Ep. 9 DTB Adventures

State Forest Success with Dave

Ready for an adventure? Hear about bow hunting in New Zealand, the art of butchery, and packing techniques for the wild.

Hunting in NSW’s state forest can be unpredictable, and at times crowded. A misfired arrow due to an unnoticed twig is all that is needed to reflect on the importance of attention to detail in the hunting environment. This serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks and the need for safety and respect in the sport.

Dave’s journey back into hunting after a hiatus has highlighted the evolution of the sport from the analog days of paper maps to the digital resources available to today's hunters. Back in the 90s, a single shared hunting book could be the only resource available and so access to hunting knowledge has dramatically shifted.

With the difficulties faced by newcomers to hunting in the post-COVID era mentoring has become a necessity. The importance of asking questions, continuous learning, and finding supportive environments, such as hunting clubs, are key factors that can compliment mentorships.

Strategies and patience are Dave’s hunting art form. Identifying productive hunting spots by looking for deer signs and understanding animal behaviour is a must but needs to be done across seasons to be fully effective.

Dave’s perspective on toward butchery has evolved over the past few years, leading to a new respect for the meat and the animals it comes from. Techniques for field dressing, particularly the gutless method, wearing multiple sets of gloves in the different stages and cleaning your knives are all factors that can contribute in turning even the gnarliest Billy into a beautiful dish.

The podcast episode concluded with a thrilling recount of a bow hunting trip to New Zealand, capturing the preparations, challenges, and satisfaction of harvesting game in a new environment. Dave's encounter with possibly the oldest Chamois in New Zealand added an extraordinary touch to the tale.

Finally, the practical aspects of properly packing a backpack for overnight treks were discussed, emphasising the importance of weight distribution and the use of tensioning straps.