The station we were originally supposed to hunt turned out to not have any huntable goats on it. We drove all over checking dams and bores for sign and couldn't find goats anywhere. The feral dogs are running rampant up there and have cleaned up most the game, so unless the station owners spend a considerable amount of time trapping and shooting, the dogs kill everything then move on. Disappointed, we decided to head over to the neighboring property to let them know we were around and see if they had any insight as to where we could find something to hunt. They invited us in for a cuppa tea and we got to talking about goats. We told them our sob story and they decided to take pity on us, offering to let us hunt their goats! As we couldn't offer up much for work to trade, we opted to just pay for the ones we killed, which was fair enough as this station musters and sells off goats for the meat market and whatever else people want them for. They even offered to let us stay at the the homestead in the shearers quarters, a roof over our head, a wood fired heater, toilets, cooking facilities, way more comfortable than camping and as it would turn out, much drier. The cocky then took us up to a dam to show us where to start hunting and there were goats everywhere, including a couple big billies, Big Black and Big Brown. Big Brown was off limits, as he was brought in to mix up the herd genetics as they wanted more Boer blood in the herd, but Big Black was fair game. After a quick walk around with the bows, we headed back to unload, set up in our quarters and get to sleep as the hunting was to start in ernest in the morning.
Our accomodation.
First day's sunset, hope is in the air!
The next couple days were spent doing some stalking, learning our way around the station, looking for dogs to shoot and trying to pattern the goats. With all the dogs around, the goats were a bit on edge and a bit difficult to stalk.
A roo being chased by a dog, cartridge is a 223.
Monday afternoon, we had one great encounter and could have had an easy 10-12 meter shot, but like dummies, we had left our bows in the car and only had the rifle as were more looking for dogs than goats, DOH! Lesson learned, don't leave the car without a bow!!! The evening hunt found us back at the dam tucked up into the rocks trying to ambush the mob as they came in for a drink. As the goats started coming in, they came in fast and thick, too many eyeballs to fool! We stayed patient and were rewarded when a good eating sized nanny stepped clear at about 12 meters. The shot went true, hitting a touch low and forward of where I was aiming, the resounding "whack" making me think I hit bone. She ran a few meters, wobbled and went down! My first goat of the trip, YES! While we were waiting to go collect her, another mob came in from our left and wouldn't you know it, Big Brown and Big Black were right in the middle. As it was Clintons turn to shoot, he moved out to some rocks to close the distance and waited. Big Black stepped clear and he shot, missing low. The mob then moved off and we trailed them to see about closing the distance again. Big Black started moving up the bluff so I went up after him, we hit the rim at about the same time and I had about a 10 meter shot, but as I started to draw, Clinton shot from down below, missing low again and spooking the mob. We then let them go as it was getting dark and there was another goat to collect. We went and collected my goat, taking some photos, then back to the homestead to dress her out.
Clinton drew on this youngster, but gave him a pass as the mob with the billies was coming in.
My first for the trip, a nice eating sized nanny. Shot went through the heart, killing her in seconds.
Bow used was Toelke Whip, 62" 46#@28", I draw it 30 1/2" so she's about 53# at that DL. Arrow was a full length Gold Tip Traditional 55/75, footed and a 160 grn. STOS broadhead mounted on a 100 grn. steel adapter. Penetration was excellent considering I shattered the front leg at the elbow, clipped a rib, punched through the heart, broke a rib exiting and clipping the offside front leg bone.
Email; robnicoll(at)bigpond(dot)com