Martyn,Yep most of the Borders is lovely, I used to stalk a lot in the Yarrow valley, right at the side of St Mary's loch. also stalked some of Eskdalemuir and some Tillhill beats at Ashkirk. Exactly which bits of the Etterick are you stalking,be a co-incidence if we are covering the same or a neighbouring beat.They had a whole hell of a lot of water in the river the week before last and salmon where showing well (no fly rod with me unfortunately).One of the shepherds wives had a lucky escape as thier ford escort was tsunamied..Problem in that area is that the stalking is tree protection and the forestry companies would like no deer there at all.add that to agents that want to make more on week blocks than the ground will provide. Put the half the average Roe population density of Germany in the borders and it would be an Eldorado for Buck Stalkers. I took 12 of one beat once, that was a one off. hadn't seen a deer from sunday to tuesday night, i'd decided to sack it and drive south if i didn't see anything wednesday morning. managed to wack 12 bucks between weds morning and friday night. but ive gone empty handed too. This was the only Roebuck seen all week. saw a couple of does. one of the guys realy made a balls up and missed the opertunity of a 150m shot at a good Sika stag. that teach him to stalk with the rifle in a padded case and to think that anything blackish on the hill has to be a sheep..
I let the other lads stalk all the best bits, with me taking the most difficult bits, lack of experience in hill stalking( its different to climbing in a high seat and waiting for a deer, which is the standard practice here in germany) swirling wind, full moon, east wind and crap weather didn't help.
The buck was certainly earned. I climbed up one of the steepest bits, a right old climb it was to. couldn't walk up hill, had to pull my self up by grabbing the grass almost.Got sat in a likely spot near a lone bush that was well frayed, about 150m above the tree line. My spaniel decided i should tickle her belly, (she always cuddles up close when we are out in the cold, keeps us both warm) she neded up on her back with me stroking hyer belly, i stopped to do some glassing, the spaniel gives a whine to say, " hey, carry on" gives me a shove with her hind leg and manages to dislodge herself and goes sliding head first down hill like a bob sled. legs, arse and tail all flailing about trying to right her self. she manages to get side ways, only to go rolling another 20m or so down hill. It was a sight to see, i couldn't help but laugh. once she came to a rest, she shook her head, looked up at me as if to say " smart arse, what you laughing at, and by the way, what the hell happened?" she climbed back up to me by zig zagging up the hill and set a half dozen black cock ( thats a black grouse by the way for you perverts)in flight. I watched em land 300m away.. i decided to stalk a black cock an see how close i could get.. i got withing about 130m when i looked down into the trees and a deer stepped out from behind one,. i dropped to my ***, laid the rifle over my knee, saw it was a buck and dropped him. It was only 177m ( i ranged the spot straight after) . i got maybe 10m down the hill when i slipped and went down hill on my pants for maybe 50 -60m. much to the ammusement of the dog, who had a smerk on her face as if to say " see stupid, it can happen to anyone!" anyways,, the buck was in very good condition, well fattened up for winter and a nice set of antlers for a Borders Roe Buck..
At least i proved to the others that there was at least 1 buck left there.
Have to try a different beat next year i think..
Total for the week for our party was 1 roe buck, 1 roe doe missed, a red stag (on another estate) a missed fox, and a bunch of pheasants.. but there was only me that realy hunted hard,and managed to get out every day. as usual !!
On the moderator, i think the reflex's are a pile of junk, good idea spoiled by poor materials and manufacture. PES are ok but are not as effective as the T8. Lapwood husher is ok for use with full power ammo, but miserable with sub sonic. The Brugger & Thomet is probably the best manufactured unit in Europe, very effective, but its heavey and is all infront of the muzzle. I'm having some other mods buil;t for me in Norway, i'll be testing the new design when it comes.
Pete
