Up in the dark and off to spot critters.
It did not take long.
Mountain Reedbuck we just walked by. No chance of getting close enough with the bow.
Rifle 224 yards.
Then something interesting. A Bachelor Vaalie. Only one set of eyes watching you. It would be a nice change of pace.
Left him for a later attempt with the Ghillie on and the chance of a surprise attack.
After scaring enough herds go reedbuck and Vaalies to load a transport truck (all in rifle range and a couple at extreme bow range) we came upon these fellows. Fallow Deer, a new kind of "Falli".
We actually saw him at first light but there were more important matters to attend to.
Picture taken at about 152 yards.
I got to within 105, but they made me with zero cover and no Ghillie on.
Awesome stalking experience on a totally weird trophy animal up here in the Mountains.
They run wild and free up here cruising over fences with abandon.
Went for a walk down low up a river and looked at the mountain where I did my third Mtn Reedbuck stalk. Crawled through those steps. looks worse from below. Well, maybe not.
Found that cats run around up here to.
For the evening hunt I decided to sit where I thought that Bachelor might head down the Mountain toward a farm - rye.
The Shepherds decided to gather the sheep in my camp shortly after I was set. Oh, for the luck.
They use a whip. Some type of leather about five feet long on the end of a two foot stick.
It sounds almost exactly like a rifle shot. Made me duck when I heard the echo.
The Vaalie started down my drainage and made several attempts to get down but the shepherds persisted until almost dark.
The PH said he could not see me from his vantage point further up the mountain. Good news.
I spotted a few reedbuck between me and the Baakie so it was time to try the Ghillie on for size and see if it was worth the money.
Fooling a human eye, is one thing.
I move up into a basin ever so slowly. Not really stalking just a slow stroll.
The head cover was not on. Too hot, even in the cold.
I came into the small basin in the wide open, no crouching nothing. Walked right in.
There were two females and this young guy.
They stood and watched me.
I moved closer, took out the camera. Took pictures. Then took out the range finder, noted the distance. Put it away. Moved a little closer and took this picture.
Less than 48 yards. Too small to draw on him.
Considering every Reedbuck, save one herd, left at pace when they spotted us. Anywhere between 240 and 530 yards they spooked and ran.
This Ghillie is like an invisible cloak.
WORTH EVERY LAST PENNY and the sweat and weight packing it.
What a way to end the day.... Damn that was fun.
The Ghillie at work.
