New NE Deer Night Shooting Licence England/Wales (CL55)

[Tim.243]

Moving the carcass, I'll have a head torch and other illumination on then so not that different IMHO having had years of getting off the hill after LL.

However, an interesting issue I hadn't thought much about until actually doing this in anger was the danger from small tree branches. All of the areas I stalk have trees of some form and whilst I know the routes through them well enough to do it easily at night, its this year's new tree growth on principally my cut-throughs that have caught me out more than once! I don't wear glasses to stalk and don't want the faff of taking them off and on, but last Wednesday night I had 2 whips into my right eye in fairly rapid succession that were to say the least painful! This year's bramble "danglers" are equally as bad. All easy to avoid in daylight but not when creeping about in the dark.

Brought back vivid memories of when I had to rush a very well-known stalker/training provider to A&E in Salisbury after he had a branch whip into his good eye blinding him whilst we trying to find a runner in the dark that a colleague had shot at LL from a high seat. It was only at that point that I discovered he only had sight in that eye, having lost vision in the other years ago! (His most able No2's BMH thankfully made short work of finding the sika).

These are the nuts, I take my deer cart and trundle along to the deer, I have a part of a pigeon hide pole and hang it on the pole when I take out the greens in the field. They have a swivel hook and a ratchet base.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/luceco-rechargeable-led-magnetic-work-light-750lm/970jk

 

[Ronin]

Some interesting thoughts and views in the previous pages of comment

My take

If there was not a perceived (actual) deer issue in certain areas (be that RTA, population densities, damage to crops and forestry) then there would have not been relaxation in the NL being issued

Had deer stalkers, managers , landowners et al in certain areas conducted effective managment of their deer populations in the first place - we would not be in this situation now

There has been plenty of negative comments re wounded animals / shot placement and danger of stray shots

Practice, practice , practice on paper and from all positions to be absolutely comfortable with your equipment - plus, any competent rifle user will know the ground they are shooting during the day or night (if you don’t and have CL55 then learn your ground)

Extraction - only shoot animals where extraction is easy or have a plan to extract prior to going out with enough help to do so safely

It isn’t rocket science

 

[Tim.243]

Some interesting thoughts and views in the previous pages of comment

My take

If there was not a perceived (actual) deer issue in certain areas (be that RTA, population densities, damage to crops and forestry) then there would have not been relaxation in the NL being issued

Had deer stalkers, managers , landowners et al in certain areas conducted effective managment of their deer populations in the first place - we would not be in this situation now

There has been plenty of negative comments re wounded animals / shot placement and danger of stray shots

Practice, practice , practice on paper and from all positions to be absolutely comfortable with your equipment - plus, any competent rifle user will know the ground they are shooting during the day or night (if you don’t and have CL55 then learn your ground)

Extraction - only shoot animals where extraction is easy or have a plan to extract prior to going out with enough help to do so safely

It isn’t rocket science

quite, with many stalkers who only want to "shoot deer" and by-pass the experience many of have learnt starting off on rabbits then foxes will struggle shooting deer at night.
I just picked up 500 acres in a populated fallow area, one of the questions he asked "do you shoot foxes?" "YES" Good! please shoot those as well and carry on. It is no hardship to stay on longer and use the same NV kit and shoot them.
You get given free stalking so you have to put back in some way, I am seeing a few rabbits so at some point I will take the .22 and trim those up as well.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Some interesting thoughts and views in the previous pages of comment

My take

If there was not a perceived (actual) deer issue in certain areas (be that RTA, population densities, damage to crops and forestry) then there would have not been relaxation in the NL being issued

Had deer stalkers, managers , landowners et al in certain areas conducted effective managment of their deer populations in the first place - we would not be in this situation now

There has been plenty of negative comments re wounded animals / shot placement and danger of stray shots

Practice, practice , practice on paper and from all positions to be absolutely comfortable with your equipment - plus, any competent rifle user will know the ground they are shooting during the day or night (if you don’t and have CL55 then learn your ground)

Extraction - only shoot animals where extraction is easy or have a plan to extract prior to going out with enough help to do so safely

It isn’t rocket science

Whilst I agree with what your saying with all best intentions, the biggest point that you have missed is a good 60% of deer stalkers are idiots, who just want to pull the trigger and kill something!

And as a guide, there’s a reason why I don’t guide men anymore!

Also to add I know some people who have applied for night licenses who live over two hours from their stalking ground!

That just tells me on its own all people want to do is kill something it’s not management anymore. It’s pest control nothing more nothing less.

Had to pick on another point with ammunition prices the way they are people aren’t gonna punch paper. They’re just gonna go out and take potluck.

 

[Ronin]

Whilst I agree with what your saying with all best intentions, the biggest point that you have missed is a good 60% of deer stalkers are idiots, who just want to pull the trigger and kill something!

And as a guide, there’s a reason why I don’t guide men anymore!

Also to add I know some people who have applied for night licenses who live over two hours from their stalking ground!

That just tells me on its own all people want to do is kill something it’s not management anymore. It’s pest control nothing more nothing less.

Had to pick on another point with ammunition prices the way they are people aren’t gonna punch paper. They’re just gonna go out and take potluck.

The people who make things difficult (to be neutral) - are those who only shoot males for thee heads or those who travel to grounds they rent occasionally and are ineffective in managing the herd on their ground

Make no mistake - deer are pests causing damage to crops and stone walls / rta in densely populated areas

Everyone who stalks / manages / controls deer likes to kill - otherwise they would be carrying a camera

Can’t practice - then save enough so one can - regularly, rifle shooting is a perishable skill

If your killing animals with a rifle, you should be practicing on paper (which doesn’t lie)

If you can’t practice - how can one possibly conduct humane management

 

[Tim.243]

Whilst I agree with what your saying with all best intentions, the biggest point that you have missed is a good 60% of deer stalkers are idiots, who just want to pull the trigger and kill something!

