Thread: Your First...

Originally Posted by Mick666

My first would have been 30 years ago, a young hind standing front on about 50 m away going on dark with my Grandad's .303 that didn't shoot straight. Actually it shot straight enough, just not where the sights said it should! I think it shot about a 6" group about 6" to the right at 50 m! Anyway I was quietly walking up the clearing when this hind rounded the windrow ahead of me, not sure who was more startled, me or it. Probably it was because I moved first. To understand what happened next just picture most of my shooting to that point was with a shotgun, or snapshooting pukes with a .22 before they flew (no lectures on this please lol there were thousands of them!) and this was the first deer I'd seen while actually hunting them, let alone shot at. I ripped of a couple of snapshots and they bloody thing was still standing and looking at me! So I gave myself a mental uppercut, said to myself it's not a bloody shotgun so aim properly, it shoots to the right so aim left, and calm the fuck down! So I did, and I got it next shot. It all happened very quick but seemed like an eternity! So that's my story.

Last weekend I took my partners 13 year old lad into the bush for an overnighter. The little bugger is fitter than me, at his suggestion he carried more out than he took in to lighten my load, didn't even slow him down, he's a great kid. Saw plenty of sign but no luck unfortunately, not deer anyway. I got a Billy on the way in, not far from where we left the ute so he was reasonably impressed with that. I told him if we didn't get a bambi he could have a nudge at another goat on the way out. So right where I got the Billy the day before there was a Nanny standing on the bush edge bleating, obviously saying shoot me! I set him up on a log, but I could have kicked myself, I didn't make sure he was set right,he was lying all wrong and had the rifle too loose on his shoulder, he let rip, missed the goat, got a hell of a kick to his shoulder and kissed by the scope. Poor bugger, I was really dirty on myself, told him it was my fault, I was really worried he wouldn't have another crack. We went after some others a bit further down, convinced him that if he got himself set right he wouldn't feel a thing. Thankfully he believed me, picked out a good size Billy then waited till it presented for a decent shot. Round he came, I said righto let him have it, and he nailed it, right where I told him to! One of the most satisfying hunting moments I've had, the look on his face said it all. I can't wait now until I get him onto something decent he can really skite about!
Here he is
Attachment 22003

Brilliant Mick....the lads smile says it all, well done mate!!!!