Thread: A Few Firsts

Bella the 10 month Lab has never been deerstalking. Ive held her back getting the basics right. She hadn't been on a quad or spent the night in a hut. Ive never dragged a skin and had her trail it. But she has very strong genetics. She did everything better than I could have imagined.

Ive never shot a deer with the Arken Zulus day/night 'scope. It was great. 2 daytime deer and one at night. Its on my Tikka .223 sighted in for 77TMK's.

I'm seeming to be having some covid bounce back so will keep this brief. The 1am bedtime this morning probably hasn't helped.

Bella was hard case and great company. Very relaxed and playful. Close all of the time. Here she is while Im glassing.



It was after 7pm when we spotted the first shootable deer. Bella and I shagged around quite a bit to get a clear shot at 200 yards. Angled shot into the lungs and probably a bit far back. It bolted 80 yards but I could see where it ended up. The scope clear and easy to use and I shot her on 20 power. The shot flushed out 2 more and it was easy to pop one of them through the shoulder at 230 yards or so.

We went to the 2nd one first and Bella cautiously tracked us to it. Her first deer. Tentative but perfect. Ive got some nice vid of it which I will try to load later.



For the next one I took her lead off and let her walk in on her own. She was wonderful, working the wind like a pro.



It was nearly dark by the time I had lugged them out to somewhere accessible for the quad.



A cool feature of the Zulus is that you can hunt about an extra hour into the dusk than with an ordinary scope. I was very impressed by that, but I wanted to get a deer using the IR. I had lots of opportunities but settled on one that seemed to be at about max IR range, about 250 yards. It was a shame that I had mucked the settings up and couldn't use the built in range finder. Anyway I smacked it over no trouble. A dry little doe. Bella did another nice little find.



It was 11pm by the time that was all fixed up so we headed for the hut.

I will add some pics to show what Bella and I got up to at the hut. We left at 9am this morning. To sum up, Bella was wonderful. Tracked 3 shot deer. The Zulus scope is very cool. A bit fiddly but thats technology I guess. I would happily use it in the daytime out to any ethical range.

beautiful mate...... looks like a fine companion to have around......

Can't go wrong with a Lab, well done.

She’ll be a bit calmer to have around than a wire hair.

Originally Posted by stug

She’ll be a bit calmer to have around than a wire hair.

Exactly. Have PM''d you.

Just great to see you out and about, and another dog going well for you as well.

Originally Posted by nor-west

Just great to see you out and about, and another dog going well for you as well.

The vids are on FB under my name.

I look at my dog and realise how much joy they bring. I pleased you’ve found a new best friend with a tear in my eye for Tilley.

Originally Posted by 2post

I look at my dog and realise how much joy they bring. I pleased you’ve found a new best friend with a tear in my eye for Tilley.

Dogs are wonderful, eh. Dear old Tilly. I loved her and I thought about her a lot yesterday. 247 deer, her and me.

In the pic of Bella on the quad with the pack you will see a hock. I biffed it into the scrub and she went and found it and jumped up with it. I let her keep it.

And so begins another chapter.

Originally Posted by Rushy

And so begins another chapter.

I hope it has a few pages to it Rushy. You never know, eh. Happy NY.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Dogs are wonderful, eh. Dear old Tilly. I loved her and I thought about her a lot yesterday. 247 deer, her and me.

In the pic of Bella on the quad with the pack you will see a hock. I biffed it into the scrub and she went and found it and jumped up with it. I let her keep it.

holy sheesh- that's a fair talley mate- great lookin pup!

The stuff dreams are made of!

Originally Posted by Gibo

The stuff dreams are made of!

Wont be long and you will be out with your pup. Great.

Well done Tahr and Bella.Have a rest Tahr,get rid of that lingering covid.Have a great new yr,look out deer.