The longest stalk

The ability to compromise helps a relationship to survive long term. It’s also a useful quality for the hunter. Things don’t always pan out the way we expect. Planning, preparation and effort may yield nothing until the unexpected happens. When the right moment arrives, a snap decision must be made – take the opportunity or let it slip.

During a previous trip, three wild dogs were hunted down over three weeks with three shots. Perseverance, luck and swift resolve resulted in them being despatched so goats could return for harvesting. Three months later it was a different story. Vegetation growth promoted by bursts of summer rain was still green along the river and channels. It was September and no rain had fallen since March. Pigs were scarce but birdlife were taking the opportunity to use the pools of water that still lay about. Wild dogs were the target but over three weeks only one set of tracks was found, 10 days into the hunt.

A fence run washed away in March was being repaired using the remains of three old fences that had surrendered to past floods. Property owners sometimes come across dogs while undertaking normal rounds. The plan was that working on the fence would replicate normal station activity. Maybe a dog would come