Thread: First successful solo hunt with Ellie

After guiding all last week I couldn't help the urge to get out chasing deer for myself so I took out my GSP pup to one of my fallow spots today. After hunting for a few hours I found this fallow spiker about 400 m from my ute on the way back. It was the first hunt Ive done with Ellie mostly off the lead. Did pretty well, in the thicker cover she stayed in close but moved out a little further and at times probably too far in the open country. Starting to take notice of scents and getting her head up air scenting which is good. Long road ahead obviously but just taking it step by step.

The spiker jumped up about 50 m away and gave me a hard quartering shot at 70 on the run, the shot went through the left arse and ended up just under the skin of the opposite shoulder dropping him on the spot. Ellie tracked him after the shot. My first menil fallow after years of chasing one and first solo kill hunting with Ellie so skinned him out for a rug. Was surprised that he actually smelt a bit rutty.

Barnes TTSX 180 gn hand loads out of the Sako 85 Bavarian 300 Win Mag did the trick as always so can't complain with that.

Just proud of my little girl and the improvements I'm already seeing in her, looking forward to the years ahead with her.