Thread: Tracking wounded animals. Mistakes and lessons

Now I like too say " I'm too old too be stupid "

Well that's not entirely true.
I'm getting better at saying NO too work.

I took a very nice vintage 7x57R for a walk last week.
It's a well sorted 150m capable open sighted rifle that is very accurate.
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I got on to some deer quite late and it took me a a while too get into range.
Then one of those pairs of eyes or ears must have seen me.
So the element of surprise gone, no time too range and you take the shot you have.

1st mistake. I watched her nearly go over and didn't shoot again instantly.

Got another shot at her about 5 minutes later.
2nd Mistake. Now my open sights are nearly useless.
But it was another solid hit at under 100m.

Follow that up and 5 minutes later get a clear view of her at 30m
Mistake 2 became more of an issue and is a full Mistake.
Can't see her at all through the sights.

Follow her to the heavy bust and pick up a good blood trail.
Very long story short.
I tracked her for over an hour and approx 1km.
Always down hill.
Often through blackberry and onga-onga.
The blood trail was good, she had paused often and left puddles.

I had all night
I didn't have too work the next day.
I stuck at it and eventually found her still alive but unable too move.



So my main lesson to myself was.
Vintage rifles with open sights are not so good at last light.
If it all goes pear shaped they are no use at all because you loose the light so quickly.

But using then in the morning is just fine.
Find the deer, get into position and shoot when the light is good enough.
It will only get better .