Beginners Kit

[Pete_Cambs]

So got my first guided stalk booked for March and plan to do another 4-6 over the course of the year - pheasant syndicate folded so may just miss a season and focus on gaining stalking experience.

I need to start getting some kit together I guess.

So I’ve got a pair bino’s on the way, Vortex Viper 10x42 that I got for £380 through a friend in the trade.

I’ve got a good pair of biking boots but there not high top ones so guessing these will work initially but longer term some mid calf ones would be better?

I’ve got a pair of Fjallraven vidda pro trousers which are only water proofed via wax so again guessing these will work at first and I can add a proper water proof pair later.

I’ve got a selection of base layers and mod layer fleeces so should be covered there.

I’m thinking I’ll need a jacket or smock off the bat as my Schofell and Musto shooting jackets are not at there best when in the move.

I’ve got macwet gloves so figure these will be good for stalking use too.

Anything else is benefit from and any recommendations on an outer layer around £200-£300? And shouldn’t go smock or jacket?

 

[Dave31]

I don't bother with fully waterproof trousers. I prefer soft shell, have some light Sealand ones for the summer. Thicker Shooter King and Sealand ones for winter.

I use gaiters if it is going to be particularly miserable.

I use a deerhunter smock as I used to drop my binos into the kangaroo pouch. I've recently got a harness so that might change.

I'm definitely not the most experienced stalker mind you

 

[moeggesit]

You need the binoculars and a sharp knife, that’s it.

You can wear anything which does not make a lot of noise and keep the worst of the weather out. Wear wellies unless its dry.

 

[WW.]

Don't underestimate how good waxed cotton is. I've even bought cotton clothing from places like Decathlon and waxed it myself.

Consider second hand kit, lots comes up on here.

If really tight on budget use existing kit underneath for layers and make do with something like Fortex Flex from Hollands Country Clothing- not snazzy but will keep you dry. Doesn't matter how expensive your kit is, if you personally can't move stealthily then it's irrelevant.

Recently treated myself to a pair of Verney Carron Fox trousers which I have been really pleased with although potentially warm when moving in over 10°C. They do a jacket version but there's no hood from what I can make out. Some of the Ridgeline kit (e.g. Monsoon) may suit your budget although the logo isn't exactly camo. Hoggs look ok in terms of spec. Deerhunter is nice.

Army surplus boots can be good, I like Altbergs.

 

[Tim.243]

So got my first guided stalk booked for March and plan to do another 4-6 over the course of the year - pheasant syndicate folded so may just miss a season and focus on gaining stalking experience.

I need to start getting some kit together I guess.

So I’ve got a pair bino’s on the way, Vortex Viper 10x42 that I got for £380 through a friend in the trade.

I’ve got a good pair of biking boots but there not high top ones so guessing these will work initially but longer term some mid calf ones would be better?

I’ve got a pair of Fjallraven vidda pro trousers which are only water proofed via wax so again guessing these will work at first and I can add a proper water proof pair later.

I’ve got a selection of base layers and mod layer fleeces so should be covered there.

I’m thinking I’ll need a jacket or smock off the bat as my Schofell and Musto shooting jackets are not at there best when in the move.

I’ve got macwet gloves so figure these will be good for stalking use too.

Anything else is benefit from and any recommendations on an outer layer around £200-£300? And shouldn’t go smock or jacket?

I use my Barbour coat on driven days ,pigeon shooting, stalking, last layer is Le Chameau.
Only wear hiking type boots
Winter deer hunter trousers
Summer Asda cargo trousers Light Jacket
Asda Pants/Socks depending winter or summer

 

[VSS]

I use my Barbour coat on driven days ,pigeon shooting, stalking, last layer is Le Chameau.
Only wear hiking type boots
Winter deer hunter trousers
Summer Asda cargo trousers Light Jacket
Asda Pants/Socks depending winter or summer

Now then Tim, it's not like you to be making recommendations on socks!
(Do the Asda socks come with a warranty?)

I thought all blokes could make up their own mind on what socks to buy without asking other men

 

[maximus otter]

So got my first guided stalk booked for March and plan to do another 4-6 over the course of the year - pheasant syndicate folded so may just miss a season and focus on gaining stalking experience.

I need to start getting some kit together I guess.

So I’ve got a pair bino’s on the way, Vortex Viper 10x42 that I got for £380 through a friend in the trade.

I’ve got a good pair of biking boots but there not high top ones so guessing these will work initially but longer term some mid calf ones would be better?

I’ve got a pair of Fjallraven vidda pro trousers which are only water proofed via wax so again guessing these will work at first and I can add a proper water proof pair later.

I’ve got a selection of base layers and mod layer fleeces so should be covered there.

