Issue #120 of WILD DEER Hunting & Adventures is here — packed with memorable hunts, hard-earned deer, lessons from the field and plenty of stories from hunters who know that sometimes persistence is what makes the hunt.
In this issue you’ll head into:
• Royal Red for a Princess — Aaron Stahl shares a special family hunt as his daughter Paige takes her first red stag during the 2026 roar.
• Australian Female Record Rusa — Jacquii Ferling heads north during the rusa rut and comes away with an exceptional mature stag.
• Norman’s Chital Hunt — a tough Charters Towers adventure through wet, unforgiving country where persistence eventually pays off.
• The Mental Game — Shaun Hutson takes us through the commitment, kilometres and long days behind his dream hog deer stag.
• Three Days, Two Blown Chances, and One Hard Lesson Later — a hunt where things don’t always go to plan, but the lessons are just as important as the result.
• A 16 Point Red Stag with Brody McKay, plus Emmanuel Pediotis’ Chance Was All It Took and Sean Root’s Backward E’s and K’s.
• All the regular favourites including What’s New, Live Critters, The New Breed, Trophy Room, Trail Cam and International Trophies, plus Rattling Bones with Wild Bob.
This issue’s cover belongs to Tyson Pollard, whose story This Hunt Was the Definition of Right Place, Right Time shows how the little one-percenters can add up. After planning a different way into familiar sambar country and putting himself somewhere other hunters were less likely to go, the pieces started falling into place. The article describes the cover stag as the result of those “1%’ers” adding up — and you can read the full story from page 48.
Plus, check out the latest hunting gear, community photos and galleries from hunters across Australia and beyond.
WildMap is live!
Australia’s dedicated hunting GPS app, built by hunters for hunters, is now available. Designed to help you plan your hunt, navigate the bush and make the most of your time in the field, WildMap puts purpose-built hunting and mapping tools right in your pocket.
Head to WildMap to check it out and get started.
Grab a coffee, settle in and enjoy Issue #120.
Thanks for riding along with the WILD DEER community.
Stay wild,
Daniel, Beth and the WILD DEER team