Thread: Massive sika in Ireland

I know the feeling Norway.
I dropped my rifle heading into the bush for a hunt. Didn't check it properly and proceeded to miss two shots on a sika stag at about 35m front on in bush. First shot I thought I had just pulled right aiming under his chin. The stag didn't even twitch as I slammed another round in and did a very fast shot at his center chest. This appeared to be a hit as he trotted away down hill immediately out of site. There was some hair at the hit site but no blood.
I followed him up with my dog who winded (was dead calm so we were doing circles) and got me within 20m of the stag three more times but I never actually saw it (heavy bush in steep country) , just heard it crash off. I came back the next day. The wind was dead calm again so couldn't work the dog into it. I bumped into him again at the last known position on the hill. Never did get him.
Checked my scope thoroughly at home. Damaged glass on the reticle plate. The zero was 6mil high and 2.5mil right! So I missed POA by alot and would have just grazed his neck explaining the hair but no blood.
I think the stag was a senile old boy who was probably sick and blind by his behaviour!