NIOA Brisbane’s Murray Decker (Army) and Cam Wilkinson-Reed (RAAF) plus friends from the armed services share tales of camaraderie, skill and hunting triumphs on an unforgettable Anzac weekend.

The adventure began early Wednesday morning, heading from Queensland to New South Wales. Cam’s crew arrived first at 7am, quickly setting up and hunting for the elusive Narrabri pig. Muz’s team took their time, arriving around noon, setting up camp and enjoying a leisurely start.

The first afternoon was filled with “should have seen it” stories over a few cans as Cam’s team returned. The next day’s planning focused on the challenging terrain and the convenience of hiring local farmers to drive them around. That sorted, the teams split up for the night hunt, with Cam’s group taking the western flank and Muz’s the eastern.

Cam opened his mobile armoury, selecting his weapon like a Sommelier might select the perfect vintage to match their meal, along with the accompanying wide selection of ammunition.

Muz reached for his new Marlin Trapper in 45-70 Gov and declared “this’ll do” while Brett grabbed his trusty Tikka in .243 and a pocket full of hand loads from the mid-90s that he’d brought on the cheap.

Early runs on the board, included foxes, feral cats and pigs, among some swearing and ribbing: “that was a great shot mate” or “they are pretty safe in front of you there, mate”.

The next morning, Muz and Brett sprang out of bed like startled gazelles (rather lumbering water buffalo), braving the cold for a pre-dawn hunt.

Muz’s Marlin was running hot and chewing through the pigs (and ammo) at a great rate of knots. The day included a shooting range session, showcasing various rifles and mixed shooting skills. Evening hunts continued with enthusiasm, despite vehicle issues and dwindling ammo.

Saturday began with a hearty breakfast and goodbyes to some members. The afternoon was spent preparing meat for transport. The final evening hunt proved fruitful, with more foxes and pigs taken down, culminating in Muz’s impressive long-range shot on a feral cat.

The trip concluded with leftover pork, beers and shared memories around the campfire, marking the end of a fantastic adventure.

Murray Decker
Group Trade Compliance Manager, NIOA

Cam Wilkinson-Reed
Business Support Specialist, NIOA