The Mighty Prawn Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Yesterday morning I was awake before the 0600 alarm clock, hadn't slept much as this was the day I'd been looking forward to for the last two weeks - I had booked myself onto Elkhunters hands on training day taking a deer from field to fridge. Loaded the car and set off, after travelling on most of the midlands motorway network (nearly the full set of M42, M6, M69, M1 just missed the M5 and M45) after an hour and forty I arrived at an electric gate and a sign that announced "here be bison and deer" (I'm paraphrasing as I added the 'here be' to make it more mysterious!) and here I met the man we know as Elkhunter, who in reality is called Andrew. A few minutes later we are on the range, today using Andrew's Sako TRG in .308 win. After a talk about the target areas on deer and their reaction to a shot in these places we are on to some test shots which go well at 100 yds, time for a couple at the full sized deer target, a good group but a little far back for the boiler room - these words will come back to haunt me... Happy face at the range. After shooting at similar targets at 150 and 200 yds and a quick distraction to try the x-bolt in 6.5mm it was time to head into the park and find ourselves a deer. Climbed to the top of the hill, found a good shooting spot and Andrew nominated our target who rather kindly stood in profile with a solid backstop. A deep breath, squeezed trigger, bang, the animal flinched but horror of horror it didn't go down. Even with binos we couldn't see where the shot hit but we knew it had definitely hit, a quick follow up was called and this time our lad was quickly on the deck. After a safe approach past the half ton bull bison that also calls this field home we examined the deer and realised my first shot was too far back and I had gut shot him, I was excuse the pun gutted myself, the last thing I wanted was to not get a clean kill but at lest with a quick follow up it was over as quick as possible. Field gralloch, after reading and watching about this it was good to get hands on, although the smell is quite something for anyone who's never done it! Deer was trailered and we went to the butcher area. Deer hung and under the excellent guidance of my teacher we legged and skinned, we removed remaining organs and inspected (including the lungs and liver which my second shot had obliterated, making me feel better at least that was quick) it was fascinating to get my head around what each cut would produce, and why some are much better than others. Here's my boy nearly skinned and just hanging out. And finally here is what he became, four hours from field to fridge. A quality day with Andrew, he's an excellent teacher and great company. Finally got home about 1830 and absolutely shattered but I can't recommend a trip out with Elkhunter enough, I will definitely be doing it again and cannot wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurchers Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Nice1 mate at leased you enjoyed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RED BEARD Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Sounds a very interesting day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clakk Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 its a great day.;earned loads from andrew back in may,and thats a big chunk of knowledge he shows u . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEREALTHRILLER Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Quality, smiles all round, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc'y marc Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Well done, that's what it all about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckman91 Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Well done mate are you hooked now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 It's a day not to forget! Interesting he was still able to use the carcass though with it being contaminated. Or did it go for personal consumption Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Well done Andrew is a great teacher and shares his knowledge well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camokid Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 really good read well done i myself have been over to andrews had a fantastic day well worth it.. congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygreengrass Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elk hunter Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Thank you Andy for your kind words and it's nice to see a guy being honest and up front about the gut shot. As Many seasoned stalkers know all to well it happens. But you stepped up and got your hands dirty which is the hoe point of the day. For all thoses interested being a park deer the gut is full 90% of the time and rearly full of soup, more the concistency of silage. So even though the shot entered the gut it's like hitting a lump of clay. It does burst the stomac, you don't get the explosion of fluid resulting in spoiled meat. If gutted quickly and correctly minimum amount of carcass is lossed. We lost the liver, both flanks which Andy took for the dogs and I looked today a fillet is now gone. So not the end of the world. I had a most enjoyable day out with Andy and hes a dark horse on the range, wouldn't like chanlange him to a shoot off, half inch group at 200 yards with a 6x32 scope is nothing with my rifle. Dam good in my book. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danoi99 Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 A really interesting thread with good pics. Top marks for honesty sir. Mistakes happen.................that's a fact !! Surprised that you haven't had the usual tirade of abuse from the armchair critics that loiter on the fringes of PW, ever ready with criticism and snippy, childish comments. I hope you enjoyed your day, well done sir. ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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