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| My first Buck; But its a bitter sweet tale | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 31st October 2010 - 10:10 PM (138 Views) | |
| Bonehead | 31st October 2010 - 10:10 PM Post #1 |
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Bonehead
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Well after many stalks after this buck with Karl who I have to say a massive thankyou for giving up his time and for mentoring me in the process the morning finally came when we would finally get the crosshairs on the target. The stalk itself was really enjoyable with the sun coming out and some great scenery we set off across a massive field along the boundary edge to have the wind in our favour, we made our way right round glassing and having a chat until we reached the wood edge with a game crop crop where the deer like to feed so we went into to silent mode and crept along the wood edge until we came to the opening leading through the wood (after seeing some deer sign on the way) we were hopeful of catching up with the deer in the wood. We had a quick look round the front of the wood where we have regularly seen deer feeding at the pheasant feeder but no deer so we went into the wood and 10 paces in we heard movement in the wood to our right so after glassing around Karl spotted a Doe in the trees to our left and then another 2 deer walk across the track heading for the feeder outside the wood so we quietly backtracked out the wood and went round to head them off as they emerged from the wood to feed. We stood for no more than 5 mins and a Doe appeared and then proceeded to walk towards us............ S**t I thought she is gonna come straight towards us but she had a quick look round and went to feed, followed by her 2 youngsters who had just emerged from the wood so we waited and then the Buck appeared shaking his head and generally enjoying the pleasant day I guess so onto the sticks and we watched and waited. Now from our position we had 2 round bales in front of us about 80-90yds maybe and the feeder was behind them so the deer would appear then disappear back behind the bales until a bloody pheasant lifted out of the game crop right in front of us and flew right over the deer making a right racket which sent the deer running any which way and the Buck went out into the field, here is my chance I thought so I waited and waited for him to turn broadside which he eventually did but by this time I had been on the sticks a little too long and trying to control the shakes was difficult so when I pulled the trigger i pulled the shot and ended up gut shooting the poor sod....... I didnt realise I had hit him where I did until he turned round and I saw it and a feeling of enormous guilt came over me that I had made a bad shot and this animal is now suffering because of me I couldnt compose myself for the second shot so I pulled my rifle off the sticks and asked Karl to end its suffering as he had brought his rifle with him (My 1st shot was about 145 ish yds off sticks, it ran another 15yds after my shot so when Karl shot it dead it was nearly 160 I reckon). I cant explain the emotions I have been through since and I was unsure if to put this on here as I am not proud of my actions and in reality Karl dealt the fatal shot which I asked him to do off my own free will he never pressured me or anything like that and I understand its a learning curve but to call it a trophy is "Bitter sweet" for me. ![]() ![]()
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“Action without thought is like shooting without aim.” Heaven wont have me and Hell is scared I will take over. ![]() | |
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| madmanx | 31st October 2010 - 10:31 PM Post #2 |
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Hunter World Supporter
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You arn't the first and believe me you won't be this last to do this ,just be pleased that the deer is Dead and not wondering around injured,i have done it myself and know a lot of people who have also done it ,so don't beat your self up about it. |
| LIFE IS GREAT WHEN YOUR NOT A ARMCHAIR SHOOTER | |
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| 1543martin | 31st October 2010 - 10:49 PM Post #3 |
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'Vermin Dropper'
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Well as you say you are of mixed emotions,but,you do have to break your duck at some time or other BH,maybe 145yds was a bit too ambitious off sticks for a first Buck.As we know a bit of 'Buck fever' can take hold as well,but,keeping a bead on a beast whilst on sticks for a long(relatively)period set ready to shoot is not the best way(IMO)you should try to be as relaxed as possible while being ready to take aim when the beast gives you the opportunity.You won't make the same mistake again,well not straight away.........don't forget EVERYBODY without fail makes mistakes....we are but humans,but,we must make use of our mistakes,and learn as we go.So,well done on grassing a decent Buck,and good luck in the Doe season.............Martin |
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| Slayer2506 | 1st November 2010 - 11:29 AM Post #4 |
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Member
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Dont knock yorself up mate, we haver all done it. Show me someone who hasnt made a bad shot and I will show you a liar or someone who hasnt shot that many deer. it was unfortuanate it was your first dont let it put you off, thats why its better to go with someone experienced we are all beginers at some point. I remember my first Buck like it was yesterday and whilst I didnt get Bucks fever before the shot, I coul hardly stand after the shot just ask Robbo I was a complete mess. Well done for being so honest plenty on this site wouldnt have posted any thing bad. Hope the next experience is a better one. Remember this the Buck was down and didnt run off to die some do its a fact. regards Slayer |
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| Sid1974 | 1st November 2010 - 12:22 PM Post #5 |
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MAGNUM JUNKIE
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Congratulations bh dont let one bad shot spoil such a memorable occasion it was a succesfull stalk and the animal was not left to suffer keep your chin up |
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tikka t3 243. zeiss3x12x56 bettinsoli o/u 12 gauge. howa 1500 7mm rem mag. mossberg 500 8dhot pump 12gauge. savage .22/20 gauge combi. rem mag moderator. slot for fac airguns. dsc1. | |
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| john robbo | 1st November 2010 - 03:07 PM Post #6 |
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Angel Of Death
