Trip anyone?

[_Daniel_]

Hey all,
Finally remembered my password lol so i am back on the forum and always keen for a stroll...

[deadpool]

Hey all,
Finally remembered my password lol so i am back on the forum and always keen for a stroll...

You're in man. More than welcome.

I'm thinking 3 weeks/a month when we go for this. I'm thinking Springbrook. Long history of sightings there, so it'd be a good chance we'd experience something.

Also, suggestions welcome. Any information anyone could give on the conditions around the area would be great.

Okay, anyone who's been there before on a stroll, check out this map & if you can, point out some spots you've had encounters?

[Dion]

I reckon you guys should do a day of it, looking for evidence during the day then have a barbeque somewhere around dusk to get to know each other, then go for a long walk with your torches at night, and see what you can find.

If you’re going to make the effort to go somewhere why not make the best of it I say. Make a whole day of it.

[forestguy]

Yeah, I was thinking chuck in the little dome tent and make it an overnighter...

[deadpool]

Yeah, I was thinking chuck in the little dome tent and make it an overnighter...

After reading some more of the reports on the site, an overnighter will be best. Personally i'd probably be awake all night. But, overnighter anyone?

[Steve Mason]

You've gotta do an overnighter or your wasting your time.

[deadpool]

I'm pretty sure everyone will be willing for an overnighter (guaranteed my girlfriend will freak "WHAT IF HE GETS EATEN?!") but i'm keen as hell.

So let us know if you're in.

[Yowielover1]

I will be in for an overnighter, but we shouldnt discuss exactly where or when in the open here. I am thinking a midday meeting for lunch, then an all afternoon scout around, late set up of camp and cameras, then a bacon/sausage cookout. Hmm...I need to get a tent.

Just tell your girlfriend you are hunting wabbits!

[Dean Harrison]

Quick tip while at this specific location.

Tuck your pants into your socks and spray your shoes and socks with an insect killer. Never stand in the one place for too long without moving your feet. Never sit on the ground, on damp logs or lean on trees - the leeches are relentless and everywhere.

On the upside, you shouldn't have to worry too much about ticks. Taree was one of the worst locations we encountered, and we had to deal with both. On one expedition, I came away with close to 40 ticks and 13 leaches (two of which drank so much of my Royal Blue blood, they exploded in my socks).

At Springbrook one night, Ashley and I were near the cabin, which is surrounded by rainforest and a creek on the lower end. On the upper side of the field we could hear a visitor arriving on the other side of thick lantana at 2am. Slowly, as not to scare it, we made our way closer step by step.

Ashley stopped and let me get as close as I could, when suddenly it charged towards me at full force through trees and smashed into the lantana. I was skipping backwards, tripped over my feet and landed on my behind, which I'm sure amused Ashley and Cousin It. It stayed at its last position and watched.

We walked to a damp log and sat with our backs to it to show we had no fear, nor cared that it was there, while we devised a well thought and cunning plan.

Whilst the little men sat around the boardroom table in my mind in an attempt to negotiate this cunning plan, I noticed a slight niggle on the back of my neck.

When I tried to scratch it, there was no skin to be felt in that area, just slimy bumps. The entire back of my neck was a feeding ground for around 14 leeches and the rest of their town were on the way.

Interestingly, which is my point, I had only been sitting there for a matter of minutes yet they managed to climb my back, navigate my collar, look at the menu and finish first course by the time I had noticed.

Our friend was still standing there watching us with great interest as she saw one Human putting fire sticks on the back of the other ones neck - most likely deliberating over a strange Human ritual or brutal punishment.

After Ashley burnt them off one by one, it was back to business. The cunning plan seemed to be more simplistic rather than cunning after all. As it turned out, the plan was simply, ‘lets just get it’.

Boldly, daringly, bravely, fearlessly and courageously, we ran fast directly at it with our hearts beating, feet pounding, the wind in our hair and the Dukes of Hazard theme song in our minds, we jumped straight into the dry lantana.

And that’s where we stayed. Hung up like coat hangers with our arms and legs splayd ( believe I was upside down), we were stuck. Stuck like two foolish people stuck in lantana. Could not move an inch and not a beat of Jukes of Hazard to be heard.

She slowly walked off. I am certain she would have been shaking her head – I know we were.

We stayed in the same position for quite some time absorbing the moment. We had to absorb the moment because we were still stuck.

After we absorbed as much as we could take, we finally managed to cut ourselves free and swore never to tell a soul.

Another Springbrook adventure completed. Keep in mind that this was a one off, however a special memory.

The premise of the story - Careful of the lantana and the leaches.

DMH

[Yowielover1]

Will aerogard be good Dean? smeared around clothing openings and on hands, neck etc? Will this smell disturb the big fellas at all?

