Advice sought

[David Barker]

I have seen roe deer jump in to a plantation over a deer fence so i would think it is not to difficult for a sika. He might be back out hoarding species don't like being alone for long. Look for areas were the ground rises and falls at time the way the fences are put up they are not as high as they look. You could put a soil pile up at a corner only needs to be two feet high a ten minute dig at best. The deer will just jump out.

 

[Siggy]

Could the land owner put in a deer leap?
Could you get someone, maybe with a suitable dog to move it either to the deer leap or to a corner where you can shoot it?
Moving deer is really challenging but occasionally you get lucky.

You are in South West Ireland so I am assuming this is in Eire, so I am not up to speed with the law there but could you use a dog and a shotgun in an enclosed wood...which I have heard is a solution used elsewhere?

 

[Rutland lad]

I have one observation. Once you’ve found it and shot it, how are you going to extract it ? I’m presuming the owner doesn’t want a great big rotting carcass bringing in all sorts of animals looking for a cheap meal.

 

[Camdig]

I have one observation. Once you’ve found it and shot it, how are you going to extract it ? I’m presuming the owner doesn’t want a great big rotting carcass bringing in all sorts of animals looking for a cheap meal.

I would imagine through the gate to the plantation

 

[Rutland lad]

Anyway, the upshot is that I've been asked to try to take out the deer, which I'm happy to do. However the challenge is daunting, because most of the 30 acres is thickly covered in tangled forest

That’s the OP’s own words above. Hence my remark.

 

[Camdig]

You would drag it to a point of access, a few bushes and tangled briars are all part of the fun. The op is alluding to too much cover to get a shot I don't think extraction is an issue

 

[NullMac]

If it were me, I would put a portable high seat up in the middle of the wood, and sit and wait. I would also check the outside of the wood for any sign where it might be jumping in or out. It will be a waiting game, I'm afraid, especially if its a good mature stag. They are cunning deer at the best of times.

^^^ This

It is a Sika, not a Roe or a mouse. Different game altogether. Get in quietly. Sit still. Wait. Be ready to pull the trigger, you may not have time to faff about. Don't try and be clever, just get a round into it and sort the rest out later. You need your A game for these deer.

Malc has forgotten more than I know; as he says if its an old boy you will have your work cut out.

 

[Sako75Hunter]

Could the land owner put in a deer leap?
Could you get someone, maybe with a suitable dog to move it either to the deer leap or to a corner where you can shoot it?
Moving deer is really challenging but occasionally you get lucky.

You are in South West Ireland so I am assuming this is in Eire, so I am not up to speed with the law there but could you use a dog and a shotgun in an enclosed wood...which I have heard is a solution used elsewhere?

I'm not familiar with a deer leap. Can you expand @Siggy ? Many thanks.

 

[Sako75Hunter]

I have one observation. Once you’ve found it and shot it, how are you going to extract it ? I’m presuming the owner doesn’t want a great big rotting carcass bringing in all sorts of animals looking for a cheap meal.

I'm now baiting (with old carrots, apples, will also try peanut butter jar) an area near a gate that will allow a decent shot from a high point about 80 yards away. Won't be too hard to extract carcass from there.

I waited there for a couple of hours until after dusk yesterday, but nothing showed. Will carry on baiting and waiting every evening I'm free until I get him.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Get a terrier in there and wait!

 

[Overlay]

Sit out and wait by all means, my first point of action would be a very thorough perimeter inspection, my youngest teckle is very good on just tracking up on low deer tracks to give a indication of entry if you have access to a dog
But splitting the ground up into two with a high seat on one acceptably safe clear shot area and the other use stealth cameras to monitor moving them around the perimeter you should be able to pick it up without too much fuss then there’s the shooting bit and the waiting game will kick in
Good luck and keep us in the loop on progress
Cheers

Phil

 

[south-nofolk-stalker]

Get a terrier in there and wait!

Iggle Piggle is required

 

[Sako75Hunter]

Sit out and wait by all means, my first point of action would be a very thorough perimeter inspection, my youngest teckle is very good on just tracking up on low deer tracks to give a indication of entry if you have access to a dog
But splitting the ground up into two with a high seat on one acceptably safe clear shot area and the other use stealth cameras to monitor moving them around the perimeter you should be able to pick it up without too much fuss then there’s the shooting bit and the waiting game will kick in
Good luck and keep us in the loop on progress
Cheers

Phil

Have checked the full perimeter myself, and couldn't find anywhere he might have got in. I reckon he cleared the fence with a jump.

Will be on watch again this evening, and will update on any progress. But I think this could take a while.

 

[Tim.243]

Get a terrier in there and wait!

You never said get a good terrier...oh that is a Teckel
@Overlay

 

[devon deer stalker]

Iggle Piggle is required

Her reputation has spread far and wide

 

[Overlay]

You never said get a good terrier...oh that is a Teckel
@Overlay

Terror more like it

 

[Siggy]

I'm not familiar with a deer leap. Can you expand @Siggy ? Many thanks.

It’s a ramp on the inside of the fence so the deer can get out but not get back, in theory

 

[Franko_1983]

You will be lucky to attract it to anything, in my opinion. I have known Sika stags to jump into and out of a 6ft fence. Or they will find a week spot and go under.
Walking around a thick 30 acre wood trying to locate the stag is not going to produce much of a result unless you get really lucky.

If it were me, I would put a portable high seat up in the middle of the wood, and sit and wait. I would also check the outside of the wood for any sign where it might be jumping in or out. It will be a waiting game, I'm afraid, especially if its a good mature stag. They are cunning deer at the best of times.

Have you ever known them to be call the "ghost" deer? I have heard of close friends going down to outside of Biggar area and shooting sika. you aware of them as far down lowland as that mate?

 

[sikamalc]

I've shot them in the far Highlands for many years, all north of inverness.
I've also shot them in Dorset.
But I do not know if there near Biggar. Yes Ghost deer I've heard of.

 

[Sako75Hunter]

Well this is turning out to be a bit of a ghost deer. Sat out for several hours for 4 evenings now watching the baited spot, and no sign of him. Will leave it now until he shows up on the camera trap, in case he's jumped back out.