Summers eve Roe Bucks

[Yokel Matt 918]

The weather forecast for last Friday was supposed to be terrible according to the MET Office heavy rain warning. The morning itself started damp and threatening with a light rain starting around mid-day. At work I was refreshing their web site much every ten minutes in hope but the pics of black clouds with lightening bolts through them stayed put My big toe was throbbing with a whitlow and I was generally feeling pissed off, expecting the plans to be called off

 

FD phoned around 1.30. The rain had stopped and although it still looked grey and damp but the temperature had risen a bit and the clouds had patches in them. I crossed my fingers & asked FD whether it was still on to which he replied “I’ll go out even if it’s pissing down with rainâ€

 

We arrived at the ground around 7.45 to a warm evening with blue sky and sunshine – good old weatherman. We kitted up while FD explained the route we were going to take all the while no more that 15 yrds from this fella who seem totally at ease with our presence.

 

 

We crossed a field of young maize heading towards a nearly ripe field of peas. There was lots of evidence of deer from the number of bedding hollows in the verge grass surrounding the field although the height of the peas would make spotting a deer in the thick of them tricky. We were approaching an entrance to another field of peas when FD noticed an old doe, ears up and staring at us no more that 30 odd yards away. We carefully edged round the hedge to see if she had a buck with her and must have gotten to within 15 – 20 yards before she bounded off down the hedge line towards another field of standing wheat. We followed her path slowly as this pea field had quite a few dips and hollows in it, making the chances of springing another at the last minute quite likely

 

As we nearer the corner of the peas where it joined the next field we bumped a young buck that bounded into the middle of the field before pausing and turning broadside to look at us, offering the chance of a shot (to someone on the ball.. which wasn’t me ) The wheat was quite high so only his upper neck and head were visible – I wasn’t fast enough to take advantage of the situation and he buggered off

 

FD was quite confident that he new where the buck would be we cautiously approached the entrance to the wheat field where we could clearly see the path he had taken through it. We followed it for no more than a few yards when the deer got up and stood at the edge of the field around 60 odd yards away. I had the sticks out in front of me already but couldn’t open them up for the wheat so used them like a monopod and they were a little high. It was a similar target to the last one with high neck and head visible. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity but there wasn’t a lot to aim at and i settled on a high neck shot. I didn’t see or hear the bullet strike but felt a pat on the shoulder followed but a chuckle I wasn’t sure if it was sympathy or compliments so I asked and FD’s response was ‘you got him alright mate’

 

 

He was a lovely young buck and looked in fine condition. FD gralloched him in a far more efficient way to the DSC method and I arranged him on my shoulder to carry back to the vehicle to keep the cavity free of seeds ect.

 

The wind had completely dropped and the temperature started to crank up. We bumped into the landowner on the way back and paused to chat for a while – I was so stoked with the buck I didn’t want to put him on the floor but Christ I was happy when the time came to put him in the vehicle :showoff:

 

 

We arrived next spot as the sun was setting to wait up in the hope that we would intercept a buck between feeding grounds. It’s a lovely spot with mature hardwood forest backing onto top quality meadowland within a shallow valley. We positioned ourselves on the edge of a ride through the hayfield; FD pointed out where he expected to see deer, I adjusted my sticks to sitting height and attached a bipod to the rifle we settled down to wait – feeding the local horsefly population at the same time

 

It was perfectly still – the evening mist started to make its way up the valley and birdsong drifted over from the wood and hedgerows. I remember thinking what a fantastic end to a great evening, total serenity.

 

The ting of barbed wire fence carried across a few times and a doe appeared briefly but aside from that it was very still. There was not much light left when a deer suddenly appeared out of nowhere against a hedge line. It paused to browse briefly just long enough to id him as a buck before he started to move very determinedly towards the ride. I got into position quickly as he wasn’t hanging around. FD whistled to make him pause but it had no effect so it came down to a loud Oi ! He stopped perfect broadside, right in the centre of the ride next to a gateway into another meadow. I’d already guestimated the distance to the gate so aimed-off a fraction and fired. The thump of the bullet strike sounded like a spade being slammed on a clod of wet earth and he dropped on the spot The distance was over my estimate at 181 paces which i was very happy with.

 

 

He was an older buck than the first but again in fantastic condition. Things had gone far too well up to this point… it couldn’t last

 

The mickey mouse knife I brought with me was now as blunt as a butter knife after splitting the aich bone on the earlier deer so not only did it take longer but it was done in the fading light – I had visions of hunting around in the grass for FD’s fingers but fortunately it didn’t come to that. My camera battery died so FD obliged with trying to take photos from his phone using the headlights of his pick-up- this almost turned into a comedy sketch as it was so dark and the technology wasn’t exactly ‘user friendly’ – ain’t that right mate! but we got there in the end.

 

 

A bit long winded but I didn’t want to forget anything! I’m pretty new to the stalking game so to say this was my best stalking experience wouldn’t do it justice – It was my best country pursuits experience - hands down! FD knows his quarry and his ground inside out and went out of his way to help wherever he could. A true gent and a true countryman - can’t thank him enough

 

Edited July 9, 2009 by Local

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

I enjoyed reading that mate , glad you had a good time . Plenty roe round FDs way . A genuine guy who likes to take people out , not be long before the whole of THL have stalked the Wiltshire Wonderland

[v-max 2]

Well done to you both as you say you are new to this so hope you learned some tips. From what i read on you thread you need to carry a 2nd knife. I carry a dimmond pad 1"x4" buck which is good to get you going again. As for a novice guestimating distance & taking it you got off with it but here is a tip if you dont aim at it you wont hit it to many people get in a fluff with it & im lucky to have a range finder to use. I dont know how you gralloch but there is no need to be cutting any bone ie pelvic/brisket in the field to remove pluck/blader etc but dont mind me we are all diffrent well done.

[outdoors kid 1]

great read guys sounds like you had a good time !

[the Verminator 0]

well done and a great write up

[wboulter 3]

well done realy injoyed your write up sounds like you had a great stalk

[nightstalkeruk 0]

Nice one,good write up

NS

[J Darcy 5,871]

A great read up/...well done you!!

But also well done FD for taking the time out to help other people...a true gent!

[N E poacher 4]

well done

[martin 332]

Feck me don't lay it on too thick,he won't be able to get his head in his truck soon!!!! :boogie:

Only joking bud,nice one,and,he aint a bad lad.Congrats on the Bucks Local mate..........Martin.

[Yokel Matt 918]

Cheers guys, still grinning about the whole thing.

 

Splitting the aich seemed quicker and cleaner than going through the back but i appreciate there's more than one was toskin a cat It certainly knackers knife blades I've got a saw for the job but didn't have it on me despite having enough in the bag to cover every other eventuality

 

@ Martin - Plenty more space in that truck mate... so much so i left some of my kit in it - guess i'll have to go and pick it up sometime Speak soon bud - still waiting to receive this sodding new rifle!

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

pleasure mate .Wont be the last either .

[stevolad 26]

Crackin write up mate, wish there was more like you FD for taking someone out on good land and Local for the good write up.

Edited July 5, 2009 by stevolad

[WILF 47,432]

Agree with Stevo, really enjoyed that.........well done.

Look forward to reading a few more.........but not too many

 

[Guest Champ606]

great read! nice one