We have been wanting to get Della back into a pack-raft by herself in case we get the opportunity to Pack Raft the Remote Wonnangatta this summer. She needed a bit of practice paddling by herself again after all these Double Pack Raft trips. I took along the double (paddling it alone) in case she […]
First: Gear Advice I am often approached by prospective deer hunters for advice, particularly about what they need to acquire before beginning hunting. How little both in weight and dollars do you need to spend (supposing you already actually own nothing – unlikely)? I have put together here some suggestions (with relevant links to previous
Ultralight Ultracheap Deer Hunting & A Ripping Yarn or Two Read More »
An amazing ‘ancient’ stone monument. Without visiting ancient Egypt or similar you will never see anything like this anywhere in Australia, so the trip is definitely worth the effort. Glenaladale Weir (on the Mitchell-Wonnagatta River, Gippsland Vic) was constructed c 1891-2 and destroyed by floods within only about a year. Some history is available on
I have spent the past four days walking ~6okm alongside the Wonnagatta River within the trackless Mt Darling Wilderness with my lovely dog, Honey as (illegal) company. At 76 a 20 km stretch which used to take me five hours is now taking me six (with a 10 kg+ pack) but it is much less
We have been having some predation of our Finnsheep lambs by wedge-tailed eagles which is costing us a lot of money – and anguish. The other morning as I went around the lambs I saw one flying higher than our largest gums with a lamb’s head in in its claws. I clapped my hands and
Having mastered the art of lighting a fire in terrible conditions (I hope you have: How to Light a Fire in the Wet), and making a passable comfy shelter so you can enjoy your time in the bush, the next big step is mastering the art of walking. Too many men take overlong strides and
I have hunted sambar deer for over 50 years in the Gippsland mountains (and elsewhere other deer). Mostly I did it because it was fun and an excuse for a day out in the bush which I love. I still prefer lamb, and having been a sheep farmer for just as long, I always had
I have to agree with Ratty, “There’s nothing––absolutely nothing––half so much worth doing as messing about in boats.” (‘Wind in the Willows,’ Kenneth Graham) And it was a glorious long weekend after 34 mm of rain to be doing it. We had intended to head up to Eaglevale for a splendid voyage on our favourite
Just to prove that all of our trips don’t end in disaster: As the rainfall forecast for the rest of the summer is dismal and the river heights are rapidly falling we seized (maybe the last) opportunity to shoot one of our favourite sections of the Wonnangatta, ie Black Snake Creek to Waterford (Meyers Flat)
I guess every hunter dreams of some secluded valley where it feels like you are the first person to have ever trod – at least where the deer are as plentiful and tame as rabbits and there is no competition from other hunters. Where you can arrive at your camp after a couple of day’s
