What did you do today?

[Oldbloke]

Dog spewed up his lunch today. Sooo,, it become bearly and left overs bait.

[Bugman]

Went out to St. Marys indoor range and tested some loads. Came home relaxed and satisfied with the results.

[Billo]

Went out to St. Marys indoor range and tested some loads. Came home relaxed and satisfied with the results.

Would have been a good day indoors

Ive load up some more 22 Hornet for testing, hoping to get to St Marys late tmw or friday

[Flyonline]

Ordered a new chair the other day for sit'n'waits over Brer Rabbit's house which was delivered today so headed out to the olds for a quick test and check the re-sighting I'd done after a new butt hook install on the 97k a little while ago. I'd found that straight metal on shoulder was too harsh and my groups opened up some, so I added a foam liner and this was the re-re-test. First shot at my zero of 38m was bang on which set the tone for the rest of the quick session - other than a wobble at 25m which was due to a bit of mental relaxing/laziness on my behalf. Verified my hold overs at the same time out to 45m and the current setup gives me almost a true PBR to just shy of 45m with just a pesky slightly high 25m impact throwing a spanner in the works. I've ditched the aftermarket spring and gone back to the OEM due to significant increase in hold overs. At the moment its showing ~5-7fps spread for 10 shots. Just need to do a last check and then loctite all the screws back in and leave the effing thing alone - last time I had a good setup I screwed it trying to 'improve' it so I'll do my best to leave well alone this time!!

Despite it being a cheap chinese jobby, I was pleasantly surprised at how adjustable the chair was, and how comfortable it is - much more than my old skool canvas folder, and gives me a lot more versatility setting up on a slope with each leg being adjustable independently. And as a fishing chair, I have the bonus of some attachments if I feel the need to have a beer cooler/rod holder/parasol/phone holder at hand I'll be replacing the crappy feet with something in heavy duty plastic as the noise they make when banging around sounds like a basket of empty cans being thrown down a hill.



Will be ready and waiting for the spring influx of new kittens come spring as the numbers seem to have dropped a little lately.

[bigrich]

Went looking for the Iran topic on here and it’s disappeared. Can only assume someone got narcy over the topic or the orange man and the mods have deleted it. Shame people can’t respect the rights of others to have their own point of view. I find it ironic considering most hold democracy and free speech in high regard. Just saying…..

[bigpete]

Ordered a new chair the other day for sit'n'waits over Brer Rabbit's house which was delivered today so headed out to the olds for a quick test and check the re-sighting I'd done after a new butt hook install on the 97k a little while ago. I'd found that straight metal on shoulder was too harsh and my groups opened up some, so I added a foam liner and this was the re-re-test. First shot at my zero of 38m was bang on which set the tone for the rest of the quick session - other than a wobble at 25m which was due to a bit of mental relaxing/laziness on my behalf. Verified my hold overs at the same time out to 45m and the current setup gives me almost a true PBR to just shy of 45m with just a pesky slightly high 25m impact throwing a spanner in the works. I've ditched the aftermarket spring and gone back to the OEM due to significant increase in hold overs. At the moment its showing ~5-7fps spread for 10 shots. Just need to do a last check and then loctite all the screws back in and leave the effing thing alone - last time I had a good setup I screwed it trying to 'improve' it so I'll do my best to leave well alone this time!!

Despite it being a cheap chinese jobby, I was pleasantly surprised at how adjustable the chair was, and how comfortable it is - much more than my old skool canvas folder, and gives me a lot more versatility setting up on a slope with each leg being adjustable independently. And as a fishing chair, I have the bonus of some attachments if I feel the need to have a beer cooler/rod holder/parasol/phone holder at hand I'll be replacing the crappy feet with something in heavy duty plastic as the noise they make when banging around sounds like a basket of empty cans being thrown down a hill.



Will be ready and waiting for the spring influx of new kittens come spring as the numbers seem to have dropped a little lately.

