This year was very challenging and problematic, and the first year I did not stalk roe deer, because roe deer season I spent during lock down on the rig.
But, once I got home, I tried to use remaining season for other things to hunt.
So, although hunting grounds is quite close to my place, about 45 minutes from my home, this is the first time I hunted mouflon. Or hunted there at all.
The area were I hunted is north part of Plomin channel. The hills are steep down to the dark water of channel, which itself resembles nordic fiords. (but just resembles, as it is not of glacial origin)
Hunting is done on the hills of norhern side.
Local hunting club started mouflon managment 10-12 years ago, with basic herd of 6 nannies and 4 billies. Today the herd is around 150-180 heads, with annual quota of cca 38, of all sizes and ages.
Interestingly, the herd of mouflon has pushed roe deer population, north of road (road visible on the map), so below road remains for occasional boar and noumerous mouflon. Terrain is very steep, very rocky, and on occasion a dense bush. To break the leg is easy.
In the mediteranean bush, visibility up to 10 - 15 meters.
On the sea side there is totally open rock terrain without vegetaion, some grass only, were a shot could be made at estimated up to 500 meters, or less.
Inside the hunting area, where local mediteranean bush prevails, there is a cleared stretch below high voltage line, which is crossing the bush, and leading to the north, or norht east. Under the voltage line, clear line of shot could be stretched up to 200 meters, and thats it. The rest is "jungle".
Now, when I was cosnidering the hunt, in area unknown to me, the first concern was caliber.
If I take 9.3, with wide angle optics for driven hunt (zeroed at 50m), this would be good for bush. But if a shot represents itself on one of the two open areas, that shot could become a challenge. Next consideration was my new 375 to take out - not because it is "perfect for mouflon in the bush", but just because I had a thought to try the rifle in the field. But possible "long shot" with unfamilar rifle was deciding factor. So, I took, good old 30-06, zeroed at 200 meters, 6 cm plus at 100 m, 3 cm plus at 50m, sako 85. Mouflon should not be overly tough game and neither I could choose in urgency of the moment a better bullet, so bullet would be my roe deer bullet, nosler ballistic tip, 180 grains.
So, thats how the rifle and caliber was chosen.
Now the hunt.
The local hunting area I dont know, never been there, just had occasional coffee in local tavern (with Great view there over local islands, btw).
So, the final plan, as later agreed was: I wanted stalking, (not a stand), and would prefer the guide.
4 of us, hunters we went, to a meeting point with guide. With separate cars, as agreed day before.
I came 20 minutes earlier and waited for others to join.
We had a quick meeting and breif, with local guide, got our licenses written on trunk of a car, under the light from hand torch.
Local guide took other three hunters to stands. He took me last, 2-3 km westward by car, down the main road, to next village, took me out of car, took me down the goat path, and when we came in the bush, he expalined were to walk.
He said, keep stalking in the middle of area, do not go down to sea level - they dont go to sea level, and call me if you shoot something. He gave me mobile phone number.
Off he went, while there was still dark.
I took a moment to prepare the rifle. As was still dark, I lit a cigarrette. Took a deep breath, and tried to feel the soorrunding area. Mediteranean plants could be smellled in the air.
With time, the dawn came. Some daylight at least! I could see clouds in the eastern skies. I started stalking. Crossed the clearing under high voltage cable, and went down into unknown bush.
10 minutes stalking, 15 minutes listening. 10 minutes stalking, 20 minutes listening. Listening sessions, progressively longer, as the bush became denser, and myself deeper in the bush. Visibility down to 10 meters, scope power down to minimum, 3x (zeiss 3-12x).
It was quiet, and I felt a mild breeze to my face.
After number of stalks, and sessions of observing, I heard a rock, rolling down.
One rock, only, estimated north of me, and either under the electric voltage clearing, or across of it, north of it.
But I was still quite down and away from that clearing. And each step of mine created a sound.
But as careful as possible, I took one step at the time, to get to the clearing.
Once I got there, I took my time, to sit behind a bush, and take a look around.
After, maybe a 15 minutes, i saw a movement. Across of the clearing, on opposite side from were I was.
Binocular in hand, and got it!
An animal in the bush, broad side visible, "orangish color", head and neck behind the bush, browsing. 50 meters away.
I replaced binocular with rifle, found a rest on a branch of the bush, and easily took aim, safety off. Now observing.
The animal broke away from the bush. Head up.
And a dissapointement i felt, as I identifeid a young calf, with horns, 3 inch size, top.
I did consider shooting, as venisson in fridge was low, but I decided against, and went for something better.
Youngster probably sensed me, or saw me, he was looking in my direction, and then easily dissapeared in the bush, northward. Not scared, but careful.
About mouflon I dont know nothing, never hunted them in my life, read little about them, but my way of thinking at that moment was - mouflon are sheep, and they probably move in groups (flocks).
So, under presumption thet youngster was not alone, I crossed the clearing quitely in direction were he dissapeared. I tried to be quiet, but at that moment even the heart of mine was too loud, as it seamed. When a branch broke, i though they could here me at home!
When crossed , to the northern side of clearing, i tried to take a peak in the bush.
Nothing. And it was dense. Very dense. Impassable.
