b'HUNTING Go to the range prior toREMEMBER SAFTEYhunting to ensure youLastly but by far the most important know exactly where yourSAFETY! The roar is unfortunately the rifle is shooting. time of year where there is added risk of people unintentionally getting shot. This year especially carries extra risk as there is added hype by hunters who were unable to pursue roaring stags last year due to lockdown. Easter weekend this year falls on the first week of April, which is the peak of the red stags roar and the start of the sika roar, so willbe an extremely busy weekend in the bush.Prior to even considering pulling the trigger, have in your head that shape, that sound, that noise is always a person until proven otherwise. Then when your 100% sure, check again. Blue is a great colour to wear as it is unlike anything you see in the bush. Always carry antlers upside down and have something bright that you can strap over the heads or animal parts that maybe carried on the outside of your pack.Game cameras will give you an idea ofonline that will give you some insight ifBe kind and courteous to other park the animals in the area and what trophyyoure hunting a new area.users you come across. If you bump potential maybe around. However, a stagEnsure you go to the range prior tointo someone, talk to them, and find will generally move to a different areahunting and make sure you know exactlyout if they intend to hunt and come to a from where they grow their velvet in. Justwhere your gun is shooting. Ammo iscompromise if you are heading the same remember; find the hinds and the stagscheap compared to missing a once inway. Always give a detailed location and will be there. Locating wallows or staglifetime stag. Practise as if you weretime in/out including a panic time, to pads, scrapings is a direct giveaway thatshooting in the roar, which for me issomeone reliable back home. If plans theres a bone head holding in the area.without a bi-pod or steady rest. At bestchange, I also let them know. Local knowledge is invaluable and thereI may have a tree to prop against butGood luck for the up incoming roar and is also a lot of resourceful informationgenerally all shots are free hand andremember a prepared hunter is a safe and close!This is just a tip of the iceberg assuccessful hunter. A trophy is also not far as gear goes but is just a few things tomeasured by the number of points, but think about.how hard you work for it.FIGZDoing a few scouts at your intended hunting areas pre-roar is ideal, game cameras help discover the animals in the area and any trophy potential.Take a PLB (personal locator beacon) when you go hunting, they are a life saver in the bush in an emergency.88FISHING IN GODZONE MAR/APR 2021'