b'Hunting and told me dont say that!An encounter of what could have been an epic first-time sika stag hunt.Kiwi hunters will know about the Douglas Score System that is used by the NZ Deer Stalkers Association and each year they judge heads submitted for scoring.Below is an outline of the system and minimum scores given for trophy heads.NZDA Game Trophy Record BookThe Douglas Score System used is on the principle of symmetrical size (balanced size or counter parted size). As hunters also tend to admire and appreciate symmetric deer antlers more than asymmetric antlers. Under the system there must be a pair of antlers, horns or tusks and the antler tines must be paired or counter parted to contribute to the total score. A single antler scores zero and a single tine that has no counterpart scores zero."I kept my eyes on the stag where it stopped and looked directly back to us about 100m away on top of the ridge, it seemed liked forever as I looked at the impressive animal through my scope A big boar over 150lb is consideredand could see wide antlers a trophy for pig hunters. with two on each top.Matt was up in front of me looking ahead, and I whistled to him as he hadnt seen the movement to our sides as I hurriedly pointed in the direction of the stag, and he struggled to pick up the moving animal through the big trees.He finally saw it briefly about 80-90m away but still couldnt get a decent shot away in the bush.I kept my eyes on the stag where it stopped and looked directly back to us about 100m away on top of the ridge, it seemed liked forever as I looked at the impressive animal through my scope and could see wide antlers with two on each top.Matt still couldnt make it out through the heavy bush so whispered for me to load and take the shot.As I did trying my best to load quietly it then turned and disappeared.Damn, that was a nice stag with 8-points and so close to the hut!Back at the Heli Sika base after our 3-day hunt where I scored my first sika hind, I looked at all the big trophy stags on their wall and showed Matt, commentingCooper House with a good that the stag I saw on that first day lookedNorthland boar taken with as good as these.He groaned in dismaydogs and knife in winter.94FISHING IN GODZONE SEP/OCT 2023'