First Rangataua prize for visiting hunter

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 241, 3 May 1988, Page 28 (Supplement)

First Rangataua prize for visiting hunter

By Sus annah Walker It took just one bullet for Mr Nic Nicoll to fell his first-ever 10-point stag.

Mr Nicoll, a 46-year-old freezing worker from Hamilton, was hunting in Rangataua Forest with "old mates" Jim Hanright from Ohakune and Fred Nicol (no

relation) from Ngaruawahia. "I got the stag right behind the ear," says Mr Nicoll. Mr Nicoll says 10-point-ers are fairly common in Rangataua Forest, but the one he got was "bigger than most." The stag was so heavy that the three men could carry only part of it out of the forest, he says. But in getting the stag he had a little help from his Parker Hale safari 270 rifle - and his six years of "off and on" hunting experience. He will be taking the antlers back to Hamilton as a souvenir. Mr Nicoll was out hunting again the day after his success, but came back empty-handed. However, one of his companions shot a ninepointer. Mr Nicoll may return for more hunting towards the end of winter, but is quite content with his 10-point shot-in-one. "It's quite good when you get something to show for it. It makes it all worthwhile."