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

[Greener Jim]

I did when I was younger but not with my own rifle yet. I have land, I have a fair few deer on it, I have the rifle but unfortunately I also have a land owner who very much has bambi syndrome.
Well to be precise, his wife does.

Practiced stalking them (easier than rabbits I feel) but I can't shoot 'em so let them be. I'll convince her sooner or later....maybe.

 

[scoop]

Never shot one but stalked one just for a look when i was out for rabbits with the rimmie
Someday i will get round to it

 

[garyw]

i have permission on an estate where i do the vermin control and 3 farms on the border with permission for deer but dont bother them- there are 2 stalkers that keep the numbers sensible-i like to see the deer -foxes now thats a differant ball game

 

[paul o']

If I said no would you take me out for free !!! Sorry just got to push sometimes . To them that have not wait till you do there is not a better sport , be it stalking but not shooting or grassing your first deer, Killing is the end result but its not for all ! if you just like to see them in the wild then going out with a good stalker can be just as satisfying with just as much enjoyment .

 

[devon deer stalker]

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.

Sorry mchughcb, reason 4 is close enough to you isn't it?
Cheers
Richard

 

[B&W FOX]

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.

You need some therapy, I think I can help you!!!!!!!

 

[Kiwi hunter]

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

Well I've shot a number of deer - but they were all back in NZ. Due to circumstances and the move here I'm yet shot one in the UK.
As for Bambi Fever - I remember the first deer I saw up close with my old .303 in my hands - aged about 18. I was so amazed to see this beautiful big red hind in her stunning summer coat, and how gracefully she moved (while looking through my scope) - I quite literally forgot to pull the trigger!
I too shoot for the table, so the inevitable regret at seeing a magnificent animals life ended is tempered with the satisfaction of filling the freezer for the family.
Cheers
Hayden

 

[Taff]

I remember shooting my first deer, a fallow buck in the new forest, I pushed it home in a wheelbarrow its on the wall at my fathers, the only head I have kept, the rest I just photography.
A lot of deer have passed under the bridge since then, never had the bambie syndrome , yet to get a deer in NZ, but then again have not tried yet.

 

[JohnT]

Impala, Warthog, Monkey in ZA. In GB ,plenty "pest" species but no deer.
Having just passed DSC1 I am now in the position of seeking a few guided stalks to learn how the theory works in practice. Having read a recent thread I'm a little more nervous of booking a "wrong'un" than the actual stalk and shot.
reasons for not having done it so far? Probably all of the above, but now that I have retired I have the time the (theoretical) knowledge but no land. Living in this part of the country I won't hold my breath so am left with one option.... Buy my stalks where I can

 

[Klenchblaize]

Unless a ceratin Andrew W has pic of our 1st Putenham roe buck this will have to do until I master the transfer of 35mm negative to digital via scanner as proof:

K

 

[AN DU RU FOX]

john t just ASK anyone on here for good stalkers and they will steer you right,

 

[JohnT]

Where else would I get such valuable guidance other than here?

 

[NOTSHARP]

I've shot a few since I first went stalking to Eskdalemuir,around 1978.

I still have the antlers from my first buck, which I shot in 79/80, or thereabout.

Second from the right.



I was stalking with Bob Smith at Eskdalemuir, using my .308, PH1200 Safari, shooting my homeloaded ammunition. 110g RNSP Speer.

Since then, I have shot many Roe, several Red,and two Fallow.

A second, maybe, of regret, sadness, most times.

More so as I get older, but that's no bad thing, IMO.


Steve.

 

[mchughcb]

Sorry mchughcb, reason 4 is close enough to you isn't it?
Cheers
Richard

Could be. Depends how you interpret it. I interpret it as lining one up and and missing or spooking it before getting a shot.

But in my case I wasn't even sure there was a deer. When you hunt the ghosts of the forest you know what I mean.

 

[mdc48]

I wonder whether bambi syndrome comes on or gets stronger as people get older... a few posts have said as much, and my father used to hunt (to hounds) and now does not, as well as generally getting more empathetic about animals - won't even help me with game butchery now!!!

 

[Darren82744]

Personally I am just getting it all together.
Been out 4 times as spectator, with two kills
Had a chance to take a shot last year, but backed out not because of compassion, more a case the shot wasnt right
Got DSC1 Booked for later this month
Hoping to put in for a gun of my own soon
got a voucher for a guided stalk, just waiting for the right time in the season
onwards and upwards, I hope I pass the DSC, been a while since I took a test of any sorts

 

[feaks]

I've never been after deer but have a bit of an itch for driven boar and possibly Africa so after joining this site and deciding to do the DSC1 i hope to go on my first stalk this year.

 

[NorthDorset]

Never shot a Red Deer
Never shot a Sika
Never shot a Chinese Water Deer

However their time will come.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Never SEEN a muntjac let alone shoot one!

K

 

[Mauser243]

Got to agree with some comments on the bambi syndrome, as I get older my thoughts have got considerably stronger to an animal prior to squeezing the trigger. Perhaps it would be different if I was doing it for a living.

M