charlieg43
Well-Known Member
On the 31st December I was lucky enough to be invited on a small high bird day in Dorset by a friend at university. Being the first time I had shot at high birds (I can hardly say I get the chance at home in Suffolk), I began what was to be by and large a successful day after shooting some of the best birds I had been presented with.
However, around half way through the day I heard what only could be described as screams coming from further behind as where the beaters were pushing through a piece of woodland. It turned out to be a young roe doe, which had been cornered and injured by one of the dogs working that day. The deer was pursued by the dog literally across the guns, despite some of our best efforts to stop what was going on. As the drive ended, myself and a few of the guns went to the last place we saw the two disappearing to. We found the dog, who had been caught by a gun and the deer was around 40 yards into a thick piece of brush, obvious seriously wounded and in shock.
After consulting the host, I said that I would go and dispatch the deer, as many of the guns stood about rather aimlessly while the injured animal continued to suffer. It was not something I particularly want to do again, but a single close shot killed it instantly.
I was just wondering if any other users had been involved in, or witnessed a similar thing happen on a driven shoot? I certainly never imagined it happening, but I knew we were in an area heavily populated in deer. I was equally amazed that there was little control of the dog by the person concerned.
However, around half way through the day I heard what only could be described as screams coming from further behind as where the beaters were pushing through a piece of woodland. It turned out to be a young roe doe, which had been cornered and injured by one of the dogs working that day. The deer was pursued by the dog literally across the guns, despite some of our best efforts to stop what was going on. As the drive ended, myself and a few of the guns went to the last place we saw the two disappearing to. We found the dog, who had been caught by a gun and the deer was around 40 yards into a thick piece of brush, obvious seriously wounded and in shock.
After consulting the host, I said that I would go and dispatch the deer, as many of the guns stood about rather aimlessly while the injured animal continued to suffer. It was not something I particularly want to do again, but a single close shot killed it instantly.
I was just wondering if any other users had been involved in, or witnessed a similar thing happen on a driven shoot? I certainly never imagined it happening, but I knew we were in an area heavily populated in deer. I was equally amazed that there was little control of the dog by the person concerned.