Kent are giving open tickets at first grant now.
Advice for a novice
- Thread starter ph363
- Start date
Do the DSC if you speak with the instructors they might be able to point you towards some paid stalks. Whilst ‘throwing money at the problem’ isn’t always the best solution you will learn a lot and if you are keen, respectful and willing to learn you never know they may invite you back as an assistant (that’s what happened to me!)
caorach
Well-Known Member
DSC1 is useful, but to be honest I'd suggest that you book a few days stalking before you do the DSC1 as I think that is helpful when you come to do the course.
Also keep in mind that shooting hinds is often relatively inexpensive and you may have the opportunity to shoot more than 1 in a day out so if you are in a position to do so then booking a few days at hinds and staying in a B&B or similar for a few nights can get you a lot of experience and maybe even a few deer. Most estates or stalkers will be well used to taking out beginners and so they will teach you a lot while not expecting too much of you.
The internet is full of talk of gear and gadgets and you really need very little to go stalking, especially if you are going with a guide of some sort. If you have reasonable outdoor clothing and a pair of binoculars then you are pretty much good to go - don't get caught up in all the rubbish about binoculars as there are lots of perfectly adequate pairs for not too much cash. Also, everyone on the internet is Deadeye Dick and shoots tiny groups at crazy ranges providing they have special bullets and carry out secret reloading procedures and so on - this is all balderdash. One member on here (who died some years back) was involved in shooting tests for stalkers and the number of rounds he'd seen fired at a target was huge and his view was that the stalker can shoot a 3 inch group. It was also the case that there were people on this forum posting groups they'd shot that, on investigation, turned out to be world record groups for the range they were claiming. Also we held a little black dot of doom fun shoot on this forum many years back - a 1 inch black dot on a bit of white A4 paper shot from stalking positions at 100 yards, fire only 3 shots and the first 3 are the only ones that count no practise or discarding shots you don't like. Despite this forum being full of people who claim they could shoot tiny, tiny, groups all day long at huge ranges and despite the thread having 10,000+ views (maybe many more) only a very few people were willing to give it a try and in the end I think there were only 6 or 7 hits on the black dot! So, don't get at all worked up about the gadgets and Deadeye Dick stuff, you don't need to concern yourself with it but instead just get out and enjoy your stalking days.
Also keep in mind that shooting hinds is often relatively inexpensive and you may have the opportunity to shoot more than 1 in a day out so if you are in a position to do so then booking a few days at hinds and staying in a B&B or similar for a few nights can get you a lot of experience and maybe even a few deer. Most estates or stalkers will be well used to taking out beginners and so they will teach you a lot while not expecting too much of you.
The internet is full of talk of gear and gadgets and you really need very little to go stalking, especially if you are going with a guide of some sort. If you have reasonable outdoor clothing and a pair of binoculars then you are pretty much good to go - don't get caught up in all the rubbish about binoculars as there are lots of perfectly adequate pairs for not too much cash. Also, everyone on the internet is Deadeye Dick and shoots tiny groups at crazy ranges providing they have special bullets and carry out secret reloading procedures and so on - this is all balderdash. One member on here (who died some years back) was involved in shooting tests for stalkers and the number of rounds he'd seen fired at a target was huge and his view was that the stalker can shoot a 3 inch group. It was also the case that there were people on this forum posting groups they'd shot that, on investigation, turned out to be world record groups for the range they were claiming. Also we held a little black dot of doom fun shoot on this forum many years back - a 1 inch black dot on a bit of white A4 paper shot from stalking positions at 100 yards, fire only 3 shots and the first 3 are the only ones that count no practise or discarding shots you don't like. Despite this forum being full of people who claim they could shoot tiny, tiny, groups all day long at huge ranges and despite the thread having 10,000+ views (maybe many more) only a very few people were willing to give it a try and in the end I think there were only 6 or 7 hits on the black dot! So, don't get at all worked up about the gadgets and Deadeye Dick stuff, you don't need to concern yourself with it but instead just get out and enjoy your stalking days.
Erik Hamburger
Well-Known Member
I suggest a couple of outings with a Guide, in WINTER, go for does as that is generally cheaper than bucks.
With a bit of luck it will be cold, wet and very muddy, but you'll get a shot, sadly a gut shot so the wounded animal needs following up and is finally dispatched. after an hour of looking for it, in the dark by now. The Gralloch is a bit messy (due to the gut shot), and you'll have a long, long drag over clear-fell, uphill, to the truck.
Now, if you still enjoyed the outing, and have managed to get some useful non-contaminated venison from the wasted carcass for yourself, and you and your family have enjoyed eating it.....Stalking is for you!
In that case DSC1 is he way to go, the BACS schemes are excellent so a worthy investment, and hopefully you will secure your own permission.
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