I took three days stalking last week with Mike and Jason from Muntjacstalker, after my first Muntjac and CWD.
The first morning stalk with Mike I was after Muntjac, we saw a few doe on the ground and a single buck but he was on his toes, so after a couple of enjoyable hours Mike dropped me back off at the B&B.
On the afternoon Mike picked me up from the B&B and we had a short drive to the ground for my second stalk at Muntjac. We saw plenty of Muntjac does and on the walk back to the 4x4 a buck jumped out onto the track in front off us some 60 yards away. After a short while the buck moved off and I slowly prepared for the shot, Mike barked and as the buck stopped I sent the 243 on its way. The buck dropped to the shot and Mike congratulated me on my first Muntjac.
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The next morning I was out with Jason after CWD, it was a damp morning with fog and on entering the first field we spotted a CWD about 100 yards away. After confirming it was a doe we walked around the rest of fields in search of a buck but none showed so we headed off to another ground that consisted of willow plantations. We spotted a number of CWD and bumped a good few in hedges but no bucks presented for a shot.
Jason picked me up on the afternoon and we headed out again after a CWD buck. We bumped a few CWD that were sat in hedges and spotted one in a distant field so made our way in its direction. On route we spotted another two CWD but both did not allow us a shot and we carried on. We stalked into the first CWD we had spotted but this we confirmed as a doe so continued on our way. At the top of the fields we spotted two CWD and identified one as a buck, but he was aware something was not right. We waited what seemed like an age until the buck returned to feeding. I then slowly raised the sticks and rifle, slid off the safety and took the shot. Jason shook my hand and congratulated me on first CWD buck.
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The last morning I was after another Muntjac buck and we had another short drive to the ground and on parking the 4x4 there was a Muntjac some 10 yards from us. We headed off into the wood and again there were plenty of Muntjac about, either does or just a white flash of a tail. On entering another block of wood by a lake there were a number of Muntjac about but the wind was not with us. Further on up the track Muntjac could be seen running back and forward, so we slowly made on. Jason suddenly stopped and said there was a good buck just off to our right about 70 yards away. I raised the sticks and rested the riffle in readiness for the shot. The buck slowly made its way form our right and Jason asked if I was ready which I confirmed. Jason stopped the buck for me and I sent the bullet on its way with the buck dropping to the shot. Jason congratulated me on a good buck and as we got up closer to the buck Jason said he was a good candidate for a medal and shook my hand.
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I would like to say a big thanks to Jason and Mike for three fantastic days stalking having taken my first Muntjac and CWD, with one Muntjac a possible gold medal.
If you are after Muntjac or CWD I would recommend a few days stalking with Jason and Mike, you wont go far wrong and the B&B is next door to a pub that does great food.
Regards,
243 Stalker