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

[Tim.243]

Money certainly plays a big part if it!

Not in my case,
I like a lot of others put in the hard yards mine was foxing which I got my fac opened up because of foxes not deer, as I needed a open fac to go on farms not cleared.
Muntjac only turned up (enough to get a couple) around on my local ground 7 years ago but I find them easy to shoot as they are a tad bigger than a fox have the same routine as a fox can be called like a fox.
But the years of foxing on foot paid off.

Here is an example from a shooter/retired diver.
The class of 94 learnt to dive which has the similar lines to stalking,
A new diver can buy all the kit (which we did)
They have to travel to a site (a long way early start)
Equipment prep, briefing (where we are going) the safety side (watch your air like backstops)
A target (depth in diving)
Successful dive/shot
Back to the start point
Put equipment away
Debrief.
Same thing in the afternoon for the next stalk or dive.

However in the UK the weather plays a big part of out door activity's, (diving/stalking) so we tried to gain some experience by booking a couple of times a few days in Plymouth but only managed 3 dives in 4 days (long way expensive and wet/cold)
So what we did was book a week in Egypt (November) got 14 dives in 5 days so gained lots of valuable experience
then went back in February.
Same thing I did with foxing

 

[Tim.243]

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

I put a new front end (cut and shut) on a mini drove lovely, no one taught me, but it is like cutting up a fallow you just follow the lines and gaps.

 

[pete evans]

To be allowed onto someone’s land with a rifle requires a lot of trust and could cause someone a fair amount of aggravation if things go prong. It’s not surprising that people are a little cagey about who they give permission to but having said that with the right approach and a bit of friendship, networking, helping out etc opportunities will arise.
There are an increasing amount of people coming into stalking who haven’t done much previous shooting and I suspect most farmers can sense this a mile off. Best route in I suspect is rabbits and pigeons as these are higher on the problem list than deer generally. Do a good job and it may well develop to deer.

 

[old 30-06]

I agree with Rake Aboot. Money. It is the curse of all shooting. Particularly as I do not have that much of it !

 

[Tim.243]

I agree with Rake Aboot. Money. It is the curse of all shooting. Particularly as I do not have that much of it !

Keep the keepers tips instead of buying thermals

 

[old 30-06]

Tim. 243, I do not do thermals or night vision. I have skill and application.

 

[Tim.243]

Tim. 243, I do not do thermals or night vision. I have skill and application.

So do I but snares don't get every fox....

 

[Automan]

From my own experience
Syndicates don't bother
If you want some quality stalking go with people on here like sika Malc or Muntjac stalker.

 

[Ratel]

Yep 100 %

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.

Sums it up well Tim. Many locals had been after my farmers ground which used to be run as a shoot by him. However after a very nasty shooting accident to his partner all shooting stopped. A retired keeper I knew was doing all the rabbit trapping and had got them down to very low numbers so not worth carrying on. He suggested me just to keep them in check as I live just a mile away and shoot the pigeons when necessary.There was also a problem with deer eating newly planted hedges. I had to go out with the owner a few times to prove I was safe and could stalk and handle deer. I fitted the bill and we are now great friends, hence I got the estate job.
Just shows if you fit and demonstrate your abilities mighty oaks from little acorns grow.

 

[Overlay]

Tim. 243, I do not do thermals or night vision. I have skill and application.

Tim. 243, I do not do thermals or night vision. I have skill and application.

Hi 30-06 my sentiments exactly on field craft etc

But what you can get in a month using non night vision methods, could be found in a night or two with a thermal and Nv scope, you really need the field craft but night vision really does work particularly when it’s your place of work and there is a need to keep on top of pests and foxes

 

[old 30-06]

Overlay, I understand what you are saying. I am retired, and a part-time keeper on a small pheasant syndicate. I have the luxury of time.

 

[Overlay]

Overlay, I understand what you are saying. I am retired, and a part-time keeper on a small pheasant syndicate. I have the luxury of time.

Hi 30-06
That’s brilliant, nice to have time to get the best out of what you like to do, good place to be and enjoyable without a doubt

 

[Ranger22]

Folk need to walk before they can run. Got all the tickets doesn’t mean anything if you have no experience. Get experience by taking days, helping keepers/stalkers/farmers with the mundane jobs. You’ll get rewarded with odd bit of shooting but more importantly you’ll get known and doors will open. It’ll take a while.

 

[south-nofolk-stalker]

Folk need to walk before they can run. Got all the tickets doesn’t mean anything if you have no experience. Get experience by taking days, helping keepers/stalkers/farmers with the mundane jobs. You’ll get rewarded with odd bit of shooting but more importantly you’ll get known and doors will open. It’ll take a while.

100% exactly that, that is exactly how I started many many moons ago

 

[Stalker62]

 

[Rake Aboot]

Years ago on the Hunting life site, if folk came on asking for land the idiots on the site always told them to speak to the Laird of ( wherever the asker was from) , Rake Aboot

I’d then tell them I owned all the land around them and they should crack on and if anyone stopped them just say I sent you

Eventually the penny dropped and they realised they were having the **** taken
Then they would get a long lecture about hard work finding land and retaining it

Not been on there for years but I still get folk DM’ing the Laird and it comes to my email
Lots of folk want something for nothing which always makes folk wary.

 

[south-nofolk-stalker]

I once shot 2 medal roe bucks in velvet on a small field that I had permission on right beside a bigger permission that had been stolen from me by some people I helped start stalking, even better they saw me do it

Spent years looking after those bucks, I’ll be buggered if I was going to them them have them

 

[Confidis]

hi all!!not a rant just want to know why is it so hard to get into stalking or should I say getting out there!!!you have all your tickets and more but no doors open?the reason I ask is that a few friends are finding it very hard to get onto the stalking seen {thats the way I put it} deer are a problem everywhere and just thought more guns and certificates the better but no!!there finding it hard to get out?it seems like no right away?give a chance?yes not all are up to it but taking under wing comes to hand!show them teach them!but its dosent seem to happen its usually a no or no chance.has anyone else come across this?I know all are not like this but seems to happen a lot {WHY} if someone is keen to go out and help and learn why is it a problem??really frustrates me sometimes.
!JUST WANTING TO KNOW WHY! MORE HAND S THE BETTER!
SEEMS TO BE A CLICK IF THE FACE DOZENT FIT NO CHANCE!
REGARDS SWARO

I really can see and agree with your point. It took my 20 years or more to secure a large pest control and a small stalking woods both by pure luck and more down to being an electrician than a would be hunter . This is in the crowded south west.
Unfortunately perms are like unicorn poo . I'd swap my small woodland deer stalking for some good rat shooting. Pest control is a privilege not work otherwise we wouldn't do it for free. Good luck .

 

[Confidis]

Tim. 243, I do not do thermals or night vision. I have skill and application.

Do you have a trumpet ?

 

[Nickb]

A lot of valid points here but luck plays a huge part too , it depends who you meet in life.
People come and go as do permissions but you have to just look for another opportunity and dont give up.
I am lucky and have had plenty shooting all my life but constantly look for new opportunities.
Personally I would rather shoot foxes than deer but we dont have a big population .
Beginners need to start with rabbits , pigeons etc and work they way up onto foxes and deer.
I have also taken a few people out getting them their 1st deer but soon learned most people sh*t on you so now just stalk alone mainly or with my mate.