Basic stalking kit

[Jeebs]

Hello folks,

I’ve had a search and my query hasn’t really been answered elsewhere.

I’m due to sit my DSC1 at the end of the month and I’m just trying to get all the gear I need for that and any future stalking, clothing and footwear excluded as I’ve already got a good selection of stuff as I’m outdoors a lot anyway.

Basically, what would you consider the essentials? I’m not necessarily after the cheapest, but doesn’t need to be top of the line, just well made and effective kit. The species I’ll mainly be dealing with are likely to be Sika, Fallow and Roe.

Still waiting on my FAC, so rifle, glass and ammunition advice not needed.

Thanks,

J

 

[GNU]

Sounds like you already have the essentials. Get out and evolve your kit as you see fit in terms of necessity & indulgence. All’s that is required is possibility field equipment to deal with carcasses, knife , roe sack etc. Good luck

 

[Tim.243]

Hello folks,

I’ve had a search and my query hasn’t really been answered elsewhere.

I’m due to sit my DSC1 at the end of the month and I’m just trying to get all the gear I need for that and any future stalking, clothing and footwear excluded as I’ve already got a good selection of stuff as I’m outdoors a lot anyway.

Basically, what would you consider the essentials? I’m not necessarily after the cheapest, but doesn’t need to be top of the line, just well made and effective kit. The species I’ll mainly be dealing with are likely to be Sika, Fallow and Roe.

Still waiting on my FAC, so rifle, glass and ammunition advice not needed.

Thanks,

J

some where to store what you might shoot, early season Sika Fallow August Sept can be very warm so a drinks chiller will be in line with your list.
All the other kit is picked up at the swipe of a card but drinks chillers are not an every day item.

 

[wytonpjs]

Please find attached 2 lists from years ago when I started stalking. One list for on the person/roe sack, the other for the vehicle. Be careful you don't end up with the "kitchen sink" - you can stalk with just a knife (as well as your rifle, binos, etc) and some will argue that you don't even need the knife! But is it safe an appropriate for the terrain and conditions over which you will stalk. Especially whilst you are learning, some of the items on the list will be useful but as you evolve as a stalker, so will your kit and how you carry it. For example, on my binos harness now I have everything I routinely need to stalk for a couple of hours with the vehicle reasonably accessible. If I'm going further afield I'll either carry a "light fighting rig" with additional (mostly safety kit) or a Vorn rucksack if it's an all day remote day on the hill (and I have a Sat Tracker/Messenger too).

As to the vehicle kit, I have never carried an axe (16) but I do have a small electric Stihl GTA26 chainsaw and a pruning saw in the car now as they are more appropriate for the ground. On my quad where I really do go deep off-road, I carry a full-size chainsaw because I can and I frequently end up clearing fallen trees to go where I need to go. Bluntly, you will need what you need for your ground, stalking nature and beast to be taken. In my truck for example I have a simple tailgate strut for muntjac and roe, but also a full tow-bar mounted gibbet for fallow as I prefer to gralloch suspended and some of the areas trees are few and far between.

Start simple, don't spend a fortune and learn what's necessary for you

 

[caorach]

If you have outdoor clothing suitable for where you will be stalking then you are pretty much sorted. I tend to shoot at last light so a torch is handy, as is a knife for obvious reasons. Binoculars are a big help but when I forget mine I don't turn around and go home so it is possible to stalk without them.

 

[Overlay]

Get yourself a small rucksack ( I use a hydration rucksack and take the water bag out) just right for a knife or two, drag rope, gloves, wipes, and head torch, small drink and a cake and a safe place for the phone and think of first aid
The sack is slim and light you won’t notice it on your back but ensure have a chest and gut strap you don’t want it flapping about and it won’t rub your rifle or catch on the your sticks
If your shooting fallow a drag rope and a small field gralloch will suffice
I wouldn’t make it a habit of carrying out a fallow buck
Knive wise make sure they are razor before you go out all I use is a
3 “blade and a smaller unzipper to get the innards unattached and your ready

 

[Coleman21d]

In my bino harness for foxing & stalking, I carry the following:

+ Binos
+ Thermal
+ Spartan Bipod
+ Spare 18650 Batteries
+ Wind Checker
+ Disposable Gloves & Arm Sleeves
+ Knife
+ Leatherman and Small Bits
+ Headtorch
+ 2x S Hooks
+ Powerbank & Charging Leads
+ Tick Tweezers
+ Couple of plasters & Steri Strips
+ Buttalo Call
+ Spare Ammo

On myself I carry my phone, rifle & sticks. I’m lucky most of my shooting is close to my vehicle if needed so I carry larger items in the 4x4. First Aid, Hygiene Kit, Jetboil etc.

I use the bino harness as a bit of a grab bag too. It means I don’t go looking for chargers etc when I get home, I can just charge everything back up and then next time I leave I pick it up I know I have everything I need.

 

[Tim.243]

Get yourself a small rucksack ( I use a hydration rucksack and take the water bag out) just right for a knife or two, drag rope, gloves, wipes, and head torch, small drink and a cake and a safe place for the phone and think of first aid
The sack is slim and light you won’t notice it on your back but ensure have a chest and gut strap you don’t want it flapping about and it won’t rub your rifle or catch on the your sticks
If your shooting fallow a drag rope and a small field gralloch will suffice
I wouldn’t make it a habit of carrying out a fallow buck
Knive wise make sure they are razor before you go out all I use is a
3 “blade and a smaller unzipper to get the innards unattached and your ready

Phil you missed out hoist and deer cart
then Fish & Chips on the way home!

 

[Smellydog]

Bloody ell.
I just go out with a rifle, ammunition and a knife!
Ok maybe a tripod and game bag but that's it I tell ya.

 

[wytonpjs]

Bloody ell.
I just go out with a rifle, ammunition and a knife!
Ok maybe a tripod and game bag but that's it I tell ya.

Sure you need that knife - a flattened cartridge case perhaps instead

Sorry.............

 

[HarryG]

Hi - this is what I take, but I only shoot roe. I can get it all in the map pockets of my MTP trousers and smock.

Knife (I prefer sheath knives for cleaning)
Chest saw
Drag rope
2 small S hooks (suspended gralloch from a tree)
Head torch (only for evening stalks)
Binos in a harkila harness.
Basic pulsar thermal (did 20 years without this though)
Blue gloves
Paracord (for suspended gralloch)
A few wet wipes
Ammo wallet
Spartan bipod (mostly used when I’m galloping to keep rifle out of mud!)
Viperflex sticks with fifth leg (amazing)
Phone
Tissue for wiping rain from optics
ear defence (head phone style with small plugs on the end)

 

[Koenig]

Hmmm….

When I started I packed a lot of kit. As your knowledge and skills improve over time you’ll carry less.

Whilst I won’t repeat a long kit list (already covered) I would concentrate on the following:

Good wellies that you can actually walk in
Good leather boots (surplus are very good)
Decent head torch
Good knife (Mora are decent to start with)
Back up torch

No doubt others will add to this.

I can now manage on what I can carry in my pockets.

 

[Smellydog]

Sure you need that knife - a flattened cartridge case perhaps instead

Sorry.............

Tried it, it was rubbish...

 

[Smellydog]

Oh....I forgot to add toilet paper! Works every time

 

[Jeebs]

Thanks for all the recommendations.

Picked up a set of Vortex 10x42 binos that came with a chest rig with a silent closure pouch and just a cheap Morakniv knife with a belt sheath.