Tabla de contenidos para Edition 62 en Australian Hunter

Something had moved in the early morning stillness on the forested ridge. I caught only a fleeting glimpse, a hint of a flicker, as I scanned the bush ahead. My eyes had moved on before it even registered. It may have only been a bird, but my impression was that of an ear flick. I remained frozen and, slowly, brought the Swarovski 10x25 binoculars up to my eyes. I was stalking a couple of kilometres of low, stony ridge that overlooked a number of huge, circular, irrigated pastures. The property ran beef cattle but also produced a lot of hay and silage. The irrigated land had been fenced in an effort to exclude the cattle, roos, pigs and deer that would relish a feed of the lush green fodder within.…

Going out hunting these days, the keyword is access. Without access, you can’t hunt but once you gain that access, be it private land or a state forest, you still need to move into the country you want to hunt. A sedan will probably transport you to the destination a bit faster and with a little more comfort, but what about the rest of it? What you need is to be able to save yourself as much walking as possible. Not that I’m against walking; I just like to be able to go through the unproductive stuff a bit quicker. Most forestry roads are in reasonable condition, but stray off into some of the side tracks and there are all sorts of problems lurking. The same goes for private land…

The kudu is undoubtedly one of the most sought after big-game animals in the world and likely to be on the wishlist of many an Aussie hunter aspiring to tread the earth of the ‘Dark Continent’. Despite not being particularly rare, the kudu’s size, beauty and natural wariness combine to make it a worthy and desirable target for hunters from all over the globe. Although pictured reasonably often in Australian hunting magazines, usually this is in advertisements, or in articles in which a half-dozen species are put on the deck in the minimal time available. These passing references provide limited background information for those considering their first adventure in pursuit of the so-called ‘grey ghost of the veld’. In the context of my maiden hunt for the Eastern Cape greater…

Meat in Burma is often flavoured using a generous proportion of garlic and ginger. Vinegar is used for flavouring and preservation but the following recipe replaces it with dry white wine. This suits Western tastes while also helping tenderise the meat as well as acting as a preservative. The recipe delivers a balance of heat and flavour to enhance the tenderised pork. Ingredients • 750g boned pork - sliced into 1" chunksxs • 4 tablespoons dry white wine • 1 teaspoon salt - or to taste • 8 large garlic cloves - chopped • 2" piece ginger - chopped or grated • 1-2 red chilli - chopped • 1 onion - chopped • 1 teaspoon tumeric powder • ½ teaspoon chilli powder - or more to taste • 1½ tablespoons…

Duck opening has been the highlight of my year for as long as I can remember. It isn’t just the thought of hunting that keeps me awake at night though, it’s the fact that I manage to do it all with family. Our current crew consists of my grandfather Lew, his son David and grandsons Ethan and myself. Three generations of Leslies. For our family, duck hunting is not just a recreation, it’s a rite of passage. The phrase “Soon you will be old enough to go to duck opening” was one of the most exciting things you could hear as a Leslie boy. Duck opening was even mentioned in my wedding speech as being a date that took precedence above all else. I consider myself very lucky to be…

Advertising for the Marlin Model 1895 lever-action rifle first appeared in 1896, describing the rifle as “The Model 1895. Just Out. In .38-56, .40-65, .40-82, .45-70 and .45-90 calibres.” Since that time there have been numerous variations of the model. Component parts have been tweaked and modified, its appearance has changed somewhat, and of the original calibres that have come and gone over the years, only the .45-70 remains... yet the Model 1895 goes on. In 2016, Marlin introduced the latest iteration of its legendary rifle, the Model 1895 GSBL. The GSBL designation stands for Guide Series Big loop Laminated stock. Like most of the modern Marlins, it is a compact rifle with an overall length of just 940mm. That length belies the weight of the rifle, which is an…

Before I start on the knife itself, I thought I would share a bit of information about its namesake. This new option from Kizlyar Knives is called the Baikal, which is part of the innovative River Series on offer from our Russian friends. Lake Baikal is significant not only in Russia but it is also widely known for some astounding facts. Firstly, it is the world’s oldest, deepest and largest fresh water lake. It contains about 22 per cent of the planet’s surface fresh water. At its deepest, it sinks to an astonishing 1642m and is estimated to be approximately 25 million years old. It holds more fresh water than every one of America’s Great Lakes combined. Thankfully, it has been listed as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and…

