why is it hard too get out stalking or get into a stalking syndicate

[NullMac]

Stalkers tend to be very reticent with their land and who they let on it, some with very good reason.

I think that is the key issue. Nobody wants a hooligan in their syndicate and unless they know you then they will be extremely sceptical. They are taking a risk bringing people in. Nobody wants to lose their hard found stalking because of one idiot.

Not withstanding that there is a hoarding instinct, or as i like to express it, a lot of recreational stalkers want to run a zoo. That precludes bringing in other people as there is a fear that they will shoot the prime bucks. All at the same time as there being too many deer.

People who've taken a long time to acquire their shooting aren't going to share with someone who hasn't.

There isn't really an easy way to get into the stalking network which I think is one of the issues. It is by it nature a fairly remote, solitary pursuit. So you dont exactly meet lots of stalkers. When you do then they probably have similar issues ie they could do with a bit more ground not less so they are not going to give up their leads to someone else.

The suggestion to do other things I think is a good one. I got into stalking as I shot clays. Turns out some of the guys stalked. I just tagged along and eventually started stalking. They knew me, they knew I was safe with a gun and they knew I wasn't a cowboy but wanted to do an apprenticeship. Boxes ticked plus I had some "references" in the network when I wanted to get into other syndicates.

 

[JTO]

Money

Just about sums it up!

 

[swaro79]

Well if your that good why don't you start by answering questions i just gave a site member a 600 acre farm he asked and he got but i did ask him questions and he answered honestly. From your posts i would not pass anything on to you.

I’ve never said I’m that good and I do my bit to try help where and when I can!Im just mentioning points!and by the reply’s there a few good valid points been mentioned as to why it’s hard.fair play!then I come across this post by you what can I say

 

[south-nofolk-stalker]

I had a trainee of sorts once, after waiting outside his house too many mornings, costing me lost chances I fecked him off!

lost time is lost opportunity!!!!

Not bothered since

 

[KimE]

I think the human population density is slightly lower in Northern Sweden than in most of the UK.

Yes its very different population vise and we had the "kings revolution" taking the noblemens hunting rights and gave it to common people.

 

[swaro79]

And then have your ground pinch from you because they’ve gone in behind your back and offer the land owner a bigger lump of cash? I’ve had that happen before. No thanks.

And there is still ground out there that’s not being stalked, only had a message from a farm lady yesterday asking if I could control the deer on her little farm. Lots off polite door knocking is the way forward

Fair play Andrew!I suppose this happens but luckily hopefully everybody isn’t the same!

 

[swaro79]

I had a trainee of sorts once, after waiting outside his house too many mornings, costing me lost chances I fecked him off!

lost time is lost opportunity!!!!

Not bothered since

Hopefully you will come across a decent eager keen person trainee that changes your mind

 

[swaro79]

Just about sums it up!

Money certainly plays a big part if it!

 

[Camdig]

The problem with the modern world imo is people wanting instant success and have no patience to build relationships, turning up on a cold wet night to shoot rats and scuts in grain shed without being moaned at to do so when you would rather be on the couch goes further than a bit of cash well that's what I have found over the years.

 

[south-nofolk-stalker]

Hopefully you will come across a decent eager keen person trainee that changes your mind

Sod that Never again, I’m semi retired, gave 2000 acres away to friends who I know and trust.

 

[Ratel]

I have written about this before and have taken out a few people I deemed worthy of it e g
NHS employees after COVID. I started by helping out a farmer who grew lettuce, cutting lettuce in the evening, then sitting on the chance of getting a shot (this after poaching my first deer).
The Fallow were decimating his living and albeit in those far off days using a rimfire or Hornet (his big rifle) it gave me a start. After that I helped Keepers on estates by beating and helping during the rearing season. It took a while to get the odd stalk but it worked.
Once I started as a Keeper obviously things got easier and as I moved from one area to another I increased my contacts. Finally retiring and moving to a new part of the country I was introduced to a farmer who after a lot of pest control and a few demonstrations of safety and stalking skills I got his land to carry out the stalking and pest control. What happened then is my position now. He farms the whole of the adjoining estate for the owners and deer plus rabbits and pigeon needed sorting along with other pests. I was put forward by him after a year or two and that is now my function together with trying to increase the wild game on the estate.
After a few years being ancient I needed help with the heavy work so after trying out one or two lads I have ended up with a good lad whose father in law I know and another who I have known for twenty years. I have said to my main lad that I hope in time he will take over the job but he insists that I keep it all even if I just sit in the truck all day until I end up in the Church yard. That is the sort of person who deserves to get the job when I shake off these mortal coils and I will do my best to get him installed prior to that.
He knows it and is probably one of the safest and best stalkers I have seen (apart from my last wife) and will do an admirable job when I go together with his son who is now stalking with us as a trainee.
It takes a long while and bloody hard work (over 60+ years) to get to this position and it's definitely not easy to do so. End of story.

