Tough day for ‘ol Foxyboy

[Foxyboy43]

A day of mixed emotions for this oul fella.
A lovely morning on the Perthshire Glen with the stags still roaring all around us - utterly magical and one of nature’s truly great acoustic treats. But I was here for the hinds; the sudden cold snap had brought many deer down to the lower levels and I was very fortunate to have two pleasingly good shots at a hind and her calf though I am not ashamed to admit that I studied both through the S&B perhaps a tad longer than I should have before somewhat reluctantly sending the .308 homeload on it’s destructive path.

For me this was finally the day I was dreading; much pondered in my head the last year or so but like many before me I knew it was the time when I finally would decide that the glens were indeed too much for me; no more would I crawl through bog, moss, heather and little “deposits” so kindly left by the local sheep. I have always rejoiced in my times in the glens, marvelled at their sheer vastness, felt honoured to just be there and in truth on occasion wondered why I ever went there at all - rarely I know but….
So a particularly wonderful chapter in my life has come to a close. At 73 I have no regrets, lots of great memories - including the ones I forged this very day for I know I have been blessed by all that came my way and am comforted in the knowledge that Roe and Falllow are still within my reach; indeed as the glens inexorably slip away from me I am determined to fulfil my bucket list and shoot the UK six - halfway there already - what could possibly go wrong….

 

[tarponhead]

Is there the rest of Ireland to conquer, instead, maybe? This age thing is unfair - I now don’t have enough left, to do all the things I wanted to, but it sounds like you have already done much!

 

[Dunwaters]

Don’t give up just yet, move over a bit.
Instead of reds, try sika, they’re smaller and available closer to home. Keep after the rest of the UK 6, muntjac and CWD are smaller still and available in lowland areas close to civilisation and comfortable accommodation.
Keep going for as long as you enjoy it.

 

[wytonpjs]

Open hill maybe, but I've only stalked Scottish forestry areas (FLS/Fountains) with their blocks, clear-fell and surrounding open hill, and I find it exceptionally rewarding without the strenuous exertions of covering huge distances and height on the open hill. Well worth considering IMHO for reduced exertion (and probably a saving on your pockets too) Magnificent scenery, spectacular views and more importantly, good access roads, ATV tracks etc. These from earlier this month:

 

[lochty]

@Foxyboy43 like you, i have decided that tramping the hills has become too much for me. I was lucky enough to get a day at stags on the 20th this year,which was great but took 3 days for me to recover. Like you, I'm now concentrating on fallow which doubtless will drive me to distraction. I wish you well in your quest.

 

[Klenchblaize]

A delightful and moving write-up.

Enjoy your retirement and retreat to Lowland stalking.

K

 

[opticron1]

One of the owners on the land I used to stalk on reached a similar position @Foxyboy43 - he eventually got to the point of going out in the Argo and doing a "short" stalk when they spied a suitable animal and the keeper/stalkers did the hard work. Might be worth saving your pennies for one (or two) last outings on the stags, but let the Estate know that you're not as sprightly as you'd like to be and if they can be a little less punishing!
Having been in a similar situation this year, I'm definitely going down the route of "be gentle with me!"........

 

[Smellydog]

I hear you Foxy. Bloody hands and arms ached for three days just dragging a fallow buck 70yds!.
I love the Highlands also. Chasing them lice like dots on the side of a snow covered slope. But now I'm happy with local. I doubt I will do what you have done at 73 ol' friend.
Kudos

 

[Foxyboy43]

I hear you Foxy. Bloody hands and arms ached for three days just dragging a fallow buck 70yds!.
I love the Highlands also. Chasing them lice like dots on the side of a snow covered slope. But now I'm happy with local. I doubt I will do what you have done at 73 ol' friend.
Kudos

Thanks Smelly and the rest of the guys. It wasn’t a tough decision - more a welcome recognition that if I kept it up I would end up either coming off the hill strung from a freshly cut pole or more likely simply left up there like one of the many unfortunate climbers still sprinkled over Everest. Still the memory of the beauty of the hills will stay with me forever…

Not all doom and gloom though - great morning today with 4 roe in the truck - shot in enormous fields with only a few hundred yards of walking required. One stalk was great - 100 yards on my belly; in my mind’s eye I was a stalking leopard closing sylph-like on it’s prey; my pal who stayed in the jeep said my wobbling arse was the funniest thing he has ever seen…..
Friends are the next thing I am giving up….

