An Aussie wants to hunt something in the UK. School me up please

[CBH Australia]

G'day from Australia.
I'm new to this forum and mentioned to @AlexD that I would start a thread.

I have been watching some UK stalking on YouTube and I'm interested.

I completed a cull hunt in South Africa and would like to do an affordable hunt in the UK.

Do I need to meet any requirements as a visitor to stalk with a rifle and hunt a Deer species?

My wife enjoys travel and may tag along. For me it would be about the experience of hunting in another country. Maybe I would hunt a Red Deer and export the trophy. I mostly shoot pests or meat I have never had a trophy mounted.

As it is about the experience I would like to be traditional and maybe stay at a manor or on the reserve but I am looking to stretch my budget and see a few sites along the way. The hunting doesn't seem expensive and the deer seem to be in good numbers but I expect travel and accommodation will be the bulk of my expense. That said if I travel that far I would likely want to see part of England, Ireland, Scotland ,Wales if possible given its a long way and they are reasonably close but I have not looked closely at the geography.

Happy to listen let me know what I need to know. I would look for a hire rifle as it's maybe only a day or two hunting.

 

[Steve Q]

Hello CBH,
Since you are not intending to bring a rifle with you, and do not have a UK FAC (Firearms Certificate) then you will need to go on guided stalks, accompanied by an FAC holder (authorised to stalk the land in question) who will lend you a rifle.
Your easiest solution is to contact one of the many commercial stalk operators, who can make the arrangements for you.
You will need to complete a Section 21 declaration to confirm that you are not a prohibited person.
I hope you have an enjoyable visit.

 

[maximus otter]

You will need to complete a Section 21 declaration to confirm that you are not a prohibited person.

Clarification:

Firearms Act 1968

An Act to consolidate the Firearms Acts 1937 and 1965, the Air Guns and Shot Guns, etc. , Act 1962, Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 and certain enactments amending the Firearms Act 1937.

www.legislation.gov.uk

maximus otter

 

[sikamalc]

I have taken hundreds of over seas clients over the years, and the rules in the UK for bringing in a firearm are fairly straightforward.
Who ever you book to hunt with needs to sponsor you. The fee is £20 for an individual. You will need to produce all your details, plus proof of use of the rifle in your home country. Either a FAC or hunting licence. You must have the visitors permit on you on arrival and exit from the UK. Semi or auto rifles are NOT allowed. Your sponsor need to apply for the permit with the police, who will do a background check on you.

If you are using, what is regarded as the estate rifle system in the UK, you are allowed to use the rifle of a full licence holder whilst in his presence on their lease or property , as long as you have NO criminal convictions and are over the age of 17.
Who ever you book with, I would ensure that they are fully insured to take people out, especially if you are paying, as this is commercial stalking. There are too many so called guides that think it is the client that has to be insured, when paying to be taken out. This is commercial stalking NOT recreational. I would also make sure their vehicle is insured for carrying paying clients and firearms. MOST are not insured, in my opinion.

Good luck.

 

[375win]

What will be the main purpose of your visit to the UK? Is it deer stalking or sightseeing? Answer this question and you will know whether to bring your own rifle or not. If you're looking to do a fair amount of sightseeing, then luggage which includes a firearm will be a burden.
Itinary could be land in London, spend a few days in the capital. Then travel to, say, East Anglia and shoot muntjac, roe and chinese water deer. Fly from Stansted to Edinburgh or Glasgow, again spend some time in either of those iconic Scottish cities and then move on to shoot a red deer on the hill. Finally fly from Scotland over to Ireland to stalk sika. You can take in Dublin, which is a wonderful place. In between, if you are ammenable you can fit in some bird shooting if you arrive during the season.
Here links to UK budget airlines Ryanair or https://www.easyjet.com/en.
Hotel/accomodation booking is easy to do through booking.com.
UK deer species are here: Deer Species - The British Deer Society
UK deer hunting seasons: Deer stalking code of practice
UK bird shooting seasons: Shooting Season UK Dates | Pheasant Shooting Season | Grouse Shooting Season | Partridge Season | Woodcock Season - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

 

[Dave_45]

I would highly recommend booking in with @Hind and Sika he guides in a beautiful place as far north in Scotland as you can go,some cracking stags and the price is fair ,if you have the time I'd wait for the rut next year , drive along the alladale river road and watch and listen to the big boys roaring.
Gets you going for the next morning.

 

[User00040]

Get you wallet out...

 

[CBH Australia]

Get you wallet out...

Yeah, I know that .
I'm prepared to pay but I'm not in the league I would like to be.
It appears the stalking and trophy fees are quite reasonable.
I have experience and all my own gear but should I take the trip I would be looking to get the best value, research is cheap.

