“ Jive ’ s body language whispered ‘ deer ’.”
then after a spell back to that . He never gave up . He was the ultimate optimist .
The breeze wafted gently into our faces and the light began to fade . I looked at my watch . Another five minutes ? Soon that passed and I resigned myself to heading back to the 4WD wagon . Then , as I reached to my pack to put the camera away , I glanced at Jive and saw him intently looking across to the adjacent minispur . His characteristic body language whispered “ deer ”.
I swiveled my eyes around . A hind had emerged from the other side of the spur . Quickly I retrieved the camera from the pack and took a shot . As I did so , another hind appeared – and another ; and then the tops of antlers came into view , then
the lower times and a superb stag . The hinds had seen my movement with the camera and the stag , quickly sensing their focus , stared haughtily across at us .
In the viewfinder the data flashed 1 / 20th second , which the waning evening light had driven the exposure down to . Modern digital cameras and their image stabiliser are simply superb . Before digital , you would not contemplate a hand-held shot below 1 / 100th second and certainly 1 / 60th would be the absolute limit .
The photos provided an immensely satisfying memento of a magic moment – thanks , Jive .
Jive and I went on hunts where venison was required . Late one afternoon , we had climbed high and then as the sun set and the light began to dwindle , we headed back to the wagon down another spur . By this time I was intent on regaining the wagon before nightfall and had just about lost any expectation of putting venison in the deep freeze .
Suddenly Jive paused , nose questing the northerly breeze . He took several steps in the direction of the scent . I followed and we stood by a rocky outcrop as I scanned the small gully of fern and scattered matagouri . Nothing showed . So I picked up a small rock and lobbed it below . Next moment a young stag stepped out from a matagouri clump and stood looking around . A clean shot put the animal down .
This was yet another example of just how valuable a dog can be when hunting – not for chasing game like a pig dog , or flushing animals from cover , but as a hunting aid with superior senses – nose , hearing and eyesight . You build up a bond with your dog and it ’ s a superb hunting buddy . Dogs are always eager to go for a hunt and never late ; they never grumble , never fuss unduly and they never , ever give away your hunting possies to others . And they are loyal , loving companions . You cannot fault their nature .
As de Gaulle said , “ The more I see of men and the more I see of dogs , the more I prefer the company of dogs .” But be warned : Rudyard
The big stag “ shot ” at 1 / 20th of a second
34 NZ Hunting & Wildlife 196 - Autumn 2017