Interesting chair

[Flyonline]

Pete

here's the original link I found, with a description etc. https://aquasports.com.au/products/fishing-chair-with-aluminum-alloy-for-all-terrains-portable-multifunctional-folding-adjustable-reclining-chair-with-hind-legs#images-2

I got mine from Hardly Normal for $80something delivered. Like I say, it's only a lightweight chinese job but the couple of times I've had it out it's been very comfortable and folds down easier and more handy than the old school camping folders. It's more adjustable than I was thinking, and I really like I can set the angle of the backrest as I prefer to sit more upright than most chairs allow. It's not exactly over wide, so I wouldn't want to be doing an extended session for hours, but for an arvo sit I reckon it should be good. It's lighter than my old folder too, so I may be tempted to drag it into the bush for a more comfortable sit than a foam mat on the soggy ground.

Went backpack hunting today. Was seriously tempted to grab a 30L Lowe Alpine pack as it fit me really well and loaded up in the store it felt the most comfortable I've ever had. Being a skinny white dude, I find that when I cinch the waist belt enough to hold a load, it puts a heap of pressure on my hips and I end up with either aching legs/hips, or aching neck/shoulders as all the weight is on my shoulders with a looser waist strap. It is probably a little on the thin side being a lightish day pack, but I'm in between getting something like this for 75% of my hunting and using either of my big packs for pulling a sambar out, or going with something a little bigger and heavy duty to cover pretty well everything.

Today I threw a top roast from a sambar in some brine for the week and will have a go at doing a pastrami next weekend.

[bigpete]

Hunted pigs and goats today. Thermal binoculars are great for spotting animals before daylight and planning an ambush

[Die Judicii]

Hunted pigs and goats today. Thermal binoculars are great for spotting animals before daylight and planning an ambush

You'll wanna be quick.
The grunters in my areas are mostly on the move just prior to dawn.
Heading back to their daylight hidey holes/scrub

Many times when sitting overnight for dogs I see the whole mob or mobs of grunters heading down to lower ground where the sorgum etc is grown.
Usually just about 10pm,, then about an hour before daybreak I'd see em all doing the return journey.
By full daylight there's not a grunter in sight.

[bigpete]

I had the pigs dead to rights....then I think the breeze gave me away....but I'm still going home with meat

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[Flyonline]

Nice one Pete! What's the bow setup?

[bigpete]

65lb@28" 62" drawn to 29.5" Saxon American recurve, 300 spine Chinese carbons with 200gn brass inserts and 130gn kayuga copy broadheads, 570gn total arrow weight with 330gn up front

[Die Judicii]

I thought bows were a no go in Sth Aus,, or did they back peddle ?

[bigpete]

Where did I say I was hunting in SA?

[Die Judicii]

Where did I say I was hunting in SA?

Oh yeah, my bad.

[bigpete]

Today I made a mistake and drove down the Pinnacle Track in Cobaw State Forest in my basically stock standard Triton......this i a track I've since found out is used for 4x4 comps and such.
I consider myself lucky to have made it out at all,let alone with seemingly little damage to the vehicle at this point,and no injuries to myself or my son. Would probably be a good idea for those in charge of these places to clearly sign post the track conditions at the start of the tracks,as quite frankly we were exceedingly lucky to get out without wrecking our vehicle and once you're on the track you just gotta go with it. I don't mind admitting I broke down halfway along because I didn't think we'd get out and I couldn't see how the hell anyone was going to get us out. Scary s**t indeed

[wanneroo]

Today I made a mistake and drove down the Pinnacle Track in Cobaw State Forest in my basically stock standard Triton......this i a track I've since found out is used for 4x4 comps and such.
I consider myself lucky to have made it out at all,let alone with seemingly little damage to the vehicle at this point,and no injuries to myself or my son. Would probably be a good idea for those in charge of these places to clearly sign post the track conditions at the start of the tracks,as quite frankly we were exceedingly lucky to get out without wrecking our vehicle and once you're on the track you just gotta go with it. I don't mind admitting I broke down halfway along because I didn't think we'd get out and I couldn't see how the hell anyone was going to get us out. Scary s**t indeed

Not a bad idea to have some recovery gear, shovel, hi lift jack and winch on hand for such situations.