I’m thinking I’ll need a jacket or smock off the bat as my Schofell and Musto shooting jackets are not at there best when in the move.

I’ve got macwet gloves so figure these will be good for stalking use too.

Anything else is benefit from and any recommendations on an outer layer around £200-£300? And shouldn’t go smock or jacket?

Before you spend big sums on kit, make sure to hit your local charity shops.

I’m from your area (l infer from your screen name), and my go-to outfit for the current weather is an ex-army PCS lightweight thermal smock, ex-army “Norgie” shirt and Rohan poly-cotton cargo pants. All three (and my tweed deerstalker hat!) came from charity shops, total cost less than £30.

Deer aren’t impressed by labels.

maximus otter

 

[Tim.243]

Now then Tim, it's not like you to be making recommendations on socks!
(Do the Asda socks come with a warranty?)

Well I buy them myself.

 

[VSS]

Well I buy them myself.

Do you manage to wear them out and become "dissatisfied" within the 100 day guarantee period for Asda (George) own brand clothing?
Probably you could get away with never buying another sock in your life!

Customer Services

Information about the George 100 Day Guarantee

direct.asda.com

 

[SSN100]

Hi Pete. I’ve been stalking in the Cambsish area for a couple of years. I wear trousers similar to your Visas and never felt I needed waterproof trousers. A lot of my areas are soggy underfoot though, I use non gortex boots with mil surplus gortex liners - cheaper and more flexible.

 

[sy247]

Don't over think it. Just go out and enjoy the stalk and over time you'll work out what you need. You're only going to be out for 2 - 3 hours and won't be far from civilisation.

 

[Tim.243]

Do you manage to wear them out and become "dissatisfied" within the 100 day guarantee period for Asda (George) own brand clothing?
Probably you could get away with never buying another sock in your life!

Customer Services

Information about the George 100 Day Guarantee

direct.asda.com

No the dogs put holes in the other end

 

[Koenig]

Consider a surplus army smock. CS95 or the newer PCS stuff are both good. For boots go with Wellies - loads of offers on now as the game season ends and / or a pair of surplus British Army boots. The Altbergs / Haix and especially the Karrimor SF’s are all good for cold, wet weather. I really wouldn’t use gore tex trousers, too much noise and easy to tear unless you spend big bucks on Cordura / GoreTex combination like Harkila (which are good but mega money).

 

[63]

Sounds like you’ll be fine with what you have - I wear fjallraven trousers with a bit of wax to ‘showerproof’ them too. I wash the wax out in the summer when it’s hot and reapply in the winter.

If you want a jacket, I like my Ridgeline monsoon jacket, at £145 on sale it’s been great, and I often wear it for mooching about in the rain more generally. Military cotton smocks like the CS95 one are neither waterproof nor terribly windproof, they mostly existed so soldiers had pockets to put spoons and compasses in as far as I could see.

If your walking boots are fine for walking they’ll be fine for stalking. I have no idea why ‘shooting boots’ are always high leg and incredibly stiff soles. Many brands are more comparable with mountaineering boots than anything a sane individual would want to walk around a field in. I wear a pair of lightweight Altberg 3 season boots as per ‘ramblers’. The thin ish soles make it easier to be quiet and they are far more comfy.

If you’re going to be taking carcasses home the cheapest solution for carrying them I found was a big blue Ikea shopping bag (for roe/muntjac anyway). However I got a sika sack at Christmas; it is a nice upgrade and is more discreet walking past the neighbours.

You might also want to budget for a few bits of larder kit. I got a saw, a couple of boning knives and a butchers block when I started stalking again, and it was money well spent.

 

[Pete_Cambs]

thanks for the input folks.

I am thinking about grabbing the Shooterking Hunterflex jacket as its on sale at Bushware at the moment and it would cover duty for the odd Wildfowling day I do of the pigeon roost / hide shooting I am hoping to get over the spring and summer months. anyone have experience with this jacket recently?

my Walking boots are Altberg and are properly comfy so will stick with them as suggested. I may get some calf height ones at a later date but only because I'd also use them on game days, especially walked up days or when beating as wellies are not optimal for this.

I'll look to invest in a roe sack and a few prep tools as well.

 

[Tommy2bucks]

Do you manage to wear them out and become "dissatisfied" within the 100 day guarantee period for Asda (George) own brand clothing?
Probably you could get away with never buying another sock in your life!

Customer Services

Information about the George 100 Day Guarantee

direct.asda.com

Try darn tuff wool socks lifetime warranty you wear them out they send you a new pair all I wear with boots really good

 

[RM100]

Try Hoggs stuff. I use their Kincraig trousers, which are excellent. I have several other things from them, which are sensibly priced, and durable. Sale is on now.