I don't suppose you happen to know a contact for the rifle club over here by any chance? I would definitely like to gain some experience beforehand.
So how does a commercial stalk work in the respect of do you get to keep what you shoot?
This is a huge simplification, but commercial fees for stalking tend to consist of the following elements:
- An outing fee
- A trophy fee
- A venison fee
Depending on the guide/outfitter the first two are sometimes consolidated.
So, for example, the first outfitter might charge a £60 outing fee (payable regardless of whether an animal is shot) with trophy fees then charged on top if you successfully shoot an animal. The trophy fee is likely to vary from perhaps £35 for a doe or small buck (what is sometimes known as a "cull" animal) up to several hundred - and even thousands - of pounds for a deer with large antlers (what is sometimes called a "medal" head).
The second outfitter might charge you £100 for an outing, but this includes the cost of shooting a cull animal. They may then charge additional trophy fees if you shoot something better than a cull animal.
Venison fees are normally payable separately, as there are plenty of stalkers who don't wish to take the carcass away with them. Venison is typically charged at what are known as "dealer rates", so perhaps £1 per lb, £2lb per kg, etc. This is for the carcass of the animal "in the fur", i.e. with the head, legs and innards removed, but still with the fur on. You will need to butcher the animal yourself, or find someone to do it for you. Some outfitters may also be able to sell you venison that has been processed and cut into the major joints, sausages, etc.
There may also be other charges - for example if you wound or miss a deer, if you make use of the estate rifle, etc.
What is hopefully clear from the above is that you should be made fully aware of the nature of any costs
before you engage a particular outfitter/guide. A good outfitter/guide will be very happy to cater to your specific needs and requirements. As Malc says above, one way of ensuring you are going with a good guide is to check that they have the correct commercial stalking insurance, and are not expecting their/your BASC/BDS/CA insurance to be adequate cover - it won't be. Ask the outfitter/guide to send you through their fee schedule along with their Terms and Conditions. If they say they don't bother with these, or will tell you on the day, be
very cautious. The tales are legion of people who have gone out to shoot their first deer and then been faced with an unexpected bill for hundreds of pounds. This is not said to put you off at all, as most professional guides are excellent and rely on their reputations for ongoing business, but there are also some "chancers" out there as well.
Caveat emptor is certainly the name of the game!
