I was out this morning along with my mentor (father-in-law) with either a Roe Buck or Fallow Buck pricket as our intended quarry.
I set off from home just after 06:30 to meet in the farm yard by 06:45 (very fortunate to have a fairly local permission). It was still quite dark so after a catch up and revised plan of attack due to a change in the wind we set off in the truck up to the northern side of the farm.
Bloody hell…it was blowing a hoolie and the rain was starting to come in, not too bad initially but from up on the hill we could see a large band of rain steadily heading our way.
Out of the truck and on foot we began walking along the field margins and game cover crop. Spooking a trio of Roe Doe was the first bit of deer action followed by another Doe & her two Fawns then ten minutes late a Buck (6 pointer) and Doe together. We decided to push on and follow the Buck and Doe to see if we could catch up to them nearer some wooded cover.
To give you an idea of the ground I was staking, it’s rolling hills with small valleys and mainly beech trees that provide the small wooded areas (along the ridges of the valley) and some gorse/heather type plants. We came across another Doe, walked within ten yards of her before spooking and off she went. It’s incredible to see how well camouflaged the deer are now the resplendent summer coat has been replaced by the darker brown, which just blends so well into the autumnal landscape.
We followed the ridge staying down wind and as we walked around the point of an area called “The Y” (I’m sure you can guess the topography) I spotted three deer slowly coming out from the cover of another area of beech woodland. A Buck (four pointer) and two Does. Fortunately we were still right for wind and the sporadic hedges gave me sufficient visual cover to move up bringing them to about eighty yards away. I got my Ruger up on the sticks, still with good time to get comfortable and a good sight picture. It was at this point I realised I need to invest in some flip-up scope covers, a quick wipe with the microfibre cloth in my pocket cleared the water drops but covers would be a welcome addition.
I got focused on the Buck and put my crosshairs in the right place, he was standing perfectly broadside and in no rush to go anywhere.
A gentle squeeze on the trigger and the 100gr Norma Whitetail hit its mark. The Buck had a slight backward stumble before unsteadily walking ten yards and finally dropping down.
At this point the rain really started to come in thick…thank god we managed to get something as if it’d been an unsuccessful trip that would’ve been a miserable trudge back to the truck!
Before moving off to inspect the Roe Buck, we clocked two Fallow (one was definitely a pricket) walking out the same wooded area before disappearing. We decided to skirt around the northern edge of the wood and see if we could find them from the other side. Unfortunately we didn’t have any luck but to be honest by that point the rain was so heavy it was worth calling it a day. I was very pleased to have shot the Roe Buck, especially as this time it was my own rifle (I guess there’s just something about going through the whole process with your own kit).
Back at the Buck it gave me a chance to inspect my shot placement which was spot on, so again very pleased with that. My mentor did a lightning fast gralloch as he wanted to get out of the rain asap! So the next one is definitely for me to do. I also had a good look at the internals to keep getting more familiar. The bullet went straight through the lungs leaving the heart untouched this time (my mentor was happy as he said he’d have it along with the liver for brunch!).
Leaving the Buck we walked back to the truck to then return and load him up. Back to the house to hang the carcass in the chiller.
Another fantastic experience. Despite it being a very wet and windy Wiltshire morning, that was a great result for late in the Roe Buck season. More stock for the freezer, I fancy trying some slow-cooked pulled venison a la Texas BBQ style with the neck this week.
Photos aren’t great, I still need to learn how to get the Deer led in the right pose!
Back home by 10:30 with the fire lit and my kit drying off.
Cheers
I set off from home just after 06:30 to meet in the farm yard by 06:45 (very fortunate to have a fairly local permission). It was still quite dark so after a catch up and revised plan of attack due to a change in the wind we set off in the truck up to the northern side of the farm.
Bloody hell…it was blowing a hoolie and the rain was starting to come in, not too bad initially but from up on the hill we could see a large band of rain steadily heading our way.
Out of the truck and on foot we began walking along the field margins and game cover crop. Spooking a trio of Roe Doe was the first bit of deer action followed by another Doe & her two Fawns then ten minutes late a Buck (6 pointer) and Doe together. We decided to push on and follow the Buck and Doe to see if we could catch up to them nearer some wooded cover.
To give you an idea of the ground I was staking, it’s rolling hills with small valleys and mainly beech trees that provide the small wooded areas (along the ridges of the valley) and some gorse/heather type plants. We came across another Doe, walked within ten yards of her before spooking and off she went. It’s incredible to see how well camouflaged the deer are now the resplendent summer coat has been replaced by the darker brown, which just blends so well into the autumnal landscape.
We followed the ridge staying down wind and as we walked around the point of an area called “The Y” (I’m sure you can guess the topography) I spotted three deer slowly coming out from the cover of another area of beech woodland. A Buck (four pointer) and two Does. Fortunately we were still right for wind and the sporadic hedges gave me sufficient visual cover to move up bringing them to about eighty yards away. I got my Ruger up on the sticks, still with good time to get comfortable and a good sight picture. It was at this point I realised I need to invest in some flip-up scope covers, a quick wipe with the microfibre cloth in my pocket cleared the water drops but covers would be a welcome addition.
I got focused on the Buck and put my crosshairs in the right place, he was standing perfectly broadside and in no rush to go anywhere.
A gentle squeeze on the trigger and the 100gr Norma Whitetail hit its mark. The Buck had a slight backward stumble before unsteadily walking ten yards and finally dropping down.
At this point the rain really started to come in thick…thank god we managed to get something as if it’d been an unsuccessful trip that would’ve been a miserable trudge back to the truck!
Before moving off to inspect the Roe Buck, we clocked two Fallow (one was definitely a pricket) walking out the same wooded area before disappearing. We decided to skirt around the northern edge of the wood and see if we could find them from the other side. Unfortunately we didn’t have any luck but to be honest by that point the rain was so heavy it was worth calling it a day. I was very pleased to have shot the Roe Buck, especially as this time it was my own rifle (I guess there’s just something about going through the whole process with your own kit).
Back at the Buck it gave me a chance to inspect my shot placement which was spot on, so again very pleased with that. My mentor did a lightning fast gralloch as he wanted to get out of the rain asap! So the next one is definitely for me to do. I also had a good look at the internals to keep getting more familiar. The bullet went straight through the lungs leaving the heart untouched this time (my mentor was happy as he said he’d have it along with the liver for brunch!).
Leaving the Buck we walked back to the truck to then return and load him up. Back to the house to hang the carcass in the chiller.
Another fantastic experience. Despite it being a very wet and windy Wiltshire morning, that was a great result for late in the Roe Buck season. More stock for the freezer, I fancy trying some slow-cooked pulled venison a la Texas BBQ style with the neck this week.
Photos aren’t great, I still need to learn how to get the Deer led in the right pose!
Back home by 10:30 with the fire lit and my kit drying off.
Cheers