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All good advice B.H. It is a trophy none the less mate and its yours. Well done Karl for recovering a situation thats what dsc2's are for, and why they only want experienced stalkers to go on to become A.W's and now why they want you to have deer stalking experience before you undertake 1. I'll echo slayers words yesterday my (1/11th) evening client rang me to secure a time and said, "will i get one ?" to which i replied "I hope so but you might miss" LOL. He was quite put out and said "i've never missed a deer!!"----- "You aint shot many then", I replied...... there was a silence and then he said "your right 3 or 4."!!!! Bold words like his are only muttered by novice stalkers mate..... NO TRUER WORDS. regards john
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![]() "APPROVED WITNESS" DSC2 A ZEISS PRO-STALKER Click to view videosYORKSHIRE DEER STALKING and EUROPEAN HUNTING | |
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| Bonehead | 1st November 2010 - 06:46 PM Post #7 |
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Bonehead
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Thanks guys it's reassuring to know I have your support I have definitely learnt from this and I hope I can become a better hunter I would never let something like this beat me I enjoy my sport too much and I have met some great people doing it (quite a few off here to) and if it wasn't for you guys taking me out and teaching me what you know I wouldn't have much sport at all so it's much appreciated thanks again guys
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“Action without thought is like shooting without aim.” Heaven wont have me and Hell is scared I will take over. ![]() | |
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| slimwilly | 1st November 2010 - 07:13 PM Post #8 |
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Don't take the pith
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Haha Bonehead you have got over your first sucessful stalk , its done , finished , easy from now on, i still have to take my first deer shot, hopefully this winter , well done mate
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Treat every day as its the last,,,one day it will be ! | |
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| mudman | 1st November 2010 - 08:56 PM Post #9 |
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Advanced Member
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Well done BH, it was not too bad a do, he was down and out shortly after the first shot so job done, at least he did not run off on three legs, then you would have had a real problem. One of life's little 'learning experiences'. It may very well have had nothing to do with your case but as has already been said anything over 100m is a long way off sticks IMO, a doddle from a highseat or prone but off sticks pushing the limits unless practised alot. Put it to the back of your mind now and concentrate on getting your next one. Good luck. |
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| john robbo | 20th November 2010 - 05:12 PM Post #10 |
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Angel Of Death
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Well out this morning with this client and we were very local so I thought as there was no wind I would leave Breeze at home. We were going to be ambushing the deer accross a couple of rides. Well we had waited about 20 minutes at the first ride and not seen anything when the light had finally come good enough to move further in to ride b, on which were a couple of pheasant feeders. I put the client on the sticks to watch the ride while I stood behind and looked into the bracken to his right. Within 10 minutes he waved my attention and I immediatly saw a deer in the tree line going right to left towards the ride. I glassed it and told him doe. She stepped into the ride and I shouted stopping her in her tracks broadside. A shot rang out followed by the sound of a bullet contacting a beast.. But where? it sounded a little hollow. We waited around 15 minutes then walked gently to the "strike". We located this easily as the was alot of cut hair........too much if anything and it was very pale, there was also a small piece of flesh but not much blood. 20 minutes in now and we had found watery pale blood.. not good. We followed this for about 80 m's finding good red blood where the deer had crossed fallen trees. So there was now hope. Since we were local I nipped home for breeze and her dad gus. Also I grabbed the pump and some SSG's On returning it was evident bringing gus was a mistake he just wanted to hunt pheasants and breeze just wanted to play with him. Popping him on a lead she soon began to track the deer and the faint trail went on and on. I was now on hands and knees under the cover following spots of red blood. On and on I went. Pushing broken twigs into the ground where I found good spore it became evident she was now going in a straight line and loosing more blood. I was about 150m's from the bullet strike. I readied the pump and released the hounds they went into the thicker cover and I could hear them licking almost immediatly. I peered in to where the sound was coming from and to my relief there was the dead doe. She was stiff and looked like she died mid stride and hadn't laid up. We were lucky a low shot had struck the diaphram and had just clipped her liver which eventually caused death. So my quick outing and then off to a pheasant shoot for the second drive was scuttled but it all ended well with a clean beast in the larder a client who has had a morning he won't forget and me a little wiser as to always take the dog. Now if it had been an evening stalk it may have ended very differently. This chap has shot deer before but said on the phone he had never missed. Shoot more deer and this will happen sooner or later. Only having a dog and following best practice saved the day. |
![]() "APPROVED WITNESS" DSC2 A ZEISS PRO-STALKER Click to view videosYORKSHIRE DEER STALKING and EUROPEAN HUNTING | |
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| slimwilly | 20th November 2010 - 07:03 PM Post #11 |
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Don't take the pith
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Good to see you work for your living Robbo, good job you know what you are doing.
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Treat every day as its the last,,,one day it will be ! | |
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| john robbo | 20th November 2010 - 09:57 PM Post #12 |
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Angel Of Death
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It comes with field experience Slim, but you will learn about impact reaction to shot signs of strike and whats best and how to follow up wounded deer as part of DSC1 and hopefully you will never need it. But sadly if you shoot enough you will. I strongly advise anyone who hasn't got it who shoots deer to get it or at least buy the best practice guidelines. With a little training hopefully helps you stay in control of the situation when things go bad. And access to a trained dog is always helpful.
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![]() "APPROVED WITNESS" DSC2 A ZEISS PRO-STALKER Click to view videosYORKSHIRE DEER STALKING and EUROPEAN HUNTING | |
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