The Christmas Eve Buck

Over a few days in the build up to Christmas I was out and making an effort to put as many deer in the chiller as I could. The result was 17 deer in 3 days, with a mix of Muntjac and Fallow.

On Christmas Eve morning I went to one of my favourite seats which overlooks a glade between woods and over a field. As I approached I could make out two fallow in the thermal spotter out feeding. I snuck down the woodland edge to within range and waited for legal shooting light.

When I had enough light I shot the first one square on the shoulder and it dropped on the spot. The second one ran on 30m and stopped. That saw him in the chiller too.

Lots of venison in chiller and a lovely head for the wall.

 

[tom308w]

Lovely beast mate.

 

[shotguntom]

Lovely beast mate.

Cheers. He is currently in a bucket of water with an aquarium heater as I attempt the maceration method of cleaning. Then will drop him off for a measure.

 

[beef1986]

cracking animal, what was his larder weight if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[shotguntom]

cracking animal, what was his larder weight if you don’t mind me asking?

I didn’t weigh him but I would guess around 70kg. Largest this season was 75kg larder weight.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

That’s a lovely buck Tom, well done!

 

[sammuz75]

Lovely buck! We’ve none so nice as that in these parts!

 

[shotguntom]

Lovely buck! We’ve none so nice as that in these parts!

They aren’t common in Suffolk but leave bucks with potential a chance to mature and you’ll get them, and just hammer the does in the meantime.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

That a very good wild fallow for Suffolk, well done.

 

[Mike1979]

Nicely done

 

[shotguntom]

I am doing the maceration method for the first time to clean him up. The smell is real!

 

[stalker.308]

I am doing the maceration method for the first time to clean him up. The smell is real!
View attachment 455181

It’s the main issue I find, the skull stinks so much after you end up boiling the skull to be able to have it in the house.

 

[shotguntom]

It’s the main issue I find, the skull stinks so much after you end up boiling the skull to be able to have it in the house.

Thats interesting. I would assume if it was fully macerated then no flesh would be left and so no smell either? My plan once maceration is complete is to put it back in the bucket with the heater, water, washing up liquid and soda crystals for 3-5 weeks which will then remove the fat from the bone and stop it going yellow, and then finally peroxide.