I could hear the sound of pigs grunting and bushes and tweaks snapping. The mob had been hiding in the bushes right near me, Scarlet flushed them out and they broke cover to get across the 30 m of open area. Scarlet was on to them like a homeless on a brown paper bag, and before she knew it she jumped on the back of one of the tail enders.

Now I'm not sure at this point there was more surprised that she had a she grabbed one, but gauging from her actions if she could talk she would have been yelling out to me "Hey dad what the hell do I do now!!!!". No quicker as she jumped on the back of his pig that she stopped completely in tracks, while I continued to run after the rest of the mob in calling for her support.

They crossed large gully, while rounding back through the brush on the other side all the while making a horrendous noise while I was using both my hearing and sent to follow them through the scrub. Finally there was silence until out of the bush near the right of me I heard the unmistakable sign of an animal smashing through the bushes and breaking cover. It was a large boar headed straight up the hill and back to the original dam. I quickly ran the idea through my head and realised my daughter was still sitting at the dam waiting from my return, except now she had a 70 kg angry boar bearing down on her exact location.

By this stage the adrenaline and excitement, not to mention my lack of fitness had taken the piss out of me but I had one more hill to climb with the knowledge that my nature of daughter was over that hill with an angry boar. Let's just say that I found some extra energy.

Getting to the top of the hill it was good to see the boar running down across the clearing and my daughter still standing near a tree or left her. Once I climb down the hill and got to within talking distance of her I quickly got an update. What ended our transpiring was the boar came running over the hill straight for her and then within the last 5 m chucked the left and headed off into the distance. I'm not sure if the ball actually saw her and decided to set sail, or that it decided to head left as there was more cover. I guess it goes without saying that it scared the pants off her.

Once again it goes to show that you need to be prepared at any time while out in the bush, because you never know when something will appear.

Deer season closing soon

Brendan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:58:00 GMT

The deer season in New South Wales is coming to a close at the end of October, and to me it was a reasonably fruitful season. My freezer is stacked to the brim with fresh venison, and my memory is full of hunting tales.

I like to spend this time of the year to reflect on exactly what was and what could have been. This allows me to go along and both understand what worked and what didn't work, so I can utilise the lessons learned not only next year's deer season but also in other aspects of my hunting life.

One of the things it always surprises me with hunting, is that you can always expect the unexpected. Just when you think the hunt is over, there is a high chance that something is going to jump out of the bushes. This was definitely shown to be the case on one my hunts throughout the year, when I spent three days hunting deer before going home, after the car was packed and we were on our way out we decided to check one last spot. Sure enough not 150 m from the car there were two fellow and we took both.

I hope that your season was successfull and that you learned some valuable lessons for next year and the years ahead.