Ronin Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Im not sure if this fits in this section of the Forum. I dont usually post about my stalking or vermin control, but today has been a truly great day. I help to manage with a friend an estate in the south lakes area, its a SSI and very special place, with nature reserve next door, it requires careful and tactfulness sometimes as youre never far from the lens of someones binoculars... The Rut is in full swing here, two weeks of roaring, barking and stags fighting over the hareme of available hinds. Management plan is simple, take out the weak, infirm and leave the big lads alone.. I set out at 0 dark 5 and arrived on the ground about half an hour later. An almost full moon and no wind made me wonder if it was worthwhile being out, I left the L200 near one of the estate entrance tracks and stalked a half mile into a place where reds are usually seen. While I ws walking in, all around were the etheral sounds of stags roaring, barking and thrashing through the undergrowth in short battles. I was in position at six, set up under an oak tree overlooking an area about 300 mtrs across which has patches of hawthorne, marshy bogs, and limestone pavement intermingled with pasture land. There are beef cattle in this area at the moment - not so much of an issue as sheep, the deer seem to tolerate the cattle and viceversa in this area. I took this image when I was out on another day with a different rifle, sorry for quality - basic camera phone I settled in and waited, the weather was dry and warm, no wind, barks and roars could be heard all around, I honestly thought at one point two stags would come over a fence behind me they were that close, ,,, but its was still too dark to aquire any notion of which to select for cull. I waited for another hour, moonlight giving over to dawns early light, I expected the stags to abate their activities, but nothing changed. The roaring continued, it was relatively easy to identify individuals, I counted seven nearby at one point. As light came, I saw a parcel of a dozen hinds about 250 mtrs from my position, the cattle were bettween me and them, (and the stags) so I took a tough decision and opted to change position. Skirted against the hedgerow moving with some calves to a point where I was 100 mtrs from the hinds. It was then I saw two of the larger stags, both 12 pointers, massive against the hinds - possibly 15 - 18 stone, in the peak of condition, I was enthralled to watch them battle, antlers locked together for what seemd like ten minutes. Eventually the lesser stag yielded, but broke off a hind and chased her towards and right past me, twenty yards from me. Fantastic to watch. The two continued behind for a few hundred meters and went into cover. I then heard a new voice roaring, again behind me, as it roared, I could tell it was quartering but getting closer. Risking a peep over a wall, I saw a staggie some 100 mtrs behind roaraing his heart out and facing me. Taking a kneeling position, the 130 TSX hit home at the base of the neck and he dropped DRT. I expected all activity to cease, at the sound of the (moderated) shot, not so. Another as yet unseen staggie jumped over a wall into the main "arena" and started to lock antlers with another - unseen stag, both of these were young and not great condition. I thought, if the opportunity arises, I'll take one. It did, after another five minutes of tussling, both broke away. One to the left about 50 mtrs from me, the other right, trotting to halt 100 mtrs away. Seated, I took the staggie on the left in the neck at 30 mtrs, DRT, then adopted a prone with bipod to check the other staggie - he stayed still and was facing me. Long enough again for another low neck - DRT. The down side of Reds; Three seconds of trigger time. Two hours of larder time - the truck was full A long, but magical morning, one i'll not forget for years and a day that makes me realise how fortunate I am helping to manage this particular estate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6mmBR Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 A fine mornings work Andy. Hope to get out soon and see how the rut is progressing on our bit of ground. Save a bit of energy for the Europeans! See you soon. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldie Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Hell, i enjoyed that....and i dont stalk. You are lucky living where you do mate. I was up in Ambleside only two weeks back. I never ever, tire of the lakes. How the hell did you manage to get them in the back ? I,ve also just realised. I have no end of mates and customers who stalk....and no bloody venision ever seems to find its way to Barnsley..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz_God Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Nice wright up Ronin, how far u have to drag them? hope u have a big freezer lol ATB Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 I have a quad on site, which I use when ground conditions wont allow 4WD access. Furthest drag today was 200 mtrs each for both the two shot together. Once gralloched, its a case of back up the truck, dop tailgate, place a ramp ive made on the tailgate and use the winch - you should just be able to see the winch in the middle of the front of the pick up body, works a treat. The L200 is pretty good for off road manouverability and getting places... The reds still take some managing , but this way I can extract without having to rely on anyone to help with it. All the carcass's are stored in proper chiller and taken to game dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted October 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 For those interested, scope is PM11 10x42, rifle home grown Rem 700 6.5x284 (barrel is a Brux), 130 Barnes TSX. Once I skin the carcasses, I'll see if any can be recovered, as i'm interested in retained weight.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brown dog Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 That's a bloomin exciting write-up; visualised that completely. Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LONG RANGE CAPT Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Andy, Great write up. Would like to hear more hunting & varminting stories. Cheers Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveW Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Sounds like a fantastic stalk Andy, the memory will last a lifetime. Interested to hear if you locate the bullets. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybrock Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Great write up, you can go out shooting hundred's of times but just occasionally you get trip that you never forget. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Nice Ronin, very nice, you are very lucky to have that kind of stalking ground at hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJR Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 Fantastic write up, thanks for taking the time to post it - makes you feel like you were there. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22/250 foxer Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 great write up. with to fine looking beasts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikka 260 Posted October 18, 2011 Report Share Posted October 18, 2011 Great Morning for you Andy, just "ever so slightly" envious as I am stuck in Baku @ work. Enjoyed the write up, and brought me to better places than here. ATB P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Posted October 18, 2011 Report Share Posted October 18, 2011 Thanks for a great write up. Looks like you had a memorable day. ATB Toby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted October 18, 2011 Report Share Posted October 18, 2011 What a cracking read. The stuff dreams are made of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr moley Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Cracking bit of writing, made you think or wish I was up there with you, looks like you had a fantastic red letter day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ Varminter Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Hi Andy. I'm hoping that's one of those buggers that have been coming onto reserve next to said reserve! Keep seeing occasional heavy signs and fur on barbed wire etc. but never seen one on there yet. I have missed all buck season hoping to get up too my ground and other lump of forest over near Hawes this weekend with my dad so hopefully all goes well. You really should do a few more write ups very good! J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Great Morning for you Andy, just "ever so slightly" envious as I am stuck in Baku @ work. Enjoyed the write up, and brought me to better places than here. ATB P Delayed reply Pete, but this would have been perfect for the 275 Rigby.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Hi Andy. I'm hoping that's one of those buggers that have been coming onto reserve next to said reserve! Keep seeing occasional heavy signs and fur on barbed wire etc. but never seen one on there yet. I have missed all buck season hoping to get up too my ground and other lump of forest over near Hawes this weekend with my dad so hopefully all goes well. You really should do a few more write ups very good! J Thanks J I think the population fluctuates bettween areas - certainly now were in pheasant season, there will be more activity seen on the reserves.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikka 260 Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Delayed reply Pete, but this would have been perfect for the 275 Rigby.... Andy Very True...... the much loved 7-08 is becoming redundant in the face of the "Upstart 275" I am looking forward to letting it loose amongst the Fallow, just as soon as..... I get thru with the W word. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted November 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Come home safe first, then start culling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ Varminter Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Well an unsuccessful stalk this weekend Andy all roe were seen when rifle wasn't to hand. Note to self male sure rifle is permanently attached to hand! Still beautiful spot at greenfield and pleasant company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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