Hi all,
Been thinking about how lucky I have been so far with stalking, I've had great opportunities along with a lot of help from some generous folk.
Unfortunately, stalking is not easy to get into (as we all know!).
I've been interested for a long time, making inquiries whilst I was studying but never got anywhere; admittedly I was very busy and I didn't even know this forum existed!
From an outsider's perspective, deer stalking seemed like a closed circle. The only way to get in was through contacts or money. Admittedly, the latter opens doors everywhere but having neither at the time which made it difficult for me to stay interested.
Having worked in the industry for a little while now and with some who have been stalking for most of their life, I realise its not the sort of thing that everyone wants to get into, but those who do need to have a lot of things lined up in their favour otherwise its no dice.
For example, New Zealand has a Deer Stalkers Association with nationwide chapters and they encourage more people to get involved; it seems to be much easier simply because there is a great deal of public land and enough game to go round. Admittedly, I have no first hand experience there and the UK is unlikely to ever have such opportunities available to the 'common man' (London has nearly twice the population of NZ).
However, I've picked up on an underlying sense that some would rather the doors stay firmly shut, as newcomers simply mean more people in the mix and thus potentially less permission and deer for them. A lot of young people have tried to get into the deer world through college courses, and although some do make it through hard work and determination despite no previous background and experience, its a well know fact that many don't and the allure of stalking is dangled like a carrot before them.
Personally, there is little to no appeal in going on a paid, guided stalk. An 'assured' bag may be attractive to some, especially if they are paying over £500 a day (my car is worth less than that),but I would rather go out with a friend and come home empty handed having enjoyed a good day on the hill or in the woods than be led to a herd of deer and being allowed to pull a trigger, take photos and a trophy home simply because I could afford the entry price.
I'm not against paid stalking and I think its an honest living for the pro stalker (I'd happily take people out),but at the end of the day when you pay a price you expect a product and unfortunately its often the deer that land up footing the bill.
That's enough moaning from me now!
Been thinking about how lucky I have been so far with stalking, I've had great opportunities along with a lot of help from some generous folk.
Unfortunately, stalking is not easy to get into (as we all know!).
I've been interested for a long time, making inquiries whilst I was studying but never got anywhere; admittedly I was very busy and I didn't even know this forum existed!
From an outsider's perspective, deer stalking seemed like a closed circle. The only way to get in was through contacts or money. Admittedly, the latter opens doors everywhere but having neither at the time which made it difficult for me to stay interested.
Having worked in the industry for a little while now and with some who have been stalking for most of their life, I realise its not the sort of thing that everyone wants to get into, but those who do need to have a lot of things lined up in their favour otherwise its no dice.
For example, New Zealand has a Deer Stalkers Association with nationwide chapters and they encourage more people to get involved; it seems to be much easier simply because there is a great deal of public land and enough game to go round. Admittedly, I have no first hand experience there and the UK is unlikely to ever have such opportunities available to the 'common man' (London has nearly twice the population of NZ).
However, I've picked up on an underlying sense that some would rather the doors stay firmly shut, as newcomers simply mean more people in the mix and thus potentially less permission and deer for them. A lot of young people have tried to get into the deer world through college courses, and although some do make it through hard work and determination despite no previous background and experience, its a well know fact that many don't and the allure of stalking is dangled like a carrot before them.
Personally, there is little to no appeal in going on a paid, guided stalk. An 'assured' bag may be attractive to some, especially if they are paying over £500 a day (my car is worth less than that),but I would rather go out with a friend and come home empty handed having enjoyed a good day on the hill or in the woods than be led to a herd of deer and being allowed to pull a trigger, take photos and a trophy home simply because I could afford the entry price.
I'm not against paid stalking and I think its an honest living for the pro stalker (I'd happily take people out),but at the end of the day when you pay a price you expect a product and unfortunately its often the deer that land up footing the bill.
That's enough moaning from me now!
