Tracking, how good are you

[stone]

exactley how good are we
following on from Chickenman's thread about getting a dog
http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?9605-How-long
no reflection on Chickenman or anyone else
just more as a general pointer
i thought i might post a little write up with a few pics to show what it is all about
my aim was Roe and a particular family group at that
i knew where i would expect to find them

Doe and the 2 selected Kids

as you can see they are lay down on the skyline with no safe shot at all,

so plan is keep moving around the hedgerow till they now hav a backstop behind them , All the time i am in full view and she is watching me

they stand up and offer a split second chance that is safe
first kid down ,

reloaded but they were off like rockets
so time to goto to work
track down mum and remaining kid
this was to be done just by following slots
fresh slots in direction they ran

more up the grass track on edge of field

About 10 mins into the track i noticed this sudden change of direction

more slots in the field indicating i was on the right line

as i scanned the hedgerow in the direction they had gone the 2 remaining Roe were spotted lying down in the hedge bottom
again no sensible shot as i set the camera up, i was spotted and off again they went, this time i was ready

i stopped them in mid field and flight where there was a safe shot to be had
2nd kid on the deck

 

[stone]

The Doe looking back but not figured into the cull plan for this area

close up of the 2nd kid

carry to field edge for gralloch and drain
then walk back to the 1st kid and do the same , this time i used sika to track just for fun

2 does in the bag and still enough light and time to go look elsewhere

3rd one in the bag and no runners

so a good night allround

even got one for the album

tracking is not just about using a dog but more about working out what the clues mean and can tell you, this can only help if and when you get a dog to help assist you, so you can both work as a team, as one

 

[monynut]

Nice going there Rich.

 

[Jinga]

Good work!

 

[Lancs Lad]

nice result

 

[flytie]

I liked this thread, thank you! Nice pictures, good points and well made.

ft

 

[biglad]

Nice photos and a good days stalking mate.

 

[basil]

Good post Stone.
basil.

 

[Jonher]

Great result, great tracking and great pictures!

Well done!

 

[Chris Rob]

Nice one Ricardo

Cheers
Chris

 

[glogin]

Great pictures Stone!

ATB

Greg

 

[willie_gunn]

Rich

As ever, informative and interesting post with great photos....nice job!

willie_gunn

 

[pheasant sniper 1]

Not as good as you my friend..

Some effort gone into that post Rich

 

[Roedinator]

rich great write up and pics glad everythings going well with the dog
pete.

 

[AnSealgaire]

Great hunting and tracking! Great to have the pictures too, excellent thread!

 

[wraith]

yes liked it to nice pictures well done mate that black deer looked niceso what caliber are you using rainge of shots thanks

 

[cookingfat]

nice one Richard,

nice write up,

well done

Anthony

 

[russ91]

good going pal to be honest never realy tryed tracking deer

 

[stone]

Not as good as you my friend..

Some effort gone into that post Rich

Terry
believe it or not , we are all as good as each other with just a bit of practice
or my case a lot
as for effort
the hardest part was loading it onto the site as it only takes 20 pictures at a time per post
(reason for 2 posts)
but tracking was effortless and real reason for posting it as it may help a few more out there to hav a go instead of just wandering aimlessly hoping to bump up a deer to shoot
as my enjoyment is in finding the deer first of all to photograph

 

[stone]

so what caliber are you using rainge of shots thanks

rifle is a Tikka m590 .243 , fed with 100 grain sp homeloads
first kid about 120 yards, maybe less
but i could of got a lot closer if i really wanted too by walking out into the field and sitting the dog down in full view of the deer, then i could of gone on a marathon around the field and walked up right behind them as they would still be fixated on the dog or just stalked tight into the hedgerow till i was close enough
the 2nd kid about 170-180
the zoom on the camera can throw you abit