ferretmanabu Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 (edited) As the end of my exams approached last week, I started wondering of ways I could celebrate. Sitting with a bunch of students and discussing the paper didn't really appeal to me. I thought the best thing to do would be to go out looking for deer. To this end, I contacted muntjacstalker of pigeonwatch to see if he was able to take someone out at short notice. We agreed on Wednesday evening. When the day came around, I finished the exam, raced home, got changed and started my drive to Bedfordshire. It was a fairly nice relaxing drive as once you get to about 15 miles from Jason's place, the countryside starts to open up. As I drove up the long track to the house, I thought to myself that this looks like a place where deer might like to be. Did the meet and greet with Jason, had a cup of tea and a bit of banter, during which I spotted the first muntjac of the day ambling along a hedge a few hundred yards away. It wasn't anywhere near dusk yet either. This looked promising. We set off to drive around to the other side of the wood where we could begin the stalking. Walking through the woods, it was clearly evident that this place was full of deer, there were slots everywhere and soon enough I started seeing plenty of muntjac (usually showing us their little white backsides as they ran off). This was my first muntjac stalk and it soon became apparent that stalking muntjac in woodland is hard work indeed. They are well covered by all the scrub and the muntjac seem to be much more alert and nervous than the roe. When they think something isn't right, they'll just up sticks and run without stopping. At one stage, we had spotted a little doe about 200 hundred yards away in a ride. We started stalking her and got to about 100 yards without disturbing when all of a sudden a munjac barked in the woods to the right of us. The doe didn't even look up; she was off like a shot into the woods. Another thing I must mention is that in Bedfordshire, the muntjac and the hares have developed a strange kind of relationship. It seems that the two animals have started breeding with each other and so Jason's place is also crawling with these massive munty-hares. The only reason I mention this is that on occasions, I would prod Jason with my shooting sticks to bring his attention to a muntjac I'd seen, only to be told it was actually a hare. On one occasion, Jason was trying to point out a muntjac to me and all I kept seeing was this giant munty hare running around. I saw the munjac shortly after when it was running away. Anyway, after losing count of the number of deer we'd seen, we eventually found a group of three that were feeding about 80 yards away. We got about 20 yards closer and saw that there were two does and one buck. The doe I intended to shoot was feeding behind a log so only the head could be seen. So I got her in the sights and waited. Eventually, a pheasant walking around managed to make it walk a couple of steps so that the chest presented itself nicely broadside. She dropped to the .308 on the spot and was long dead by the time we walked up to her. A very quick gralloch followed and a picture taken. All in all, I really enjoyed the challenging nature of the muntjac stalking. Anyone wanting to try some muntjac stalking would do well to get in touch with Jason (muntjac stalker). His place is crawling with muntjac and he is clearly very experienced in stalking them and has a keen eye for those little munties. His thread can be seen in the shooting available part of the forum. Can't argue with his prices either. Edited April 2, 2010 by ferretmanabu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 . She dropped to the .308 on the spot and was long dead by the time we walked up to her. A very quick gralloch followed and a picture taken. (Typed all this lot up and realised picture is on a different computer. Will upload later). I think it's no surpise she dropped to a .308, was there anything left? Nah, Only jesting you. Nice write up, I enjoyed the read and well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Well Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Well done. Good write up as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick54dog Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 well done mate......a good read! atb, mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker3 Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 great read m8 well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotgunspud Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 good read mate well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJ401 Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Well done and nice write up good luck with the exams, Dont think you would have a problem if your exam was writing for the shooting press Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan the gun Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 nice one mate well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A bolt 22.250 Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Well don mate keep at em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gurus5000 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Well done mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gurus5000 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Well done mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretmanabu Posted April 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2010 Picture now added. Also found out I passed the exams. Thanks fellas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker3 Posted April 2, 2010 Report Share Posted April 2, 2010 Picture now added. Also found out I passed the exams. Thanks fellas. well done fella congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.