Out on the muntjac this morning. It's cold and dark, and I'm contemplating getting back into bed. The stalking ground is a whole 20 yards outside the back door so the least I can do is give it a few hours to see what we see.
6.5x55 over my shoulder and the sticks in hand, I set out across the sugar beets to the high seat in the bottom of the field, to wait for the sun to come up. Stags are roaring in multiple directions, and while exciting, are not the intended quarry for today. Scanning with the thermal, the only thing I can see between me and the first tree line are a couple of hares. I soldier on.
As I break through the tree line to where the high seat is positioned, I jump a massive red stag, bedded down to get protection from the wind. He gets up and trots off undoubtedly counting his lucky stars that I dont have a pocketful of cash.
I climb up into the high seat and get settled in. Aside from the previously mentioned stag bellowing at the end of the field, theres not much going. I watch him intently as he saunters off into the wood. The field falls silent less the howl of the E-W 18 mph wind.
20 minutes
45 minutes
Nothing...
A muntjac doe runs full speed through the field 75 yards away. Never even slows down enough for me to think of taking a shot. A few minutes later a small buck slinks along the bushes on the far side of the field. As I bring the rifle up something spooks him and he jumps into the bushes, not to be seen again.
I decide I'll give it a few more minutes and I get down and have a walk about to see what I see. I tell myself that I'll walk down to the next tree line and scan the field. If theres nothing there, I'll pack up and head back to the afore mentioned bed.
I do the creep and scan down to the end of the field to find more of the same. Bupkis. I put my thermal away and go to put my gloves on only to realise that I left a stragler back at the seat. This sucks. I start my walk back to get the lone ranger when a bit of movement across the field catches my eye. Up with the Vortex and I spot a big bodied muntjac, head down nosing through the grass.
I wait a beat for the beast to lift its head. The tip of its antlers start to come out of the grass and it doesn't seem to stop. Its the biggest muntjac buck I've ever seen! I assess the situation. The wind is blowing from my back straight to him, and the grass is too tall for me to get a great shot. I need elevation, to the high seat! I crouch down and move quickly. I get there undetected and I quietly climb to my perch.
He's begun moving to my left, in and out of the tall grass. I NEED HIM TO STOP. I get my buttolo out and give it a quick squeak. He pauses for a moment and its all the time I need. I squeeze the trigger and instantly he jumps. He runs 10 yards and drops. I can finally breathe.
I'm grateful for his sacrifice. Its not lost on me the calibre on animal thats in front of me. The old warrior has one eye and one tusk. His head is destined for the wall and the carcass will feed the family. A wonderfully successful morning.
6.5x55 over my shoulder and the sticks in hand, I set out across the sugar beets to the high seat in the bottom of the field, to wait for the sun to come up. Stags are roaring in multiple directions, and while exciting, are not the intended quarry for today. Scanning with the thermal, the only thing I can see between me and the first tree line are a couple of hares. I soldier on.
As I break through the tree line to where the high seat is positioned, I jump a massive red stag, bedded down to get protection from the wind. He gets up and trots off undoubtedly counting his lucky stars that I dont have a pocketful of cash.
I climb up into the high seat and get settled in. Aside from the previously mentioned stag bellowing at the end of the field, theres not much going. I watch him intently as he saunters off into the wood. The field falls silent less the howl of the E-W 18 mph wind.
20 minutes
45 minutes
Nothing...
A muntjac doe runs full speed through the field 75 yards away. Never even slows down enough for me to think of taking a shot. A few minutes later a small buck slinks along the bushes on the far side of the field. As I bring the rifle up something spooks him and he jumps into the bushes, not to be seen again.
I decide I'll give it a few more minutes and I get down and have a walk about to see what I see. I tell myself that I'll walk down to the next tree line and scan the field. If theres nothing there, I'll pack up and head back to the afore mentioned bed.
I do the creep and scan down to the end of the field to find more of the same. Bupkis. I put my thermal away and go to put my gloves on only to realise that I left a stragler back at the seat. This sucks. I start my walk back to get the lone ranger when a bit of movement across the field catches my eye. Up with the Vortex and I spot a big bodied muntjac, head down nosing through the grass.
I wait a beat for the beast to lift its head. The tip of its antlers start to come out of the grass and it doesn't seem to stop. Its the biggest muntjac buck I've ever seen! I assess the situation. The wind is blowing from my back straight to him, and the grass is too tall for me to get a great shot. I need elevation, to the high seat! I crouch down and move quickly. I get there undetected and I quietly climb to my perch.
He's begun moving to my left, in and out of the tall grass. I NEED HIM TO STOP. I get my buttolo out and give it a quick squeak. He pauses for a moment and its all the time I need. I squeeze the trigger and instantly he jumps. He runs 10 yards and drops. I can finally breathe.
I'm grateful for his sacrifice. Its not lost on me the calibre on animal thats in front of me. The old warrior has one eye and one tusk. His head is destined for the wall and the carcass will feed the family. A wonderfully successful morning.