Any other ideas would be great. Its better to do this right the first time than have to learn from our own mistakes.

[deadpool]

Lantana Jump of Doom? Done that before, for different reasons. You end up feeling like one of Spiderman's victims caught in a web.

[Dean Harrison]

Aerogard will suffice. There are non scented products on the market, however I doubt it will have much impact on the mission at hand. I always spray around the top of my pants, especially in tick Country. I have had up to 10 down below and they are a pain to remove.

Alex has directions to this location. It will come down to luck on the night (as it always does). Best bet is to set up a camp site, light a fire, cook dinner and relax. If there is one in the area, it will come for a look at some stage during the night.

Rotate the recce's. Two left at camp while others scout in groups of two, then rotate every hour or so.

Be sure to bring some garbage bags to remove any rubbish that maybe left behind (It's a pet hate of mine).

DMH

[deadpool]

Rotate the recce's. Two left at camp while others scout in groups of two, then rotate every hour or so.

DMH

Reminds me of my Dad talking about his days in the navy & when he was on patrols.

Ticks "down below"? Oh god. I'm defiantly bringing aeroguard. Lots of it.

So what you're saying is let them come to us, kind of thing?

[Dean Harrison]

Hi Alex,

Unless you can keep still for 6 hours…… I can, however it's not for everyone.

I think to begin with, you should have a camp with a small fire. This is where you can all talk openly, cook and make as much noise as you wish.

THEN on the other hand (and please don't get lost), groups of two on stealth Recce's. No flash lights, no bright clothing, no smoking, light feet etc. You stop and sit for a few minutes every so often and listen and then quietly move on.

Meanwhile back at camp, quite the opposite. Their plan is to bring them in. If one does arrive, try not to make a big deal of it, rather pretend you don't notice it and let it gain confidence. They do not like losing sight of you, so if you really want to test it out, move your chairs to the other side of the tent and keep talking. If it is what you think it is, you will hear it move position so it has a better visual of you and what your doing. Then once your convinced, quietly radio your Scouts and tell them not to come anywhere near the camp until further advised.

At this point your asking whats next? This is where you can make or break and there are no certain rules due to the fact that all their personalities differ and what works for one does not necessarily apply to another. Generally, they will stay for a long time if they find it interesting. Make a big deal of your sausages and let it see you eating them and then throwing some around the place. It may entice it to pay a closer visit once it believes your asleep.

You have two choices.

1) Relax, enjoy the experience and learn from their actions. Play games (hiding out of view and watch its reactions etc). Gain it's confidence for the next visit - whistle a tune that it may recognise for the next trip. Go for a short walk and see if it follows. Leave food out while your gone. Light non threatening fun.

2) Pretending you have no idea its there, act as if your preoccupied, move a little close and FLASH! Just hope you got him and your actions didn't ruin it for the rest of the night.

Be sure to leave meat out once you finally all go to sleep. Also best to sleep in a tent if you want it to come in closer during the night.

Hope this helps.

DMH

[Stainmaster]

an old trick i have heard about for ticks is to eat a clove of garlic they tell me ticks hate it and this would be ok if you are the bass camp guys im sure its not good being recon and smelling of garlic at 200 yards :-) i heard this from an old fisherman when i used to fish the nsw coast around green cape to bermi but never got a chance to try it out as never went back after the birth of my son the ticks can get bad around green cape and he swore it works.

[Dean Harrison]

Hi Stainmaster,

The Garlic works. Keeps away Ticks, Vampires and your friends.

Cow manure is another good one. Also keeps away Ticks, Vampires and your friends.

This particular Yowie at Springbrook uses it. There is a cow paddock on the neighboring block where she most likely gets it from.

When I was standing beside her while gathering ropes for our stranded cars, she absolutely reeked of manure.

It was an extremely powerful odour. She must covered her entire body in it.

DMH

[deadpool]

Hi Alex,

Unless you can keep still for 6 hours…… I can, however it's not for everyone.

I think to begin with, you should have a camp with a small fire. This is where you can all talk openly, cook and make as much noise as you wish.

THEN on the other hand (and please don't get lost), groups of two on stealth Recce's. No flash lights, no bright clothing, no smoking, light feet etc. You stop and sit for a few minutes every so often and listen and then quietly move on.

Meanwhile back at camp, quite the opposite. Their plan is to bring them in. If one does arrive, try not to make a big deal of it, rather pretend you don't notice it and let it gain confidence. They do not like losing sight of you, so if you really want to test it out, move your chairs to the other side of the tent and keep talking. If it is what you think it is, you will hear it move position so it has a better visual of you and what your doing. Then once your convinced, quietly radio your Scouts and tell them not to come anywhere near the camp until further advised.

