Big Six

[Yokel Matt 918]

Like most days at work I’d spent pretty much the entire time thinking about getting out in the fields The original plan was to meet up with FD & Martin but events conspired against me Not wanting to waste my evening pass from the Mrs I decided to resort to plan B. I’d recently had a really nice buck off my small patch and decided that deer were off the menu but it would be an opportunity to recon the area for when I host FD to repay his hospitality and generosity but keeping an eye out for a fox whilst I was at it.

 

It was a lovely, bright evening with a very slight breeze but smile was soon wiped off my face when I arrived at the farm to be told that the farmers son’s mate was out running his dogs for rabbits (amongst other things my cynical side was telling me) and not only that but the fields were due to be cut shortly and the bullocks turned loose = no more deer going on previous seasons experience

 

In a blue mood I went to the neighbouring farm for a scout round for a fox where it’s mixed arable & dairy. The meadows were lush and the several fields newly drilled pea’s were absolutely grey with pigeons. Mental note

 

I bumped a nice six pointer that was escorting a doe but they are not part of my permission here and I was just happy to watch them through the bino’s. When they eventually moved on I set up on the bipod and tried squealing for a fox but to no avail... no bother as it was amazing sat there with the sun on my back taking in the surroundings.

 

 

Feeling spiritually refreshed if nothing else I decided to make for home. Passing the previous farm I noticed the blokes Landy had gone and, with another hour of light thought rude not to make the most of it.

 

After doing the usual rounds by the poultry sheds I scanned the lower fields from the hill where I spotted three does in the same field where I’d taken my most recent buck earlier this month. They were nonchalantly browsing when they all turned stared in one direction at what looked like a four pointer who was making himself scarce from the area. Interesting I made my way quickly down to the lower levels and thanked my lucky stars that the farmer (or the bloke earlier) had left all the gates open as the wind had dropped to nothing and you could hear a pin drop. After creeping up the hedgerow, more inquisitive than anything else, I peered slowly round the gateway into the field. It looked for all intents and purposes that it was empty such was the height of the grass and the slight undulation of the ground. Although the light situation was not on my side I decided patience was the best option and stood with bino’s on sticks hoping to catch some movement.

 

Movement... Ho-Lee-Shit even without the bino’s I could see it was a good buck when his head appeared silhouetted against the skyline with a few tassels of long grass caught up in it. I was presented with a dilemma... the only decent and honourable thing to do would have been to retreat quietly without disturbing the big fella in the hope of repaying some of the huge debt that I owe to FoxDropper. Now I’ve spoken to FD on what happened next, and being the gentleman that he is he laughed it off although I don’t half feel like an asshole lacking in moral fibre… and self-restraint

 

I moved so that I wasn’t silhouetted in the gateway and put the gun on the sticks in the unlikely event that the buck would come over 100 yards closer, travelling to my half-left, without seeing me and with enough light left to still see him(Odds which in all honesty I thought were stacked against me). To my shame he followed the script to the letter and I put one behind the shoulder. He dropped like a stone, then jumped straight up and span around shaking his head only to lie down again and continue to kick furiously. I watched for a couple of minutes through the scope but it became apparent that he still had all his faculties and may be a flight risk and with the fading light and no dog I approached carefully and put a shot into his high neck from quite close range when he next reared his head.

 

 

The bullet from the first shot seemed to totally fail to expand and, being a little further back than I would have liked, zipped straight through with just two tiny holes. Now.. maybe this shows a massive lack of experience on my part so can anyone notice anything strange with the following picture:

 

 

To me they look a lot like udder teats either side of the ol' chap. Incidentally this deers balls were so big I couldn't get them through the whole around aich.

 

 

I remember seeing a good buck in velvet earlier in the year but, with the last two bucks to come off my ground both being decent (I normally see knobbers or prickets… or just nothing at all) I was doubting my initial appraisal of him but he wasn’t Scotch Mist after all.

 

The farmer was entertaining some guests and asked for some venison so I butchered him in the farmers turkey processing shed. He weighed 47lbs clean.

 

 

This is the head next to the one shot earlier in the month... not the best pic for comparison but the camera battery died.

 

Edited May 12, 2010 by Local

[brno17 5]

well done local mate, thats another cracking head racking them up now

 

atb

alan.

[john robbo 30]

Well done on a great write up and an honest one.

Experience will come only with outings so get out there and do it

Teats on bucks are not unusual.

A loveley head and everything well prepared if you can get a chiller the meat will be better left "hung" for a few days.

The bucks around here are in hiding they must know its open season

And 1 little tip if you cable tie the pizzle tube and cut off the bollocks you will not risk crosscontamination by pulling hair and outside dirt into the deers cavity.

Regards john

[gerron 13]

crackin read that mate !

 

well done

 

oh and shame on you ! lol

[Yokel Matt 918]

Cheers for the replies fellas... the season has almost started too well Brno but like I say it was pretty tight of me to take this one ... the voices told me to

 

To have three good bucks off this ground is most out of character - I'm guessing the long winter delaying the cattle being let out has something to do with it leaving lush pasture Might create a few problems with young kids though as it being cut soon as there quie a few does about.

 

I normally split the aich John but had left the roe-sack with the gear in the car and only had my 'everything' knife with me... handy tip though mate. I'm planning to put in a chiller when I move into my new place (providing it goes through... fingers crossed).

 

I'll get some better pics of the head up later

Edited May 13, 2010 by Local

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

Nice one mate , Im sure FD wont mind , hes got plenty bucks to shoot anyway !!

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

Having spoke to you on the phone about this misdemenour before seeing the pics im gutted mate ,truly cut to the core .I havent shot a pricket all season and you go and take one without me .

Joking aside mate ,excellent read and a cracking buck that will surely go gold .

See you next week for a go at the dregs i suppose

[daz b 2]

good read that mate well done

[farmerkev09 105]

nice one local

 

great read

 

farmer

[Yokel Matt 918]

Here are some of the head once the peroxide has had a bit more of a positive effect. I was a bit clumsey and unfortunatly removed some of the plate and nasal cavity at the roof of the mouth... probably guilty of under-boiling for fear of over-boiling

 

 

 

One side is approx 30.5cm, the other around 29.5cm and after two days drying he's 578 grams. This is as comparison against the buck taken in the same field on the 1st May.

 

 

Rest assured FD... I've got a trouble making, still spotty button buck with your name on it

[Ratcherman 0]

Nice buck mate and a good write up aswell

[martin 332]

As I said earlier mate,you don't have anything to feel bad about ,FD's shot all the decent Bucks on my land ,so,it was about time he missed out on one

 

Only joking 'FD' mate,see you tomorrow

 

Martin

[mj robson 8]

Thats a very nice looking buck, great length and span.

 

Mark.

[Sky09 8]

cracking read and some nice pics to