 

[CBH Australia]

M

What will be the main purpose of your visit to the UK? Is it deer stalking or sightseeing? Answer this question and you will know whether to bring your own rifle or not. If you're looking to do a fair amount of sightseeing, then luggage which includes a firearm will be a burden.
Itinary could be land in London, spend a few days in the capital. Then travel to, say, East Anglia and shoot muntjac, roe and chinese water deer. Fly from Stansted to Edinburgh or Glasgow, again spend some time in either of those iconic Scottish cities and then move on to shoot a red deer on the hill. Finally fly from Scotland over to Ireland to stalk sika. You can take in Dublin, which is a wonderful place. In between, if you are ammenable you can fit in some bird shooting if you arrive during the season.
Here links to UK budget airlines Ryanair or https://www.easyjet.com/en.
Hotel/accomodation booking is easy to do through booking.com.
UK deer species are here: Deer Species - The British Deer Society
UK deer hunting seasons: Deer stalking code of practice
UK bird shooting seasons: Shooting Season UK Dates | Pheasant Shooting Season | Grouse Shooting Season | Partridge Season | Woodcock Season - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

Mate, I have not over thought it yet.
My grandfather was English and my fathers side descend from Welsh miners who settled in 1890 something.
If you can make sense of my first post I'm considering options and would like to "Stalk" in the UK if I visit. I'm not familiar with your geography and maybe terminology.
I kind of feel that taking a Red Stag in Scotland might be something to remember. But I am not sure about the weather, my climate is generally hot and dry.
If we travel there some tourism is in order but my wife would tag along for a stalk for sure.
I like our Aussie Bundaberg Rum but can enjoy a scotch and an Irish whisky. Ohh, and a Guinness and a pint of good ale. .
Good food too.
It's all about the experience. I would probably consider wing shooting too. I'm prepared to pay but will look into the options.

 

[375win]

Good luck with your plans.

 

[Cootmeurer]

Just a suggestion, having been in your shoes. Narrow down what you want to see or do, then do those things in greater depth. On my first trip over we spent a week in Ireland then a week in the UK. We also saw (and continue to see on each successive trip over) people trying to see so many sites that they don’t really see any.

Case in point is the NC500 route in Scotland. As we are stalking or shooting within site of this route, we watch car after car ripping along it as fast as they can possibly go, hopping out at key points, snapping a pic, and then revving off.

If your wife likes touring, I would suggest getting with SikaMalc or another, and working a stalk or two in while staying in the south. Much to see, of a great variety. Heading north to Scotland is truly more magnificent, but the distance from site to site or activity is much greater.

 

[Dickie]

Best of luck with your research and future trip, my brother emigrated to NSW so I'd like to try the reverse of you at some point.
The problems you'll have to sort are your duration of stay, time of year partly our summer is your winter and the deer here have seasons so if you want a trophy you'll need to be in the right season for the right species, more complicated because England and Wales seasons are different to Scotland.
Plenty of people offering guided stalking on here so hopefully you're starting in the right place.

 

[Stalker62]

Case in point is the NC500 route in Scotland. As we are stalking or shooting within site of this route, we watch car after car ripping along it as fast as they can possibly go, hopping out at key points, snapping a pic, and then revving off.

@Cootmeurer

Often drive past/along Glencoe on my adventures North of the Wall.

Regularly see coach loads of tourists, debus, take a photo and then embus, onto the next 'attraction'.

Never seen one set foot off the tarmac, but they will all go home and say they have 'done' Scotland.




Apropos Glencoe.

Is it just me?

I always feel a wee bit depressed when I am in and around Glencoe, no other Glen, just his one...

 

[tackb]

decide what you want to shoot bud then that will dictate where and when , for a red very little beats a day on the hill in scotland but a southern stag will be bigger , probably twice the size ! budget wise will depend on what you want to do , a representative beast recovered by argo cat will likely be cheaper than a royal stag recovered by ponies

kit wise , for scotland stout boots that fit and subdued clothing that you don't mind crawling in and getting wet

kit wise for norfolk stags , i've shot them in shorts and trainers (me not the deer!)

 

[NullMac]

Don't let anyone sell you a sheep ...

 

[VSS]

Don't let anyone sell you a sheep ...

Funny you should say that. I was just thinking......

 

[Mungo]

Don't let anyone sell you a sheep ...

Quite possibly the finest bit of stalking in recent history.

I have American family who get really very upset indeed when you mention blackfaced Tups…

 

[AlexD]

Quite possibly the finest bit of stalking in recent history.

I have American family who get really very upset indeed when you mention blackfaced Tups…

Seeing things on thermals is wonderful, until you zoom in. How many on misted up binos are called out as deer covered in snow?

Thermals even pick out the rotting ones, before you step into them through the melting snow. They make for a memorable journey back to the hotel, introducing another Scots word, "mingin", usually used by one's wife to express her distain at one's waft as she opens the door. Like a wet dog that has found where a fox has deposited things, or that smell of tweed that has been wet for days on end.

 

[hoodwink]

@Cootmeurer

Often drive past/along Glencoe on my adventures North of the Wall.

Regularly see coach loads of tourists, debus, take a photo and then embus, onto the next 'attraction'.

Never seen one set foot off the tarmac, but they will all go home and say they have 'done' Scotland.




Apropos Glencoe.

Is it just me?

I always feel a wee bit depressed when I am in and around Glencoe, no other Glen, just his one...


View attachment 341459

Spooky place, hell of an atmosphere

 

[NullMac]

I have American family who get really very upset indeed when you mention blackfaced Tups…

And Mike Russell was in full righteous indignation mode when that American lassie shot a feral goat, but missed the photo of the illegally "culled" blackface...