The Garmin Foretrex 401 wristworn Global Positioning System (GPS) is a basic unit that should suit most hunters and hikers. Modestly priced, light, compact and convenient, it has all the essential GPS capabilities and few of the distracting add-on features that you do not need. It is very close to what I consider the ideal GPS for me. I have had a strong interest in hand-held GPS units since they first became available about 30 years back. Over that time, I have owned and extensively operated about halfa- dozen different GPS components. I have also had the opportunity to use and review a range of other GPS options as well. It was hunters, fisherfolk and hikers who were the early adaptors to the wonderful technology of the GPS and the…

Life is a journey, they say. The paths we choose determine the direction we follow. For me, the ocean, the bush and the creatures which call these environments home have had a huge influence on my way of life. Now I’m not writing my memoirs just yet, the trip’s not over. I may have hung up my wetsuit, mask and fins, but my old hunting boots and fishing rods are cleaned, oiled and ready to go. This article is just an overview of my journey so far. Island life Being born on Kangaroo Island had a lot to do with my love of the water and the scrub. We were surrounded by it. With three brothers and three sisters for company, a watchful mother, and a father who was a…

Mustard rabbit is a classic French dish. However, there are two completely different recipe options and the choice is yours: red wine or white wine. We regularly hunt rabbits in a quite famous wine region and trust me, if you want an enjoyable debate, why not ask a group of vigeron gourmets if rabbits are best cooked in white wine or red wine. I am pretty sure there isn’t an answer. In this version, we will cover the classic white wine and mustard option (la moutarde). Next time we will braise rabbit in red wine (au vin rouge) and you can make up your own mind. Some say that rabbit is such a beautiful, delicate meat and that red wine can overpower it - I understand this argument, I don’t…

In Australian Hunter edition 61, I discussed the behaviour of feral pigs. Let’s now apply this knowledge to stalking and hunting them. Habitat Throughout their range, pigs show preferences for riparian and wetland habitats. These are the first zones to search, especially border areas where one territory adjoins another. Pigs readily adjust to habitat changes caused by fire, logging and natural catastrophes, except those resulting in loss of basic food resources. Flooding and heavy snowfalls cause them to move up, down or sideways to find more suitable ground. In arid or thickly vegetated country, remember that pigs need food, water, shelter and breeding opportunities. Pigs can appear anywhere these parameters are met. Sign Rooting, beds, droppings or prints provide the first indication of the presence of pigs. Don’t be too…

Quality in rifle optics is something which can be the greatest ally to the hunter. While there is room for entry-level and mid-priced riflescopes in the marketplace, no doubt dictated by consumer demand, the premium riflescope sector is currently a very active one, with all the major manufacturers delivering excellent products which start at the $1000 pricepoint and extend upwards. These scope models, termed by those in the trade as ‘alpha-scopes’, are as good as you can get and the higher the price tag, the better they become. Naturally, most of these scopes are purpose-built for longrange and tactical applications, with brands such as IOR, March, Zeiss, Swarovski, Schmidt & Bender, Leica, Nightforce and more creating some fine models indeed. However, there is a place also in this category for…

Australians are ‘blessed’ by sharing our home with seven of the world’s top 10 deadliest snakes and we have more venomous than non-venomous snakes. However, it is important to put this into context. Snakes are responsible for 3200 bites a year and only one or two deaths, compared to 5600 injuries and two deaths per year by horses. And I am yet to see a horse being chased around a yard with a shovel! There have been 38 recorded deaths by snake bites since 1980 and no recorded deaths of casualties that had the proper application of first-aid treatment. Furthermore, only 10 per cent of bites required antivenom in hospital, as most envenomations are able to be managed by slow release of a pressure immobilisation bandage under proper monitoring. Of…

There are two certainties in life: death and taxes. Both topics are typically avoided. But there is one tax that our fellow American hunters openly and willingly talk about - and it’s an option many wildlife experts recommend Australia adopts for the future of our unique native fauna and flora. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, commonly known as the Pittman- Robertson Act (P-R) after its co-sponsors, Senator Key Pittman and Congressman Absalom Robertson, has been praised for restoring and preserving America’s wildlife for the past 80 years. Today, it is credited for a wealth of success: from revitalising native animal populations to protecting habitats and establishing hunting lands to supporting hunter education programs, just to name a few. According to America’s peak firearms trade group, the National Shooting…