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

[CBH Australia]

So before we go down the road of no return, @CBH Australia does that give you enough to go on or is there anything else you need?

If you are worried the thread will be derailed I'm not worried by that. I have some info but always open to suggestion.
A few years back I got on an African forum and like within 12 months I was in Africa when I found a deal.

I'm hanging around on this forum to learn and discuss "Stalking" in the UK, just been on what's app speaking with an American I've known through forums.

In part I guess I'm look into for locations, timing of fair weather and leads on the best way to do it. Even the best species to hunt.

Eg, Fly into London and drive to Scotland or places that are must see. From what I can gather things are close in relation to to distance we have in Australia

I'm not sure what I'm going to do but I always do the research and planning of our travel. I'm keen to pop over to New Zealand as it's relatively cheap once you are in a capital city.

In some ways I was thinking I would defer the UK till later being I can do sightseeing when I'm older but then it seems deer are widespread and there is some cheap options for stalking that would add to the appeal.

 

[Delivery]

I was worried we were heading towards a catalogue of fashion mistakes!!

 

[CBH Australia]

I was worried we were heading towards a catalogue of fashion mistakes!!

No, I think the whole traditional way of stalking in Tweed etc does just show tradition and local custom I suppose. I see some have moved on from that and it's probably cheaper to buy modern high tech Camo over Tweed trousers etc. but when in Rome Dre's like an Englishman.

I would look ridiculous in Tweed but it would be part of the experience to go the whole way and do a traditional Hunt or stay in a manor. I'm starting to realise that might cost a packet though and I don't have a Blaser rifle. I like the idea of traditional rifles like the Rigby for a stalk on the English country side but what I actually own is a Howa and a Tikka.

I find the Tikka are quite accurate and that's one of the first things I look for in a suitably chambered rifle.

 

[Delivery]

Personally I wouldn’t drive “London” to “Scotland” it’s probably 4-5 hours drive “London” to the border then another 2-3-4 hours to get to North Scotland depending on where you go and how you drive.

The reason for the quotes is because traveling from on side of London to the other could be 3 hours on a bad day, plus Scotland is slower the further away from the main roads and motorways

I’d be tempted to do London and the countryside near London, Oxford, Cambridge then fly from London to somewhere (Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, whatever) then rent a car and go exploring in that area then fly the next base for a few days or whatever.

I wouldn’t want to waste multiple days driving along motorways there’s nothing to see and there’s often really bad congestion but there’s plenty of stunning scenery and views in certain counties like The Cotswolds (Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Somerset), The Lake District Yorkshire Northumbria as well as Wales and of course Devon and Cornwall as already mentioned

Once you get north of Edinburgh and Glasgow you’ll start to see great scenery and there is the beautiful route someone else mentioned

Someone already touched on..
If you’re travelling light then you can book really cheap flights but when you start checking in loads of luggage it can add up.
EasyJet do a plus membership where you get free hold bags and allocated seats so if you want to get around by plane that’s a good option as you can do single legs from £18 per person and you don’t have to fly back to London for example you can fly from Newcastle to Belfast

You can get good prices on rentalcars.com and you can take out car hire excess insurance so you don’t need the extra £30 a day waiver that saves a fortune

There’s also some great pubs and restaurants dotted around obviously tripadvisor can help but check out the

MICHELIN Guide Restaurants & Hotels – the official website

MICHELIN-starred Restaurants, Bib Gourmand and the entire MICHELIN Guide Selection. The best addresses for fine dining, gourmet Articles and many more

guide.michelin.com

There’s the Bib Goumand English pubs listed are often offering accommodation as well as good food but there’s also the starred restaurants and hotels typically but not always in larger cities

Just be aware a lot of the best restaurants and pubs are booked weeks/months in advance - maybe they keep restaurant space for accommodation guests??

Hopefully that’s all useful

 

[VSS]

No, I think the whole traditional way of stalking in Tweed etc does just show tradition and local custom I suppose. I see some have moved on from that and it's probably cheaper to buy modern high tech Camo over Tweed trousers etc. but when in Rome Dre's like an Englishman.

I would look ridiculous in Tweed

You would look equally ridiculous in cammo.

 

[MAH]

would look ridiculous in Tweed but it would be part of the experience to go the whole way and do a traditional Hunt or stay in a manor. I

My first red deer was aken on the Mar Lodge Estate, we rented a house on the estate for a special occasion. (Claybokie). Family and friends for a week.
Braemar, Balmoral and the surrounding area are fabulous. lots to do.
If I understand your desire correctly, it is worth you doing some research and exploring options with them.

I've never been, but if your casting the net for options, this is on my bucket list for a rich relative to treat me. Amhuinnsuidhe Castle.

12. Amhuinnsuidhe Castle - Isle of Harris

Amhuinnsuidhe Castle was built in 1865 in the Scottish Baronial style by the architect David Bryce and the 7th Earl of Dunmore. Access by prior…

www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk

M

 

[Delivery]

Do t forget about the Whiskey Trail if you do end up in Scotland

 

[CBH Australia]

My first red deer was aken on the Mar Lodge Estate, we rented a house on the estate for a special occasion. (Claybokie). Family and friends for a week.
Braemar, Balmoral and the surrounding area are fabulous. lots to do.
If I understand your desire correctly, it is worth you doing some research and exploring options with them.

