The waiting game

[Yokel Matt 918]

Monday looked to be a nice break in the weather and Martin was keen for such an opportunity to be put to good use, kindly inviting Foxdropper and myself down to look for a buck. The weather was close and clammy and its was pouring off us as soon as we got out the truck, Martin was looking to fill the chiller up with rabbits so he was stalking the lower part of the valley with the .22. FD and I were headed further up the lush hay fields interspersed with copses to wait up for a buck.

 

I hadn't been here before and FD directed me to a field which looked to be recovering for a second cutting and turned out to be where all the action was The pasture was shin height with the uncut border near the hedge over knee height. There was a doe with twins near the other end of the field arounf 150 meters away and I had to keep low to get to the spot under an ash tree which FD said gave a good vantage point to an area where Munties hang out. Getting settled with the sticks collapsed for sitting shot I waited and tried to ignore the persistant biting flies which tried to find an inch of exposed flesh.

 

The evening crept on and after an hour or so a young fox appeared about 40 meters away. Carefully untangling the sticks from the undergrowth I re-positioned the rifle and gave him the good news, the bullet connecting with the most sickening meaty splat and the fox dropping from sight. The shot didn't seem to bother the doe and young and they continued to nestle and bond a little way out into the field. Leaving the fox where it lay to avoid disturbing things further I settled back and text the lads to keep them in the picture. A sort time later a dark paid of ears were weaving their way through the field, another fox, an adult this time. Putting the bipod out I waited for it to get to a thin patch of grass and grunted to stop it. The 6.5 wasn't put off by the grass partially obscuring it and down he went as well. Marking where it lay it was back for the waiting game, The area screamed deer but they bucks were playing it very cool as they seem to do at this time of year. With the light fading a buck, immediatly identifiable by his frame, appeared at the other side of the field. The distange at 180 meters wasn't the challenge, more the very marginal sliver of back-stop with houses directly behind on the other side of the valley. No doubt he was about to do a territory round around the field but the light wouldn't last long enough for him to get round to me so it was all or nothing to stalk into him accross the open field. Keeping him in view a scooted down to the hedge and moved accross to try and get some ground behind him and narrow the distance for a shot off sticks. I got to 100 meters and its was evident he wasn't going to let me get any closer, being quatered away and coiled ready to bolt. I kneeled down and got him in the cross hairs hopeing he'd show me a broadside. The light was really going now but thankfully he turned broadside and began to bark. I flicked on the illuminated dot on the zeiss and fired when he was mid bark - the shot connecting with a solid thump. He hopped and flicked his legs to indicate a boiler room hit but made off with good spirit and soon vanished from sight towards the hedge. Great. FD text me to confirm the bullet strike sounded like a deer and did I need help to find it - gent . I had a torch in my pocket which helped him find me in the gloom of the field and we eventually found the buck not far from the strike spot. A six pointer and a good weight. I mentioned that i had two foxs in the field which needed collecting so FD kindly performed the gralloch which I went to find them.

 

 

 

After a very sweaty drag back to the car we packed the kit up and which is when I went very quiet... my bullet pouch wasn't where it should be. After the appropriate amount of piss taking FD and I slogged back up the fields with the torch to try and find it which we did, eventually.

 

Thanks again Martin for a great evening, hope you weren't up too late caping it

[glogin 87]

Not bad evening

[martin 332]

You're welcome Mate,and next it is Stalkers turn over for a Muntjac,and that old Buck didn't want to give up his coat without a fight Matt I can tell you it was after 0100hrs when I finished in the larder,but hey ho FD says it is a piece of pi55 to cape them,but if I hadn't done him warm it would of taken longer still.But as you know you just can't do enough for a good bloke......

 

[foxdropper 17,092]

That valley is a smashing piece of ground and never fails to produce .Looking forward to that other piece of yours martin.Personally ,im going through a very lean spell but to be expected pre rut .