Deer Park?

[captdavid]

I mentioned, in another post, that I will be hunting a red stag. A member said that in Britain, that it would be considered a park. I have always considered deer parks, to be rather small enclosures, where the deer, mainly fallow, are rather tame. They tend to not be afraid of humans.

Make no mistake most hunting in Texas is for profit.

Most exotic(non-native) deer are behind game fences. M​

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ost are on larger acreage and

are sold by the quality of the antlers. I usually hunt exotics on larger ranches. one is 800acers, one 2600, one 4600. the one below is a good example. These deer are wild and elusive. Some more than others, but I think that has more to do with the species and how hard that they have been hunted.​

I have a chance to hunt management red stags. If I get a chance I can have my choice

The deer are under deer proof fence. The ranch is about 1600 acers. I will be hunting two or three deer among a herd of approximately 40 deer. Two of these three stags are 4-5 years old. one is older and possibly the sire. Each has shown a weak spikey side. if I get a chance I will be able to shoot one. There are no guarantees, but the landowner says he has about a 90% success rate on stags. He highly recommends two full days hunting. The land is in the Texas Hill Country. It is a limestone rocky hilly area. It is 60-70% dense juniper brush/ trees and scattered oak. Shots here are about 10 feet. The rest, mainly the highest elevations, is semi-open with scattered oak and juniper brush. Shots here might be up to 200yds or so. There are two food plots of about 10-20 acres. They are planted with winter oats for deer fodder. There are protein feeders scattered about. Deer blind hunting is the predominate hunting method. These are on the food plots, areas frequented by deer and on well use game paths. These shots are set up to be 100yds more or less, but hunting is hunting and they can be longer. Another method is to drive around and shoot from the vehicle. While legal this is not 'my cup of tea.' As a note, I have used this method in the past. One last method that is seldom used is the 'drive by and sneak back' method. One sees the deer while driving, continues driving out of sight, stops and tries to sneak back and get a shot. I've tried this exactly twice, unsuccessfully. but I plan to use it again. capt david​

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[McKenzie]

Most deer parks that I've been in have varied from roughly 800 acres to 2500 acres & tend to be around a large country house.

In the ones I know best the deer are quite used to seeing people walking but if you go out by yourself & move more slowly than normal they're off in a flash. The trick I've used is for 2 of us to walk around at a normal pace chatting & as we pass a tree, one of us will stop & set up for a shot whilst the other person carries on. Seems to work for culling, if perhaps not the most sporting method.

 

[captdavid]

I have used that as a variation of my

'drive by and sneak back' tactic. capt davidd​

 

[potshotpat]

Do they shoot fish in barrels in America.

 

[captdavid]

No, once you Brits ran home!!!!

These deer are wild and human and vehicle shy.​

Seriously, if I wanted to kill a 'trophy' native whitetail or exotic I would almost have to hunt a game ranch.There are a few free ranging exotics and some trophy whitetail available. . The cost is usually a guide fee, $250-$350 per day plus a trophy fee $2500-$4000, Plus lodging and food. The price is the same fenced or not. Young bucks or stags are almost never shot. Mature deer with inferior antler problems are taken asap These are called culls or management. I wish it was not like it is, but we're forced to play the hand we're delt. capt david

 

[User00047]

Captdavid, I think you should visit the UK for a few weeks next winter and do a tour, from Scotland to Cornwall and see for yourself how we do things over here. You can visit a deer park, a driven pheasant shoot (including a tour of the release pens), go red deer stalking on the hill, I can almost guarantee that you will experience rain. You could even visit the set of Midsomer murders!

 

[captdavid]

My earlier trips(early-mid 70s) to Scotland and England were basically history/education tours, with the emphasis more on vacation. I did no hunting.​

I was planning a return trip to Britian when I retired several years ago. Due to health/finance problems I was unable to make it. Being frugal, I might be able to afford a return trip for stalking. A couple SD members have generously offered me some gratis stalks and even a place to stay. The decision is mine, but It would take most of my hunting/fishing budget to do it. I'm just not sure one 7-10 vacation is worth several hunts here where I can harvest and get several hundred pounds of meat. capt david

 

[User00047]

It could easily be done on a bit of a shoestring with the proper planning. The flights would be the most expensive bit. You wouldn’t be able to take home several hundred pounds of venison but the experience would be well worth the time.