Favourite Time Of Year To Stalk?

[tomest]

What' all your guys favourite time of the year to stalk? I love being out at all times, but for me my favourite time is right in the middle of the Red Rut. Hearing beasts roaring all around me is, without doubt, my favourite sound ever, and getting in close to one of these magnificent animals doing his thing is simply breath taking. I don't mind one little bit if we come back empty handed, just to be in the outdoors, hearing the roars and seeing the deer is down right incredible. Most days in the rut when I'm out its just me, no rifle, just binoculars, and I spend all day up in the glens looking at the deer.

Fire Away

Atb, Euan

 

[Shadrach2986]

Mine would be the start of the roe buck rut, and very first thing in the morning, love getting there to see the sun rise and try to call a young buck or 2 in. And as you say, it's just good to watch the deer, and not always shot them, plus it's a good time to catch up with the Fox cubs aswell.

 

[Selous]

January and February, nothing beats a crisp but sunny winter morning on the does

 

[woodland stalker]

Like you Euan i love being out all year, and have worked with game and deer for fourty years now and am lucky enough to have Red Roe and Fallow on the patch so have three ruts to look forward to every year and agree its a very exiting time of year, i also like the short days of dec/jan when the cover is right back and hinds and does are the quarry, Then April/May Roebucks, but every year seems to pass so quickly now, good hunting, W.S.

 

[alberta boy]

For me , it's October . The Aspens have turned gold , the air smells like fall and the Moose are in full rut . It doesn't get any better , but hunting White Tails in the snow in November comes close . The world is white and it's so quiet , it's like you're the only living thing out there , until a big buck ghosts out of the trees like magic . It's a very spiritual thing . I'm sure most of you know what I mean . It doesn't matter where or what you hunt , there are certain times of the year that have a special quality all their own .

AB

 

[sikamalc]

I have always enjoyed the early rut on Sika and Red's in Scotland. This year will be my 30th year in the highlands without fail.

An early morning with a slight frost and the smell of the old pines in the Old Caledonian Forest with Sika calling, and Reds roaring on the surrounding hills is one of the best experiences a stalker can have in my book.

On the other hand a warm summer morning and a good mature Roe buck standing in a field of golden wheat is another sight that lifts the heart.

That's why we do it gentlemen, not for the killing but the being there and the memories.

 

[Mauser243]

Crisp clear winter day, is sometimes hard to beat. Spring Roebuck is also a magical time of the year. As for a downside, I like the summer Roebuck, and it is a magical time of the year (almost) but still windless days in the forest absolutely hanging in midges is not!! The best.

M

 

[finnbear270]

All of the above, but I have to qualify it with only being an occasional stalker, (money & time constraints).. Just getting in the motor & pointing it towards the grounds & not knowing what the day will bring has it's attractions too.

 

[Vipa]

January and February, nothing beats a crisp but sunny winter morning on the does

+1

 

[Erik Hamburger]

A warm and sunny afternoon in May. Shoot a Roe buck, deal with the gralloch and carcass in the lovely warm sunshine, and be back home in time for a G&T before dinner.

 

[woodmaster]

I like the winter best, mainly because that's when I get to go stalking and I look forward to it so much. I love the mist around the trees and that quiet still air which leaves you thinking a beast could just appear at any time. Looking at tracks in the snow and working out where a good ambush might take place.
Maybe a great stalk onto a group of hinds and a good drag back where the cold helps and you feel like you've earned that animal out in the elements.
Then at the end of the day get the fire roaring in the caravan, the dinner on the go and a good laugh with stalking buddy.
Make me wish it was winter already. (I do like the summer, but mainly so I can get work done to allow for stalking later)

I am REALLY looking forward to experiencing the Red rut this year. Got my dates booked on the ground already. I've never seen this spectacle before and just can't wait for it. From what I've been told it's a fantastic thing with the glen full of stags performing.
With some look I'll have my First big stag this year!

 

[davidm]

Any time in the winter, getting out my bed before 6am is a struggle

 

[JH83]

About now! I love spring it's such an interesting time of year, new growth, various species fighting and establishing themselves, the dawn chorus really getting going-various roe bucks springing up out of nowhere-displaced from groups by dominant males. I regularly go out and see scruffy wee animals in places that you would never credit. It's great sport this time of year. I also love the sika/red rut...nothing like stalking into a screaming sika, or a roaring stag.

 

[andreas1980]

I love being out in the red deer rut with all the roaring and watching stags fight. I think my favourite though is stalking Chamois high up in the Austrian mountains when the snow has arrived in late November/December. Its a great challenge and the scenery is stunning.

 

[levigsp]

So, for me it has to be, March through to mid May, watching the spring come in and no midges.

 

[nun_hunter]

About now too, I can finish work a bit early get to my ground have a good 4 hours of evening light when so much is moving and creeping about and then have a few hours lamping and still be home and in bed by midnight.

 

[Deutsch - Drahthaar]

For me its the May mornings. You cant beat listening to all the birds waking up as the sun rises and watching all the other animal as they go about their day.

 

[Klenchblaize]

What' all your guys favourite time of the year to stalk?

Fire Away

Atb, Euan

Here is a hint:

Cheers

K

 

[Home Loader]

I don't have a favourite time of year but I really enjoy being out and about as each season changes! Things like the first frosty morning, the first spring flower and leaf breaking from its bud, and looking for the first tree to turn those yellows and oranges.

 

[Selous]

Here is a hint:

Cheers

K

Mon dieu! Those scope rings look mighty smooth!