Fresh local produce for dinner
This trip was certainly going to be no exception. I planned to walk from the Lakes car park off the Napier-Taihape Road over to Makahu Road in Puketitiri via the Manson country. I had six days up my sleeve, so packed very light, hoping I’d shoot a deer or two and catch a few trout in my travels to boost my food supply.
It was late February and dry. Stags had velvet antlers, so I wasn’t overly worried about spending too much time glassing for deer. Leaving the big cannon and binos at home I decided to take my battered old .308. I threw my gear in my pack and had Dad drop me at the Lakes car park.
About an hour into my walk, I looked down the face below me and, noticing a pair of yearlings browsing the bush edge enjoying their lunch, Ia solid thump echoing back at me and saw the deer roll down the hill. One hour into the trip and I was on the board and had dinner sorted. Retrieving the meat and taking a few photos, I carried on to Cameron Hut. The rest of the afternoon was spent fishing, relaxing, and cooking up a big feed of heart, backsteaks and onions.