Britain’s deer are thriving. It’s a nightmare for the countryside

[Twodogs]

Thank you to those that have responded so far.
Judging from the experiences proffered it does not seem like the idea of a database of the willing and able would not be of much value. Another idea consigned to the bin.

My reply was to the above post, what I meant was its worth getting those few in the army that are willing to get involved properly managing deer populations rather than none at all.

The big question is “ how do you identify the few of the army and engage them”? That was the basis of what I was trying to initiate.

Yes, those who hop on the 6.39am to Liverpool St 5 days a week will only want to do weekends, who will set them out on the land as it takes years to learn a farm also come harvest on arable land then the activity is off the scale, also the heat as with last light it is still roasting hot and deer need to cool and follow a process. Get a runner and that area is ducked as the welfare side will take over.
Yes there will be a lot of willing hands but at weekends, with respect it is not a fishing lake work party with loppers and a rake.

I can assure you that a significant part of the UK population live outside the SE of England and many do actually not have the hinderance of the daily trudge you refer to.

I assist a stalker that has land with many fallow, he has a motley bunch of ‘assistants’ who turn up when needed regardless of weather, days of week etc, so they are out there.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I assist a stalker that has land with many fallow, he has a motley bunch of ‘assistants’ who turn up when needed regardless of weather, days of week etc, so they are out there.

You sir are a rarity!

There are many who are not so keen that I will assure you but certainly want the perks!

 

[AGR]

No it that I’m advocating unlawful behaviour, but I’m sure there were an abundance of deer on said land someone would be cashing in (after dark with NV)

Might depend on how big the deer are. I wouldn't rush to shoot two reds even though I have permission.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Might depend on how big the deer are. I wouldn't rush to shoot two reds even though I have permission.

Neither would I!

 

[Tim.243]

Thank you to those that have responded so far.
Judging from the experiences proffered it does not seem like the idea of a database of the willing and able would not be of much value. Another idea consigned to the bin.


The big question is “ how do you identify the few of the army and engage them”? That was the basis of what I was trying to initiate.



I can assure you that a significant part of the UK population live outside the SE of England and many do actually not have the hinderance of the daily trudge you refer to.

I assist a stalker that has land with many fallow, he has a motley bunch of ‘assistants’ who turn up when needed regardless of weather, days of week etc, so they are out there.

That will be a team who have been together for a while, trying to put a team together from names out of a hat who unlike your team will not know the land neither will you know their strengths/weakness.
If it is last light/legal light then those without thermal/nv kit will be sitting in the car, It will be like having 10 individual beaters never been on the farm before and expected to know how /where the drives are.
It is a nice idea but as you proved works well but will not go so well until that team is dialed in and that takes a long time.

 

[Tim.243]

Neither would I!

Don't worry Lee if you manage 2 the D-Max is not far away if your balls swing low can you tie them in a bow

 

[Mickeydredd]

The big question is “ how do you identify the few of the army and engage them”? That was the basis of what I was trying to initiate.

Not always easy. Word of mouth, their current stalking ground landowners recommendation, current cull records, game dealer records, probationary periods, etc. Depends how thorough you want to be in checking credentials before allowing them on the land.

I've started stalking in the area where my partner has a farm, I have gained permission on 3 local farms and have shot 30 deer this calendar year until end of April, I could have shot a lot more given more land access.

 

[Chris Richardson]

Not always easy. Word of mouth, their current stalking ground landowners recommendation, current cull records, game dealer records, probationary periods, etc. Depends how thorough you want to be in checking credentials before allowing them on the land.

I've started stalking in the area where my partner has a farm, I have gained permission on 3 local farms and have shot 30 deer this calendar year until end of April, I could have shot a lot more given more land access.

In my own experience it’s all about trust and competence

 

[David Barker]

but amongst that army how many are A, capable and B willing to put the time in .............. very very few

Chris i am sure there are many who locally could manage deer to the required standard. What should be done is areas put out to local guys give them time to prove them selves and if they fail move them on just like employment. If your good at the job you stay if not you get moved on.

 

[Chris Richardson]

Chris i am sure there are many who locally could manage deer to the required standard. What should be done is areas put out to local guys give them time to prove them selves and if they fail move them on just like employment. If your good at the job you stay if not you get moved on.

That’s the thing David in my experience folk start out keen then soon tire of being out of bed early and getting wet and cold

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

That’s the thing David in my experience folk start out keen then soon tire of being out of bed early and getting wet and cold

Yep, that about sums it up a treat

 

[palmer_mike]

Chris i am sure there are many who locally could manage deer to the required standard. What should be done is areas put out to local guys give them time to prove them selves and if they fail move them on just like employment. If your good at the job you stay if not you get moved on.

The problem lies in trust. I have from time to time recruited stalkers for ground where I have the stalking/deer management. Always known to me or recommend by close friends.

I know too many sharks in the stalking world who wouldn’t hesitate to try and elbow anyone out to gain the stalking for themselves. Unfortunately it seems like LOTS of the stalking ‘community’ are not to be trusted.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Although I must admit, I've a proper thing for a lass in riding gear. I'm often not crawling past for the sake of the horse

As a young lad heading to Myerscough college for agriculture + wildlife management i was told by the head of the course, under no circumstances should I mingle with those lot... I found out why within a few weeks absolutely ****ing mental they are

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

The problem lies in trust. I have from time to time recruited stalkers for ground where I have the stalking/deer management. Always known to me or recommend by close friends.

I know too many sharks in the stalking world who wouldn’t hesitate to try and elbow anyone out to gain the stalking for themselves. Unfortunately it seems like LOTS of the stalking ‘community’ are not to be trusted.

100% fact

 

[Ronin]

But what about our own property, such as the New Forest?

Isn’t there any deer control carried out there - I know the horses are “managed”

 

[Ronin]

One of the best ways to maintain effective deer control is to cease the practice of letting folk get leases who reside more than an hour away from the ground they are leasing