Etiquette for a first timer....take the carcass?

lambic

Well-Known Member
Apologies if this is a bit basic for more experienced forum members. So be gentle.

If I manage to get my first ever days stalking arranged in January, is it OK to wish to take the carcass? For instance, red/sika hinds on 1:1 accompanied day somewhere in the Highlands?

I believe there is a fee plus cost per kilo for doing so, but is it seen as the "right thing" or a breach of etiquette?

For me, a fundamental of hunting/fishing is don't kill anything you are not going to eat personally, unless it is classed as vermin. Cooking is a big hobby as well so all ties together nicely.

I would be grateful for any guidance to avoid loss of etiquette on other issues on this initial trip? The Stalking School will probably beat me into shape in further down the line.

Cheers
 
Hello JRLA, most guides will sell you the carcass at the current game dealers price, we currently get £3 a kilo so take that as a rough guide. Try and ask all these kind of questions before you go out for your stalk, the emphasis should be on you enjoying yourself, good luck.
 
Really shouldn't be a problem just ask the stalker before you set out , just take in everything they have to say and make sure none of your kit is noisy :)
 
They will sell you it at ? tba, but its good you wish it , enjoy your first outing however it turns out, thoughts and pix please once completed :tiphat:
 
Thanks guys. Will get it all agreed before going. Premium organic meat for 3 quid a kilo is not bad, nice to serve to family and friends

Regarding clothing, I am not really a tweed kind of guy. Not sure if that is good or bad.

I have some clothing like the item pictured, Deerhunter Montana I think it is.

Is it ok to wear the realtree jacket and trousers? Or is that too much camo?
Or just plain green trousers and the jacket pictured?

Again not really sure what is the "norm"

Cheers

James
 

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Hi James You sound like the perfect guest. Most will respect you for wanting the carcass. Clothes to suit the weather or most guides would have something you could borrow. If your are walking let the guide know your capabilities. High seat hunting ideal for new guys wrap up extra warm . Most guides will have a chat and make you feel comfortable. I enjoy taking new stalkers and find them much easier than the ones that know it all . Some have all the gear and no idea. Good luck and I am sure you will do fine. woodfordfallow
 
Just wear what you have. I know some highland estates like tweeds and don't want SAS look alikes running round. As said ask the question at time of booking so there no embarrasment on arrival. Remember you don't have to buy the carcass. So if it's a rough old hind or a knackered stag that's all bone and sinew don't bother with it. If it's a nice young animal get it in the freezer for yourself. Have a great day and try enjoy yourself. Don't worry too much about the details a good guide will help you along and normally try their hardest to get you on a deer for the first time. Happy hunting and good luck.
 
Thanks Woodfordfallow.

Really looking forward to it.

Great having another reason to be up in the hills away from the traffic and media, especially when the fly fishing season is over.

Thanks for pointing me down the right path.
 
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What is the etiquette for tipping etc.?

First, make 100% sure you understand up front how the day is going to be charged. For example, is it a set fee for the day regardless of how many deer are seen/shot, is it a fixed fee for the stalk plus a fee per shot, is it just a fee per animal shot, are you escorted all day or left alone in a high seat, etc.

Once you know this you can get an understanding of whether this is purely a commercial transaction - in which case I might personally be reluctant to offer a tip on top - or whether it's someone offering you a stalking experience where they will try to ensure you have an enjoyable day regardless.

Of course things are rarely so black and white.

I have paid for days when I never had the chance of a shot but still tipped the stalker, and others where I felt I was just one more paying gun to be taken through the motions.

You will get an idea of this when you speak to the stalker/agent, but again it pays to do your research and ask people on here about recommendations for stalking in areas you wish to visit.
 
Willie-gunn. I think it would be naive to assume I am anything other than another punter, unless get the impression otherwise.

There are a few options, including a couple of guys on here. I hope they will be better than agents.

It seems to be a fee for the day, plus animal shot fee, then carcass cost.

