Thread: The Winchester Rifle: Part 6

I recently had the opportunity to purchase a brand new Winchester model 1885.
A single shot rolling block action in 6.5x55, a hexagonal barrel with a lovely wood stock.
As soon as I picked it up in my hands the old fashioned feeling and mystique aroused thoughts of sneaking in close to an unsuspecting deer followed by a well placed shot.

Or at least that was my plan.

I reached my intended hunting spot just before daylight. I switched the head lamp to floodlight to make my way up the steep tangle of supplejack, it is straight up for at least 20 minutes before the ridge opens up and levels off.

As daylight approached I slipped my headlamp into my pocket, removed the cover from my scope, and lifted the rifle to check the clarity of the scope against my surroundings.
I took a few minutes to gather my breath before continuing on slowly towards the top of the ridge.Its a long leading ridge that will eventually take me into some prime hunting area.

Checking the ground as I moved I noticed there wasn’t the deer sign I’d seen on previous hunts in this area. I moved on hoping to encounter fresh sign as I got higher but it had an absent feeling about it, the dog was showing no interest in the wind so that confirmed my suspicion that the deer just weren’t here.

I continued on up the ridge to the top where it dives down into an open saddle, often used by the deer, but still no sign of these cunning animals.

The wind was perfect for me to sidle the face on my right so I dropped down into the face maybe 60 metres and proceeded to stalk at that level.

The previous weeks of heavy rain and strong winds had left the forest floor soft, quiet and covered with plenty of fallen broadleaf.
With the wind at my face, and the dog now eagerly working I cautiously stalked forward feeling a bit more confident on catching sight of a deer.

I had gone maybe 200 yards before I noticed the deer sign becoming obviously fresh and the dog began indicating strongly.

It was then that I noticed a flash of movement in front of me.

I opened the breach and placed a round in the chamber, releasing the hammer forward with my thumb to return the rifle to a state of semi-readiness.

I crept forward to see the flash of a deers arse disappear beyond the trees. I cautiously followed,hoping to see it again. As I slowly took a few more steps forward, I could now positively confirm it was definitely a deer. It seemed to be moving forward as I moved forward.

Moving forward yet again my eyes scanning desperately for another glimpse.

With my thumb resting on the hammer I had hoped to get a nice clear shot, but instead the forest erupted in a familiar commotion, two brown bodies ran swiftly single file through a gap in the trees, then almost instantly swallowed up by the forest and Gone!

The bush then returned to the still and quiet that it was only moments before.

“I had been so close,” “If Only !”

I unloaded the rifle and then placed the bullet back in my pocket.

My mind was abuzz with thoughts of the brief encounter that had just unfolded, it wasn’t the first time I’d been outwitted by deer, and probably won’t be the last!.

I gained some satisfaction at just getting so close to the cunning and ever so alert wild animal.

“You win some, You lose some!”.

I sat down and leaned back at the base of a large Kapuka tree, with the warmth of the mid morning sun now hitting my face and the birdsong gaining in volume I couldn’t help but feel appreciative of where I was and of how fortunate we are in this country to be able to do this at our whim.

The dog came eagerly into my lap and gave me a very attending look, I gave him a pat in return.

“Oh well boy, that’s Hunting!” “Let’s go home “.