Hi all having just booked my 1st deer stalk I'd like to know what are the correct practices?
Do I keep the rifle loaded whilst on my back?
Do I load when ready to take a shot?
Also do I stop and glass for deer or wait for the guide to stop?
I'm probably just thinking to much into it but suppose that's just me worrying lol.
Thanks all
Its nerve racking I know I was there last year
As above talk to your guide about what he wants you to do. My first pro stalk i started out by emailing and stating it was my first time out and requested a list of kit and preconditions
If its woodlands with rides or just plain woods it is very likley you will need the rifel loaded, safety on, on your sholder but be very very muzle aware especialy going under branches & check the safety is on every so often. Full on safety procedures are required on slipery ground crossing ditches etc. SO stop, unload, cross hazard, check rifel re load
I did woodland stalking with four diferent pro stalkers and they all wanted rifel loaded safety on.
If your in woodlands practice getting rifel to sticks quickly before you go out because you can get in a right mess and muzzle awareness can go out the window due to stress and thats not good at all
I had a trainee put rifel to sticks then both hands on the rifel. Sticks slid backwards and rifel sort of fell off the frront and ended up fortunatly pointing in the mud. He had done well to remember not to put his finger in the triger guard or I am sure we would have had an accidental discharge
Your shot window in woodlands is likley to be very small. Getting the rifel to stick safety off to fire is more than enough of a chalange let alone trying to cock the rifel without disterbing the deer
Open hill is totaly diferent and you could have the chamber empty and not load till you get on to a potential deer so see a deer at 400m? load up stalk in. I dont know if its cosha but for me I have the mag in my pocket empty rifel and in such a state i will cross ditches and climb fences with far less concern than with a loaded rifel
As for glassing a deer? you will do well to spot one the experianced guid hasn't but if you do then do not hesitate to stop and do what you want to do.
You after all are paying for the day
ATB
Chasey