Dilemma - should I call it a day and pack up

[billy_boyle_2010]

Why don't you do it for a year- shoot what you're comfortable with- and what's the worst that can happen ? They don't renew your lease next year because you haven't pulled your weight ?

It would probably be helpful to be honest with the organiser and say you're unlikely to hit your target and see what he says ?

 

[Tf223]

I was on a stalking syndicate some time ago. Once I’d shot my permitted number, I was content and had no desire to keep going back. Mutually left the next season as they wanted to push on hitting cull numbers with deer going into their larder.

Personally I had no interest in going and doing the job of culling for someone else and paying for it. Shooting for me is either social or for a specific purpose (freezer or pest control).

Shooting wise I have enough fox control etc on our own ground to satisfy my general shooting desires.

 

[Overlay]

I was on a stalking syndicate some time ago. Once I’d shot my permitted number, I was content and had no desire to keep going back. Mutually left the next season as they wanted to push on hitting cull numbers with deer going into their larder.

Personally I had no interest in going and doing the job of culling for someone else and paying for it. Shooting for me is either social or for a specific purpose (freezer or pest control).

Shooting wise I have enough fox control etc on our own ground to satisfy my general shooting desires.

That is now a common practice, the other is they invite some good mates as well, your contribution is a monies provider - paying way to get cull completed

 

[Rake Aboot]

A syndicate I know of , were asked to shoot 500 deer one year to get numbers down,the next year they could go back to 300.
This is all recreational but serious stalkers.
But this is all done on weekends and holidays etc.


They now have to shoot 500 minimum this year again as it did nothing to reduce numbers.

There are folk leaving that syndicate because they want to Just stalk the odd deer and not cull so to speak.

So you aren’t alone , you are maybe In the wrong syndicate.

And that is the major problem with stalking as I see it.
A place putting demands on shooters to hit figures of 500 should be paying the stalkers to control what is very obviously a pest.

But no, folk pay fortunes for it . Absolutely senseless.

 

[south-nofolk-stalker]

And that is the major problem with stalking as I see it.
A place putting demands on shooters to hit figures of 500 should be paying the stalkers to control what is very obviously a pest.

But no, folk pay fortunes for it . Absolutely senseless.

The problem is too many with rifles and know where to go

 

[Rake Aboot]

The problem is too many with rifles and know where to go

I actually have no issue with folk paying for a stalk here and there.

But in my opinion when folk “ tender” for a cull contract the money is going the wrong way. The landowner should be paying the contractor and if he lets out some stalking to boost income then fair play. As long as numbers are met.

I also think that more gun ownership is a good thing , so if folk use a stalk to justify it then good.

 

[Dave_45]

And that is the major problem with stalking as I see it.
A place putting demands on shooters to hit figures of 500 should be paying the stalkers to control what is very obviously a pest.

But no, folk pay fortunes for it . Absolutely senseless.

People would rather pay for the privilege , because if they don’t someone else will,gleefully.

This particular syndicate , you pay in once and after that , the venison sales cover every members yearly fees and some.


It’s the best operated syndicate I’ve came across.

 

[bottletopbill]

Be careful there will be a queue to join .

 

[Tim.243]

The problem is too many with rifles and know where to go

 

[bottletopbill]

 

[Noppy]

I shoot at a club and also have a perm that as some rabbits on it and not much else .
The deer have not crossed the road in over ten years i have put up cameras all over the farm.

But as i say i have a perm and can shoot and practice at deer targets in case they move across the road .

My first permission I saw fleeting glimpses of about 5 deer over 9 years, and then if by magic. This last year I have regularly seen muntjac, roe and fallow. Took two roe bucks last year off there. So I wouldn't be surprised if they just turn up.

 

[bottletopbill]

will put out some salt licks

 

[JTO]

will put out some salt licks

If you are near the sea, that might be a waste of time. I think there is enough salt in the air to keep the local vegetation covered in salt from prevailing winds. An old farmer near me reckoned that was the reason that cattle fattened so well down here, about a mile behind Chesil Beach. I have put out salt licks and filmed Roe deer walking past them taking no notice. I've also tried tubs of so-called deer attractent/feed, going to try pouring molasses on it next!
Crystalix blocks might work, but I have not been able to find any locally.