So, I made 20-30 meters ahaed, near the edge of bush, and quitely looked in again.
I must have made some sound, or a wind changed direction, as this caused unexcpected movement.
Through the bush on the final limit of visibility, I saw maybe a dozen of animals, moving away from me, in easterly direction, and keeping deep in the bush.
Ok, I thought, not a disaster, I am now on track! All of them are within 100 meters from me! Not more!
I made next 20-30 meters along the northern edge of bush, and found a nice place to observe.
An old handmade dry stone wall (in past marking local garden or vineyard), now overgown with local wild plants, and I kneeled there, sitting on my left heel, leaning with my back against the rock. Quite confortable for field position.
The bush ended 200 meters in front of me, and if they get out, they will come to clearing.
WInd at the moment was to my face. Daylight was present, and first rays of sun could be seen here and there, through the dense clouds, If there was no clouds, I would be facing sunlight, and could be a problem for aiming. But clouds helped, wind was good, the daylight was sufficent and improving, new day was in its early birth.
As the time passed, I wanted a cigarrete badly, but for the mouflon sake, I decided against it!
I heard another rock rolling, estimated hundred meters ahead and away from place were I spotted the flock earlier.
Later thought after the hunt, Oh my god, how quiet they were! All of them in all that time, moved just two small rocks, no other sounds at all!!!
So, they moved, in good direction! (under presumption that mouflon kicked the rock, in the first place)
I felt confident, having a thought of having the things under control, and in same moment being also certain, that it can all turn out differently! My one and only chance was still not blown!
Minutes pass. I dont move. Nothing happens. Quiet all around.
Quitely I removed backback from my back. Took out range finder, and checked all distances for possible shot. Longest shot could be at 180, closest shot, possibly at 50, but for this one I doubted. Too close.
I made mental note of few small bushes in the clearing and their distances.
Put a range finder in left pocket, picked up my head, and I could not belive my eyes!
Two mouflon, of good size of horn, came out of bush, and took fight! Rut season, so not surprisingly!
it was like on discovery channel documentary! And their fighting, head to head went on.
Or, in times of collecting strenght they were scratching each other broad side.
This gave me time, to establish distance. 87 meters!
I passed the left hand around sling, positioned my left elbow on my left knee, rested my back against the stone behind, sit down on my right heel, made safety off again, and took aim.
Shot did not come immidately.
I was afaraid if taking a shot, I might wound or kill another mouflon,
So throught the scope (at that moment at 6x power), i enjoyed the sight of mouflon fighting... for next minutes.
Weaker one lost the fight and moved away, to the right, accross the clearing.
Stronger one, stopped raised the head.
The shot came at that moment, and as I was almost certain of good hit, the stronger one dissapeared in the moment of recoil, and the weaker one jumped accross the clearing to the right, towards the seacost, down the hill, in the bush
I worked the bolt, unscertain of present situation.
Entire flock came out from bush, left side, maybe 25-30 heads, all sizes and sexes... crossed the clearing running, and dissapeared in the bush, down the hill to the right, following the first one.
I increased the power on the scope, not moving, in same position and was eagerly looking to the place were I shot, hoping to see something, searching. In the same time, being afraid of a miss.
A minute passed.
Then I saw a movement of the bush, a branch, were all other plants were standing still in a leeway of the hill!
Aha!
Mouflon moved.
I kept my aim to that place, in case he stands up.
Minutes pass.
No further movement of branches and leaves.
I felt a bit relaxed by now, more confident, and had and immidate idea to mark the moment with long awaitied cigarette.
So it was.
As by now, the mouflon did not move, I emptied the rifle, and walked slowly to the bush were I supposed mouflon awaited for me.
There It was.
Three quarters of full turn on the horn, later they will measure 167 CIC points (13 points less from bronze medal - which I consider as best buy size in CIC pricing european systems).
He was There! My first mouflon!
I knew, next thing will not be pleasent, pulling him up against the steep cliffs and rocks to next road.
But at that moment, I removed such dark thoughts from the head.
I wanted to save the moment.
And what a moment it was!
Down to the sea level of channel, quite below from my position, there was a dense cloud of mist, moving slowly along the dark channel.
The sea was not to be seen, and a carpet of mist, a grey cloud slowly drifting out to sea wastness.
From the mist, I could hear a distant hum of diesel engine, and a franzy calling of dozens of seagulls fighting in the air. I know from sound that fishing trawler is pasing the channel, bringing in to the harbor their night catch, and crew washing the decks over board, for which the seagulls are fighting steeling small fish. I dont need to see them.
A moment to save. Carpe diem!
Then, after a moment to spare, crowned by cigarete, I sent messages to other three hunters on the stands, east from my position, that I have shot, and mouflon are moving to their direction (maybe). Then I gave a call to my guide.
Final comments:
The guide came, after some time, and we pulled the querry up the hill to the road. Exausted we get to the car somehow.
Mouflon in the trunk!
Got the papers for game and venisson, and after a lunch with other guys in local tavern (lunch was on me) went home, to skin the cape.
Cape is now in the fridge, waiting to take him to taxidermist.
In the photos you may find atatched - landscapes (from internet)
Local map, hunting area is in northern side of channel. See the arrow.
And mouflon.
