Ieazo
Well-Known Member
I have some questions that I hope the more experienced members on here can helpwith.
I am new to stalking, well I have never stalked Deer with a view to shooting them before. I started shooting airguns when I was wee, I stopped for around 8 or 9 years and got back into them again when I was around 18 but soon became bored with plinking away at targets in the garden. Luckily I managed to get permission to shoot vermin over 40 acres of farmland local to me, for years I did this soley with sub 12ft/lb airguns, I realised that no matter how good my fieldcraft got I was never going to be able to control the numbers of rabbits in some areas due to the layout of the land and the wide open fields on one hillside. A few years back I applied and obtained my FAC, I bought a .22lr and away I went, I covered area's of the farm I otherwise was unable to.
Having heard so much about them and because there were still area's where additional range was required I acquired a .17hmr, it has it's pros and cons but thats not the point of this thread. Shortly after acquiring the hmr I was asked to clear not one but three rookeries, I tried with the airgun and had soe effect but not a huge impact. I applied and got my SGC I now have two O/U and a semi auto which IMHO are just the tool for the job when it comes to rooks, and clays are a lot of fun.
The point of all this is that as my shooting has evolved and started to cover different aspects of the sport, albiet mostly vermin control and the varies species concerned, I have had to research and learn more about my intended quarry after all 6 P’s, Proper Planning Prevents **** Poor Performance
Now that I have an interest in Deer stalking I have been trying to research what I can online before I decide to fill this cf. slot and book my place on the DSC level 1 course, trouble is there is only so much that you can readily find information on the internet. My interest in stalking is for two reasons, I think I would enjoy the challenge and also because I love venison and would like to be able to put Christmas dinner from the field to the table some year.
I have some questions that I’d really appreciate answers too:
How do you decide if the Deer numbers on your land are to great, a little bit of damage to trees but nothing unsustainable, would that justify taking a couple to keep the damage down?
What other problems should I be looking out for?
Just tonight I saw a group of Deer feeding in a field immediately next to a dual carriageway, the obvious danger being they would cause a RTA so I would think this is cause enough to consider watching to see they frequent the area and if so look for a suitable spot further from the carriageway to safely carry out the shot.
When deciding which animal and where it is to be shot what else do you consider and what else do you do to prepare beforehand?
What kit do Deer stalkers usually have to hand which might not be carried out by someone going about general vermin control?
I don’t currently use binoculars, I find the quite difficult to get on with but have been contemplating a set of LRF bino’s. I feel they would be useful in maximising my range with the rimfires. I am also thinking of filling the .cf slot and spending 12 months getting to know the new calibre and it’s tendancies, the LRF bino’s would be put to good use there I’m sure. As a side question has anyone got experience of the Bushnell Fusion ARC bino’s? I know they are at the lower end of the cost scale but do they work are they useable in the field and in what ways are they inferior to the more expensive products available?
I use sticks with the rimfires when I am out, I know these are an important piece of the stalkers kit.
If you have any other tips or assistance you can give it will be gratefully received.
I am new to stalking, well I have never stalked Deer with a view to shooting them before. I started shooting airguns when I was wee, I stopped for around 8 or 9 years and got back into them again when I was around 18 but soon became bored with plinking away at targets in the garden. Luckily I managed to get permission to shoot vermin over 40 acres of farmland local to me, for years I did this soley with sub 12ft/lb airguns, I realised that no matter how good my fieldcraft got I was never going to be able to control the numbers of rabbits in some areas due to the layout of the land and the wide open fields on one hillside. A few years back I applied and obtained my FAC, I bought a .22lr and away I went, I covered area's of the farm I otherwise was unable to.
Having heard so much about them and because there were still area's where additional range was required I acquired a .17hmr, it has it's pros and cons but thats not the point of this thread. Shortly after acquiring the hmr I was asked to clear not one but three rookeries, I tried with the airgun and had soe effect but not a huge impact. I applied and got my SGC I now have two O/U and a semi auto which IMHO are just the tool for the job when it comes to rooks, and clays are a lot of fun.
The point of all this is that as my shooting has evolved and started to cover different aspects of the sport, albiet mostly vermin control and the varies species concerned, I have had to research and learn more about my intended quarry after all 6 P’s, Proper Planning Prevents **** Poor Performance
Now that I have an interest in Deer stalking I have been trying to research what I can online before I decide to fill this cf. slot and book my place on the DSC level 1 course, trouble is there is only so much that you can readily find information on the internet. My interest in stalking is for two reasons, I think I would enjoy the challenge and also because I love venison and would like to be able to put Christmas dinner from the field to the table some year.
I have some questions that I’d really appreciate answers too:
How do you decide if the Deer numbers on your land are to great, a little bit of damage to trees but nothing unsustainable, would that justify taking a couple to keep the damage down?
What other problems should I be looking out for?
Just tonight I saw a group of Deer feeding in a field immediately next to a dual carriageway, the obvious danger being they would cause a RTA so I would think this is cause enough to consider watching to see they frequent the area and if so look for a suitable spot further from the carriageway to safely carry out the shot.
When deciding which animal and where it is to be shot what else do you consider and what else do you do to prepare beforehand?
What kit do Deer stalkers usually have to hand which might not be carried out by someone going about general vermin control?
I don’t currently use binoculars, I find the quite difficult to get on with but have been contemplating a set of LRF bino’s. I feel they would be useful in maximising my range with the rimfires. I am also thinking of filling the .cf slot and spending 12 months getting to know the new calibre and it’s tendancies, the LRF bino’s would be put to good use there I’m sure. As a side question has anyone got experience of the Bushnell Fusion ARC bino’s? I know they are at the lower end of the cost scale but do they work are they useable in the field and in what ways are they inferior to the more expensive products available?
I use sticks with the rimfires when I am out, I know these are an important piece of the stalkers kit.
If you have any other tips or assistance you can give it will be gratefully received.