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Thanks mate, it was certainly a surreal situation. I spent with her probably up to a half an hour, recording some more videos. She stood her ground the whole time. Did not see or hear any dogs, as I figured they must have been around, or if they were not, then she must've have really bad night with them. It was 1100 hrs when I bumped in to her. Only when I went to my car and drove past her she moved in to the bush.

ffs a mangey fox ha ha

Great input. I've noticed that the deer don't bolt right away if you drop down and it's the bipedal silhouette that must trigger a flight response for them. Can you tell me what you mean by 'working gullies' and the process involved?

Everything, and I mean everything in the bush makes noise when it moves. The wind, trees, and the animals. Nothing can walk around completely quiet. If there are wind gusts, move when the wind does, stop when it is still. If it is noisy underfoot for you, it is noisy for everything. Deer are inquisitive, they don't like to move unless they see you or smell you. I have had deer brake off after I have passed them. I have had deer run at me. Stags rub trees, shake a bush every now and then and see what happens. We have 2 legs, that is what is distinctive about the way we move thru the bush, it isn't a normal sound. Move slowly, and then even slower when in the hot zone, but don't try to hunt every inch of land you cover, it is too hard. Your concentration will go and you will just get frustrated. Take a break, 15 minutes to sit down and listen to the sounds around you. Work gullies, spend some time glassing, then go to the next. If you bump a deer then you are on the right track. The trick is to see them before they see you. You don't learn if you don't make mistakes.

Hi Everyone The Thylacine Awareness Group has just released some thermal footage of what they claim is a thylacine on the mainland. What do you reckon it is? Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH_5VGkvsA4&lc=Ugw-eiZohe0NTHR8Pr54AaABAg

That's amazing footage!

I have seen this previously with my own dogs (and others with their dogs) where the hind with calf will face the dogs and barely take notice of the dogs master.I have a couple of front covers walking up to deer with a dog on point......BUT it doesn't always happen like that lol. I suggest that the dogs are in the bush behind the pair and she has chosen the lesser of the two evils in looking for sanctuary.

This is my closest

Before I'd shot my first sambar I was sitting with my back to a tree looking out over a more open valley. I Heard a stick crack behind me, then another, then footsteps coming closer and closer. I had only shot the wild dog the day before and was still in the phase where I was on edge and every noise got the adrenaline running. I stood up, the sound of my back sliding against the bark alerted what was coming and the movement stopped. I poked my head around the tree and 10m away I could see a tail behind a tree, but still couldn't work out if it was a deer or a dingo as the front was obscured by ti-tree. (That's how green I was at the time) I shuffled around the other side for a better look, got honked (relief) and it took off! I'd didn't get a shot off in time as it was over a hill before I could get the safety off but is the closest I've been to a deer to date. Had I not moved it probably would have come right past me and I could have given it a pat on the way past.

I have got closer vids. If anyone tells you that you don`t need camo to hunt sambar deer well believe them because you don't but if you want to get really close to sambar deer it is imperative that you do don cams and a complete cover up. I have had a hind walk past me at maybe three yards,I have videoed a good stag at seven...the length of a standard car garage and that gets the aortas pumping.

It looks very close indeed! great footage

I used a really shit fuji hs 10 I believe it was,my tripod fell with it mounted and I hit the store for my first 35mm DSLR instead. Distance? Close lol. The date taken was quite a few years pre the video date shown atm.

Great footage! Can I ask what camera/lens setup are you using? How far away are you so as not to spook it?

toes I understand... but fingers? Don't people look where they are putting their hands? Does taking off your sling make you smaller/harder to spot? I'm usually carrying when stalking and only use the sling when on the walk out (not that you don't put them up)

While on wallows check the wet line on this bloke.

Try going barefoot in hard high rocky mountain terrain...you will get sore feet even when wearing boots. I lost five toenails on a Tahr trip ( after I got home,Kiwi mate had lost five previously) I wore Irish Setters that were very good boots at the time.I can say unequivocally that boots are better than bare feet no matter what although at rare times some may take their boots off for the final close in. IIRC I was wearing a pair of Hi-Tek boots (shit) and seem to think that I took them off for a closer look at this mud man 10 odd years ago.

Watch out for snakes. 90% of bites are on finger & toes.

when you walk the valley floor, everything is obscured , take off your sling

Can you please explain what you mean? Making noise flushes them out but it's very steep and thick so they're often obscured. You'll hear them honk and crash off but only get. fleeting glimpse of a ginger bum or fur between the trees. Is there a technique I'm missing?

change the innersoles on the lowa's, makes them even more comfortable. as for noise, find a way to hunt with noise, and make it, advantage

That's fair. I got a set of Lowa's for Christmas and they are the most comfortable hiking shoe I've ever owned (after racking up 200k's in a $30 aldi pair) but it can be like walking on cornflakes where we are. I've snuck in to fallow at 15m but the sambar hear/spot me from 200m sometimes. I could also walk less! Need to work on patience

I tried. Not for long haha You would be better off buying good quality boots mate. Also try sit and wait instead of walking a lot.

Hi All Has anyone tried going barefoot or using any barefoot socks or padded socks while hunting deer? I'm keen as to find ways to reduce noise but also cautious about blackberries and the occasional snake.

AND one of the shiniest as in light reflecting....we wear gloves? Why? Because of the above.

Gday all! Cheers, Michael