Deer season review?

Jonty

Well how was the season for you all?

I'll start the ball rolling. Bad. I got 3 deer all season. I started out with great intention, but work kept me busy all through Sepember till November, and then damaged my knee in early December so I was parked up over Christmas, and as per usual Murphy's Law kicked in so guess what my knee magically recovered back to 100% yesterday.

Due to work and my injury, I had gotten permission that I didn't even get to shoot this season, but the landowners understand why I was't around and thats OK.

I managed to get out for about 10 stalks so through the season so 1 deer per 3 stalks isn't bad I suppose, and I'm not too pushed about stalking in the rut anyway so trophies aren't a big deal for me. I stalk purely for the plate.

I got out for a little trot about yesterday evening, and met 6 deer in a small plantation and sure as sh1t nerves got the better of me and I missed. I have no shame in saying it. I'm sure all the experts here have made a few mistakes in their time. This is only my second season. I did better my first year.

To be honest I need a heap of trigger time on the .308 and I need to get out more next season.

ejg

For my standard i had a very good season. The spikes and stags appeared in the stag season and the does in doe season, what a change to last year! Deer numbers were well down in places where we concentrated on in previous years and farmers are delighted.
Botched up one shot with bad placement which was made good once we got closer. Other than that shots went very well. Rifles where 100% reliable even at longer ranges. Must get better bino's for next season.
On the negative side, poaching and lamping might be on the rise.

All in all also enjoyed outings with much more experienced stalkers.


edi

jwshooter

dont think it should be about numbers or trophies.
my last day was tur had a wedding friday :mad:.
my young dog is a num dinger, hunted very will tur also had my older bitch out ,clever is not the word for her .
the snow fxxked me up for 3 weeks so did not get to the hill .
its a hungry time on the now a lot of dead deer on the hill seen 4 tur

including this young stag ,had the makings of a nice one
kinda glan its over i may get some work done and make a few euros .

less than 6 months away now .

Trojan911

Not to bad I suppose for a first timer, but could have been better. Only got two (one of each) in total but started late in the season due to waiting for the NPWS licence. My last six stalks only spotted bucks so as they were out of season no shots fired.

The weather wasn't that great either towards the end so deer were not moving about.

We went out at 06.00 on the last day, it poured rain all morning, we saw one buck & then we got a puncture in the middle of a forest, and the driver did not have a jack . Luckily he knew a mechanic in a garage near enough to us who knew the forest....

Need to invest in some shooting sticks, some alternative camoflague, Oh yeah, and an SUV type vehicle..... My saloon is, well, not suited for some of the areas we go.

Jonty

jwshooter wrote: »

dont think it should be about numbers or trophies.

You're dead right there. still its nice to get them. I would liked to have gotten out more is all.

Its nice to see that the people that have posted can see changes they can make themselves for next season. It improves the individual and the sport as a whole.

sikahunter

for me its getting out in to the country side away from work and relaxing my season went ok got 2 in november and 1 on friday the 27 of feb have pix but cant upload them

Trojan911

sikahunter wrote: »

for me its getting out in to the country side away from work and relaxing

You are spot on there. Sitting up in a ditch/field covertly for a few hours gives you time to relax & reflect. Some of the areas we covered in Kerry were stunning spots. I'm going to miss that, however,

I will go back in the near future armed with my DSLR & telephoto lens & shoot some wildlife.

Maybe bring the tent & gear. Shoot a rabbit or two on route & camp overnight in the Kerry mountains.

clivej

Trojan911 wrote: »

You are spot on there. Sitting up in a ditch/field covertly for a few hours gives you time to relax & reflect. Some of the areas we covered in Kerry were stunning spots. I'm going to miss that, however,

I will go back in the near future armed with my DSLR & telephoto lens & shoot some wildlife.

Maybe bring the tent & gear. Shoot a rabbit or two on route & camp overnight in the Kerry mountains.[/quote]

Trojan that all sounds like heaven to do, I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend.