Trev was around for a roast last Tuesday and put the pressure on for a hunt a couple of days later.
The dogs had caught and killed a pig the week before, which he had been unable to get to in time.
The chase has been on for a couple of months for one particular pig that he calls 'that running bastard', and he was hoping that this was the animal concerned. A couple of phonecalls later and we had a team for a hunt/search/track cut day up at his 'meat safe'.
Thursday morning saw myself and two nephews arriving at he farm before light. Stewart and Ryan were both fit and keen for a bit of work, which suited me just fine. The knee is very weak so I was all for hanging back and ambushing any would be escapee's.
An uneventful trip up the hill and we soon had the dogs collared up and away checkin out the pines. We carried on for quite a way with the dogs coming and going sporadically. No result unfortunately.
We got to the gully where Trev's pig was and before long the dogs were hooning off after an unseen quarry in the scrub. Trev and the two boys (men - but young fella's to us) headed down the track to a creekbed where these chases always seemed to have their ending.
On this occasion the pig got away after about 15 minutes and the dogs couldn't get onto it again. I was back up the top of the track cutting a decent path thru the gorse with an old machete. I did here something noisy go cracking past about 15 metres away at one point, so maybe they were all focussing in the wrong direction.
Anyway, after a couple of hours were all joined up again. I had a decent sort of track started and Trev and the guys had found the 'missing' pig. Only a 70 lber so 'that running bastard' is still on the radar.
We meandered back to the truck, trimming a few more wayward gorse bushes as we went.
On arrival, I dumped the 243, grabbed the new bow, and headed down the track. Stewart shouldered the 270 and came with me in the hope of scoring some goat curry.
Trev and Ryan were going to do a few little jobs on the track and would follow us down in the ute.
I guess we'd been walking down about 20 minutes without nothing seen except the copious droppings evident amongst the grass.
We rounded yet another corner and two goats were feeding - one on either side of the track. We retreated unseen and quickly formed a plan.
I would try the closest one at about 25 metres, Stewart would then 'clean up' what he could after my shot.
I managed to sneak another couple of steps before the old head came up for a look and the arrow flew. A real solid hit but just behind the ribs and in front of the gut. Bugger - it scuttled off around the next corner but was obviously in a bit of grief.
Stewart dropped two more with the 270, and when we looked over the edge we saw several others scamper into the bush, including a good size billy.
Stewart went to collect his prizes whilst I followed after the wounded animal. I had it in view almost immediately but couldn't get much within about 40 metres. Eventually I took a long shot which pinned it long enough to allow us the catch it and settle the matter. Not ideal but my first success with the bow.
I was pretty rapt but unfortunately forgot to take any photo's. Stewarts animals were prime young goats and are headed for the pot in one form or another.
Grandad and Ryan caught up not long after and we headed back to the farm for the processing business and a big feed.
Not a red letter day but one we all enjoyed........look out 'that running bastard' - we'll be back next week !!
Hope the roar is going well for all. Be alert - the world needs more of them ! (Lerts that is)
Bryan