PHOTOGRAPHERS: LENNON BRIGHT AND JASON BEACHAM
Photographers Lennon Bright and Jason Beacham, along with mate and bow hunter legend Richard Barnett, got lucky enough to draw a coveted Wānaka Roar ballot this year. They decided to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity. Instead of hiking all their gear 6-8 hrs into the block for the week, they chose to treat themselves to a chopper flight to maximise energy and have a more comfortable week in the stunning Otago high country.
This set them up perfectly for an epic 7-day hunt with a goal to shoot a few prime Otago Red stags, and bring home some meat for the freezer. Have a good look through these beauties to vicariously experience the highs, lows and laughs of this high country adventure. The early morning and late evening light in particular is quite spectacular. To find out what they were wearing, keep scrolling!
THE TREK IN
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Even when Richard was attempting to stalk into a few deer with the bow in challenging terrain and winds, the boys kept the hunting fun and not too serious. Jason's High point: "Shooting my first wild Red Stag, and it being a 12pt. And doing that with 2 of the best hunting partners I've ever had!"
Lennon's highlight: "roaring the stag in that I shot for sure!"
THE KILL:
NIGHTS UP THERE
They stayed in one hut for 6 days and took a morning and evening commute through the river canyon most days. The weather went from cold frosts and rain to warm sunshine; the Hunters Element gear they were kitted out in meant not having to worry about staying comfortable in all conditions.
JASON'S TOP GEAR
Eclipse V2 Hoodie
"I wish I had more than 1!!! I lived in this thing. Perfect for keeping you cool and for keeping the sun off during the long, strenuous hikes. Also good to keep you hidden when stalking or glassing. And it took till day 5 till it got too stinky and needed a wash in the river!"
Atlas Series
"It pissed down on us the first afternoon and the day Len got his stag. Other than where water crept in around my wrists and down my neck from the front, I was bone dry the whole time. Even after hiking with it on and sweating, it never felt too clammy. I also love the length of the jacket and the packability of both!"
HAULING OUT:
LENNON'S TOP GEAR
Acclimate Series
"I hunted in both all week and layered them accordingly. Lightweight, breathable so not to hot on the uphill then warm as when you need it at the top, well impressed with the Acclimate stuff."
Odyssey V2 and Storm Jacket
"Both great on the rainy days, the lightweight of the Storm has made it my go to and now lives in my bag on every hunt."
"Namely, the rifle scabbard in it, as we were covering a lot of ground, my rifle lived in it most of the week. And as someone who usually prefers to carry my rifle, the more I've used it, the more I like to run it in the scabbard. With the weight in the centre and down my back, it's much more comfortable than the side or back-mounted scabbards, where the weight pulls sideways or backwards."
