Mentalmac Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 ‘Poor Man’s McNab’ Hi All, Where to start, nearly 4 days later and I am still grinning ear to ear. Friday last week, I visited Blunderbust from here (Jimmy), he had arranged for me to attempt his ‘poor man’s McNab’ in his area of Norfolk (by Norwich), which consists of three stages: - A morning deer stalk - Mid morning rough shoot (pigeons, squirrels, crows etc…) - Afternoon fly fishing for trout Well, I haven’t previously ever stalked a deer, nor have I fly fished before - (or done any type of fishing truth be told). To say I was excited the day before was an understatement. Even getting up at 1:20am to get to Jimmy’s for 3:30am wasn’t bad knowing the days agenda. I turned up early, and Jimmy was already up and in full swing to get toast and a brew on the table so we could talk over the plans in detail and ensure we are all on the same page. I spent some time during the Catton rifle weekend shooting Jimmy’s .243 with him at varying distances so felt very comfortable with the gun and Jimmy knew I could shoot it too. Otherwise, Jimmy would have had me on the targets the day before. We discussed techniques, strategies and safety etc... We left at 3:45am and headed to the first ground in search of a Roe buck. And wow, what a morning it was turning out to be. Jimmy had told me that he has plenty of grounds to travel to upon not seeing a good shot appear etc… so you don’t feel too panicked and relax and enjoy. We had gone over some drills and set the tripod for my height and also adjusted the site picture on the scope slightly for my eyes too so all felt comfortable. We walked around the first place and didn’t see anything in the areas that Jimmy always see’s something - (that situation most motorists have when going to a garage to show a mechanic a squeak and it not happening when needed haha) As we were silently moving along a hedge row with some breaks in it, we saw in the long grass a Roe buck, but he had also seen us - Jimmy expertly told him a few things in fluent deer and we moved to a better position, however the buck went back to ground and we couldn’t site him. At this point, we could have waited a while but Jimmy suggested that we should move to another ground of his. We got to the next ground and it was about 5:15am at this point and we silently moved through an area where Jimmy knows the lay of his land so well he has managed to get into a position of having deer on 3 separate sides of this area in one go only a few days previous, however the buck he wanted moved to an unsafe place. This morning however there wasn’t anything there at the time we turned up. Jimmy told me we’d silently creep along the field’s edge and wait out a bit, and as we were talking we saw movement a long way out, a few fields out to be precise and could only see this deer with bino’s. At this point we weren’t sure on the sex but a min later it was confirmed - this is our buck we wanted. However at this time, he had 3 options of direction and we were all but on one of them. Jimmy knowing his land very well suggested we headed him off at a good ambushing point and we silently talked over the safety principles and areas for safe shots and where we want him to come. All was to be revealed when we lost site of him briefly and he appeared in seconds and at speed 80 yards in front, then stopped to look about to find a place to lay up, in the field we wanted him to be, and he didn’t know we were there. Knowing the possible chance of him turning up, Jimmy had got the sticks set up with me and gun on it ready, and I was feeling extremely excited, but my heart was racing way to fast and my hands were shaking with some adrenaline - the last 45 mins walk and heading off of this buck and everything coming together, now the pressure was on me to deliver. I was just starting to get comfortable when a muntjac jumped out in front of us and legged it white flash of tail in the air full speed. Luckily our Roe Buck wasn’t deterred by this and carried on mooching about looking for a place to nap. To ensure that buck fever didn't set in and ruin the shot, Jimmy was very keen to encourage me to take my time, take the shot when I was ready, and kept re-iterating that throughout. There suddenly felt like much less pressure and that time was on my side and i was feeling relaxed, in the situation that we had with a buck about to be lost to the long grass I still felt no pressure with Jimmy telling me all was good and to only take when ready and no rush. I know I can bosch a tiny knock down gong at 100 yards from last time I shot the rifle and had plenty of shots through it, and when I was feeling well enough and ready I finally got a good position from the deer and squeezed off the shot and down he went instantly. My first Roe Buck, and a 6 pointer at that. We retried him and Jimmy showed me (with me helping where possible) how to gralloch the beast and then we loaded him and left. Still smiling like a slightly insane person and very happy, Jimmy was genuinely happy for me too which also was nice as it’s a great feeling all round. Next was breakfast, which was princely to say the least - enough breakfast to ensure you aren’t going to be hungry for a while and mighty fine tasting at that. We proceeded after breakfast to do some rough shooting, however with the rain coming in there wasn’t much to see and only one squirrel was accounted for. All in all, the rough shooting produced some crows and the squirrel. As it was raining we moved to the fishing part of the day and had some lunch in one of the huts (one of the best packed lunches I have seen, addictive pork pies!) and moved to the lake edge and Jimmy was teaching me the basics of fly fishing. It was very windy and sporadically raining heavily but was still good fun and there was shelter when needed - We kept catching rudd and having to dispatch them (as per the clubs rules). Then finally, a trout - and gosh was it exciting having a challenge with my first real fish, Jimmy’s expert instruction and support was going down a treat, we’d done plenty of dry runs and after a few minutes my first trout was on the bank. We managed another couple in the fairly difficult conditions and then late afternoon the sun came out and we dried out a treat. We had finished there by about 7pm in the end with the early evening sun and us putting the world to rights. pretty bad rain, at this point even we used the shelter of a usefully placed tree. All in all, I sat there when I returned home with a glass wine and a big smile and when asked how my day was and what did I get up to, I looked to my other half and said “I have no idea where to start - just don’t look in your outside cupboard just now”. Surprised she understood what I had said as I was still smiling like a mad man. A cracking day, great company with a chap with some good stories and who is very hospitable. I ate like a king, got some great shooting and fishing and ticked off some big firsts on this day. I would recommend anyone to Jimmy, and hope that more people can take up the challenge of a poor mans McNab with him. Downside of the day is the long term financial loss as I now want to start deer stalking and fly fishing properly - I’m converted! