Victorian High Country Sambar

IT WAS 4.30am when I drove through the gateway onto Ned’s property. We wanted an early start on our journey into the Victorian Alps. My thoughts were focusing on what the next few day’s might bring. This trip was a little different to most, as I normally hunt on private land. My mate, Ned, was introducing me to a vast area of public land I had never visited. Usually I avoid crown land, seeing these areas as over-hunted and somewhat devoid of game. Still, it was a chance to spend a few days camped out under the stars in spectacular country. Ned’s reputation with a camp oven is legendary and washing those gourmet delights down with a few beers seemed an opportunity too good to pass up.

“We wanted to contribute to the stricken local economy.”

Dawn was a few hours off when I pulled up in the darkness alongside a quaint little guest