Welcome to the winter newsletter, it’s been a busy roar with some excellent red stags hunted. Neville and his pig dogs have also been busy capturing some good boars. We thank our hunters for being great company.
Preserving antlers in the velvet.
Sometimes hunters find that there only free time to hunt is outside the main season and yet they would still like to retain their trophy. We found out about this process when a hunter with us in December took a good red stag which he wanted mounted. When we asked Vern Pearson and Louise Birksoe of Sika Country taxidermy to explain it for us this is what they came back with:
“A stag shot in the velvet can be preserved. To do so the antlers are injected with and soaked in a solution of formaldehyde and insecticide for 3-4 weeks. This preserves the antlers and they will last for years without any problems. Prior to preservation it is important to treat the antlers like you would a raw skin, otherwise it will rot and slip just like a normal skin would. This means to chill or freeze it as soon as possible or get it to a taxidermist straight away.” |
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White Fallow
Recently we have shot a few white fallow bucks. They are quite majestic looking and seem to gleam in the evening light. |
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Hunting African Style
As a hunting guide you’re always learning something new. We really enjoy finding out the lifestyle of our hunters as its invariably so different from ours. In May we enjoyed hosting another hunting outfitter, Theo Rosscouw of Jakavula Safaris, from South Africa. It was fascinating learning about hunting antelopes, warthogs and the other Africa animals in the heat which is different to what we offer. During his stay Theo helped guide and based on this experience we’d be delighted to recommend Jakavula Safaris to anyone intending to hunt in South Africa. Theo can be contacted by phone +27147210918. The photo opposite is of Theo Rosscouw hunting at Ranginui — only a South African would hunt in shorts! |
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In the kitchen
This is Felicity’s favourite marinade for fallow, it can also be used on beef.
This marinade recipe is great for marinating a whole fillet.
- Melt the honey. Mix in all the other ingredients.
- Place marinade with meat in a plastic bag, seal well. Allow to marinate overnight.
Once marinated, cook the fillet whole on the barbeque. Let it rest a few minutes then slice into thick pieces.
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Marinated Fallow eye fillet
⅓ cup plum sauce (preferably homemade)
⅓ cup honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon 5 spice powder
2.5cm piece of root ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, crushed
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Thanks for sending in your hunting stories from other parts of the world, we enjoy hearing about your experiences. We look forward to taking you hunting again. In the meantime happy and safe hunting
Mark, Felicity, Dean, Neville, Jason & Bernie
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