Thread: Just not my day.

Weather foorcast of a high of 3 degrees and rain was forecast...pretty hard to rush out of bed with that to look forward to....but by 09:30 I had terrano parked and was strapping in the racing ashleys..... changed clothing a couple of times before leaving wagon,decided to put the heavy butchers coat on just in case.
watched the low cloud/mist up on the hill....definately a southerly flow so Meg n I headed towards the north end of block before climbing up into the scrub.....things were definately on the damp side,but not too cold,wasnt long before stopped and took the long sleaved polar fleece off,leaving polyprop T under the butchers coat.....everytime Ive tried stalking wearing it I have got too hot....might just have found the ticket today...my body temp stayed just about right.
up a leading spur till just below the base of the hill then started my sidle around to the south,the ferns are shocking at end of summer autumn and in places were up to my chest....got down into a bit of a gut,few small clearish bits on other side and heard some crashing/rustling ahead...Meg heard it too and proceded to whinge...we had quiet words about that and she semi settled...I moved around a bit to try and spot animals ahead...BINGO red hind up in top edge of clear spot...up with the hefalumpgun...faaark the sights are huge,front bead/blade covers half animal,sight as best I can and squeaze off....no big thump,no tumbling deer,while Im fumbling to reload TWO big hinds move off across face,both would have been easy to hit had I managed to reload...closer and clearer...but no joy...so Meg n I head over to where deer had been standing,easier said than done with steep sided creek between us.....was 3 points of contact up otherside....got to where though she had been and let Meg cast around...tiny bit of interest in derection deer had headed off but nothing really to say"yip come on dad this way" had good look around where thought deer had been then spotted the dreaded cut sapling.....so now had definate area to look...and nothing at all to see,no blood no hair,nothing...so followed off in direction deer had gone trying to keep to the few footprints...after 75-100 yards nop no blood...missed ya useless prick..... oh well betterthan wounding....
bottom lip was down a bit ,but shook it off and carried on up n over spur and across next two gullies with nothing more seen or heard....got into really open washout area,Meg got keen,fresh pooh seen,super sneak mode,wind was ideal upwards and across front....4 quiet steps,look around,4 more look around,watch dog,4 more steps look some more..after 100 yards of this meg dead keen but buggered if I can see anything,then rocks rolling upwind ,Meg kept quiet this time so we moved downwards towards sound,spy what looked like spiker moving off,too quick to get bead on,three glimpses was all we got,was nearly tempted with a russian heart shot on offer,then decided better of it. another quick glimpse was all we got.....Meg was lots more settled this time and we stalked down into wind for 4-500 yards keeping quiet and super alert but nope,the wee fella had snuck off to safer ground.....oh well,better than being at work....
carried on across face of hill and down across another gut and onto a semi open ridge,Meg on high alert,Im on high alert.....it just felt right then noise/movement ahead...growl to shut Meg up,moved to see better and movement ahead....hind and yearling again about hundred yards...ok so line up as good as I can and let rip....cloud of Black Powder smoke this time as had changed to load I know shoots well...again no big thump,no tumbling deer but this time I know precisely where deer was standing so I lead Meg over to area and again have bloody good look around but alas again nothing what so ever to be found.... 100 yards is barrel stretching for my crude sights,50 yards all good but 100 just too far for my crude sights n old eyes....
5 deer seen,2 shots fired and nothing to blood my new knife..... so Meg n I headed back to wagon,cranked heater up high and came home tails between our legs....
might have to have a rethink....if I can find a 4" length of piccy rail cheap enough,its feasable to stick it on the top of barrel,there is a flat section there....the MS1 has held the rear sight extremely well so should hopefully be able to do same to a piccy rail...then fit one of my small fixed power scopes...hmmm but then I WILL HAVE NO EXCUSES...
so a good day out on hill,wet arse n no venison...never mind Meg n I are back in synch again.

You're keen going out with a high of 3 degrees!
I had a high of 11 yesterday, managed a glimpse of a old hind before she turned and ran off, no chance for a shot.

Great yarn, totally enjoyed it. They can't always be successful but that doesn't mean they not still enjoyable.

keep at it and dont put a scope on it , thats not cricket !

Hard core going out in this crappy weather !

Originally Posted by ANOTHERHUNTER

keep at it and dont put a scope on it , thats not cricket !

one of the forum good buggas has offered to post me a bit 4" long....so "jobs on"

mate....had I been carrying ANY of my other rifles I could easily have shot any of the 5 deer seen today....we live and we learn.... the hefalumpgun has been fun,but its time to make it a bit more deadly/user friendly.

Gotta love bush stalking. Might have to pop over to the coast soon enough and get back into some real bush compared to this open otago/canterbury country

Enjoyed the yarn micky
Do we have a photo of the so named hefalumpgun, I'm trying to picture it but failing.

I felt bloody cold just reading that Micky. You had me gripped right to the end though.

Did you and piglet get home in time for elevensies then

great yarn Micky, better 'luck' next time.....

Originally Posted by jakewire

Enjoyed the yarn micky
Do we have a photo of the so named hefalumpgun, I'm trying to picture it but failing.

.45/70 Vs wallaby at 40 yards....its first kill.

It's a tough pill to swallow but you do have days like that but hay next time you most likely will be cursing a big load of venison to carry out. Great story loved it.

Good report there Mr Duck...so typical eh. You could've stayed at home base and flattened the couch some more lol.