Stalking diary: three bucks on a humid evening in the Borders

The roe rut here in the Scottish Borders is well and truly under way, and this year it appears to be following the script. In recent years it has felt like a bit of a non-starter, or at least disjointed. The weather plays a huge role, and last year’s wasn’t exactly accommodating; this year the heat and humidity haven’t half got them riled up. We seem to have had about two solid weeks of action, with bucks coming in on a string to the call, favouring the mouth-blown reed and diaphragm calls over the hand-operated Buttolo – as per usual.

Perfect rutting weather in the Borders

Yesterday evening really was a prime example of the behaviours you’d expect during the rut – almost every doe we saw had a buck behind her, either in hot pursuit or just orbiting her with his head on a swivel. Everywhere we went we saw unattended kids walking about in the open like misbehaving bairns with their new-found freedom. The evening was overcast, a white fog hung on the high ground and showers of fine, mizzly rain passed frequently on the breeze. But it certainly was humid. It started at 19°C and by the time darkness fell it was only 16°C. Truly fine rutting weather.

Instead of splitting up and stalking separate areas of the forest as usual, we tried a different tactic: driving around, stopping shy of likely places, then taking turns to sneak in on foot and call. The forecast for the rest of the week wasn’t good, so in the interest of numbers Rod and I set out to cover as much ground as possible in the decent weather – and it paid off.

Three bucks, and the tactics that brought them in

The first buck we pretty much called into the truck. We’d spotted two kids carrying on about 200 yards from the road, so we gave a squeak to see if anything would stick its head up. Their mother came in but bolted when she saw us. However, at the farthest point of sight another doe came charging over the horizon, pursued by a rather chunky six-pointer. Once he was in range, the .270 spoiled his fun.

The second buck didn’t need calling. He and his doe were quite at ease, milling around in a patch of rosebay – he only required patience until he presented a suitable shot. He was an old buck, antlers starting to go back, dry joints and barely any teeth left – a good one to take.

The third, another six-pointer, was in hot pursuit of his doe through thick young trees but the call stopped them dead in their tracks, perfectly broadside and perfectly clear in the open of a ride. Happy days.

The two that got away, and why the roe rut is worth it

We each danced with another buck that night. Mine had an old, clever doe with him, who turned for cover at the call and took the buck with her. Rod’s buck came in to the call but got the wrong side of the wind and bolted without presenting a shot.

Still, it had been a good night with a good dent in the month’s cull – and a lot of fun doing it. Though I prefer the sika rut as the ultimate event in my deer calendar, there is something special about the roe rut. It is fast paced and short lived, and in the cover-dense ground we work in it demands eyes wide open and quick decisions.

After the rut the bucks seemingly go to ground, making the month’s cull a task that is heavy on time, diesel and labour. So, as the old saying goes, best make hay while the sun shines.