njc110381 Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Yesterday evening I went out for my first stalk on a new permission I've picked up. I went out a couple of weeks ago without the rifle for a wander around and spotted a Roe buck (well actually he spotted me and legged it!) so decided to go back with my old mentor and my rifle to see if we could spot him again. We got to the farm at about 6ish and sussed the wind out. It wasn't ideal so we had to walk out of the yard and right around the outside edge of the land and then head up from the bottom. ******, it's steep too! Anyway, we had a good look around on the way down but couldn't spot any signs of life. As we started to head back up though, we spotted a tell tale "brown rock" at the top of the field where I had seen the Buck last time. We got down low and glassed the hedgerow and sure enough there he was happily munching away in the grass totally unaware or our presence. I got the rifle down on the bipod and watched him through the scope, but as he was up hill and against the hedge there was no chance at all of a shot. We watched him for five minutes or so then he led down! We decided we should move, so it was a long creep along the hedge (at least we had a good dark background) and up the side of the field towards him. Luckily there is a pretty big tree about half way up the field, so we got behind that and then just quietly walked up to him using the trunk as cover. 45 minutes later we arrived at the tree. I slowly edged my way around it hoping the Buck would still be there. He was, no more than 60 yards away and still unaware of us. I brought the rifle up and rested on the tree, still un-noticed, but got a serious case of "buck fever"! Sod it! Back down with the rifle and behind the tree again for a breather and a moment to calm down. The bipod on the rifle felt awkward against the tree, so I spent a moment removing it to get my mind onto something else for a second or two. Then it was take 2. Back up with the rifle, steady on the tree, backstop was good, I fired. The Buck slumped where he was sat, not even a kick! As I heard the report of the rifle I heard the (very distinctive) sound of a .444 Marlin having a round cranked into it, but there was no need. He's a good mentor. I hadn't reloaded because the Deer just dropped, so he did instead then told me to! I know for next time. We left it for a couple of minutes and watched it. Nothing, not even a twitch, so we took a walk over to him. It was a good shot. Because he was at a slight angle and was sat down the shot went in through his left shoulder and exited well behind the leg on the other side. Now for the nasty bit. Get the knife out. I did the grallock under close instruction to make sure I did it right. I know what I'm doing in a rough and ready kind of way but I wanted to do this by the book (or at least close to it!). So with that sorted we did a photo shoot and then tied him up with the drag rope and made our way back to the truck. I made it most of the way up the hill then decided to "handbag" his legs together and carry him the rest of the way. My mate offered to help but I was keen to extract him on my own. Next time I may well not have the option and a Roe isn't heavy anyway. As we got back to the truck the farmer spotted us and wandered over. He was really pleased that I'd got one the first time I went out and was very thankful for my help. I thanked him for the oppertunity and said I'd drop a cut in for him at a later date (a good gesture I feel). We then headed home at about 9.30. Back at home we cleaned out the carcass and removed the pluck, then I set about skinning him and cutting him up. There are pictures of this too, but they're not pretty and I wouldn't want you to laugh at the mess I was making so I'll leave those for now! I have some scruffy cuts in the fridge that will taste as good as a professional job would, so I'm happy! Here are a couple of pictures. He didn't have the best head on him but he was healthy and I don't shoot for trophies so it doesn't matter. He upped my limited Deer count, didn't spot me stalking him and went down cleanly. These are the most important things to me. A good one.... And a terrible one (thanks for making me laugh old duffer!)..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Enjoyed the read Many thanks and well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Top Man N. good do mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 A pleasure to read and the grin on your face says it all - well done P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spider72 Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Well done!! Got my first roe buck in July on a conducted stalk, when I finally get the pictures I'll post them along with the story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Spin Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Very good write up and a good stalk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommo Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Did the buck have 4 points or just single spikes? Its not clear on the photo - single spikes on the lad and he'd be a murder buck! - They should be shot on sight...like you say though good looking animal, T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferretboy111 Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Definately a good read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerseaDavid Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Great shooting mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raja Clavata Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Nice one, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwintle Posted September 4, 2009 Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Well done njc Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2009 Tommo. It had an odd head. One side was a spike but with signs that another point had tried to grow and the other side had a small second point but nothing much. I need to get and give a load of the meat away now so I can shoot another! The fridge is full, as is the freezer, so I can't really take another until I can make use of it. I don't see the point in selling them, I'd rather give cuts away to friends and land owners. I've gained 3 Deer permissions this year, I can't keep up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted September 5, 2009 Report Share Posted September 5, 2009 Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Elvis Posted September 5, 2009 Report Share Posted September 5, 2009 Cool....how did it tatse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_seagrave Posted September 5, 2009 Report Share Posted September 5, 2009 What a great read - good job njc Do you have some pictures of the Sunday roast...? LS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2009 I'm not sure how it tastes, not got as far as that yet. I just finished off cutting up the joints and bagging them up for the freezer. I got 12lbs of meat off of it, which allowing for one good sized leg going to my mate and one being shot out I'm quite happy with. I could have taken more care over the rib area and a few other places but it was very late and I haven't got a chiller yet so I just removed the bulk. When my new shed gets built (I keep saying it but it never seems to happen!) I'll have a decent chiller and a folding cutting table in there somewhere. That will mean I can hang the carcass up and return to it in the morning to sort it out. The funny bit is my mrs was complaining about the mess until she worked out what 12lbs of decent venison would have cost from the butcher. Now she's gone quiet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonk Posted September 5, 2009 Report Share Posted September 5, 2009 Nice write up and nice shot, well done mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonna Shoot a Wabbit Posted September 6, 2009 Report Share Posted September 6, 2009 nicely done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted September 6, 2009 Report Share Posted September 6, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 great write up to what sounds like a great stalk. well done mate, it's a very satisfying feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holland&Holland Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed the reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted September 7, 2009 Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 Great write up on an excellent stalk ending a perfect result. Well done! As I have said many times I prefer to do my "deer shooting" with a camera, but I do not have the slightest problem with those who would rather use a rifle! Whichever you chose (Camera or rifle) the principal is the same, to get as close without being detected and getting that "perfect shot"! The all important thing is that you obvoiusly did very well and got the end result in a very satisfactory way, well done! Just out of interest, that's one heck of a big moderator on your rifle, (It's even bigger that the well deserved grin on your face) what is it please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2009 The mod's a Wildcat Predator 8. I thought that it looked pretty huge in the photo. Not sure why, it doesn't feel that big when it's on the rifle. It's pretty light in fact, but it works well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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