Mission 8: Tough Conditions, Strong Crew, and 305kgs to local community groups.

📅 Friday, 5 - Sunday 7, September 2025

Mission 8 Overview

37 Deer Culled
60kgs Pet Food recovered
305kgs Wild Venison Mince

The team gathered Friday for Mission 8, ready to get stuck in despite rough weather. Rain, wind, and cold set the tone early. Two teams headed out for a night recon, taking it slow on slippery tracks. Safety was top of mind. Even the deer were playing it smart, staying well hidden and out of the worst of the weather.

Saturday didn’t bring much relief. The rain eased a little, but visibility was low and the hills stayed slick. One of the crew summed it up perfectly - “A fine day to be a duck.”

The challenging conditions did give drivers a good chance to test their new skills from the recent training. Plenty of two-foot driving going on.

By the end of the day, 31 deer were back for processing. Fourteen handled through the day, and the rest hung to cool overnight. The plan for the evening was simple - rugby, banter, and a bit of downtime. The wifi had other ideas. When it failed, a quick-thinking crew jumped in a side-by-side, climbed a hill for reception, and relayed the game commentary back through the radios. Problem solved.

Sunday morning brought a final short hunt, adding six more deer to the tally. The team wrapped up the weekend with 37 deer recovered and 305kgs of wild venison mince processed and delivered. That’s another 2,100 servings heading to foodbanks and people doing it tough.

It wasn’t an easy weekend. The weather tested everyone, but morale stayed high. Driver training proved its worth, teamwork stayed strong, and the mission goal stayed clear - help farmers, manage herds, and feed our communities.

Big congrats to Michael Bogalo on his first deer - what a shot. And thanks again for capturing the mission on camera.

A tough mission, but a rewarding one. Cold hands, warm hearts, and another step toward tackling food insecurity with purpose.