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Cracking pics and a great write up buddy, well done. Sounds like a truly memorable day. I feel your pain with regards to being converted. I got taken out Sika stalking a couple of years back and was hooked...my bank account felt the brunt of the new rifle, scope and kit and now any opportunity I get I am off (unfortunately this is only 4-5 times a year). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Thanks Mike, even writing it all out made me excited about it again! I am literally itching to get back out again now! Ha, I'll end up like you I think - buying new rifle, scope, set up etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 One of the best reports on PW for a long time. Excellent photos. You were lucky to have a mentor like Blunderbust to give you the opportunities which you had on the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Thanks Jdog, appreciate your comments :-). I think even Jimmy is often a little confused about where the pictures come from, I tend to take a lot of pictures as I go :-). Blunderbust is a great mentor - calm, experienced and a good sense of humour (and doesn't mind the rain). Most importantly, can do a blooming good breakfast. Couldn't have imagined a better day if I had tried and one I will never forget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Thanks Mike, even writing it all out made me excited about it again! I am literally itching to get back out again now! Ha, I'll end up like you I think - buying new rifle, scope, set up etc... Its a slippery slope indeed but always nice to have something you enjoy to spend the money on. My issue was my mates rifle that I shot with is a Precision rifle services 6.5 x 47 with a Swarovski scope so he gave me rifle envy. Had to settle on a Sako 85 with a Swarovski Z6I Expensive trip but fantastic kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Congratulations. What a great day, experience and write up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Good write up and we'll done both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 A good read and some great pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Great write up and picture, that day will stay with you for ever, well done to your mentor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Sounds like you had a great day , Jimmy is top guy all round as plenty of us can testify to . Well done to the pair of you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fse10 Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Wouldn't mined a bit of that myself one day may be. Nice write up & photo's top marks, fella's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Congratulations. What a great day, experience and write up.Thanks mate, was excellent :-)Good write up and we'll done both of you.Cheers, was excellent fun and the write up I feel only tells just half of the fun I had that day A good read and some great pictures Thanks :-). A lot achieved in one day :-)Great write up and picture, that day will stay with you for ever, well done to your mentor.Thanks PC, it's nice to do a write up I feel, and I'll treasure the pictures for ever :-) Sounds like you had a great day , Jimmy is top guy all round as plenty of us can testify to . Well done to the pair of you He certainly is a top chap, works really hard to get you infront of the right quarryWouldn't mined a bit of that myself one day may be. Nice write up & photo's top marks, fella's In my opinion, taking my first Roe buck felt as good as losing ones virginity haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rim Fire Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Top man blunderbust and a very well done Mack on your first roe buck and a six pointer and i like the look of that rifle in the pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Top man blunderbust and a very well done Mack on your first roe buck and a six pointer and i like the look of that rifle in the picCheers :-). I liked the look of the rifle too, but he wouldn't let me take that home with me - had to settle for a deer n a few fishes instead, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Great report and photos. Sounds like you had a fantastic day. Shame about the rudd though. A beautiful fish that isn`t as common as it once was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 i had my own poors mans Macnab a few years back, Geese,Grouse,Fox all in 1 day.. well shot mate, and a great write up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pesky pigeon Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Top report and photos thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Great report and photos. Sounds like you had a fantastic day. Shame about the rudd though. A beautiful fish that isn`t as common as it once was. thanks :-). Yes it seemed a shame to kill the Rudd for no reason. i had my own poors mans Macnab a few years back, Geese,Grouse,Fox all in 1 day.. well shot mate, and a great write up. Thanks mate, appreciate it. Your PMM sounds good, the goose being the hardest bit? Top report and photos thanks for sharing. Thanks :-). Least I could do after such a good day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Just read through that and what a brilliant write up and pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Just read through that and what a brilliant write up and pics Thanks Fruity :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Just caught up and a great write up of your grand day. Well done Jimmy too. Quality :-) U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted June 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Thanks Underdog, was a great day out and won't be forgetting it in a hurry. :-). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinach Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Thanks for the write up and what a great host. I have various mcnabs I try for but have always hankered for a deer in it. My poor mans versions normally start with rabbit! But have been as sporting as rat!! My advice is watch out with flyfishing it's a real time thief. Though it does give something to do out of the game season. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted June 2, 2015 Report Share Posted June 2, 2015 Excellent report on what sounds like a day to be remembered with first class photos of the lovely Norfolk countryside. And a big well done to Jimmy for providing the day , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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