Stalking Etiquette

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Lots of sensible stuff - only one thing to add which is a general life courtesy rather than stalking specific - don't be late if your out with a guide - price in time to get your gear on/ready.

I remember one guides comment that really amused me and set me up for the day.

Imagine a cold Feb morning after the fallow. I turn up in the dark for the day to the bothy gate carrying my rifle slip, wellie bag, kit bag and sticks - first words were “would you like any help with your luggage sir” 😆 Still amuses me today.
 
Apthorpe said:
If you have any doubt at all about the backstop a guide presents to you, particularly where woodland is concerned, feel free to ask and question as much as you like.
And if you're not comfortable or don't want to take a shot, don't feel the least pressure to. You're expected to accept a blank day in a sporting attitude with good grace and the same applies to them if you don't want to fire for any reason at all.
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This is excellent advice. I’ve refused a shot suggested by a guide I trust, and he’s such a good guide and a gentleman that he was more than happy with that. That led to a tale of a previous client of his who had been chastised for not taking a shot on a beast in Scotland, a tale I’ve heard more than once.
 
FISH BOY said:
Lots of sensible stuff - only one thing to add which is a general life courtesy rather than stalking specific - don't be late if your out with a guide - price in time to get your gear on/ready.

I remember one guides comment that really amused me and set me up for the day.

Imagine a cold Feb morning after the fallow. I turn up in the dark for the day to the bothy gate carrying my rifle slip, wellie bag, kit bag and sticks - first words were “would you like any help with your luggage sir” 😆 Still amuses me today.
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Is it about the same when you turned up for a gun mount/fit lesson in Essex...
Can you take off the coat, extra layer, jumper please.
Still makes me chuckle :)
 
This is a great thread, and some good advice. I also think etiquette works both ways too: maybe not etiquette but there’s definitely a need to match the guiding style to the client too.

The best experience I had was with a guide who explained everything and was reassuring and clear in his expectations. At a shot opportunity, he was very clear it didn’t need to be taken if I was not content, leaving the decision to me. His overall approach and manner was excellent.

I’ve also been out with a guide who was calm and professional up to the moment of taking a shot, when I then suddenly had “kill it, kill it” whispered rather loudly into my ear……

Almost like they had buck fever rather than me……..

Not really fussed by the different approaches but think I’ll be going out with only one of the above again…….the benefit of a free market I guess.
 
As a novice stalker do you have access to your own land/in a syndicate? Sometimes solo is the best way to learn, you'll only spook so many deer and waste so many walks before you learn from your mistakes. If you're solo stalking you can have your mind on the job at hand and enjoy the freedom without worrying about upsetting someone you've paid good money to
 
viking90 said:
As a novice stalker do you have access to your own land/in a syndicate? Sometimes solo is the best way to learn, you'll only spook so many deer and waste so many walks before you learn from your mistakes. If you're solo stalking you can have your mind on the job at hand and enjoy the freedom without worrying about upsetting someone you've paid good money to
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Not sure about this.
Some of the folk I have taken out would take a long time to learn, yep, they may get lucky if they come across a deaf, blind deer with no sense of smell which stands broadside on with a perfect back stop, but that is unlikely.
Going out with someone who knows what they are about, and is happy to spend time talking to them, can teach them more in a day than they will learn in a year of blundering about.
 
I've seen an Alfa man weep and a Novis rejoice, it's the line of Hero or Coward, simply embrace the opportunity. 40mph is worse than 80mph? (on a motorway that is) just think 'What are you doing'
 
Safety is well covered, but keep un-chambered until asked to load up. Muzzle awareness even fully unloaded is incontestably the most important thing to adhere to.

Watch the professionals every move. Stop when they stop, move when they move, couch when they crouch (to the same height!). There is nothing more annoying than walking on and turning round to see your guest 30 yards behind-equally one who is all over you. Definitely glass when they do. Offer a help dragging without being asked. Most professionals will want to perform the gralloch themselves to avoid a mishap but take a knife, and if taking multiples of large beasts it won’t hurt to offer-even just sticking or holding a leg.

Controversial one; if you are a novice don’t take a thermal, in fact take the bare essentials (it’s frustrating seeing a guest set up a million sticks, and range find a deer that’s 50 yards off and staring your way). Having taken a few inexperienced guests with thermal, being constantly ‘arm grabbed’ for the 63’rd squirrel of the morning gets tiring 🤣!

You ask about deer not to take even in season. If supervised this should be made explicitly clear, if left in a seat to do your own thing don’t shoot a big lad if there are other animals/options. You’ll get more respect and chances to return if you prioritise cull beasts. This should only really apply when you are further ‘down the road’.

I say this with a little experience of taking guests (not commercial), and in early days being a very annoying paying guest as @Oldstalker will attest with glee 🤣🤣
 
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Apthorpe said:
If you do happen to accidentally shoot the ghillie, finish him off. You don't want to have to carry him back off the hill complaining the whole way, and it's a waste of money having to tip the man when the only target he has presented all day was his back.
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Gralloch him first if carrying him back, makes it easier and stops him moaning.at you.
 
Some good advice on this thread.
My addition is Don't tell the guide how to stalk his own ground. That really wrangles me. Make sure you reload after taking the shot, and be aware of your rifle muzzle at all times. Moderators tend to make a rifle barrel heavy, and I would like a pound every time I have looked round to see the client scanning the horizon with a rifle that has slipped down his shoulder and is now pointing at me.
Carry it muzzle down.
 
Things not to do post-shot:
Blow away the emerging smoke from the muzzle of your rifle, like Jack Palance.
Punch the air.
Shout ye-ha, get some, right on, hot diggedy, or god damn!
High five all around you.
Belly bump the guide.
Explain to everyone how this animal stood no chance against a man of your talents.

On approaching the beast:
Run up to the animal with the loaded rifle in one hand, shouting "Look at the mass on that"
Grab whatever it has on its head and spin it round, asking if it will make the record book or win a medal.
Imagine you're on the shrinks couch and recount all of your feelings since potty training.
Put any part of your Hi Vis clothing on the animal for the photo shoot.

On a positive note, at some point, I put my hand an the beast and say "thank you".
 
lillico said:
Things not to do post-shot:
Blow away the emerging smoke from the muzzle of your rifle, like Jack Palance.
Punch the air.
Shout ye-ha, get some, right on, hot diggedy, or god damn!
High five all around you.
Belly bump the guide.
Explain to everyone how this animal stood no chance against a man of your talents.

On approaching the beast:
Run up to the animal with the loaded rifle in one hand, shouting "Look at the mass on that"
Grab whatever it has on its head and spin it round, asking if it will make the record book or win a medal.
Imagine you're on the shrinks couch and recount all of your feelings since potty training.
Put any part of your Hi Vis clothing on the animal for the photo shoot.

On a positive note, at some point, I put my hand an the beast and say "thank you".
Click to expand...
The EXCUSE word is MANAGEMENT :rofl:

 
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