The roe rut is just beginning here, so I was out stalking on an arable farm in Dorset at first light this morning. The ground is typical downland; large rolling fields interspersed by hedge rows. Most of the crops haven't been harvested yet, so it wasn't easy to spotting deer. The first I saw were two fallow prickets; ideal cull animals, but not in season until 1 August. It was a shame as they were the first fallow I'd seen on this patch, although there are plenty in the area. I stalked on, and saw a roebuck chasing a doe in pea field. I managed to get within about 100 yards, and took the buck with a chest shot off sticks with my 7x57; he kicked out with his back legs but only went a couple of paces before he dropped. I've shot three other bucks so far, but the others have all been younger; this is the best head yet, so it will be cleaned and measured. Sorry about the angle of the photo; I'm not sure how to rotate it.