[Wapiti]

Thought I'd better go out and check around the place after all the rain, check that the floodgates all held and whatever else had gone wrong.
Also see if I could find Junior, one of my big old reds. Haven't seen him in awhile, and am concerned some POS has shot him over the fence.
First thing I can onto was a huge old buck roo who'd tried to jump the road fence into the place, probably frightened by a passing vehicle. He'd got caught going over the top and was hanging by one leg upside down. He was still alive. Poor bastard. I had no chance of getting him out, and I wasn't cutting my 1800 high exclusion fence. So he got a 124gn 9mm through his brain from about 6 feet away after he'd settled down. gut at the ankle joint and he was out, for the pig trap.
Then I busted two boars, making a huge mess digging up the side of a hill where a spring was running out after the rain event. Both got a quick two in behind their ears from the 308.
Then I figured I's do some cypress pine regrowth cutting along some nice creek banks that are in danger of being ruined by this invasive pest. two tanks worth of petrol and bar oil in the refuse-to-die 009L and the job looks great. This saw lives in the SxS and is 35 years old, and will not die.
I reckon I've found the lair of the evil black-and-white boar that is fathering all the multi-coloured slips I've seen in the reeds lately. Big boar droppings all along this creek section. I reckon a bait is in order.
And I didn't find Junior.

[Wapiti]

Thought I'd better go out and check around the place after all the rain, check that the floodgates all held and whatever else had gone wrong.
Also see if I could find Junior, one of my big old reds. Haven't seen him in awhile, and am concerned some POS has shot him over the fence.
First thing I came onto was a huge old buck roo who'd tried to jump the road fence into the place, probably frightened by a passing vehicle. He'd got caught going over the top and was hanging by one leg upside down. He was still alive. Poor bastard. I had no chance of getting him out, and I wasn't cutting my 1800 high exclusion fence. So he got a 124gn 9mm through his brain from about 6 feet away after he'd settled down. Cut at the ankle joint and he was out, for the pig trap.
Then I busted two boars, making a huge mess digging up the side of a hill where a spring was running out after the rain event. Both got a quick two in behind their ears from the 308. Boxy, healthy looking shiny buggers too.
Then I figured I'd do some cypress pine regrowth cutting along some nice creek banks that are in danger of being ruined by this invasive pest. Two tanks worth of petrol and bar oil in the refuse-to-die 009L and the job looks great. This saw lives in the SxS and is 35 years old, and will not die.
I reckon I've found the lair of the evil black-and-white boar that is fathering all the multi-coloured slips I've seen in the reeds lately. Big boar droppings all along this creek section. I reckon a bait is in order.
And I didn't find Junior.

[Flyonline]

Sooo, finally looks like I should get the all clear to return to work after a 6 week enforced break following a grade 3 calf tear. It wasn't the easiest time, we had a car written off via a roo in the middle there somewhere, so was without wheels for a little while. Ended up working out in the long run when we picked up a 2020 Triton, so back to a 4wd and able to get pretty well anywhere I want to hunting/fishing wise

I did end up sneaking out for a quiet evening last week on an easy track/walk in and had about 30min watching this little guy. Was surprised to see it as it came out of the side gully that I had walked down (on a road) to get to the ambush point on the main valley. Thought I might have been on for a second, expecting mum/sister/stag following along but the only excitement was when it bumped a wombat joey and they scared the crap out of each other Was half tempted to drop the hammer, but decided the risk of further damage to the leg for not much return wasn't worth it - plus I'd forgotten my earplugs and was making do with a bit of fabric stuffed in my ears.

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The seat I posted above worked great, it might be getting a carry further into the bush in the near future.

Also went for an evening cruise with the unc' looking for foxes and pigs that were trashing a mate of his' property. The pigs had been feeding right up to the house, though he'd managed to deflate 2 of them before they scarpered. Unc' managed 2 foxes, but no pigs (or deer) were seen. I've dropped my game cam in the gulley the pigs look to have been using as a travel route. Unc' has been shooting foxes there for many (50?) years and couldn't believe we hadn't seen any deer - some of it's improved pasture so the farmer has been 'feeding' the deer/roos/wombats for many years and the gully I dropped the game cam in has the highest amount of sign I've seen locally.

