Just wondering how many on here have never shot a deer?

[devon deer stalker]

As above, for whatever reason there must be a few on here as this forum can be a great place to start with all the good (mainly) advice.

Is it because you don't have access to your own ground?
Can't afford a guide?
Can't afford a gun?!
Had the opportunity but messed up?
Or, you suffered from bambi syndrome and couldn't squeeze the trigger? No shame in that, it isn't for everyone.

So sound off!

Cheers

Richard

 

[Wills]

Re bambi syndrome. I never got that, but I am of the belief that your first one either makes or brakes it for you. The most vivid shot I have made to date.

 

[andyf]

As above, for whatever reason there must be a few on here as this forum can be a great place to start with all the good (mainly) advice.

Is it because you don't have access to your own ground?
Can't afford a guide?
Can't afford a gun?!
Had the opportunity but messed up?
Or, you suffered from bambi syndrome and couldn't squeeze the trigger? No shame in that, it isn't for everyone.

So sound off!

Cheers

Richard

I've shot a few but it's been so bloody long since the last one that it feels like never!

Currently reasons 1 to 3 on your list apply.

However on previous occasions when I was getting out a bit I will freely admit to 4 and 5 as well...

Hopefully not standing still though as in the time since I last got out stalking I've done my level 1 and my FAC application is currently bouncing around somewhere within Police Scotland. I'm sure it will all fall into place and I'm hoping this is something I'll do for years to come so I suppose there's no real rush... Onward and upward!

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

I havn,t yet got one or two on perms but never bothered with going down c/f route,then progressed too rimmies 223 etc so i thought right im slowing down now as you do dont get me wrong i still get a buzz doing pigeons /bunnies/fox,but i thought i would stick a vari in !nightmare dont ask anyway got the 6.5+308 on my ticket so now im slowly very slowly at times building either my gear or myself upto the point of going out stalking ,plus i might add i could have gone out last year and stalked thanks to a couple of real gentlemen on here but politely declined until i was or my gear was ready i now have the oppertunity too go in june for a couple of days,and also there might be a chance of a one off next week, so in answer no i havent shot any deer but everything else leading up to deer,atb doug,

 

[Mungo]

Or, you suffered from bambi syndrome and couldn't squeeze the trigger? No shame in that, it isn't for everyone.

Oddly, never had this with deer - but do get it, and badly, with foxes. Have let quite a few of them walk, and more as time goes by.

 

[Monkey Spanker]

I havn,t yet got one or two on perms but never bothered with going down c/f route,then progressed too rimmies 223 etc so i thought right im slowing down now as you do dont get me wrong i still get a buzz doing pigeons /bunnies/fox,but i thought i would stick a vari in !nightmare dont ask anyway got the 6.5+308 on my ticket so now im slowly very slowly at times building either my gear or myself upto the point of going out stalking ,plus i might add i could have gone out last year and stalked thanks to a couple of real gentlemen on here but politely declined until i was or my gear was ready i now have the oppertunity too go in june for a couple of days,and also there might be a chance of a one off this week, so in answer no i havent shot any deer but everything else leading up to deer,atb doug,

No deer, but 3888 posts on a stalking forum!
Wow! That's some going!
Good luck when you finally get the chance.
MS

 

[Vipa]

Re bambi syndrome. I never got that, but I am of the belief that your first one either makes or brakes it for you. The most vivid shot I have made to date.

I didn't know whether I could squeeze the trigger before I shot my first deer, I shook badly for half an hour after it and felt absolutely awful... that hasn't happened since (almost did when I was out with Solway Stalker last year and I neck shot a doe.. all I could see was her legs going in thick cover and my stomach emigrated south!!!.. all ok though!) Strangely I have real bambi syndrome when I shoot pigeons!

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

No deer, but 3888 posts on a stalking forum!
Wow! That's some going!
Good luck when you finally get the chance.
MS

yea but i can make some mean sticks!!!everybody on here is obsessed with fencing,they keep checking posts!!!ACTUALLY STICKING ONE OF THESE THINGS ON IS A POST!ALEX get your rubber out

 

[nun_hunter]

Oddly, never had this with deer - but do get it, and badly, with foxes. Have let quite a few of them walk, and more as time goes by.

Im the same and think for me it is to do with the reasons for shooting them. Every deer I have shot has been gralloched and then butchered and eaten by myself so I know exactly why I do it. I've passed up a number of lovely fallow bucks because I didn't have the room in the freezer and also they would have broken me trying to extract by myself on foot! Shooting foxes on the other hand has always been a task for someone else and I don't do anything with the fox afterwards so feel "worse" after shooting one.

For or this reason I don't think I could go out with a guide and shoot a deer and just not take the meat home as that for me is the main reason to go stalking.

 

[willie_gunn]

I have shot a good few deer over the years - more than some, less than others - but the talk of how it affects people differently is interesting.

I still vividly remember the first stag I shot in Sutherland 20 years ago. Looking through the scope, with something living in front of it for the first time, it immediately struck me that I was about to end the life of a magnificent animal (well, I thought it was magnificent). However I knew that numbers had to be controlled, and that this was the reason I was there, so I squeezed the trigger. Job done.

Since then I've been lucky enough to shoot some fine animals in amongst all the cull beasts, but I've only suffered the yips once.