 

[swaro79]

Sod that Never again, I’m semi retired, gave 2000 acres away to friends who I know and trust.

 

[User00047]

If you’re honest and have integrity and a sense of humour and you do a bit of “networking” you’ll soon start to find doors are opening.

 

[Overlay]

If you’re honest and have integrity and a sense of humour and you do a bit of “networking” you’ll soon start to find doors are opening.

Yep 100 %

 

[David Barker]

If you get a farm make sure you can be trusted to do a job and be trusted by the Farmer to be on his land.

 

[Hazlett]

Moaning about older stalkers retaining ground is a bit insulting.

I look at this from the deer management point of view, rather than individual stalker's interest. So my point about the age of stalkers, which I made solely from my experience around here, is about when the age means they're not doing a good enough job. Perhaps because they were taught it is distasteful to shoot a pregnant doe even in February or because they don't look to the future and engage help.

@Ratel 's post is a perfect illustration of how I wish it were around here. Someone dedicated to getting the job done, getting help and looking to the future. 100%


What happens when all the 70+ stalkers, who are protective of their land, die? No fostering the next generation? A backward step for the countryside.

 

[swaro79]

I doubt your going to get anyone willing to give up their time for your mates.

Unfortunately if you can't do that yourself, then they will struggle.

You’re obviously already 'out there' so see what you can do your end first. As you say it's about getting your foot in the door. Yours is already in there.

Do you have ground of your own that you shoot on, or are you in a syndicate?

If so, ask if you can take them on under your wing. You may be surprised, who knows?

I have recently done the same myself and had him added to our syndicate.

On the other foot he knows a few folks locally who have now given us permission to shoot on local farms for vermin, and a local scrap yard for rats.

No I’m affraid I don’t have any ground and not apart of a syndicate!but always looking for right opportunity!

 

[Rookandrabbit]

I am very fortunate in that last year I was chosen to undertake the DSC1/ Large game meat hygiene course funded by members of this site. Again I thank all of the supporters who helped me on my journey.

I have also completed my First aid at work and Forestry course.
Since then I have been on five paid stalks . I see this as an invaluable way to gain experience from people who work hard on the land and have served their time out in the fields and woods in all weathers. A skilled countryman’s experience is worth its weight in gold.
I have also been stalking under the BASC Mentoring scheme in the trough of Bowland.

Whilst not being as Rich as Croesus or having a King Midas touch….. (read surviving on a Pension)

I enjoy what I am doing and I hope to gain an open certificate and the ultimate goal of the DSC2 award.( best emoji’s for mountain climbing I could find)

Yes it’s expensive but in reality there are very few deer pronging about the city streets here.

I did share an area of land many moons ago until my colleague invited mates who invited mates unbeknown to me and about five turned up one evening to go shooting. it was pest control………….the other area of land is now a housing estate!

First I knew was when the farmer contacted me !!! So I can clearly understand why people will safeguard their permission and farmers are very reticent to deal with cold callers.

So advert time !!!! you knew it was coming!!!

So, if anyone in the Merseyside Cheshire Lancashire North Wales area would kindly wish to engage in mentoring me.

Please don’t de shy!

Thanks Rookandrabbit.

 

[bigtone]

Son just got his provincial licence walks into the kitchen with some L plates...Dad yes son can you take me out in your Jag...
Go ask your mother as her mini is in front of mine.

Then there are some of us who are quiet happy to use the "mini", but that's also impossible.

 

[VSS]

No I’m affraid I don’t have any ground and not apart of a syndicate!but always looking for right opportunity!

Interesting how these threads are always started by someone who has nowhere to stalk, as if venting your frustration is going to open some doors.
Yet equally there are many newcomers and novice stalkers who've gained a bit of ground through trust and perseverance, and just keep their heads down and get on with it.

There are loads of opportunities out there. I wish there'd been so many deer about when I was in my 20s as there are now! I might have followed a very different career path if there had been.
But if you don't fit the picture, and you don't put in the hours, those opportunities aren't coming your way, no matter how many doors you knock and how much cash you wave about.
You'll sometimes see a landowner turning away repeated enquirers offering cash for stalking, and then accept someone who charges a fee for deer management.
It's all about whether you fit.