Had a mid afternoon knock off from work so grabbed my gear and rifle and went out to a local block. Arrived just after 3.30 and headed up the track which climbs fairly steeply in places. Once into a spot I've bumped deer before I was about to slow down when a fawn took off to my right. Slowly sidling forward watching every foot placement carefully I spot movement 40 or 50 metres ahead.
I see the fawn again and a spiker mooching through the trees, as I tried to get closer I spotted a hind down to my left with her eyes locked onto me. The thought of the tasty young fawn quickly left my head as I slowly lifted the mighty .270 and sent a 140g interlock on its way. The shot hit a bit high in the shoulder and instead of risking a hoof tearing me up I quickly put another shot into her head.
Didn't check the time but it was probably not much more than half a hour since I left the truck.
Into the cutting up a pack loading I headed back out and made it to the truck before even needing the headlamp.
Couple of firsts on this hunt too, after living in the South Island for 9 years and 11 months I finally shot a red deer and this is the first animal I have ever shot with a round that I handloaded myself.
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