​We have finished the final river crossing. It was sketchy in spots- we had to be careful. The rocks had a thick slimy layer, forcing us to tread slower and link up. Now for the walk back to the road end. The going is now flat and easy. The worst we can do is get caught up in a gorse bush. Part of me wants to turn back around and do it all again. The other half wants to get to the road end and crack into a couple of well-earned beers. We get to the car, and I give the classic “yahoo” or “we made it”. The sun was shining that day, but the same can’t be said for our trip. It was a hard slog through some Manuka to a spot which took much longer than expected. We never made it- we swallowed our pride and turned back before we would be camping out halfway up the trail. That’s what both of us thought anyway. If your anything like me, you’re wondering what you would have done differently. For a start (the obvious) is don’t go back there.  That’s not always the case, but in ours it is. Too far of a walk to make it worthwhile for a valley with not great animal numbers. It’s always intriguing to research the area you’ve been in, however. Shorter trips are always good for the fitness, test out some new gear (or realize something is on its last legs). Ideas always flood through about what to change in terms of gear. Being a student means the finances are stretched, but I try update gear regularly. It adds to the interest. Regardless of the result, its great to get away from the real world and lose touch. The end goal is to get an animal (a shallow reason), but that’s the explanation at least. I’m forever still learning, and this is what adds to the whole enjoyment. When I get an idea of what to do in my head, it makes me eager to get back out there and test it, while hopefully improving myself. Unpacking my pack is my least favorite part of the hunt. Putting everything back to where I got it is less stimulating than packing up, anticipating a few days. I’ll likely leave it to the next day before I unpack, I’ll always head straight for the shower. Getting back is always a different sensation to anything other part of the hunt. It takes a while to adjust back, but it gives a different perspective on where I live. More importantly, it gives me a bigger reason to get back out there. 

To me, heart is probably the most under-rated part of an animal. Many disregard it and throw it with the rest of the offal. I used to as well, until I saw a recipe in a book and tried it. Now I’ll always keep it where practical. It’s got more protein, Phosphorous, Zinc and B-Vitamins than venison itself, why not give it a go? You will get some funny looks from your family cooking it up as well as getting called Bear Grylls, but that just means more for me! This is how I go about it:
Separate the heart from the lungs. Try leave it in the pericardium if you can (layer of fat around the heart). This will just stop dirt and other contaminants getting on the heart until its in the fridge. This usually works by cutting through the arteries and vena carva (bits at the top). Once you’ve got it home, chuck it in the fridge to cool it down. You can now cut out the pericardium.
Before you want to cook it, cut it open and pull all the blood vessels out and cut out some of the white membrane on top of the meat. This will only be chewy. It needs a bit of perseverance to get all the stuff off, but you get a knack for it. A sharp knife really helps. Then put the meat in a bowl of salt water overnight. This helps get all the blood out of the heart, which makes it taste hellishly strong.
The next day take it out and marinate in a bit of beer, or you can just fry it. Fry it up in butter, cook it the whole way through and serve with whatever you like. I would say a Fallow deer heart would serve about two people for a full portion of meat, and Red deer is likely four people.
Some people can’t get past the fact their eating heart, but reality is its no different to any other meat. It’s a lot less strong than liver. Give it a try if you haven’t!

​With the days getting longer and warmer, chances are you’ll be thinking of the up and coming fishing season. Like most people I was getting a bit over winter- constantly rugging up, short days and monotonous farm jobs- it’s not my favourite time of year! It’s good for hunting though- stags are in hard antler and are there for the taking, just need to brave the elements a bit. I always welcome the fishing season, its a good chance to get into the outdoors and soak up some sun and hopefully a few fish as well! I’m still not a very good fly fisherman, but I think I’m improving. I hooked one last season but got a bit too keen and struck too hard and my poor 6lb tippet didn’t take it too well! I met a seasoned angler there on the lake shore and he laughed at me saying “the youth of today, they can hook ‘em but they can’t catch ‘em!” That time did give me encouragement and a reason to get back out though! A lot of it’s about spots and getting to know a spot. There are a few local areas at home I’ve consistently caught fish (that being one of them), and it often takes a while to get to know a waterway before you are onto fish. I guess that’s natures way of not giving away all their secrets too easy. Plus, its more satisfying- trying a few times and eventually getting a fish is more satisfying than getting one on the first go. Its not easy saying to your mates you’ve caught nothing a lot of the time, but its not about that. Its cool to go explore a new area, learn a bit about that place and know more for next time. The tranquility of walking up a river especially is a lot of the reason anyone goes fishing, to get away from the pressures of everyday life. Further on towards the season I’m hoping to get some people to cover some how to’s of fly fishing- I think it’s a very under-rated sport in New Zealand and isn’t being taken up especially amongst young fellas. Now is the time to start thinking about fishing spots and gear- it’s never too early!