 

[NullMac]

And that is the major problem with stalking as I see it.
A place putting demands on shooters to hit figures of 500 should be paying the stalkers to control what is very obviously a pest.

But no, folk pay fortunes for it . Absolutely senseless.

^

 

[David Barker]

I have said it before pay the Stalker and he will deliver if he don't then move him on and place a chap in that can do it. The old policy,s of highest bidder or move people on after 3 years etc is what has led to the massive increase in deer. Sadly the OP is an example of i have paid so ill do what i want and i don't blame him. It wont be long now before rec deer managers get paid for there deer !

 

[VSS]

If you're paying to stalk (either as a client, syndicate member, or lease holder) there should never be any expectation placed upon you to shoot x number of deer per year. If there is, then it's a rip off.
Remember, "he who pays the piper calls the tune".
If there's pressure from the landowner to achieve a challenging cull total, then stalkers need to be paid to do it.

 

[old keeper]

I've always found that when the time comes to make a major decision, you will know, if you are uncertain stay where you are. For approaching 65 years I rode motorbikes, even did a bit of racing and always said I would never give up riding, but one day, out of the blue I knew the time had come to give up and did so with no regrets. The same with knowing when the time had come to say goodbye to the many dogs I've had, it hurts but you know when the time has come.
With me the time has come to stop my involvement with keepering and pheasant shoots, I've decided after a lifetime of involvement the time has come to finish that side of my shooting life, I've loved it but once more I know the time is right for a variety of reasons. If I wasn't sure I'd carry on.
I say to the OP if you're unsure. stick with it, the day will come when I'm sure you'll know what road to take.

 

[Bowland blades]

I have stopped wildfowling because my old club went a bit bananas and screwed up the rule book that was a major reason why the club is still here after 100 years plus, changing many a members attitude to what the game was all about . I simply dont go with commercial guys when stalking , there must be a few good ones but it is just have yet to meet or go out with one that I really liked to hunt with ( partly its pressure to produce that extrudes from them i am sure ) and then others have built big reputations for talking folks on armed walks - the exact opposite. For me Stalking must be enjoyable and i get far more from a tough stalk than i do from an easy shot at a half tame deer . The place , the crack etc is the best part

 

[Dave_45]

I have stopped wildfowling because my old club went a bit bananas and screwed up the rule book that was a major reason why the club is still here after 100 years plus, changing many a members attitude to what the game was all about . I simply dont go with commercial guys when stalking , there must be a few good ones but it is just have yet to meet or go out with one that I really liked to hunt with ( partly its pressure to produce that extrudes from them i am sure ) and then others have built big reputations for talking folks on armed walks - the exact opposite. For me Stalking must be enjoyable and i get far more from a tough stalk than i do from an easy shot at a half tame deer . The place , the crack etc is the best part

There’s a time and a place for culling and stalking a deer , both seperate things totally.
Stalking and even missing out on the deer is better in my book.
It’s about the company,the chat,a bit of grub somewhere , ripping someone for mucking up etc.

 

[Dunwaters]

Am relatively new to stalking. I have done my DCS1 a couple of years ago and finally got a rifle last year after long Covid related delays.

Have been doing 4 or 5 paid stalks a year with mixed success but that's the way it goes and was quite happy with this.

This season I packed up shooting reared game as it no longer sits comfortably with me and thought I would be fine with a bit of stalking and wildfowling where you take a surplus from a stable/sustainable wild population.

I recently joined a stalking syndicate where we have been given an expectation of how many deer we are expected to shoot in a year and don't feel comfortable with this to the point where am debating whether or not to pack up all live shooting and stick to clays.

Have paid my fees for the year but cant see me enjoying the stalking much so not sure if I should just call it a day now.

If you are not enjoying your stalking you definitely should pack it in, but you need to decide whether it’s stalking itself or your current syndicate that’s taking the pleasure out of the game.
If you decide that it’s deer stalking itself your decision is easy, just stop.
If it’s what your current syndicate expects you to do, you need a different syndicate but you need to define for yourself what you expect from your stalking before you go looking for another place.