Deer stalking - Where to start?

[taloac]

Hi all,

I am feeling a bit lost on how to start with deer stalking - I've never done it before, I don't have a FAC and I haven't done DSC1 or any qualification/training for that matter. Based near Warwick if that matters.

I am slightly reticent to do DSC1 having no experience, especially rifle shooting ( I own a .22 break barrel air rifle, not sure how that translates to actual rifle) and on top of that, it could still turn out that stalking isn't for me and I've sunk the time and money into a qualification.

Is a paid commercial/guided stalk the way to go see if I like it? how does a commercial stalk compare to going out on a local permission? or would people recommend DSC1?

Interested to get peoples opinions on if you were starting deer stalking again what would you do?

Tom

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Do a paid stalk first and see how it goes.

 

[VSS]

Right here is the place to start.
Look in the stalking opportunities section, and find someone who's offering paid outings in your area. Explain that you're a beginner with no experience. You will be well looked after. Go for something simple, not too daunting, and with a reasonable chance of success. Muntjac maybe.
If you enjoy the experience, then start to think about DSC1, FAC, etc.
The DSC1 is well worth doing early in your stalking "career". You will learn a lot, and meet some like-minded people.

 

[Basil H]

A DSC1 course will make much more sense to you, and you will get more out of it, if you have had a couple of outing with a professional guide.

 

[Dickie]

Have a try with a professional guide, ensure you tell them you'll need to use an estate rifle and you have no experience with centre fire rifles or deer stalking.
If after a couple of outings you feel its for you then you could look into the DSC or just continue with the paid outings.
Obviously the difference between going out on a permission are poles apart, the guided stalk is just that with a professional passing on information, selecting the deer for you to shoot and so forth.
Out on a permission of yours you call the shots so to speak.

 

[Scotty99]

Find a local stalking guide who can take you out on your first stalk. Explain exactly your level of experience and ask if they have an estate rifle you can use and a range area where you can have a few shots to get the feel of a deer legal calibre centre-fire rifle. Hopefully you might be able to shoot your first deer, if you do, get the guide to show you how to gralloch the deer or even better ask him to guide you through the gralloch with you doing it. Good luck, it’s a journey in which you’ll be learning all the time, I know I’m still learning.

 

[bottletopbill]

Lots of great folk's on this site are willing to help other's out . so keep asking some one will answer you.
All the best

 

[SteveW]

As previous comments.Get a few guided stalks done using estate rifle. Lots of good people on here who will show you a good day out, knowledgable ,professional and good company!
As regards the DSC1 for the cost of the course it is worth it for what you will learn and the folk you will meet!
Good luck with your journey!

 

[Stalker62]

I am feeling a bit lost on how to start with deer stalking - I've never done it before, I don't have a FAC ...

Well now.

You could (as others have said) try out a couple of paid stalks and hope it all goes to shite. That way you will be put off deer stalking for life, and can then go and do something much less expensive, much more sociable and ultimately live a long and happy life.

I will (for the benefit of all new members) repeat (and expand) on what I have said on this subject.



DSCI is not a terrible place to start.
Get out as much as you can - everyone has something to teach you - you can teach everyone something.

Surrender all thoughts of a happy home-life.
Accept that most women (insert preferred pronoun) will hate the sight and smell of your 'outdoor' clothes.

When you finally buy your first rifle, you will soon find that it is lonely and you will need to buy it several friends.

Reloading - is akin to that elderly Auntie at a family wedding, and is to be avoided at all costs.




It is a long, long journey. You will never arrive at the destination.

You will need a 4x4. Do not buy a Landrover. There are plenty of "foreign' 4x4s that are much, much better, than a Landrover.
If you do not buy a Landrover - you are not a real Stalker and real Stalkers will shun you.




Your home County Warwickshire, will soon seem small. You will feel drawn to Scotland. You will get to know the M6 - you will get to know every shagging yard of the M6.





The price of driving to Scotland will ensure any children you have, are denied a Private education, and damned to State schooling. They will not thank you for it.

Your first wife will blame you for their subsequent poor job prospects. Your second and subsequent wives will have seven children between them, two of whom are in prison, four who have their own children and none of whom are married. They will all need to live with you.




A few years down the line, and suddenly Scotland (as well as your house) seems too small. What then?

Africa.

Africa is the answer. It is horrendously expensive, hard to get there and you will spend some of your unhappiest hours in Jo'Burg (which in a world of hate and Hell) is the shittiest place on the planet.