I'll return to the places I enjoy and not the others.
 
a key rule is always to talk about tactical guns and long range head shooting, walk tall, talk a bit, always light a fag during the stalk. excuse yourself for a no. 2 toilet break at a bit of woodland. when you see 'any' deer, ask if you can f'ing smoke that *******. ask constant questions about the stalkers/guides wife, maybe ask to see pictures and make sure rude cheeky comments, maybe ask to be invited back for tea,,and wink.

if you shoot a deer, ask if you can put another one through it after the gralloch, just for practice.
 
My gut instinct is that the lower day fee / higher kill fee is the best way to go. Performance related pay and all that nonsense.

Thanks for the insightful advice PKL. Maybe I could wear some dog tags and wrap myself in paracord as well.
 
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Willie-gunn. I think it would be naive to assume I am anything other than another punter, unless get the impression otherwise.

There are a few options, including a couple of guys on here. I hope they will be better than agents.

It seems to be a fee for the day, plus animal shot fee, then carcass cost.

I'll return to the places I enjoy and not the others.

OK, then put simply; if you enjoyed the day and feel they made the effort to get you into a deer, then offer them a tip - they may accept it, they may not. If you don't feel they made the effort, then don't. If you're not comfortable handing over cash, then buy a bottle of single malt and have it in the car ready and available.

Unlike game shooting there is no unwritten rule that you have to tip the stalker. You are entering into a commercial transaction where they are providing a service with the chance - just the chance, mind - of a successful outcome in return for a pre-arranged fee. A trip out stalking can of course be much, much, more than that....but you're not going to know until you get back to the car at the end of the day.
 
Will take all that into consideration willie-gunn.

Like the idea of the single malt.

I am grateful you are happy to share your experience

I am also grateful PKL has reminded me exactly what not to do! ........ has anyone ever done that? surely not ??!? Do pro deer stalkers have a competition/league for who has had the worst ever customer?
 
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Successful contact with Mr JRoe from the forum. A mid January treat is in store, albeit an inevitably cold one.
Hopefully he can achieve the demanding task of getting me up to par.
Think I will pass on the red deer hinds proposed by the agent, too many links in the chain.
 
To return to your OP, some will insist you purchase the carcass if you shoot it badly. Not saying you will of course!

Good luck next month.
 
As others have said, get all the information on costs etc before confirming a booking most providers are genuine guys but there are a few sharks out there.

You mentioned the stalking school a professional business that will keep you right whether it's regarding training or stalking days with them.

Disagree a little with willie gunn regarding tips, if you are going out with the person selling the stalking then it's up to you entirely whether you tip or not, remember you are paying them for the stalking, however if you believe they
have gone that extra mile for you then the choice to tip or not is up to you.

On the other hand if you have booked with an estate then the stalker is an employee and tipping them is normal
procedure , unless you feel they have not earned it, remember professional stalkers are a pretty tight community
and word travels fast , the person who habitually does not tip will soon find it very difficult to get a booking.

Someone mentioned a bottle of malt as a tip, IMO whisky may not be the best tip for several reasons , there not many teetotal pros but there are some,harking back to the stalking school at least one of them is,however as he does not drink you could just send the bottle to me, I am sure he would not mind.

Another reason against a bottle of whisky is that there may well be more than the stalker involved in your day possibly a Ghillie or ponyman , whom will get a share share in any tip give, the exact percentage at the stalkers discretion.

For that reason any whisky that was given never went further than the larder, where it was shared by all the staff
and also clients after a days stalking , and while most of us appreciate a dram at the end of the day , it was not quite as personal as a cash tip.

However the choice is yours , just remember tips should be for the quality of service received, if you honestly don't thing the stalker did the best he could ,regardless of the final result (we can all have blank days regardless of how much effort we put in)then don't feel that you must tip him.
 
Successful contact with Mr JRoe from the forum. A mid January treat is in store, albeit an inevitably cold one.
Hopefully he can achieve the demanding task of getting me up to par.
Think I will pass on the red deer hinds proposed by the agent, too many links in the chain.

JRoe will sort you out. He is a pleasure to stalk with and does a mean fried breakfast. Good luck on your outing.
 
+1 on Jroe

You will have a good stalk and learn a lot.
Fort George is well worth a visit too, just up the road.

John is a really nice guy.
Doesn't even mind you getting him out of bed after you arrive back late at night without your door key after getting your dog to stop chasing rabbits :oops:
Thanks John.
Atb
 
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