Oxford stalking

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

Invited up to Oxford by a good mate of mine who has a fair acreage of stalking over some beautiful scenery .Travelled up the night before to get an early rise .Didnt sleep much in anticipation of the day ahead .Myself,my host and a mate of his travelled to the ground well before first light and parked in a gateway .We waited untill we could see with the bino's and got the kit ready for the off .A group of fallow had been damaging a field of beans on this farm and we were to take one or two out to move them on .The farmer had seen both bucks and does on this field so we didnt yet know what to expect.Walked to a vantage point and spied over a large area of beans and wheat .Sure enough,the coloured shapes of fallow were easily made out in a field of beans in a small valley about 400-500 yards away .One mature buck was stood up wth at least another sat down along with several mature does .Our host arranged a stalk that would take us to a gap on the field edge .It seemed like an age as we skirted 3 more field to get there .When we arrived at the gap ,all the deer were standing ,aware of something but not sure what .4 mature bucks were now in veiw and what a sight .One of them made a move towards the far headland and another fielsd of beans ,followed by another and of cousre the rest followed.Fortune ,however,was on our side as the bucks all stopped on the grass headland and looked around as if unsure why they had disturbed their breakfast .My companion stalker had a range finder and ranged one of the beasts at 265 metres .It was decided that he would take a beast with the 270 and we would see what happened .The unsilenced rifle woke up the morning and a beast fell on the grass .To our surprise the rest just shiffled a bit and stood again ,offering a chance for me.On my bipod ,i culd only see a head and neck of my target and it was found that it was 209 metres away .This shot would have phased me a while back but confidence in the set up has improved the shooting and range too .My .243 sounded like an airgun compared to the .270 but with the same result .Two beasts down and still they stood .

We could of abused the situation and took another no doubt but we moved around to see what was grassed and they moved off ,single file through the beans .

Hand shakes and excited talking gave away the fact that we had both shot huge beasts .They are definately wild but have massive body weights of park deer ,due i expect to having a selection of top quality crops to graze on ,much to the farmers annoyance .The gralloch was new to me as id never dealt with an animal of this size before but we managed it neatly and cleanly .Loaded both into the landrover with a struggle and drove back to the larder .Managed to hang the beasts with more struggling then goodbye to the other lad as he had work to do .

 

My host was determined that i should at least see the other 2 species of deer that inhabit the area so back out we went to another farm .What followed was nearly as memerable as the faloow buck but only nearly .We drove to the bottem of a small spinney and got out to stalk up the side of it and over the top.Just as wed got over the style ,a muntjac appeared on the ride ,followed by another ,a buck and doe .I had the bipod at full stretch already so set the legs carefully and shot the doe that was broadside at about 90 yards .The buck ran into the adjoining corn .Gralloched that and left it as we were coming back this way .Over the top of the rise ,we stalked along a field edge that over looked another small spinney .Along one edge we could see a doe looking at us ,a roe doe in fine health .As we watched it, a buck appeared from her right and stared up at us as well .I was already on the bipod so shot him through the neck at about 60 yards.What a morning !!!!!!!!

[IanB 0]

Some nice stalking there foxdropper you jammy so and so

[brecon3 13]

i dont deer stalk but nice write up

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

Still coming down off the adrenaline

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

A cracking morning out mate , its great stalking that part of the world , plenty of deer !!

[Rabbithunter 456]

you jammy B_______ wish i had access to land like so

[vincy 3]

you are one lucky man i would of loved to be in your shoes mate haveing the chance of that sport wish i had a mate like yours well done i bet it was some buzz

[J Darcy 5,871]

Abslutely top class.

Those fallow are superb beasts, looking lovelly in the summer menil coat.

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

Agreed mate .Hopefully it will be chinese on the menu next time up there .I am a lucky chap indeed .

[David 9]

Cracking post mate those fallow look massive looks like you had a day to remeber good shooting

[martin 332]

Fantastic day you had there 'FD' a great read as always,and,I know how hyped you were afterwards when you rang me mate....................really pleased for you.Oh,and,I went to have a quick shufty at the new land I just got,and,it looks pretty good mate,so,maybe get over there next week if you want................Martin.

[Hywel 53]

Good going there Fox Dropper Makes me tempted to "amend" my licence.....

[biffo 0]

fantastic fallow! only ever seen muntys round here

 

not that it matters as i dont have a FAC lol

[Deker 3,478]

Good going, and the coats are so good at this time of year too!!

[ChrisR 0]

Nice one foxdropper, we do have some good looking beasts here in Oxfordshire.

 

Chris