Re: Texas Airgun Hunt Day 3
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Texas Airgun Hunt Day 3 November 16, 2011 02:27AM |
Today began with another morning in the ground blind which was filled with more whitetails but no axis. These Axis are very shy. I don't even have a good pic of one yet!
Eric and I feel that a second attempt on the Blackbuck would be in order for this afternoon. This time I'll try the Barnes Grizzly 62 cal. After the first hunt they were much more skittish, I can't imagine why.
They were now spending a lot more time at the east end of the field, but would move west if anyone was on the driveway. Eric noted that they consistently traveled through the third break in the wall when going from south to north. This might give us an opportunity for a second stalk.
I entered the field from the west staying as far north as possible. When I was past the third opening I again crawled up to the wall and made a little hide by leaning against the wall and covering with a piece of camo netting. This spot had a bush or two and was 40 yards from the opening and 60 yards from the north boundary of the field.
From this point I was able to see them in the east end of the field. I was peering over the wall as Eric drove down to the east. The herd moved at a brisk pace toward the west about 200 yards from my spot. Then Eric moved into the orchard on the south of the field as they were now moving to my side of the field I was going to be exposed so I made the move around the end of the wall. They were indeed heading toward the third break but at much to fast a pace. I was now positioned fully prone behind the small bush at the end of the wall, on left of pic. They were now slowing and heading to the north edge of the field. The dominant buck was in the lead, the lessor had left the field. He slowed even more, I now lined up on the front of the shoulder and BAM...WHAP. Sounds like a good hit. He reacts and runs then turns toward me at 100+ yards. I take a front on shot that was low in the dirt. He heads to the east end of the field out of my sight. Eric kicks him up from his bed, he runs west to bed again. This time when he exits his bed he and the rest of the herd jump the cattle guard and head to the brush, DARN. We decide to let it lie down for a few hours and try to track it this evening.
The evening hunt from the blind is without event so we leave to see if we can locate the Blackbuck. Eric feels he should be on the north end of the hill. As we come into the field the does are now escorted by the "lesser" buck. This indicates that the dominant buck is down for good. Now just to find him. We set off into the brush. We walk for literally miles with no sign and no buck before dark takes over. BTW, we did kick up some Axis does who were getting out of Dodge fast. Dejectedly we give up the tracking to tomorrow.
This is very disappointing, I was kicking myself for every possible change I could have made to change the outcome.
I won't go through all of them now, but I think the major factor was shooting from the prone position for the first time with this gun. All bigbores are hold sensitive. I had such a solid hold that I think this threw the shot off. I'll test this on the range at home.
In the morning we resume looking.
Kent
Eric and I feel that a second attempt on the Blackbuck would be in order for this afternoon. This time I'll try the Barnes Grizzly 62 cal. After the first hunt they were much more skittish, I can't imagine why.
They were now spending a lot more time at the east end of the field, but would move west if anyone was on the driveway. Eric noted that they consistently traveled through the third break in the wall when going from south to north. This might give us an opportunity for a second stalk.
I entered the field from the west staying as far north as possible. When I was past the third opening I again crawled up to the wall and made a little hide by leaning against the wall and covering with a piece of camo netting. This spot had a bush or two and was 40 yards from the opening and 60 yards from the north boundary of the field.
From this point I was able to see them in the east end of the field. I was peering over the wall as Eric drove down to the east. The herd moved at a brisk pace toward the west about 200 yards from my spot. Then Eric moved into the orchard on the south of the field as they were now moving to my side of the field I was going to be exposed so I made the move around the end of the wall. They were indeed heading toward the third break but at much to fast a pace. I was now positioned fully prone behind the small bush at the end of the wall, on left of pic. They were now slowing and heading to the north edge of the field. The dominant buck was in the lead, the lessor had left the field. He slowed even more, I now lined up on the front of the shoulder and BAM...WHAP. Sounds like a good hit. He reacts and runs then turns toward me at 100+ yards. I take a front on shot that was low in the dirt. He heads to the east end of the field out of my sight. Eric kicks him up from his bed, he runs west to bed again. This time when he exits his bed he and the rest of the herd jump the cattle guard and head to the brush, DARN. We decide to let it lie down for a few hours and try to track it this evening.
The evening hunt from the blind is without event so we leave to see if we can locate the Blackbuck. Eric feels he should be on the north end of the hill. As we come into the field the does are now escorted by the "lesser" buck. This indicates that the dominant buck is down for good. Now just to find him. We set off into the brush. We walk for literally miles with no sign and no buck before dark takes over. BTW, we did kick up some Axis does who were getting out of Dodge fast. Dejectedly we give up the tracking to tomorrow.
This is very disappointing, I was kicking myself for every possible change I could have made to change the outcome.
I won't go through all of them now, but I think the major factor was shooting from the prone position for the first time with this gun. All bigbores are hold sensitive. I had such a solid hold that I think this threw the shot off. I'll test this on the range at home.
In the morning we resume looking.
Kent
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Re: Texas Airgun Hunt Day 3 November 16, 2011 04:12AM |
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