 

[Foxyboy43]

Is there the rest of Ireland to conquer, instead, maybe? This age thing is unfair - I now don’t have enough left, to do all the things I wanted to, but it sounds like you have already done much!

But of course sir! There are always other hills or fields to conquer, indeed Ireland is full of them and as an added attraction I am not north of £400 out of pocket before I even leave home….

 

[kenbro]

A day of mixed emotions for this oul fella.
A lovely morning on the Perthshire Glen with the stags still roaring all around us - utterly magical and one of nature’s truly great acoustic treats. But I was here for the hinds; the sudden cold snap had brought many deer down to the lower levels and I was very fortunate to have two pleasingly good shots at a hind and her calf though I am not ashamed to admit that I studied both through the S&B perhaps a tad longer than I should have before somewhat reluctantly sending the .308 homeload on it’s destructive path.
View attachment 443573
For me this was finally the day I was dreading; much pondered in my head the last year or so but like many before me I knew it was the time when I finally would decide that the glens were indeed too much for me; no more would I crawl through bog, moss, heather and little “deposits” so kindly left by the local sheep. I have always rejoiced in my times in the glens, marvelled at their sheer vastness, felt honoured to just be there and in truth on occasion wondered why I ever went there at all - rarely I know but….
So a particularly wonderful chapter in my life has come to a close. At 73 I have no regrets, lots of great memories - including the ones I forged this very day for I know I have been blessed by all that came my way and am comforted in the knowledge that Roe and Falllow are still within my reach; indeed as the glens inexorably slip away from me I am determined to fulfil my bucket list and shoot the UK six - halfway there already - what could possibly go wrong….

And you wouldn’t have been wanting if a follow up shot or 10 was needed
Nicely done Fb.
KB.

 

[Foxyboy43]

And you wouldn’t have been wanting if a follow up shot or 10 was needed
Nicely done Fb.
KB.

Well spotted KB - I was at the range on Sunday and couldn’t be bothered changing back to the floorplate top stacker. All that effort with those two screws….
Anyhow a boy can never have too many bullets.

 

[kenbro]

Well spotted KB - I was at the range on Sunday and couldn’t be bothered changing back to the floorplate top stacker. All that effort with those two screws….
Anyhow a boy can never have too many bullets.

I don’t like my Rem 700 top loader (Sounds like an old washing machine, and I don’t mean Wifey) because it’s too hard to load even relatively quickly and almost impossible in the dark.
KB.

 

[Foxyboy43]

I don’t like my Rem 700 top loader (Sounds like an old washing machine, and I don’t mean Wifey) because it’s too hard to load even relatively quickly and almost impossible in the dark.
KB.

I know what you mean I did the conversion on both my .308 and the sainted triple deuce. The one downside of both now of course is the dreaded “now where did I put that magazine…..”?

 

[Smellydog]

Tis a fiddle on mine with the rail mounted Zulus.
Wasn't a problem years ago with just rings.
Then the bolt can retract past the mag well so the rims don't line up with the back of the well .
But, I can't lose anything! Because I would!!

 

[Foxyboy43]

Last night in Scotland for Foxyboy after a glorious 10 days; a trip with great highs and a few lows not least that tomorrow it is back home to Northern Ireland.
As said earlier the high hills are no longer mine to climb; I hand them on to younger, fitter and hopefully wiser men who I trust will care for them as I have done. Look after them well lads - they are no more yours than they were mine but they are in your care until the time comes for you too to hand them down. The hills, glens and the wonderful deer that inhabit them are in your custody, treat them well for never before have they faced such threats, they deserve nothing less…