It was to be a three day hunt into a new patch of ground where a few Moluccan rusa apparently lived...
The Moluccan Rusa deer originated from Java and were released around the tip of nth QLD in the early 1900's. Since then a few a small herds have popped up around the country. The same old answer comes up every time "That's not a Moluccan". Everyone has there doubts that the Moluccan species that has reached Australia is not pure anymore and is more a mixed breed with the bigger variety Javan. Anyways I was still keen to check this little beer barrelled Rusa out.
The first morning and I woke eager to see these critters cruising about. The day pack was sorted as the bow and arrows tweaked in the morning sun rays. I through the pack on and marched out of camp chewing on a muesli bar.
Thirty minutes in and some deer were spotted just on the edge of a clearing about to head into the thick jungle to my left. I glassed with a inquisitive eye amazed to see this miniature Rusa. Their legs and body size were much smaller then the Javan Rusa I was used to seeing. Their snout looked to be shorter and their hair looked to be finer. It was a good enough match for me to think that these deer were not far from the real deal. The deer eventually fed into the
scrub in front of me and disappeared.
Thirty minutes in and some deer were spotted just on the edge of a clearing about to head into the thick jungle to my left. I glassed with a inquisitive eye amazed to see this miniature Rusa. Their legs and body size were much smaller then the Javan Rusa I was used to seeing. Their snout looked to be shorter and their hair looked to be finer. It was a good enough match for me to think that these deer were not far from the real deal. The deer eventually fed into the
scrub in front of me and disappeared.
I walked further along the fringe noticing a lot of old rubs and quite a few foot prints heading from open farmland back to their bedding area. Plenty of glassing followed before venturing into the next gully. I came across some clear running water which had me reaching down for a mid morning drink and thoughts of that stag rocking up. I sat there for a bit patiently waiting for that stag and at the same time absorbing the cool breeze as it filtered through the brush.
Half an hour passed and the sit wait method was getting to me, I decided to head further around into the nexted gully. The sign on the ground seemed to be thinning out but I was in new country so it couldn't hurt to cruise around to get a better idea of their movements. The rest of the day didn't produce any more deer but cool images of Moluccan Rusa imprinted my mind.
The next day had me up early once more. I flipped out of my jungle hammock and into a morning bite of muesli and creamed rice. Once that was downed the stealth 2 broadheads had a quick touch up on the stone followed by the
essentials for the day pack. I hit the track eager to make some quick ground. I had walked along the trail for a while and was nearing the same vantage spot where I had seen the deer the day before. The walking pace slowed right up and the stillness of the morning had a positive feeling about it. I made the spot and glassed out onto the gully floor to see what looked to be the same mob. But this time there was two extra's. Two small stags cruising in and out of the mob, checking for in season does.
Half an hour passed and the sit wait method was getting to me, I decided to head further around into the nexted gully. The sign on the ground seemed to be thinning out but I was in new country so it couldn't hurt to cruise around to get a better idea of their movements. The rest of the day didn't produce any more deer but cool images of Moluccan Rusa imprinted my mind.
The next day had me up early once more. I flipped out of my jungle hammock and into a morning bite of muesli and creamed rice. Once that was downed the stealth 2 broadheads had a quick touch up on the stone followed by the
essentials for the day pack. I hit the track eager to make some quick ground. I had walked along the trail for a while and was nearing the same vantage spot where I had seen the deer the day before. The walking pace slowed right up and the stillness of the morning had a positive feeling about it. I made the spot and glassed out onto the gully floor to see what looked to be the same mob. But this time there was two extra's. Two small stags cruising in and out of the mob, checking for in season does.
They eventually sorted through the girls and come face to face with each other before sizing each other up. They both hooked in trading their aggressive blows .
There looked to be no clear winner as they had an eye ball standoff , their head's tilted back, before they both decided to part ways. The two stags were not shooters so my attention level dropped off and I started to focus on heading over the rise. I backed out and traversed further around hoping to find a big bopper. Another short walk along
the fringe of the jungle to a clearing that looked prime for deer. Five more does but no stags. The does fed around in the local swamp grass's not paying an notice of their surrounds. I watched them for a while hoping for a stag to appear but nothing. I decided to have a bite to eat and gather up some thoughts on where to go.
I finished up with lunch and pressed on further up the mountain. Half way up and a small dam sat in the saddle of the hill and a big bunch of scrub layed right behind. I glassed into the shaded area's to find a bachelor group of Stags. I couldn't believe it, there looked to be two shooters around 26inches and one big bloke close to 30. There was also 4 other smaller stags bedded in and around the mature moluccans. The cover wasn't the best and the amount of eyes looking in a few directions had me sitting tight. I had to let them make the next move and hopefully when they got up to feed their eye's for food will get distracted. A few hours went by and they didn't even look like moving. I too started getting on the nod and it wasn't long and I was out.
Half hour later and I woke out of my slumber. I jumped up and grab the bino's to check back on the mob. They were already up feeding and heading further up the mountain. I quickly through the pack on and glassed one more time to see them feeding away from me. I had a clump of scrub in front of me which made for a great barrier to close the gap. I made good ground in no time at all. I made the clump of scrub an slowly peered out to the side I to see the big bloke, I ranged him at 50m. Another step forward and I noticed right in front of me, in a small depression a stag with his head down feeding. He looked to be a shooter, I took another step forward and ranged the stag at 30m. I wasted no time and took the backpack off. The video camera didn't even get a though as this opportunity could vapourise in a second. The arrow made it out off the quiver in silence and onto it's rest. The stag was quartering away now and a moment that had to be ceased. The bow came to full draw as the pin settled on his heart. The rest just happened and the stag jumped up and fled the scene only to make a short distance before passing out. I was thrilled in the outcome as I made my way over to my first Moluccan...
the fringe of the jungle to a clearing that looked prime for deer. Five more does but no stags. The does fed around in the local swamp grass's not paying an notice of their surrounds. I watched them for a while hoping for a stag to appear but nothing. I decided to have a bite to eat and gather up some thoughts on where to go.
I finished up with lunch and pressed on further up the mountain. Half way up and a small dam sat in the saddle of the hill and a big bunch of scrub layed right behind. I glassed into the shaded area's to find a bachelor group of Stags. I couldn't believe it, there looked to be two shooters around 26inches and one big bloke close to 30. There was also 4 other smaller stags bedded in and around the mature moluccans. The cover wasn't the best and the amount of eyes looking in a few directions had me sitting tight. I had to let them make the next move and hopefully when they got up to feed their eye's for food will get distracted. A few hours went by and they didn't even look like moving. I too started getting on the nod and it wasn't long and I was out.
Half hour later and I woke out of my slumber. I jumped up and grab the bino's to check back on the mob. They were already up feeding and heading further up the mountain. I quickly through the pack on and glassed one more time to see them feeding away from me. I had a clump of scrub in front of me which made for a great barrier to close the gap. I made good ground in no time at all. I made the clump of scrub an slowly peered out to the side I to see the big bloke, I ranged him at 50m. Another step forward and I noticed right in front of me, in a small depression a stag with his head down feeding. He looked to be a shooter, I took another step forward and ranged the stag at 30m. I wasted no time and took the backpack off. The video camera didn't even get a though as this opportunity could vapourise in a second. The arrow made it out off the quiver in silence and onto it's rest. The stag was quartering away now and a moment that had to be ceased. The bow came to full draw as the pin settled on his heart. The rest just happened and the stag jumped up and fled the scene only to make a short distance before passing out. I was thrilled in the outcome as I made my way over to my first Moluccan...
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