And as a guide, there’s a reason why I don’t guide men anymore!

Also to add I know some people who have applied for night licenses who live over two hours from their stalking ground!

That just tells me on its own all people want to do is kill something it’s not management anymore. It’s pest control nothing more nothing less.

Had to pick on another point with ammunition prices the way they are people aren’t gonna punch paper. They’re just gonna go out and take potluck.

You like the women coming to shoot the deer lee as they tidy up after you....

 

[kevtherev]

I had a look into the S&H academy NSC and there is no mention that I can see of a practical exam. There are various multiple choice exams and then a timed final assessment which is also multiple choice.

From what I read up on it there is a practical assessment as an add on by an AW linked to CL55 in England

 

[kevtherev]

The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound, so provided you turn your torch off immediately after taking the shot, by the time anyone hears the bang and starts looking all will be darkness

Not if you use an unmoderated .270 as you may rattle the moon causing temporary total darkness.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

You like the women coming to shoot the deer lee as they tidy up after you....

Pays for the fishing @Tim.243 nothing more, nothing less!

I couldn’t care less if I shot another deer to be honest.

That’s why I’ve given away so much stalking, writing was on the wall a long time ago and I didn’t like the way it was heading.

I got involved with dear management 20 odd years ago to manage them not murder them.

 

[bottletopbill]

Just got back from the course myself. Christ, those deer ID are difficult. 2 of them are pure guesswork, which leaves zero margin for error on the others.

I think of the six people attending, we probably had three or 4 different species/sex for one of them.

The rest of the questions were basically, as you said. Shooting test, I just did NV. Must admit to thinking I'd cocked up somewhere, when I got to 10m and could only see 3 holes in my 4" target. Thankfully closer inspection revealed one of the holes to be rather ragged.

How was it to DSC1 test JH1986

 

[Jh1986]

How was it to DSC1 test JH1986

The deer ID was really hard. You had to ID the deer species AND sex, from some really awful thermal pictures.

The rest was easy enough, and the shooting test was basically DSC1 test but in the dark.

I had the extra challenge of feeling bloody awful, but managed to stay standing and was luckily first to shoot and passed first time so I could go home to bed.



I got down to 10m and I could only see 3 holes in the 4" target. Thought I'd mucked up, but that bottom hole is 2 holes.

Everyone else apparently had to re-shoot, so didn't make it home until close to midnight.

 

[bottletopbill]

The deer ID was really hard. You had to ID the deer species AND sex, from some really awful thermal pictures.

The rest was easy enough, and the shooting test was basically DSC1 test but in the dark.

I had the extra challenge of feeling bloody awful, but managed to stay standing and was luckily first to shoot and passed first time so I could go home to bed.



I got down to 10m and I could only see 3 holes in the 4" target. Thought I'd mucked up, but that bottom hole is 2 holes.

Everyone else apparently had to re-shoot, so didn't make it home until close to midnight.

Well done mate don't think i will do this one as to old now 69yrs wasted so many years and left it to late getting into stalking.

 

[Nickb]

Everyone who stalks / manages / controls deer likes to kill - otherwise they would be carrying a camera

I've always said this but a lot of stalkers cant be honest , they like to manage deer

Manage is just a nicer word than kill .

 

[SussexSteve]

I've always said this but a lot of stalkers cant be honest , they like to manage deer

Manage is just a nicer word than kill .

See I don’t agree with you two. I don’t enjoy the ‘killing’ part but been shooting for 45 years now. Guiding I’ve seen plenty that do. Doesnt sit well with me though they don’t get to come back for another trip

 

[wytonpjs]

Well done mate don't think i will do this one as to old now 69yrs wasted so many years and left it to late getting into stalking.

You and me both (I'm 68) but crack on, don't waste a day!

 

[Jh1986]

Well done mate don't think i will do this one as to old now 69yrs wasted so many years and left it to late getting into stalking.

You and me both (I'm 68) but crack on, don't waste a day!

There were similar ages on the course. I think the scope one was using, was produced the day he was born

It was a rear attached thing that had a small TV on top, and a leather battery bag he had slung over his shoulder

 

[Nickb]

See I don’t agree with you two. I don’t enjoy the ‘killing’ part but been shooting for 45 years now.

Why do it then ?

Take up golf or photography?

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

The problem with me is, I made a promise many many moons ago, to the man in the Hall he wasn’t a stalker but he had seen many before me come and go.

I was the last who he gave trust to manage his deer too, all before me lamped them indiscriminately, I did a proper job until the day I fell out with the head keeper, but I carry that promise to this day.

I’ve shot plenty in the dark under humane dispatch and plenty in the shadows of the dawn, but never under a lamp or digital or thermal and never will, im simply not that desperate and i wont break my promise!

 

[Nickb]

The problem with me is, I made a promise many many moons ago, to the man in the Hall he wasn’t a stalker but he had seen many before me come and go.

I was the last who he gave trust to manage his deer too, all before me lamped them indiscriminately, I did a proper job until the day I fell out with the head keeper, but I carry that promise to this day.

I’ve shot plenty in the dark under humane dispatch and plenty in the shadows of the dawn, but never under a lamp or digital or thermal and never will, im simply not that desperate and i wont break my promise!

Its not desperate just another tool in the box if anyone wishes to use it.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

if your having to apply for a night license, your putting too much pressure on your ground, you won’t see deer if their not comfortable in their surroundings, it’s as simple as that!

It’s the fundamental basics of deer stalking, obviously you have you lot been blinded by B/S