Strangely that was with a roe doe I shot in the New Forest. From the high seat I saw it emerge onto the ride and, try as I might, I couldn't get my breathing under control to take a steady shot. The doe disappeared, only to re-emerge a couple of minutes later, at which point I took the shot with ne'er a care.

That's another shot that sticks in my memory, though, together with those of the mistakes I've made and fortunately one or two very memorable stalks, mostly those alongside good friends.

 

[mdc48]

I should imagine that the primary reasons will be access to land and/or expense of guide and/or rifle. How do you even get in the situation to shoot your first deer? If you have loadsamoney, you can just pay for stalks. You'll still need to shoot straight, but then you can pay for training beforehand. Otherwise, it's a tricky (and extended) business. How can you do it as cheaply as possible?

Things are slightly easier if you can shoot already. This is because then you "just" need to find someone who will take you out on his permission with his rifle to get started. Cadets, family, pottering around with an air rifle, etc. can teach you to shoot for free or cheap. This was my way in. I got paid to learn how to shoot in the army and then got introduced to stalking by a friend who is a guide and who owed me a favour: Total cost = 0.00.

Of course, you could technically shoot your first deer for "only" the cost of your FAC, binos, knife, rifle, scope and ammo (min. £500?), *if* you have access to land, but getting a permission without an open ticket? Good luck. Getting your open ticket without DSC1 (or experience, in which case you will have already shot a deer or two!)? Likewise. Maybe you get permission with a closed ticket? Local force going to ok the land without your DSC1? Hmmmm. So, getting your DSC1 without money? Ahem. Getting your ticket at all without DSC1, experience, or a booked stalk? LOL.

So, min. cost without some luck will be your DSC1, your FAC, and £500+ of kit. This, I should imagine, is why most people who want to don't get to shoot their first deer.

But, shooting your first deer? Priceless. You remember that forever.

 

[Alistair]

No deer as yet, mostly due to one and two. Still, it's my birthday in July so if I can get some funds sorted a roe buck may be in order to start off the score card...

 

[Stingercargill]

No deer, but 3888 posts on a stalking forum!
Wow! That's some going!
Good luck when you finally get the chance.
MS

3889 now and counting ..come on foxy get stinging

 

[Gaothead]

Only had a couple of paid stalks both unlucky. I can't pay for lots of stalks and time is a bit of an issue, I can go after bunnies on a whim and be back in no time. Paid stalks take more planning. Would like to find even paid stalks nearer home.

 

[Woodsmoke]

I've shot a few in the couple of years I've held my FAC. Maybe 20 or so? I'm very lucky in that I have good ground barely a minute from home that I can get on anytime I choose. I'm even luckier in that I'm in Scotland and the restrictions that seem to severely cripple a lot of you guys in England don't seem to apply.

As for bambi syndrome? I've never suffered from it, but can empathise with any who do, & wouldn't dream of sneering. With me, it's the moments immediately reaching the beast though. I always feel a fleeting regret. It doesn't last long, and is soon overshadowed by the practicalities of what then needs to be done.

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

3889 now and counting ..come on foxy get stinging

I dont come on here to shoot deer i come on here as a retreat and to learn off more experienced stalkers how to prepare mentally and physically for the challenges that lie in wait for us delicate blooms yet to succumb to the rigours of nature and those elusive extremely wild animals ,oh and to take the **** now and then!!! just point me in the right direction,,,,,,Or what with these feet!!!

 

[nun_hunter]

I've shot a few in the couple of years I've held my FAC. Maybe 20 or so? I'm very lucky in that I have good ground barely a minute from home that I can get on anytime I choose. I'm even luckier in that I'm in Scotland and the restrictions that seem to severely cripple a lot of you guys in England don't seem to apply.

As for bambi syndrome? I've never suffered from it, but can empathise with any who do, & wouldn't dream of sneering. With me, it's the moments immediately reaching the beast though. I always feel a fleeting regret. It doesn't last long, and is soon overshadowed by the practicalities of what then needs to be done.

just about sums it up for me.

 

[mchughcb]

As above, for whatever reason there must be a few on here as this forum can be a great place to start with all the good (mainly) advice.

Is it because you don't have access to your own ground?
Can't afford a guide?
Can't afford a gun?!
Had the opportunity but messed up?
Or, you suffered from bambi syndrome and couldn't squeeze the trigger? No shame in that, it isn't for everyone.

So sound off!

Cheers

Richard

I have unlimited access to 2.5 Million Hectacres, I have all round season like all public hunting. Yet it took me years to shoot my first sambar. The reason - cause they are bloody hard to stalk with my skills when I first started. One of the reasons you missed out! Took me 26 days of hunting before I saw my first one and more than 36 days before I shot my first one, which was a bit of luck. Probably triple that before I got my next one.

Fallow on the other hand on private property with a guide, 2 days, non trophy buck.

 

[TA6319]

I have plenty to learn yet as I have only shot 1 fallow so far, but I have been shooting shotguns and air rifles for years. So pulling the trigger if I can justify it (food, vermin) is not usually a problem. But having said that stalking something for 50-100 yards is part of the fun, the shot is just a means to an end.

 

[Edchef]

Still not got around to it - got all the essentials -work commitments - hang on, - I have retired now!.......