I've never been, but if your casting the net for options, this is on my bucket list for a rich relative to treat me. Amhuinnsuidhe Castle.

12. Amhuinnsuidhe Castle - Isle of Harris

Amhuinnsuidhe Castle was built in 1865 in the Scottish Baronial style by the architect David Bryce and the 7th Earl of Dunmore. Access by prior…

www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk

M

Thanks, I don't have any rich relatives that I know of. Adds to the reason that I am not rich.

I'm not really sure and it's why I'm asking. I see some options for stalking for a day are fairly priced. Then to the other end some species in trophy animals are pricey..

If I took a small deer with no trophy value it's still stalking in another country. I would not be staying in castles or eating at the Ritz but I would stretch the budget to do a few things.

I will pay for a decent meal and enjoy a pint at the local because to me it's a part of the experience.

 

[Husky]

You would look equally ridiculous in cammo.

If CBH was to wear camouflage, it would have to be Auscam

 

[Stalker62]

Do t forget about the Whiskey Trail if you do end up in Scotland

No such thing.






There is however, a Whisky Trail in Scotland...

 

[Delivery]

No such thing.

That’s a bit harsh for a spelling mistake

 

[Stalker62]

That’s a bit harsh for a spelling mistake

Not really.

The alternative was sending an Australian, on a tour of Scotland, asking for Whiskey...was never going to end well for the lad.

 

[John Gryphon]

Easiest way is to employ swap hunts. If you have something to hunt in Oz you can do it. The method got me to Sweden,Ireland,New Zealand multiple times for basically an airfare some fuel and PINTS.

 

[kingstonandy]

Ignore the comments about sheep, I can arrange a challenging trophy sheep hunt for a suitable fee.

(Don't worry about the ear tags, we'll remove those later.)

 

[NullMac]

That’s a bit harsh for a spelling mistake

You have no idea

 

[CBH Australia]

Ignore the comments about sheep, I can arrange a challenging trophy sheep hunt for a suitable fee.
View attachment 342420
(Don't worry about the ear tags, we'll remove those later.)

Na, we have sheep stations bigger than your Country and I prefer lamb.

 

[AlexD]

Na, we have sheep stations bigger than your Country and I prefer lamb.

It was a joke by @kingstonandy about a lady who shot a prize specimen sheep on a stalk. Made the national headlines. Or was it a goat?
Without context it is like the jokes on this thread about Cornish/Devon pasties, or cream scones (which goes first, cream or jam: anyone who does the former is wrong for most of the UK but right somewhere in the far South West and other heathen places). Reference to heathen here being another historic pun, regarding druids, no slur on the fine men of Cornwall who stood up to raids from Moorish slave traders from North Africa for centuries. The Arch Druid of Cornwall died two years ago, and there is someone else doing his job now. History blurs with the present.
You will enjoy visiting Britain. Lots of weird things to report home about.
In Scotland the picts got rid of the druids though stone circles are still here to be seen. Picts, the guys that went about naked except for body paint in the depths of winter, until a few hundred years ago. I don't know how they stopped the paint running in the rain.
Little known fact, last cave dwellers in Scotland were as recent as 1974. Then came social welfare, who don't like bairns with no shoes living in damp places with no heating, no plumbing, no electricity. Not much different to Australia for the locals but without the heat.

 

[Sol]

In part I guess I'm look into for locations, timing of fair weather and leads on the best way to do it. Even the best species to hunt.

What do you wish to hunt whilst here, and are you dead set on traditional ways or a hybrid mix of traditional mixed with modern?

Last week of October to first week of November would be my first thought, Chinese water deer season opens up on the 1st of November and the English roe buck ends on the 31st.

Traditionally stag stalking in Scotland would be undertaken between September to the 21st of October but this year they opted to remove the male deer season, Many estates arent allowing stag stalking after this date however there's still likely a few that will push to the end of October since traditionally the season missed out on the late rut.

 

[AlexD]

He mentioned he is not minted.
Recently got quoted £6.5K for a week of stalking in Scotland with decent accommodation in the rutting season.
The opposite of that luxury end, is the £100 winter doe stalk to £250 full day winter hind stalk, plus carcass fees that are £14 or so for each Roe carcass and Red is around £2 something a kilo if you take the carcass. Beats the supermarket for quality freezer fills.
So quite a price spectrum to choose from, for people of all pocket sizes.
Australia and NZs Red stalks can be free or inexpensive, for huge animals. One pays for the experience in the UK.
Luxury with Garron ponies for Red Stags is the top end, but very nice stalking is still available at the bottom end.
As someone said on this thread, the best way to do it is offer a stalk swap.

 

[CBH Australia]

@Sol I'm easy pleased and that's why I'm asking what's available and when.
Modern or traditional it doesn't really matter.
Pending on the timing and the opportunity I would just like to hunt if I travel over. I will never see Roe, Muntjac or Chinese water deer here.
We have Reds, although o was thinking they are native to the UK.
Honestly I've seen some Roe and Muntjace I think that are not asking much for the animal O top of the stalking. I wouldn't care if it went to the game dealer I can't take the meat.

Stalking Roe makes sense as it can be a Euro mount or skull cal and posted out to home if I want the trophy.

It really comes down to going out in another country for the experience.