At this point your asking whats next? This is where you can make or break and there are no certain rules due to the fact that all their personalities differ and what works for one does not necessarily apply to another. Generally, they will stay for a long time if they find it interesting. Make a big deal of your sausages and let it see you eating them and then throwing some around the place. It may entice it to pay a closer visit once it believes your asleep.

You have two choices.

1) Relax, enjoy the experience and learn from their actions. Play games (hiding out of view and watch its reactions etc). Gain it's confidence for the next visit - whistle a tune that it may recognise for the next trip. Go for a short walk and see if it follows. Leave food out while your gone. Light non threatening fun.

2) Pretending you have no idea its there, act as if your preoccupied, move a little close and FLASH! Just hope you got him and your actions didn't ruin it for the rest of the night.

Be sure to leave meat out once you finally all go to sleep. Also best to sleep in a tent if you want it to come in closer during the night.

Hope this helps.

DMH

It does. So essentially, we're going camping. Whatever else decides to make an appearance is an optional extra kind of thing?

[Dean Harrison]

Two old rules re-hashed that may also be of use.

1) Please never regard them as an animal. View them as a Human that is very aware (more so than you and I), and does not want to be seen, regardless of their curiosity.

2) Remember, due to their colour, they blend with trees (of which they are more than aware), and therefore 'pretend' to be them or a part of them.

Keep it simple. They will know if you are there for them.

DMH

[Yowielover1]

Great useful input Dean. Thanks! Even if we dont experience one this time it will be interesting to do an overnighter anyway.

[Shar*Chi]

I'll be up in Byron shire end of october, let me know if there's some kind of shindig!

ps here's my nomination for yowie camp anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzWRlTgEB5Q

[iwanttobelieve]

2) Pretending you have no idea its there, act as if your preoccupied, move a little close and FLASH! Just hope you got him and your actions didn't ruin it for the rest of the night.

This is probably a closely guarded secret but how much success have you had with this technique?

Any examples you'd like to share?

[stickyfingers]

2) Pretending you have no idea its there, act as if your preoccupied, move a little close and FLASH! Just hope you got him and your actions didn't ruin it for the rest of the night.

This is probably a closely guarded secret but how much success have you had with this technique?

Any examples you'd like to share?

...I REALLY am hoping that Dean is talking about his camera regarding this... otherwise... as in Byteman's post... you may end up finding "love" in the woods that night!... (tee hee!)... ** Sticky makes himself titter**... cheers... Stickyfingers.

[stickyfingers]

I'll be up in Byron shire end of october, let me know if there's some kind of shindig!

ps here's my nomination for yowie camp anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzWRlTgEB5Q

...good call Shar*Chi... it's better than this one...

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=p3MiD_U4CHQ

...(teehee!)... **Sticky makes himself titter a second time** ... (I'm in one of my silly moods...it'll pass eventually I'm sure)...cheers...Stickyfingers.

[iwanttobelieve]

I'll be up in Byron shire end of october, let me know if there's some kind of shindig!

ps here's my nomination for yowie camp anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzWRlTgEB5Q

...good call Shar*Chi... it's better than this one...

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=p3MiD_U4CHQ

You guys are in for a looooooong night...

[deadpool]

So long as its not "Duelling Banjos" I'm not worried about the theme song


A question, what if one of us switched it up & charged at one of them for a change (not that we would on the first night). What would their response be? I know probably negative and asking for trouble, but I'm just curious about it.

[mikka]

Always keen for a walkabout

[deadpool]

Always keen for a walkabout

Haha I know you would be. Long time no see mate.

[redeye]

So long as its not "Duelling Banjos" I'm not worried about the theme song


A question, what if one of us switched it up & charged at one of them for a change (not that we would on the first night). What would their response be? I know probably negative and asking for trouble, but I'm just curious about it.

Charged at one once and it put me right back in my place. I ended up on my arse, as it charged right back..... nothing else happened afterwards.

[Dion]

Always keen for a walkabout

Hey mikka Good to see you back mate

[deadpool]

2) Pretending you have no idea its there, act as if your preoccupied, move a little close and FLASH! Just hope you got him and your actions didn't ruin it for the rest of the night.

This is probably a closely guarded secret but how much success have you had with this technique?

Any examples you'd like to share?

...I REALLY am hoping that Dean is talking about his camera regarding this... otherwise... as in Byteman's post... you may end up finding "love" in the woods that night!... (tee hee!)... ** Sticky makes himself titter**... cheers... Stickyfingers.

Mate, it'd take some.. well, you know.. to wave your wossnames out at them. No love from Deadpool.