It is a small, overgrown wood on the outermost fringes of the estate. Far from the nearest farmhouse, cottage or byroad, it can be reached only by half a mile of rutted track that in winter is impassable to anything but a grownup 4x4 vehicle with suitable tyres.
Its very remoteness, however, means that it is rarely visited by woodsmen or foresters and, because it is so undisturbed, it has become a little haven for muntjac. Their tracks and signs are apparent everywhere. Last autumn, I selected a suitable spot and erected a free-standing portable high seat with the object of paying a visit once the last leaves had fallen and the trees were bare.
I did this early one morning in the depths of winter. The temperature hovered around freezing, but the frost had been kept off the ground — outside the wood at least — by a nagging north-easterly wind that prompted me to don full winter kit.
It is a slightly unusual wind direction which, rather annoyingly, meant that my access to the seat would have to be made downwind. It was still pitch dark as I crept between the oaks and found the narrow path leading to my chosen position, but the inevitable happened.
Indignant
With my high seat almost within touching distance, there came a bark from deep in a bramble-filled ditch in front of me. I had scanned constantly with thermal binoculars on my way into the wood, but I had not detected the buck that stepped out 25 yards ahead of me, looking most indignant. The buck barked insistently for some minutes, but he did not run. I remained rooted to the spot until he settled down a little and I managed to climb into the seat, from which at last I had a grandstand view.
Bu hikaye Shooting Times & Country dergisinin February 10, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Shooting Times & Country dergisinin February 10, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
United we stand
Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors
Serious matters
An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning
They're not always as easy as they seem
While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort
Debutant gundogs
There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting
When the going gets rough
Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make
A step too far?
Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work
Two bucks before breakfast
A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem
Stalking Diary
Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside