An Odd Head For A Reason!

[Elk hunter]

Just come back from my land in the boarders and the weather was fab, purfectly Scottish. Sun, wind, showers and snow all in three days felt right at home. Saw plenty of does all ready to drop and as usual you could get very close.

On Tuesday the weather was very hot and still and only saw a doe in the day time. But in the evening about an hour before dusk a caught a young buck crossing a ride I was a good way from him so moved down the hill and lost sight. Sat for a while hoping he may return. But no such luck.

Just before dusk I had had enough and made my way back to my caravan. Walk through the trees onto the ride home. As I stepped out the tree line there was a small firn and it did not look right no more than 40 yards. Just instinct but dropped to the ground rifle up and on the tree.

No sooner than I'd done that a deer appeared, look at me. Well it was a buck and bang! Fell over on the spot. The head was a little odd, but with the light going I just gralloched the animal took it back and hung it in the trees. I did an inspection of the over all condition and stomac and intestines but left all else for the following morning. But the animal was in fine condition apart from the antlers.

First thing I took the carcass and gave it a good going over to find the deer had heavy lung worm infestation that had resulted in pneumonia. This had had then had the knock on effect in the odd antler growth. He should have been out of velvet by now, but a good meatly carcass never the less. Nothing else a miss on the carcass and fit for human consumption.

So he's mad a nice addition to my burger and sausage collection. But I have looked back into my records and in 9 years on that piece of land this is the first animal we've ever had that's had anything wrong with it.

Andrew