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Getting the monkey off my back
As some of you may know, I have had at least a couple of instances where I shot and missed (or maybe just never found the animal) and it really started to mess with my mind. I'm not much good with pest control, even though I understand the need. Heck, I had to really have a deep, hard think about if I could kill an animal even before I even decided I was going to apply for my firearms licence. So when I found the stag I had shot a week later, I felt really gutted and started to second guess if I should be out there with a rifle at all.
I haven't had too many days out since then and so I was keen to get the monkey off my back. So, today I went back to the spot where I had nearly shot a sika a month or so ago. The wind was forecast to go from southerly around 9, to a west, norwesterly. This was not ideal for where I had in mind and I was afraid of scenting out most of the hunting area just getting to my spot. So I decided to have a later start and hoped the forecast was right. I set off and things were looking promising. The wind was as forecast and the game plan was in action. I was to walk the track with the wind behind me to go as far east as I could and then drop a few contours and hunt heading west looking for north facing ridges and spurs. This whole time all I had in my head was a certain forum member saying "no good having the wind up your gunga"... As I dropped off the track, I started to see some sign and the wind continued to hold true. I had watched a number of Shay's videos where he stalked barefeest and I was keen to give it a go. So, when the sign became more consistent and the country more likely, I whipped my boots off. I had initially planned to stalk in socks, but thought heck if my feet get too cold I could always chuck them back on. Having run around bare feet most of my childhood, my callused feet barely felt the cold, or the many twigs. I was absolutely mind blown by how much quieter my stalk was and immediately I felt my confidence improve.
I continued to carefully stalk my way following deer trails, looking for sign and waiting patiently before moving on, channeling all of the wisdom of the Youtube and the forum gurus. Little snippets of information coming to the forefront at different times. I started approaching the leading ridge which then branched off into two spurs that I was sure had deer numbers. I was just short of getting to the top of this ridge when I head a twig snap. I waited for a good few minutes and sure enough, this sika hind walks across and towards me approx. 15-20m away. Bolt down, safety off, aim and BOOM. No hesitation, as soon as the cross hairs were on the hilar zone I took the shot, just as I practiced (dry firing) many a evening in my living room. My heart skipped a few beats, half expecting the animal to take off, as has been my experience. But she dropped right on the spot. I was absolutely stoked!
I ejected the cartridge to reload, but it was clear she was down and out. As I moved up to her, whispers from the forum said, "there's usually more than one animal around" and "if you have a suppressor, the deer can struggle to pinpoint where the sound came from", so I moved carefully and attentively. As I was standing next to her, there appeared a second deer, much smaller than the hind. A yearling. I slowly reloaded and drew up my rifle. The yearling, perhaps unaware, perhaps confused, turned broadside for me to take a shot. BOOM. Same result, deer dropped down and stayed down. Finally! Felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulder and the confidence has come rushing back. Couple of 3 km trips back and forth and I had two deer in my car, now hanging in my garrage. :D
I am super stoked with the result and cannot wait to share some of my spoils with my mates and also grateful for all the advice and encouragement from mates and the forum. This feels like a real community and feel lucky to have found it.
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