It has been a long time without any sporting activity since breaking my ankle last October whist stalking stags in Glen Lyon. No pheasant shooting, roe doe stalking and salmon fishing. However, I did manage a couple of hours on a new beat our Association acquired on the river Dee which, I was pleased to land an 8lb Spring Salmon. I did give a short report on my good fortune on SD.
Anyway I am much more mobile now and above all safe on my feet to carry a loaded rifle and as such I had my first outing on Monday morning on one of the the estates I lease the stalking on here in Aberdeenshire. We are a little behind with the weather this year and this morning's venture was no different as it was chilly and damp with a the odd very fine rain shower. I left my car at South Lodge and stalked up the drive very carefully as the recent plantation planted a few years ago now provided excellent cover with the trees no some eight feet high. At the top of the drive I spied a doe in the horse field and on taking an extra step spooked a buck which ran off into the wood taking the doe and a smaller buck with here. Spooking deer was my main action this morning as I had two abortive stalks before spying a lone buck and a good one at that adjacent to a border fence between a field of Oilseed Rape and a small copse and quite close to the big house. I was sure I would take my time stalking this chap. I did and what a stalk I hade with a long crawl along the fence edge bringing my to a tree stump that provided a good rest. A short wait for him to turn broadside and the 7.08 at 80+m dropped him to shot. A good start to my buck stalking this season and in the morning I shall have a return visit though I doubt Ill grass another 8 pointer as shown though I will tread carefully as no more broken ankles please.
Anyway I am much more mobile now and above all safe on my feet to carry a loaded rifle and as such I had my first outing on Monday morning on one of the the estates I lease the stalking on here in Aberdeenshire. We are a little behind with the weather this year and this morning's venture was no different as it was chilly and damp with a the odd very fine rain shower. I left my car at South Lodge and stalked up the drive very carefully as the recent plantation planted a few years ago now provided excellent cover with the trees no some eight feet high. At the top of the drive I spied a doe in the horse field and on taking an extra step spooked a buck which ran off into the wood taking the doe and a smaller buck with here. Spooking deer was my main action this morning as I had two abortive stalks before spying a lone buck and a good one at that adjacent to a border fence between a field of Oilseed Rape and a small copse and quite close to the big house. I was sure I would take my time stalking this chap. I did and what a stalk I hade with a long crawl along the fence edge bringing my to a tree stump that provided a good rest. A short wait for him to turn broadside and the 7.08 at 80+m dropped him to shot. A good start to my buck stalking this season and in the morning I shall have a return visit though I doubt Ill grass another 8 pointer as shown though I will tread carefully as no more broken ankles please.
