The best place for a hunter to live in the south

[Twigsandbranches]

What the the best place for a deer stalker to live in the south of England?

I am looking to move somewhere within southern England and would like to find out if anyone recommends their home (or if anyone has somewhere they would want to move).
This is taking into account that I enjoy deer stalking, would like a strong community and a decent shooting range (potentially long distance to help with ethical shots).

As it stands I am looking at new Forest and the Cotswolds.

New Forest because it has Sika and a rich hunting history.

The Cotswolds because it is a bit better situated for travelling north which might make hunting opportunities more accessible.

 

[8x57]

You're pretty well sited already being in Oxfordshire.

 

[Cyres]

Gloucestershire.
D

 

[Ratel]

Exmoor

 

[r judd]

So you want to move south to make travelling north for hunting more accessible?

 

[sh1kar]

Hampshire. Chalk streams as well
S

 

[Pete6.5]

Nothing here in the New Forest

 

[Pete6.5]

Seriously the easiest place to pick up stalking is the place you grow up and feel like a local.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

This is a local village for local people. We don’t want no stinking foreigners here.
Said the BLOW IN.

 

[Twigsandbranches]

Exmoor

Exmoor does look interesting. We will certainly check it out!

 

[Twigsandbranches]

So you want to move south to make travelling north for hunting more accessible?

Only if there was some particularly great hunting opportunities further south. We have looked at New Forest for this reason.
The Cotswolds/Gloucestershire are where we are looking for northern facing accessibility.

 

[Twigsandbranches]

Nothing here in the New Forest

I'm sensing there new Forest should still be on the list

 

[Twigsandbranches]

Seriously the easiest place to pick up stalking is the place you grow up and feel like a local.

Unfortunately New Zealand is a bit of a hike from here, though I have enjoyed learning to hunt in the dense NZ North island forests!

 

[Twigsandbranches]

Thank you for all of the replies so far.
It is very helpful to know that the places we are looking at are strong contenders.

One additional factor might be if any particular towns have a strong hunting community? This would be genuinely interesting to know, even if we don't settle there.

 

[Nickb]

This is a local village for local people. We don’t want no stinking foreigners here.
Said the BLOW IN.

Be careful that could be construed as racist

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Be careful that could be construed as racist

Wait till you hear my accent. It don't sound like I bees from around ere.

 

[Cyres]

Lots of fallow roe and munties in Glos. Easy access to FOD. Good M way access. Houses not too expensive in Stroud Dursley area. N and South of v expensive.
D

 

[Twigsandbranches]

Lots of fallow roe and munties in Glos. Easy access to FOD. Good M way access. Houses not too expensive in Stroud Dursley area. N and South of v expensive.
D

Thank you, we will definitely have a look at Stroud and the surrounding area.

 

[Home Loader]

The New Forest is great but in the terms of easy access stalking it doesn't really differ to the rest of the country you either are in the know or you pay.

 

[Twigsandbranches]

The New Forest is great but in the terms of easy access stalking it doesn't really differ to the rest of the country you either are in the know or you pay.

This makes a lot of sense. As I am just beginning to dip my toes in the water, I expect I will learn how to become - in the know.

From my experience in New Zealand, this has meant socialising, pitching in and taking the time to get to know the local community.
No real shortcuts, but I'm okay with that, is all part of the sport!
If you have any thoughts on the hunting culture in the UK, I would be very interested too know more (and am reading through these forums to learn as much as I can).