| Bericht 67 'Scottish Double Bucks |
 The
still of the fine Scottish evening, was broken only
occasionally by the bark of a distant farm dog - or the lazy coo-ing
of a Wood Pigeon. The wind that had blown strongly
throughout the afternoon, had now died away completely.
From my position in the high seat - I had a panoramic view,
out from the forest edge, and across the rich, herb filled,
meadow. I rested my back against the seat's timber rails -
the weight of my Heym rifle, lieing comfortably across my
knees.
Being close to the tall Pine wood, my nose was filled with
the rich aroma of Conifer resin. Well, that - and a good
dose of Mosquito repellent. The latter, thankfully, keeping
the whining, blood hungry insects at bay.
The light was beginning to fade now, and the Roe Buck for
which I waited, had yet to materialised. To my left and
centre, two Roe does were feeding heartily - their
ginger-orange Summer coats, making them stand out starkly,
against the green background of the meadow.
Two mornings earlier, from this very seat,I had watched a
mature, grey faced Buck, with unusually long, four pointed
antlers, feeding on this meadow. This evening however, my
two hour vigil, had produced not even a glimpse of him.
As I sat, pondering whether to climb down from my high perch
- head for home - and perhaps try for the old Buck on
another evening - a loud barking came from the Pine wood to
my right hand side.
Seconds later I heard a crashing and breaking of branches -
as the long headed Buck, dashed out of the dark conifers,
and onto the meadow in front of me.
My heart raced - my pulse quickened. There he stood in all
his Summer glory - his tall, four pointed head clearly
visible.
 Carefully,
and without a sound, I raised the .270 from it's resting
place across my kness, and taking a rest on the high seat's
wooden rail, settled the cross hairs of the 8 x 56 scope,
upon the Buck's heart.
Standing still, and broadside, at approximately 150 metres, the
Buck offered the perfect shot. I pushed the stock gently
into my cheek, eased off the safety catch, and steadily took
up the pressure on the trigger.
At the shot, the rifle roared - and despite the recoil, I
could clearly see the Roe Buck fall in his tracks, stone
dead. Working the bolt, I chambered another cartridge
instinctively - even though I knew that this animal would
not require a second shot.
My feelings of elation at the successful shot, were very
soon mixed with surprise - as no sooner had the roar of
the rifle shot died away - than a second Buck,
dashed out of the Pine wood, and stood directly next to
the first - now very dead Roe !.
This second animal had a much better, heavier, six point
head. He was an older and weightier beast altogether.
 Much
damage is done to forestry plantations of my stalking
ground, and my responsibilty is to cull the number of
Bucks, to prevent damage to natural tree regeneration.
With this in mind, I once again pushed the safety catch
forward onto 'FIRE', and drew the sight's crosshairs
over the second Roe Buck's heart. At the shot he too
dropped dead in his tracks, right next to his fallen
comrade !. The .270 Heym having done it's work well.
Unloading the rifle, I carefully clambered down from
my high seat, and walked out across the meadow, to
where the two dead Roe Bucks now lay, side by side.
After two hours sitting quietly, with little
happening at all - the situation had changed
completely - and, in a matter of seconds !.
Shouldering my rifle - I took a hold of the antlers
of both Roe, and heading out across the now, dew wet
grass - dragged both animals back to my waiting
vehicle. This evening had shown some of the
finest, that Scottish Roe stalking has to offer
!.
Bericht und Fotos: Julian Schmechel |
