On your own or with a mate

[Tugmanade]

A quick question

How many of you take people out with you on a regular basis

I’ve just been speaking to a mate and he was asking if I’d been out at all, when I told him he looked a bit miffed and made a comment something along the lines of “ where was my invite “ the truth is the main reason I don’t ask anyone now is the favour is never returned, nobody ever asks me if I’d like to go out with them, I have a couple of lads around York that will ring me now and then and ask if I’d like too join them but all the others that live near me never ask if I want to go out with them, despite the amount of times I’ve taken them out to shoot whatever they want to shoot

I very rarely used to be out on my own but now I can go months out on my own

You maybe get a few invites after your mates read your post

 

[GlennUK]

You maybe get a few invites after your mates read your post

That assumes the rude **ts can read!

 

[stavross]

I think for me it’s more about not returning the favour, I don’t need to shoot on other people’s permissions, I don’t buy all this people going behind your back onto your permissions, I’ve taken countless people out over the years and have only ever had one try to get on somewhere behind my back and that didn’t end well because I knew the farmer where he used to go shooting. I’ll continue to take people out because there’s times when it’s nice to be out with others, be it, summer rabbits, out after a deer or out foxing but it will be a lot less than it used to be, it’s nice to have a shooting buddy, I had a good mate that was out with me all the time for years, on his land and mine, sadly he had a heart attack at 49 and although he’s fully recovered he’s never been out with me since then, maybe I think everyone else should be like him

 

[jb1]

I got fed up with getting let down in the lamping days where 2 of you were kind of needed, 12v battery, car spot light and a newspaper bag. So ended up getting equipment to enable me to go solo and have done for years now.

 

[Overlay]

I got fed up with getting let down in the lamping days where 2 of you were kind of needed, 12v battery, car spot light and a newspaper bag. So ended up getting equipment to enable me to go solo and have done for years now.

Natural progression, my Mrs now prefers watching the goggly box to lamping, thank god for thermal spotter

 

[bumpy22]

If you ever get near somerset stav be more than welcome to come out stalking pheasants foxing whatever
I know it's a long way for you mate. Also heard how tight northerners are with the price of fuel

 

[gds]

Alone...
I get enough human interaction during driven hunts

 

[bullet chucker]

I go it alone, as I have nowhere to go.

BC.

 

[sako751sg]

I'm pretty much solo and can't beat in imo.I know loads that use it as a social thing but i'm the complete opposite and wouldn't have it any other way.

The only exceptions would be the evening duck flights where i'll see if the old fella and/or brother fancy it.I don't really shoot the ponds enough and if they say yes then it's the incentive for me to go.

 

[stavross]

Well, I’m off out on my own just now, it’s going to be a cold one but at least I won’t be up to my eyes in mud

 

[themolecatcher]

I am fortunate to have several permissions close to home that I stalk alone with the dog. These areas are managed for herd health in consultation with the land owner. Also I am on a syndicate in the borders where I often take a newbie out (FOC). My feelings on this are that a decent person needs help to start the stalking journey and guidance on best practise. It is our responsibility to help and guide them to maintain the future of deer management.

 

[Len the dog]

I always go foxing with a companion, my springer spaniel. He doesn't talk, he doesn't drag his feet noisily through the grass, he doesn't wear aftershave like a tart on heat, he doesn't wear trousers that swish, and I don't need to tell him where to stand or when to sit still.
I see no need to change my arrangements.

 

[Pedro]

I get that stalking for many is a solitary hobby and that it is enjoyable for that reason, amongst others. I also get that if you've got a mate who you shoot with, who is reliable and won't £$%* things up, that's a rare thing and should be enjoyed too. Someone to have a debrief with after. But unless you take people out as a job, I doubt I'd be inviting many out that are an unknown quantity as a regular thing.

Anyhow, if you want to shoot with others, and that can be just as important for your mental health, there's many ways of doing that too without stalking.

But whatever turns you on.........

 

[Strike]

I have a buddy who comes out with me when it's not too late, too wet or too cold. Sooo, mostly I shoot alone. I love spending time up in the mountains alone. Although it is always nice to have someone to open the gates.
I do mentor newbies, if I know them, their families, or mutual friends.
I think it's important as Dyfed Powys insist on mentors for first Centrefire applicants.
I have Centrefire rifles because I managed to find a willing mentor.

 

[FeckArseIndustries]

I always go foxing with a companion, my springer spaniel. He doesn't talk, he doesn't drag his feet noisily through the grass, he doesn't wear aftershave like a tart on heat, he doesn't wear trousers that swish, and I don't need to tell him where to stand or when to sit still.
I see no need to change my arrangements.

 

[BenBhoy]

The solitary nature of deer stalking is one of the things that attracted me to the sport.
I find the "groupie" nature of some other fieldsports (eg, driven game) particularly unappealing, and mostly I don't like the people anyway.
I know a lot of people cite the "comraderie" as one of the things they enjoy, but I'm just an unsociable git.

There's a really solid community spirit among deerstalkers, seemingly without the need to actually spend much time in each other's company. I like that.

I've agreed with a lot of your posts Tim.

I agree with the above more than any other. Absolutely 100% me.

I'd be happy now & again having 1 mate come but the whole mentality of game shoot "brotherhood" camaraderie is totally alien to me. I don't want to stand around eating pork pie & pickle making small talk with some banker with a blaser. Urgh small talk..

 

[BenBhoy]

@stavross if it's who I'm thinking it is he'd have fluffed his lines again anyway!!

When you down with Robin? Pop over here mate, we can do something. just one over from Lincs.

 

[Sol]

I dont have a license so I'm reliant on others generosity.
There's for sure been people that have took me out for deer that probably wish I wasn't there, but all of them WERE happy for my first deer with them regardless If I was a "pest"

I totally understand It would be reasonble and funner If I was a 30y man, into sports, drinking, shooting and so forth / In contrary I (was) a 17 year old shy girl.
Not the most exciting person to have a conversation with or someone to break the silence with, fortunally that property (where I did all my shooting for a while) always had a +1 so It broke the silence up majorly since they were closer in age and I was what linked them together

Now a days at the new property my mate loves when I come up It gives him a chance to get out shooting between syndicate members traveling up since I'm local, Its not much but being able to drag deer back to be picked up by quads, help with butchery and or various tasks like decorating has been a huge help!

 

[bottletopbill]

Been out with overlay rabbit shooting great guy and had a great time so glad he helps others.
Been out with my roe deer mentor who i cannot name but they both have helped me along my path.

Wished i could repay them but i really do thank you guys'

 

[Brittany boy]

Much prefer just me and the GWP, I take out another member on here from the Yorkshire area after I bought a rifle off him. It’s more about enjoying the chat and on the last trip he failed to pull the trigger, but not disappointed and he has offered on numerous occasions to reciprocate but I’ve not managed. I have one other friend who I will shoot / lamp with who is quiet and a proper countryman , terriers lurches ferrets and stalker. The others are more syndicate members who think shooting is a social event and love to talk, and there is a time and place for that but you need to know the difference .