This particular incident occurred a couple of weeks ago.
A farmer over whos land I shoot has recently gone into a tree planting scheme. There was a particularly troublesome doe and two followers damaging the newly planted saplings. This ground is remote and rugged with 'grips' criss-crossing and steep in places with hidden hollows.
I had a few close encounters with this bunch, and been rumbled a couple of times or bumped them. Due to where they were coming from and the lie of the land, a westerly wind was favourable. However, recently the wind had been set mostly from an easterly quarter.
Here's the 'interesting' part.
I am now on to them. All three visible though spread apart, the doe furthest away 100yds, the two followers 60 - 80 yds. All three totally relaxed. Dog and I are unseen downwind. I lined-up the doe and she dropped dead and could be seen clearly, unmoving. I turned to the furthest follower, both of whom were standing startled, looking back towards the doe. I shot the follower, which dropped, but fell unseen behind cover or into a 'grip'. I tried to pick out the remaining follower, but it disappeared. I waiting a short while thinking it may reappear, but to no avail.
I walked out to recover the doe and follower. As I approached where the follower had fallen, I crested a rise to be confronted with the follower couched down, head up and quite alert around 10 yards away. It appeared, to all the world, quite unconcerned at my appearance. Quickly up with the rifle and a head shot. Job sorted ! I dragged it to a nearby track then recovered the doe. I gralloched her, then commenced with the follower. Whilst gralloching the follower it became apparent immediately there were no other injuries to it. My first shot had been to the 'H/L' area. I went back to the shot site, and sure enough there was a dead follower. The second follower on disappearing after the first two shots had gone and lay down near its dead brother. What was most perplexing was it showing no alarm, anxiety of flight instinct when I had appeared in full view just a few yards away with dog beside. On all previous encounters they had, all three of them been, been extremely vigilant and alert.
A successful outcome, I just thought it was a very interesting and unusual event. It would be interesting to hear if anyone else has experienced similar.
'Camodog'.
A farmer over whos land I shoot has recently gone into a tree planting scheme. There was a particularly troublesome doe and two followers damaging the newly planted saplings. This ground is remote and rugged with 'grips' criss-crossing and steep in places with hidden hollows.
I had a few close encounters with this bunch, and been rumbled a couple of times or bumped them. Due to where they were coming from and the lie of the land, a westerly wind was favourable. However, recently the wind had been set mostly from an easterly quarter.
Here's the 'interesting' part.
I am now on to them. All three visible though spread apart, the doe furthest away 100yds, the two followers 60 - 80 yds. All three totally relaxed. Dog and I are unseen downwind. I lined-up the doe and she dropped dead and could be seen clearly, unmoving. I turned to the furthest follower, both of whom were standing startled, looking back towards the doe. I shot the follower, which dropped, but fell unseen behind cover or into a 'grip'. I tried to pick out the remaining follower, but it disappeared. I waiting a short while thinking it may reappear, but to no avail.
I walked out to recover the doe and follower. As I approached where the follower had fallen, I crested a rise to be confronted with the follower couched down, head up and quite alert around 10 yards away. It appeared, to all the world, quite unconcerned at my appearance. Quickly up with the rifle and a head shot. Job sorted ! I dragged it to a nearby track then recovered the doe. I gralloched her, then commenced with the follower. Whilst gralloching the follower it became apparent immediately there were no other injuries to it. My first shot had been to the 'H/L' area. I went back to the shot site, and sure enough there was a dead follower. The second follower on disappearing after the first two shots had gone and lay down near its dead brother. What was most perplexing was it showing no alarm, anxiety of flight instinct when I had appeared in full view just a few yards away with dog beside. On all previous encounters they had, all three of them been, been extremely vigilant and alert.
A successful outcome, I just thought it was a very interesting and unusual event. It would be interesting to hear if anyone else has experienced similar.
'Camodog'.
I suppose with mum dead the followers didnt know what to do.
