Firsty Munty

[Lurchandhistribe 0]

When I started stalkingthree years ago I missed a munty at 10 yards shooting low! it was my first ever shot and having had five blank outings I had a version of buck fever. Since then I have had two further oppertunities on one occasion I fogged my scope (-5 and exhaled as I went to take the shot, T**t) and the other all I had was a head shot at a small doe some yards off and I decided not to take the shot. Fast forward to yesterday...

 

The kids had been ill overnight so I didnt start as planned yesterday but I was on the ground for about 6. As I drove up to the farm a hare hopped out onto the road and I drove behind him at about 20mph for a good half mile before he dived through the gate entrance to the farm. It was nice and sunny already so I headed for some open ground where roe and munty like to bed and soak up the rays first thing. Unfortunatley my late departure meant my two hour careful stalk produced the grand some of nothing other than the discovery of a very active fox den (will be going back to deal with them). So i decided before I got on with helping with pens I would have a peak in the wood. I planned a short hour route based on the wind and it proved a good choice and within 50 meters I had seen a roe doe and a fallow button. Stalking in the wood is pretty tricky at present the cover is high and the rides are yet to be cut and it was frustrating when I bumped a roe buck which I had litterally walked past and my scent had then blown back and into him. As I cursed my luck I saw a flick of ears and froze however what was revealed was a well couched fallow doe no more than 20 yards away. Problem was we were now in a stand off. Eventually after 5 mins she bottled it and pronked off. With less than 15 mins before I said I would be upto help with jobs I trudged on somewhat frustrated. Then movement but this time it was dozen fallow does crossing the ride. Time was up so I trudged off and as I did the misses called to say she was upto help with the kids. I gave her some directions of where to meet me and hung up. Just as zipped my phone back into my pocket a munty buck wandered into openish bit of conifers 80yds in front. bingo. Checked my backstop lifted the rifle onto the sticks and decided he need to just clear some brash. he paused just as he stepped clear of the brash. Quick reload but unecessary as the 180grn of .308 had dropped him on the spot.

 

No photos i'm afraid but whilst super happy im a bit gutted as he turned out to be a very good buck for the ground. The velvet length is about 8.5 cms so I reckon clean maybe 7cms.