Hendrix's rifle Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Right gents, I had a bit of an accident a couple of hours ago involving my Astra van and a red doe. Going down a hill on the way to take the dogs for a walk and said doe jumped off a banking right in front of me. I was doing approx 30-35mph when I hit it. It came up the bonnet and off the side of the van. I stopped a few yards from where I hit it and checked Mrs was ok along with the dogs before getting out to see if I could find it. Now, there was no blood up the van however it did make quite a bang on impact. I looked for it for approx 15 minutes using my t67 torch to no avail. Couldn't find any tracks, nothing. Knowing my dogs have good noses and can pick up a scent and follow it I got the dogs out and kept them on the lead. It was a matter of seconds before the eldest picked up the scent and we started trying to track it. Now, my dogs are NOT deer dogs and I do not pretend they are however they stood more chance than me. After finding some fresh tracks I let him carry on for another 30-40 minutes to no avail. I could not find it. I am presuming it was fine but a little shook up/scared as it looked young. My question is, could I/should I have done more to find it? I still feel quite bad for it as I don't like the though of having something Injured due to me. I am not looking yo get stick here however constructive criticism is welcome if it means next time(if it does happen again) I may be able to do something more about it. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 You and yours are all good. You searched and tried to find the animal enough done enough said. Its the shock of impact that is at the front of mind now later it will be your own safety and rather lucky escape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Roe doe or Red hind? If it was the latter it would have been twice the impact of the former. You did more than most people would have in your quest to find the injured animal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 you did what you could but I would have gone off and taken the dogs for a walk and then stopped on the way back or even gone home and come back. The beast might have keeled over by this time and you might have found it. By going in straight away the beast might have had enough steam to move away only to have keeled over some distance away and lay where it eventually fell. on the other hand it might have just had a bit of a shake up and a load of bruising. You'll probably never know. If you have the time early tomorrow morning you could go and have another look in daylight. Just take the one dog and be quiet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpy69 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Get in contact with the scent hound association. They will be more than willing to come out with one of their deer trained do dogs and their is no fee. For them it is training their dogs. The number I have for them is 0800 6890857 they will advise and from experience they will find it dead or alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpy69 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 The problem is in England if it is found suffering, the deer cannot be shot to end its suffering without the permission of the landowner. In Scotland you can without landowners permission if it is to end suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 I think you have done all that you could do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted May 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Thanks for all the advice. The land in question is forestry commission and I shall let the ranger know in the morning when I'm up there. I have a rough idea of where they usually congregate so I think Il check there first. It was a red hind so as you can imagine not a small beast by any means, albeit a relatively young one. Possibly last years? Now the poaching has stopped they don't seem bothered about headlights/torches any more so I think it may lead to more accidents in the future (a few boy racers drive around there and the poachers were lamping them) Again, thanks for all the advice and I shall get up there early in the morning and have a look in daylight, Il update tomorrow. Get in contact with the scent hound association. They will be more than willing to come out with one of their deer trained do dogs and their is no fee. For them it is training their dogs. The number I have for them is 0800 6890857 they will advise and from experience they will find it dead or alive. Cheers for that, Il ring them shortly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 I have over the years tracked many deer hit by cars and trucks . Unless they are hard hit by the vehicle you will seldom find them . They have the ability to run on if not mortally wounded . I wouldn't try to track one for more than a hundred yards in th dark . Just have a quick look around to see if their is any spoor to follow and return at first light . Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 My only personal observation not criticism, is that you may have pushed it on due to your prompt follow up not giving it time to stiffen up? With the shock of the impact on yourselves, not an easy decision to make? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I think you done all that could be asked of you, I would of done something similar. But looking at the adivise of more experienced guys if this happens to me I will have a quick look and follow up at first light. Every day is a school day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 +1 You tried for a decent amount of time to find the animal, many wouldn't have even done that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I'd actually agree with old man here, generally the opinion from the tracking boys is to leave deer for some time to lie up and get stiff, even a gut shot deer they reccommend 3-4 hrs now. If u move in to quick deer will just keep moving bt if it lies up they find it hard to get back up when adrenaleine has gone. Or thats the theory anyway. In england law is not very good as mentioned, if u found it how would u have killed it if still semi mobile? Also u could potentially be done with poaching for going onto land and killing a deer (would be very harsh thou) There is 2 orgs now that handle this sort of thing UKSHA (scent hounds only, BMH,HMH?) or UKDTR (any breed labs, hpr's etc) all dogs/handlers have passed tests, hoof trails with no blood over 24hrs old. In some area the police have RTA teams or will phone up 1 of the tracking orgs to send someone out, but even these teams have no legal right to go on private land to pTS a deer,, and i don't think police can give u the right either,only the land owner/deer shooting tennant. I'd say the best thing u can really do if deer not lying at roadside is to phone the police or land owner/stalker if u know them and then an org. If u go tracking urself u really need a gun incase still quite alive even if immobile which potentially leaves u open to all sorts of legal stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 IMHO, As scotslad points out i'ts a potential minefield where maybe "the rules" work potentially to protect everything but the welfare of the animal? Maybe I'ts all about the risks involved, certainly an interesting scenario? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 (edited) Thanks for the advice all, next time Il go home and leave it a couple of hours unless its dead at the road. I didn't update yesterday as I was busy but here goes. So, 5am yesterday morning I went out with a pair of binos and the dogs, you can usually get pretty close to the deer up here(within 20 yards if you can stalk, closest I've been with the dogs was around 10 yards) I spotted 3 red hinds, one older one, a last years one and this years young'un. None of them looked to be in any pain. At around 6am I spotted around 9 deer, again mostly hinds with a stag in between and saw a youngish deer with a bit of fur missing from the left rear leg. I can only presume this is the correct deer as that was the side the impact was on. It appeared to be healthy and could move about free enough bar this bit of fur missing. This morning I was out early again and saw a few more deer how ever not the one I had seen yesterday morning. There were 5 of them laying in the sun (beautiful morning down here!) so, fingers crossed the deer that wanted an argument with my van is ok. Again, Thanks for the advice and I shall defiantly use it should it happen again EDIT- I also forgot to say I know the ranger and he is keeping a look out as I have contacted him about it Edited May 12, 2016 by Hendrix's rifle 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.