So, it's another beautiful July morning, the weather's been a bit changeable, but
the bucks have been running. Yeah, despite that they've been doing really
well for us and well between the rain clouds we've been quite successful
haven't we? Yeah. So, it's a nice early start this morning it's still about
4:45, 5:00. So, what's the plan? We're going to go and look at
some of the stubbles that just been opened up because they're harvested,
the bucks like to run the does in the open at night or when it's quiet and
that gives us better visibility, I mean by the time I guess the end of May I
can't actually see anything you know it's so high and especially if you've
got rape about you just can't do anything with it. Once they've started taking
the rape and the weight of it and the barley off it opens up big areas for us to
see what they're doing because they're active during the rut it gives us a
better opportunity to see them and evaluate them and then hopefully try and
call them. Well, that sounds like the plan. Once again I'm really looking forward to it, lets go see what we can find.
Once again we head out into the early
morning and it's not long before our luck is in.
There's a buck and doe out feeding offering an unexpected chance early on.
I used the gloom and dark backdrop to mask my approach before setting up on
the sticks and waiting for Owen to call. Anything is possible during the rut
Very pretty.
So, who could have predicted that?
Less than 10 minutes on the job
and once again Owen Beardsmore
seems to just have this ability to see into the future and exactly as you said
early morning, let's get out there quick. The weather's been changeable so you
know clearly they're going to be out early making the best of it there is
rain coming a little bit later and here he was. Now, he wasn't overly happy with
our presence but once again the rut seems to do something a little bit crazy
to these bucks. It's exactly as you say, it's crazy
they're everywhere doing the same and literally been out ten minutes I'm still
taste of coffee come around this corner and before we you know literally just on
our intro and he spotted us our winds going straight to him but still he came
to me. Now, back in May he'd have seen as approaching through the corner of the
field there he'd have been gone. This time he still seemed very skittish, you
know wasn't entirely sure. Came to the end of the field
and that's when I thought he's coming he's coming to see who what we are just
move carefully into position and the call he came in like a steam train and
even when he rounded the corner and we're there in full view still not
entirely sure stayed still. Turned, I started to call,
only because I challenged him with it bar did he stopped and he turn perfect
for you, he did. You have that chance to take him. In great shape,
slight malformed, I think you might have damaged it it during the winter
when he was growing it but these are great ones for me to take out it's not a
true six yeah and you know it's an interesting trophy because it's quite
quite curved here. So, great start to the morning let's,
hope there's a little bit more out there.
It's a fortuitous if somewhat unusual start to the day, but there's still
plenty of ground to cover so we press on into another field in search of more bucks.
The key here is to keep moving, scanning the field margins for bucks out
in their territories. Owen puts a great deal of time into reconnaissance and
knows where the Bucks have established themselves.
From time to time we stop to call and see if we can bring in the dominant buck.
I get set up on my sticks just in case something pops up.
Owens calls have caught the attention of a muntjac grazing on the field margin
who doesn't seem too concerned by our presence.
With nothing else showing, we decide to move on and have a spell in the high
seat in the hope that bucks will be patrolling their territories.
As usual I make safe the rifle before climbing into the seat.
From here we enjoy panoramic views of the ground ahead.
a doe emerges and responds promisingly to Owens call
Unfortunately, the bucks are not as responsive and the doe makes a quick escape.
With nothing showing, we reformulate the plan and head on to pastures new.
As we reach the brow of the hill, Owens eager eyes spot another buck in the distance below.
He attempts to call in the buck and it responds well to the call.
With what might be the last chance I get set up on the sticks ready for the shot.
However, it's not looking likely that we will get our buck as he disappears over the ridge and out of view.
But, that's roebuck hunting for you.
So, I suppose you could call that the heights of frustration really. sat up in a
a seat, started calling and a doe came charging and you saw it literally
jumped in bold As brass before turning off and then heading into the field next door.
Now, a little while later we saw that buck emerge now he was responding to the
call, he did start to come in I had a shot at about 140, 150
yards. Well, he seems to be responding well let him come in. I've seen
he's a disappeared in front of that Ridge we lost him. Gave him another 15, 20
minutes got down and he was obviously lying down in a tram line just the other
side of this ridge. Now, started running, once again did respond very well
to the call, started coming back but just soon to be something here that was
uncomfortable with. It could be that he'd had a good hiding from a buck could
be he's just getting towards he had an edge of his territory which is where he
feels comfortable, but didn't give his opportunity and didn't come any closer
but that unfortunately is roebuck hunting. So, for a good morning started off really
strongly a buck on the ground after about 10-15 minutes is always good way
to start and then who've seen a lot of animals, they have responded well to the
call just nothing as predicted an opportunity, but that is hunting.