I havehad a somewhat frustrating season, with only one buck so far. Some....... Has muscled in next door, even tried to muscle in on my ground and has shot everything. I did have a good half dozen bucks earmarked at the start of the season, and have only shot one. Since then have hardly seen a thing.

So last night was very pleasing. Had had a cracking days sailing on the new old boat, then back home for supper and picked up the combination gun and out to a small field on the edge of the Glen. Looked over the fence and a nice buck grazing next to a doe. 150yds and over the boundary. Gave him a couple of squeeks but not interested. Walked on another 100 yds. Saw a Dow and fawn staring towards the wood. A buck jumps out and proceeds to chase her around the field for a good five minutes - wonderful stuff. I am sat down on a bank overlooking this field. Let's have some fun - two squeeks on the buttalo, buck pricks his ears up and comes charging towards me - he disappears in dead ground below me only to reappear at the top of the bank five yards from me. No shot at all possible as he was against the skyline. We eyeball each other for a moment, nodded mutual respect and went our separate ways. End to a perfect day.

That, sir, is what makes it hunting. Thank you for a wonderful report!

And I caught up with him last night. He was chasing a doe in one of my fields. Stalked in to 150 yds. He chased the doe into a big patch of docks. A couple of minutes later came trotting out 50 yds closer. Broadside heart lung shot with 243, couple of steps and he went down. Doe carried on grazing. He was an old buck - coronets totally grown together, but very spindly antlers. He is now in the fridge ready to be made into biltong. Only my 2nd buck this year.

Well done, I have had a poor buck season this year but have seen more does and kids than anytime before. Hopefully tonight will bring some success.

Nice to here of your success sir and a great read some times its the frustrating times and the draughts that make the good times great. My own buck season has been as good as it gets but the rut has been very disapointing.

Thanks for all your comments. I must admit the stalk and just getting close to deer is what does it for me. I always have a big tinge of guilt / remorse at taking a life, but I do know that non of it is going to waste as it all goes onto my own and the land owners table.