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Going out on the quad bike to change irrigation yesterday evening, was surprised in one vineyard to have a couple of fallow does jump across in front of me entering the vineyard from a grassy area.

Oops, they are my last two that escaped. Had not seen them for three weeks. So back home to get a rifle. Bugger! I only took the scope off the .222 two days ago to correct a slight slant on the reticle and it needed re-sighting in. My .30-06 also has a 'new' scope needing sighting in as well. The .308 is ready. But I don't like using these in the vineyards for safety reasons.

So the .22 Mag came out. Double checked the sighting and off I went.

Blitzen of course came along.

I have some mid row fescues that need mowing, dry now but high grass, so the fallow had cover. First check of the same vineyard, no deer, second pass checking all rows and there was a doe. Swapped sides to get a earth backdrop. She was still in that area. Telling Blitz to keep quiet, took a shot. A hit but missed the brain, second shot fired very quickly as she turned and down she went. The .222 would have dropped her no problem with the first shot.

Now to find her partner, another doe. Circled the vineyard twice, and found her hiding in some high grass but moving across the rows. Moved down the row, these vines were lower so can see, usually, several rows, but no she was gone. Back to the headlands. Found her sometime later jumping back into the vineyard from a paddock. Good she was running towards me. Then spotted me and took off. Looks good to see a deer jumping the fences, running freely and jumping into the next vineyard. Thought she was going to cross the road, but no, she crossed a track into a neighbours vineyard. Had a look for her until dark but she was gone. Definitely the last one left.

Also shot a couple of rabbits, one now in the freezer, the other in Blitz's stomach. While looking for the deer thought I spotted her lying flat and hiding in a row, but no, a crafty fox. A headshot and he too was in the bag!

Tally for the late night. One (escapee) fallow doe, one fox, two rabbits.

Now I wanted to take photos. Paati's thread is so good with the regular photos. But it was night by the time I got home, and then many hours gutting (I had left the deer ungutted too long but should still be OK), skinning, then butchering the deer and little rabbit. Knew today was going to be very hot, so decided to cut up the deer and put it in proper cuts straight to the freezer. It was a warm night. Did the cutting under the lights on the verandah, shorts and short sleeve weather.

Left the fox outside, but he will be very stinky with the 35 deg heat and sun on him.

An unexpected evening and more so, the nights work.

Got another deer full of lovely venison though.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"