New Zealand is amazing. Friendly people, fantastic food, lovely wineries and incredible wildlife, especially for a hunter.
The sentence I most widely used when we were visiting the North Island of New Zealand was this, They are so huge. Over and over I said it. The red deer stag is so huge. And beautiful. Our PH, professional hunter, David got us up close and personal to these huge racks.
Originally, the red deer stag was brought to New Zealand from England. It has adapted very well to both islands and is very popular hunting game. And to me its obvious why: they are huge. So huge.
I learned a lot about the red deer from David. Mature red deer usually stay in single-sex groups most of the year. These groups David called, bachelor herds. I still think that sounds a bit funny, a bachelor herd. Then in the fall season, the stags start the infamous roaring. Wow, that was something else to hear. It actually sent slight shivers down my spine. The roar is distinctive and is a method used by the males to establish dominance and to call the females. The moments we witnessed the roaring, I definitely felt dominated. Im so glad Daryl doesnt try roaring with me.
Simply defined, the rut is the mating season. David said this is when the red deer stag lose their minds. Things get crazy and sometimes stags will fight to the death. This is the season they are afraid of nothing and no one. Now, that is enough to make me shake-in-my-hunting-boots.
The time frame we were visiting Alpine Hunting was during the pre-rut. It was when the roaring began and the initial head banging or antler banging started. Oh my word, we were so close to some of this fighting, I almost lost my mind.
One afternoon, we were situated in a spot they call the dug out. This location is called that because they have literally dug out a portion of a steep hill and you sit within the ground. There we watched a bachelor herd for about two hours. Eight of them. Up close. They were just romping around within 50 yards of our dug out. Amazing! Well, until two of them started to fight. One huge Daddy pushed another huge Daddy up the hill towards us. Antlers locked they got within 15 yards of our heads. Screaming was not an option and trusting your professional hunter with your safety is paramount at times like that one. And yes, we caught it on video. My knees still wanna knock when I think about it. Hunters are slightly weird. In a good way, of course.
Witnessing lifes dug out moments are a gift. And even though we captured video and took loads of pictures, so many times in life are meant completely and specifically for our personal enjoyment. Its as if God creates these special scenarios, knowing our personalities and making just the right moments. Giving us these precious memories, lovely snapshots in our minds to hold dear and treasure.
Although somewhat scary, that dug out memory is epic to me. I wont forget it.
Maybe for you, these moments are the birth of a child, the view of the Canadian Rockies, the first bluebird of spring. All great gifts, meant to give us joy and pleasure.
Stik a Fork in to noticing the memory makers, adventure and another New Zealand recipe.
This recipe is from Lindsey Lawrence. Lindsey keeps the lodge spotless, washes the hunters laundry and even irons the sheets. Part of the year she is in Alaska at a hunting camp where she is in charge of the kitchen. These cookies were gone the very day I baked them.
Nestle Quik Cookies
2 sticks of butter (1 cup)
cup brown sugar
1 cup Nestle Nesquik
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate chips & coconut (amounts optional)
Drop by small teaspoons onto cookie sheets. Push down slightly with teaspoon as batter will be stiff. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.
Lee Ann Miller is a resident of Holmes County.
