Reading some of the threads yesterday afternoon regarding the Roe Rut and different experience members were having it whetted my appetite once more for an outing. I was out last Friday evening hoping to see some rutting activity on a piece of ground I have to near Alford Aberdeenshire. To be honest conditions were quite good for the rut warm and muggy. Unfortunately, there were more cattle about than expected which did restrict the particular area I planned to stalk. Anyway all I saw was two does and a kid and when using the Butillo I did raise an interest from a doe.
Last night I went out on the same ground but stalked a different part with more heathery hill leading down to pasture and small plantations. At first spy I found a doe and a rather big one at that in the rough grass. A longer look revealed she was on her own. A little later a buck and a short distance away from where I was placed. This particular spying place, a spot I always make for I call Observation Post, as it allows excellent spying over most of my ground. I watched the buck for a while and he seemed very settled so much so he decided to lay down. A stalk was on. I crept, with much cation, through the few tress and along a stone dyke to hopefully, a good firing point. On arrival I was surprised how tall the grass was and having to decide taking a standing shot from the sticks. I hoped to have taken a prone shot from the dyke. Positioning my self by a tree, sticks up and rifle at the ready I composed my self before giving the Butillo a go. Squeak, squeak and up he came and stood 60m away in the long grass and the 7mm 08 did the job.
After the gralloch now the work started and my earlier ankle injury was making it a hard task by to the car though my spirits were lifted when I flushed another buck on the track back. Home, deer in the larder,shower and a large celebratory glass of malt. Come Friday I will be trout fishing on Loch Leven. Retirement, the best job I have.
Last night I went out on the same ground but stalked a different part with more heathery hill leading down to pasture and small plantations. At first spy I found a doe and a rather big one at that in the rough grass. A longer look revealed she was on her own. A little later a buck and a short distance away from where I was placed. This particular spying place, a spot I always make for I call Observation Post, as it allows excellent spying over most of my ground. I watched the buck for a while and he seemed very settled so much so he decided to lay down. A stalk was on. I crept, with much cation, through the few tress and along a stone dyke to hopefully, a good firing point. On arrival I was surprised how tall the grass was and having to decide taking a standing shot from the sticks. I hoped to have taken a prone shot from the dyke. Positioning my self by a tree, sticks up and rifle at the ready I composed my self before giving the Butillo a go. Squeak, squeak and up he came and stood 60m away in the long grass and the 7mm 08 did the job.
After the gralloch now the work started and my earlier ankle injury was making it a hard task by to the car though my spirits were lifted when I flushed another buck on the track back. Home, deer in the larder,shower and a large celebratory glass of malt. Come Friday I will be trout fishing on Loch Leven. Retirement, the best job I have.
