The Proof is in the hunt

I hunt a lot, usually for deer, preferably in the mountains, often on my own. I have chosen to live in the mountains of Ireland that have the highest deer population, and this is a reflection of my deep fascination with mountains and with deer.

Of all the species I have hunted, there are two that occupy my thoughts more than others: Himalayan tahr of the New Zealand Southern Alps and Irish red-sika hybrid deer of the Wicklow Mountains. Both fascinate me for the same reasons: they live in awesome country and they are masters of their high mountain habitat. Over the years I have come to the conclusion that where I am hunting is more important to me than what I am hunting, and my ultimate ‘where’ of choice is the mountains.

You may remember a few months ago my new Proof Research Rifle landed, and I have since been putting it through its paces during the hunting season. Proof Research are famous for their carbon barrels; these allow you to have a thick, rigid barrel without the weight, but the carbon wrap also helps with keeping barrel temperatures lower. For hunting applications, the