Houseplant Posted March 12, 2022 Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 (edited) My last goat hunt was unsuccessful despite having multiple opportunities to take an animal. In short, I misjudged distance when shooting a subsonic round which resulted in a clear miss and very dry conditions made stalking difficult. On this next hunt, I took some supersonic rounds with me and used private farm land (which I permission to cross) to cover distance more quietly. Early start. Found a turkey roosting tree which is a bonus. I'll be back in the winter to harvest some for the freezer. Even the farm land isn't easy! Half way up a steep 400m incline to get to the bush. Rewarded with a nice view. A previous encounter? Border of private and public land. Forest is very open by local standards. Made myself comfortable and waited for the goats to appear. As concealment, my legs could pass as tree trunks! Planned to sit there for a few hours, but got bored after one hour and went for a walk! Some promising sign... Heard a few bleats and saw a small group of goats coming towards me. Three quick shots and three animals down. Normally, I only take one or maybe two, but we are dangerously short of meat at home and since we don't buy meat... The Hornady 300BLK FTX rounds were devastating. Animals fell where they were shot and exsanguinated on the spot. The rounds were no louder than the Hornady Sub-X "subsonic" rounds I had been using previously. Obviously, they were going supersonic, so over the past year, I have been hunting with one hand tied behind my back for no benefit whatsoever. Do not buy Hornady Sub-X ammunition! Anyway, on with the meat harvest. In an effort to travel lighter, I have forsaken my Pikau-style bag for a fold-up backpack. I really didn't plan on putting this much meat in to it and didn't expect it to last the trip, but it held up. Tough walk back with a heavy backpack, but it was worth it. Spooked a lovely looking fawn-coloured goat. If it hadn't bleated, I would have sworn that it was a deer! Back home. Meat was hung in the fridge for 24 hours before further processing. Mrs Houseplant had her own success with a bumper crop from the garden. I'm seeing a spicy goat curry with tropical fruits and pickles in our future! Edited March 12, 2022 by Houseplant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted March 12, 2022 Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 Brilliant report. When there I don't believe I found anywhere level. Turangi town was about the only place. Some superb country, which part was that ? I hunted in the North western corner of the North Island which looked very similar and the place was heaving with goats and pigs. Memories of walking down the archways of the Kiwi fruit vines and picking overipe fruit off the floor which was delcious and juicy not like the unripe Kiwis we get here in the UK. Some excellent eating there as well, well worth the efoort. Keep the stories coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENGRASS Posted March 12, 2022 Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 Great write up thanks for sharing your wonderful country. Image 3 omg what a view.. Great shooting nothing wasted.👍 GG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted March 13, 2022 Report Share Posted March 13, 2022 Super report, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncher Posted March 13, 2022 Report Share Posted March 13, 2022 I enjoyed reading that. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raja Clavata Posted March 16, 2022 Report Share Posted March 16, 2022 Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratchers Posted March 21, 2022 Report Share Posted March 21, 2022 Brilliant as always, jealous me! no, well yes quite a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted March 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2022 Thought I would share the final stage of this hunt. Cooking game has become almost as important to me as the actual hunting. Slow roasted goat with Mediterranean spices. Fall off the bone tender! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agriv8 Posted March 24, 2022 Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 That looks trully scrumptious. did 4weeks in NZ in a camper van on our honeymoon ( close to 20 years happily married ) it’s on the bucket list to do it again with some of my retirement money. where about in nz are you . atb Agriv8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houseplant Posted March 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2022 (edited) Cheers. I'm in Northland, which believe it or not is in the north of the country. Worst place in NZ for hunting and trout fishing, but some of the best saltwater fishing in the world. Edited March 24, 2022 by Houseplant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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