Keeping quiet

[Migwados]

I noticed recently while I was out stalking that I’m not half making a lot of noise.
Walking uphill through boggy grass and traversing the rough terrain gets me out of breath, so I know my physical condition definitely needs improving.
What I did notice though, was my shooting stick seems to be making a fair bit of “metal on metal” noise. Definitely not what you want while stalking on a clear day!
My typical kit is:
Walking/hiking boots/trainers.
Soft real tree jacket (no noise when it rubs together)
Hiking pants
Chest rig for carrying glass, TQ, Avon spray for midgies and gralloching kit.
Rifle, mag, spare rounds and fiery deer 3 shooting sticks.

Next time I’m out, I’m going to try putting some weather strip seal on the legs of the sticks to dampen the sound and see if that helps any.

Would anyone have any suggestions on how best to keep quiet(er)?

 

[finnbear270]

Some vet wrap.

https://www.thevetstore.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/vetrap-300x300.jpg

 

[Sandy25]

Or the military green Sniper tape - fabric one.

I put some around my moderator to stop the pinging sound when it catches on twigs etc and has worked a treat.

 

[Migwados]

Thanks for the advice! I haven’t managed to even get a shot off the last few times I’ve been out, but all in good time.
Camo vet wrap is en route and I’ll let you know how the next stalk goes

 

[Fn5]

What @Sandy25 said really! https://amzn.eu/d/6yVI5US

 

[Cyres]

Bit of pipe lagging on sticks will stop metal on metal noise. Sling swivels need taping up.
D

 

[tozzybum]

Heat shrink and o'rings on my 4 stable sticks .
16mm heat shrink then slide o rings up the legs at " contact points".

 

[Migwados]

Heat shrink and o'rings on my 4 stable sticks .
16mm heat shrink then slide o rings up the legs at " contact points".

Another cracking idea! Thanks

 

[User00056]

One thing not to do is kneel down to take a shot and forget about the Buttolo in your pocket. I know someone who did this once. Wasn't me. Honest

 

[Migwados]

One thing not to do is kneel down to take a shot and forget about the Buttolo in your pocket. I know someone who did this once. Wasn't me. Honest

That’s unfortunate, but a great anecdote! I’ve just bought a buttolo yesterday as well. I’ll put that on my list

 

[Tazz]

Or it could be your hearing is improving

 

[Migwados]

Or it could be your hearing is improving

Love the positive spin on this cheers Tazz!

 

[Mungo]

One thing not to do is kneel down to take a shot and forget about the Buttolo in your pocket. I know someone who did this once. Wasn't me. Honest

I find it’s best to do this 6-7 times.

Just to REALLY make sure you know what not to do.

Other things worth trying to make sure you know what to avoid:

When driving up a forestry track in a narrow, enclosed valley to go sika deer stalking, do not get out of truck to have a pee and for some reason automatically lock it. Forgetting the dog is in the truck. Who then moves, setting off the internal alarm.

While guiding a client into extremely jumpy sika deer, with a shootable stag in sight, do not turn to say something to the client and bang your sticks on a wobbly fence that twangs and resonates like a piano being thrown down a well shaft.

Do not get a dog with large floppy ears who really hates when these ears get wet, muddy or covered in vegetation, and proceeds to aggressively shake her head when lining up on a deer.

Do not have a child with a gum abscess who needs to be rushed to a&e by the child’s mother while you are stalking. Thereby requiring you to leave your phone on loud so that the child’s mother can periodically update you about the glacially slow progress through a&e.

Do not have a dog that farts more loudly than you thought possible when it gets excited. It gets excited when in close proximity to shootable deer.

 

[Migwados]

I find it’s best to do this 6-7 times.

Just to REALLY make sure you know what not to do.

Other things worth trying to make sure you know what to avoid:

When driving up a forestry track in a narrow, enclosed valley to go sika deer stalking, do not get out of truck to have a pee and for some reason automatically lock it. Forgetting the dog is in the truck. Who then moves, setting off the internal alarm.

While guiding a client into extremely jumpy sika deer, with a shootable stag in sight, do not turn to say something to the client and bang your sticks on a wobbly fence that twangs and resonates like a piano being thrown down a well shaft.

Do not get a dog with large floppy ears who really hates when these ears get wet, muddy or covered in vegetation, and proceeds to aggressively shake her head when lining up on a deer.

Do not have a child with a gum abscess who needs to be rushed to a&e by the child’s mother while you are stalking. Thereby requiring you to leave your phone on loud so that the child’s mother can periodically update you about the glacially slow progress through a&e.

Do not have a dog that farts more loudly than you thought possible when it gets excited. It gets excited when in close proximity to shootable deer.

Jesus, Mungo it sounds like you’ve had worse luck than me!
Glad it’s not just down to lack of experience haha
Definitely some really valuable info in this thread and looking forward to trying some of it out.
Spare car keys, short eared dog, no kids and stay away from pianos and lift shafts got it

 

[User00056]

While guiding a client into extremely jumpy sika deer, with a shootable stag in sight, do not turn to say something to the client and bang your sticks on a wobbly fence that twangs and resonates like a piano being thrown down a well

I used to use a monocular rather than bins. Said monocular was secured by way of an elasticated cord attached to my roesack shoulder strap.

It only took several instances of it twanging off fences, catching on brush, etc before smacking me on the side of the head for me to realise it wasn't the best idea

 

[nun_hunter]

One thing not to do is kneel down to take a shot and forget about the Buttolo in your pocket. I know someone who did this once. Wasn't me. Honest

This is why I swapped to a Cherry wood buttolo call as I was forever accidentally setting it off!

 

[mudman]

Generally you will not make any noise when sitting or standing still.

Find a vantage point, taking into account wind direction etc and just settle in and wait. Then wait a little longer.

Oh and do t forget to put your phone on silent.

 

[nick.308]

nothing more annoying than trying to stalk deer with someone that cant put their feet down quietly or rocks up wearing the noisiest trousers when they rub together.
It doesnt matter if its raining or windy as it drowns the noise out but on a still day your at a massive disadvantage.

 

[Roedeer 1962]

It’s the Heavy Breathing that’s noisy

 

[Migwados]

It’s the Heavy Breathing that’s noisy

I thought that was all part of the stalk?