Suffolk shooter Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Tonight I was on my way back from Swaffham via Thetford, Euston etc, and had seen a few Roe coming on to the fields as the sun started to set and was thinking as I was driving through the stretch between Mundford - Thetford that Autumn Watch must be on shortly. I really enjoyed the Red deer rut section up on the Isles, and whilst I am aware of Reds populating Thetford and indeed have seen yearlings close up on FG.22 Farmland, I thought how amazing it must be to actually be there and see the rut itself. Well for those that know the area as you come out of Thetford towards Euston, the road is almost arrrow straight off the roundabout and has a studfarm on oneside and fields on the other and is pine tree lined. I looked over to my left and saw hoardes of Rooks in the field all suddenly lift off. As I kept going I could see something running/trotting/prancing (whatever its called) on the inside of the Pines and as I got nearer It turned out to be a magnificent Red Stag with a huge set of points with Grass all over them , eyes bulging, steam out of nostrils. I slowed down not wanting to hit it (Should that be hit me it was that big) if it ran out and looked to my right to see an almost identical Stag the other side of the road in the stud farm paddock doing the same thing. Didn't see any hinds and couldn't really stop as cars were coming both ways, but WOW what a sight. Might make a trip up there one evening to see if I can see anything else going on. Anybody know how long the Rut goes on for round this neck of the woods SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 Yep we have some of the largest Red beasties in the UK in this neck of the woods. I'm told it's due to the introduction years ago of Wapiti (Elk to those from the USA) blood into the stock in Norfolk. It's an amazing sight during the rut but be very (very) careful not to get too close as these beasties can be dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 Nick do they bugle like our elk....wapati.... I would imagine that they do. Does anyone hunt them by calling, we use bugles, cow and calf calls. Can be a little exciting with a big bull beating the snot out of an 8 inch tree less than 12 yards from you...and all you have is a bow ....Mind you just reach behind and you will find something to throw. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 Nick do they bugle like our elk....wapati.... I would imagine that they do. Does anyone hunt them by calling, we use bugles, cow and calf calls. Can be a little exciting with a big bull beating the snot out of an 8 inch tree less than 12 yards from you...and all you have is a bow ....Mind you just reach behind and you will find something to throw. Dan Huh the last thing I'd wanna do with one of these testosterone filled beasties is call it in. Call me a wimp if you like but 12 yds? I wouldn't wanna get within open sight distance of one. But then I guess you Canucks are a breed apart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I will time my next visit over to coincide with the rut so that we can go out and you can see just how exciting it can be. Bugles ringing challange dirt clods the size of a softball flying through the air, tree branches breaking, snot flying off the bull and landing on you. I will tell you when hunting the rut it certainly tells the men and women from the boys and girls :yp: I have seen people shaking so bad that they miss 12 yard shots bow and gun by at least 20 yards It is one thing to think that you can take the pressure another to stand there and make a one shot kill. The only one I found more nerve wraking was when I called a bull moose into 15 yards and I thought he was gonna keep coming. Luckily he turned broad side and a .50 cal ball powered by 150 grains of black powder hit him in the heart. He went crashing to the floor, while I frantically reloaded, but he never even tried to get back up. I will say that I had to sit down after that one for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 mad *******...almost as bad as pig sticking with a bowie knife! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I could see something running/trotting/prancing (whatever its called) SS I suspect it was a Highlander SS, its the time of year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suffolk shooter Posted October 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I could see something running/trotting/prancing (whatever its called) SS I suspect it was a Highlander SS, its the time of year :yp: Highlander, obviously you aren't too far away then? D you know where I can see the rut in full swing so to speak, not quite in the style of NTTF , but would be interesting. Oh by the way I looked on the BBC website and Autumn watch is back on on the 5th November. Personally can't stand Bill Oddy, but watching the natural world whatever it is is always good, look forward to more Rhum Deer clips SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I've a friend who had a house in Ingham right on the edge of Thetford Forest. We were there and had some early walks during the rut and the deer were amazing. Plenty of reds and coming from Hertfordshire it was actually the first time I'd seen roe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invector Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 new to the flock, Our red deer don't bugle, like your elk (wapiti), they roar. A totally different sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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