Now need to build up a bit of leg strength and get back out there

[Wm.Traynor]

You've had too much bad luck mate. Hope things go much more smoothly for you now

[Wapiti]

Another s**ty rainy day today in the western southern downs of Qld, so a shed day! Gunsmithing jobs
But a pic or two from this morning between rain showers...
This young 14-point red stag was back stealing the bird seed and kibble I put out for the many birds coming here.
Dusty the dog isn't impressed but keeping his distance after a few kicks to his nose.

[Wapiti]

And a pic of two young Wapiti (correct name for Elk) spiker bulls coming for their Weet-bix biscuits. Good way to get them quiet because soon they'll be monsters. Wapiti cows in the background. These guys can already raise their noses to the top of the 1.9m fence I'm behind, at only 20 months old.

[bladeracer]

And a pic of two young Wapiti (correct name for Elk) spiker bulls coming for their Weet-bix biscuits. Good way to get them quiet because soon they'll be monsters. Wapiti cows in the background. These guys can already raise their noses to the top of the 1.9m fence I'm behind, at only 20 months old.

What gorgeous animals!
I'm coming up to Qld next month, to Caboolture, then across to Warwick and Millmerran, are you in that area? I'd love to drop past and see them in the flesh. There is a place near here that had a few elk but he'd sold them shortly before I visited and I don't think he's replaced them.

[bigpete]

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Woke up and its been raining all morning so hanging in my tent with friends lol

[jezzab]

Got sick of using a bucket and rags for my chains so 3D printed a chain case. I ended up printing two more compartments to make 5 in total. Its nice to know each chain in there is sharp, if its blunt I pull it out. Figured if I go through 3 tungsten chains and two steel its time to go home. Printed in ABS so it will take a beating.

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[Flyonline]

You've had too much bad luck mate. Hope things go much more smoothly for you now

Thanks, I'm not complaining (much) - I'm vertical, healthy and the injury isn't continuing and I don't need surgery. Just bummed I've had to use up all my leave to cover it as I'd had a few weeks lined up to maybe go and do a bit of exploring and to get a bit of solitude for a while.

Went for a bit of a drive yesterday and then a short walk which turned into a longer walk than anticipated Made it home without incident, but my thighs were feeling it after so I know I've got a bit to do to get back into hunt shape. Re-visited a wallow I found when I did have a 4wd drive some years ago, it's now turned into 4 heavily used wallows with mud plastered everywhere though I only found 1 preach tree/scrape near by. Unfortunately now I'm carrying a rifle it's not a spot I can really take advantage of as it's right on the edge of a public road, which is bordered by private with no safe shooting lanes.

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Saw the first wild flower of spring also, though the wattles don't seem to be hammering it this year like them usually do Just need to keep an eye out for the orchids which will start very soon.

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Today I went to visit a sometimes workmate/friend for a bit of a catch up and he took me to his farm/bush block for a look see and try some hand loads I'd done recently. He tells me that there are fallow and sambar in the area (knew of the sambar, glad to hear the fallow), so a return trip one night may be in order, especially as he's fond of venison also. There's also a bit of a donger on site and the block is only a km or so from a fair size chunk of public land.

[Flyonline]

Got sick of using a bucket and rags for my chains so 3D printed a chain case. I ended up printing two more compartments to make 5 in total. Its nice to know each chain in there is sharp, if its blunt I pull it out. Figured if I go through 3 tungsten chains and two steel its time to go home. Printed in ABS so it will take a beating.

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Nice idea! I used to sharpen as I went, but reckon having a few sharp on hand is the way to go

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Woke up and its been raining all morning so hanging in my tent with friends lol

On a hunting trip Pete? Good luck if so

[bigpete]

Nah just visiting mates near Canberra

[Wapiti]

And a pic of two young Wapiti (correct name for Elk) spiker bulls coming for their Weet-bix biscuits. Good way to get them quiet because soon they'll be monsters. Wapiti cows in the background. These guys can already raise their noses to the top of the 1.9m fence I'm behind, at only 20 months old.

What gorgeous animals!
I'm coming up to Qld next month, to Caboolture, then across to Warwick and Millmerran, are you in that area? I'd love to drop past and see them in the flesh. There is a place near here that had a few elk but he'd sold them shortly before I visited and I don't think he's replaced them.

Of course mate, you're most welcome if you're in the area. Give me a yell at the time with a few days notice.
I'm probably 2 hours from Milmerran, though.