Edchef
Well-Known Member
Some time ago I put my name down for a free stalk This one was kindly offered by Richard - Devon Deer Stalker on the SD
Never for a minute did i think there was a chance but I was wrong!
Contact was made and the day duly came Richard picked me up at the B and B and off we went around the edge of Dartmoor
Chatting to Richard on the way I quickly realised how little I knew and how much Richard did. I was fully briefed by the time we arrived and we set off. Signs of the presence of animals were duly pointed out to me and my expectations were high.
The weather threw everything at us and although I didn’t see any deer ,Richard had spotted movement in the woodland we had been watching. Dusk came all too soon and we squelched our way back up to the vehicle. I was assured that there were deer present in Devon!
0630 the next morning and Richard duly arrived at the Band B and we set off again The weather was vile but it stopped throwing it down after a few minuted and we set off again through woodland, up and out into small plantation but still no sign
Our next stop was a farm and we set off downhill - me with sticks and rifle praying I wouldn’t slip and submerge Richards .30-06 in the glorious Devon mud. we walked slowly along the valley bottom where Richard had assured me that both Red and Roe were present .
Suddenly there they were! Four Roe had got up about 30 metres in front of us. They paused very briefly and they were off up the hillside through the forestry You have guessed the next bit. I was painfully slow on the sticks and only just managed to get them in the scope for a moment before they bounded away What a memory though - four Roe in the scope at once! if anybody is still reading this I can tell you I AM HOOKED!!
I felt badly after Richard had gone to so much time and effort on my behalf but despite everything he has invited me back for another go in the Autumn.
Lastly I would like to thank Richard for the opportunity and experience he gave me , I am extremely grateful and the memory of those deer in the scope will stay with me for a long time
If you are reading this Richard I am practising with my sticks as often as possible! Thanks again
ED
Never for a minute did i think there was a chance but I was wrong!
Contact was made and the day duly came Richard picked me up at the B and B and off we went around the edge of Dartmoor
Chatting to Richard on the way I quickly realised how little I knew and how much Richard did. I was fully briefed by the time we arrived and we set off. Signs of the presence of animals were duly pointed out to me and my expectations were high.
The weather threw everything at us and although I didn’t see any deer ,Richard had spotted movement in the woodland we had been watching. Dusk came all too soon and we squelched our way back up to the vehicle. I was assured that there were deer present in Devon!
0630 the next morning and Richard duly arrived at the Band B and we set off again The weather was vile but it stopped throwing it down after a few minuted and we set off again through woodland, up and out into small plantation but still no sign
Our next stop was a farm and we set off downhill - me with sticks and rifle praying I wouldn’t slip and submerge Richards .30-06 in the glorious Devon mud. we walked slowly along the valley bottom where Richard had assured me that both Red and Roe were present .
Suddenly there they were! Four Roe had got up about 30 metres in front of us. They paused very briefly and they were off up the hillside through the forestry You have guessed the next bit. I was painfully slow on the sticks and only just managed to get them in the scope for a moment before they bounded away What a memory though - four Roe in the scope at once! if anybody is still reading this I can tell you I AM HOOKED!!
I felt badly after Richard had gone to so much time and effort on my behalf but despite everything he has invited me back for another go in the Autumn.
Lastly I would like to thank Richard for the opportunity and experience he gave me , I am extremely grateful and the memory of those deer in the scope will stay with me for a long time
If you are reading this Richard I am practising with my sticks as often as possible! Thanks again
ED