My first stalking outing was nearly twenty years ago; my uncle took me out and I shot a muntjac buck with his Parker Hale .243. I was bitten by the bug, applied for my FAC and have enjoyed stalking in the UK and elsewhere. I've never really been particularly bothered about medals, although a few bronzes and a silver have come my way, but not a bronze.
I changed jobs at the start of lockdown last year, and had a few days off beforehand. A good friend, who has taught me a lot about deer and stalking, invited me out to sit in a high seat one afternoon. It's in large block of woodland I know well; I've stalked there previously, shot pheasants and woodcock on a walk & stand shoot, flighted ducks and my old labrador is also buried there.
I was in the highseat by 3pm; a great early Spring afternoon with a light breeze and sunshine. I'd only been there 20 minutes when a muntjac buck started sauntering between bramble patches about 50 yards in front of me. He had that 'king of the castle' attitude which I've seen in dominant bucks before.
Rifle up, cross hairs on target, and a squeeze of the trigger. He dropped on the spot. It was only when I got up close that I realised how good he really was; we thought probably a bronze, but possibly a silver. He was measured this week and made gold. It's a real milestone to have a gold after all these years, but what really counts is all the good sport and great company I've enjoyed through stalking. I've still got a lot to learn, and that's something to look forward to.
I changed jobs at the start of lockdown last year, and had a few days off beforehand. A good friend, who has taught me a lot about deer and stalking, invited me out to sit in a high seat one afternoon. It's in large block of woodland I know well; I've stalked there previously, shot pheasants and woodcock on a walk & stand shoot, flighted ducks and my old labrador is also buried there.
I was in the highseat by 3pm; a great early Spring afternoon with a light breeze and sunshine. I'd only been there 20 minutes when a muntjac buck started sauntering between bramble patches about 50 yards in front of me. He had that 'king of the castle' attitude which I've seen in dominant bucks before.
Rifle up, cross hairs on target, and a squeeze of the trigger. He dropped on the spot. It was only when I got up close that I realised how good he really was; we thought probably a bronze, but possibly a silver. He was measured this week and made gold. It's a real milestone to have a gold after all these years, but what really counts is all the good sport and great company I've enjoyed through stalking. I've still got a lot to learn, and that's something to look forward to.