Africa is the 'crack cocaine' of Stalking. You think you can just 'try it once' and walk away. Go there once, and you are addicted for life.

Nothing else matters. Friends, family, home or career - you will do anything for your next 'fix' of Africa...


I am lost and beyond salvation. My life has been an unhappy series of disasters - all because of stalking.

You are young. It is not too late for you. You can still turn your face away.

I implore you to do so.

 

[opticron1]

Hi all,

I am feeling a bit lost on how to start with deer stalking - I've never done it before, I don't have a FAC and I haven't done DSC1 or any qualification/training for that matter. Based near Warwick if that matters.

I am slightly reticent to do DSC1 having no experience, especially rifle shooting ( I own a .22 break barrel air rifle, not sure how that translates to actual rifle) and on top of that, it could still turn out that stalking isn't for me and I've sunk the time and money into a qualification.

Is a paid commercial/guided stalk the way to go see if I like it? how does a commercial stalk compare to going out on a local permission? or would people recommend DSC1?

Interested to get peoples opinions on if you were starting deer stalking again what would you do?

Tom

Despite all that @Stalker1962 has written - all of it true by the way......

Welcome to the world of Deer Stalking..... I started in a very similar way, lots of experiences with air rifles, a few sessions with shotguns and some entertaining sessions on the range in the far distant past as part of our Army Cadet force.
I drifted into Deer Stalking as an extension to fishing weeks in the Highlands and the keepers/stalkers encouraged me to give it a try, so much so that the fishing began to play second fiddle.
They helped me through the basics and it was a case of using the estate rifle and gaining confidence. Many years later, I still go out on (paid) stalks and still use whatever estate/stalkers's rifle is available and still have some great times. Some blank outings, but you're always learning as you go.
See if it's for you and if it is, go down the route of DSC1 and getting a rifle(s) and be prepared to see what was in your bank account disappear........Enjoy!

 

[User00053]

Hi all,

I am feeling a bit lost on how to start with deer stalking - I've never done it before, I don't have a FAC and I haven't done DSC1 or any qualification/training for that matter. Based near Warwick if that matters.

I am slightly reticent to do DSC1 having no experience, especially rifle shooting ( I own a .22 break barrel air rifle, not sure how that translates to actual rifle) and on top of that, it could still turn out that stalking isn't for me and I've sunk the time and money into a qualification.

Is a paid commercial/guided stalk the way to go see if I like it? how does a commercial stalk compare to going out on a local permission? or would people recommend DSC1?

Interested to get peoples opinions on if you were starting deer stalking again what would you do?

Tom

A paid guided stalk very much like using a high end escort with mostly a happy ending due expertise and experience also stating exactly whats required without the romance, own permission not unlike a friend with benefits but can get mundane.
As others have said pay for a stalk involving a female of the species as less costly and go from there on a journey of varying courses and huge expense possibly ending in therapy and scarred for life.
Give self slap in face then take a view.

 

[Cloudhopper]

Give the Deer Department at BASC a call. They provide insurance and run stalking schemes that are tailored towards the beginner. Getting people involved in shooting is basically their remit.
CH

 

[tozzybum]

Remember whatever you decide to do stalking wise do not buy 1 of these

 

[Camelfarm]

Just remember that whatever you start out with kit-wise, which all works perfectly well, must be upgraded, replaced and added to pretty much on a permanent cycle. You will lug ever increasing amounts of largely un-needed kit around the countryside until one day you have a moment of clarity and reduce it all back down to what you started with.

One week later you will be idly flicking through some online shop and will spot something - a different bipod or must-have pair of boots. The whole process will start again.

It's like a bloody disease.

 

[kieran222]

If you are doing a paid stalk, be aware that costs can vary considerably depending on what you shoot. A cull animal (doe) will generally be cheapest and will give you the experience for minimal cost. The doe season ends 31-Mar. Definitely try an outing before doing any courses as it may not be for you.

 

[Hayduke]

1962 really nailed it perfectly.

Jobs, wives, family, friends, nice house, nice car it all becomes irrelevant. You will neglect your relationships, responsibilities, your appearance, your health, sleep, even feeding yourself. Everything is subordinate to the hunt. Turn back whilst you can.

The rest posted in this thread is BS.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

You will lug ever increasing amounts of largely un-needed kit around the countryside until one day you have a moment of clarity and reduce it all back down to what you started with.

tru-dat.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

One week later you will be idly flicking through some online shop and will spot something - a different bipod or must-have pair of boots. The whole process will start again.

It's like a bloody disease.

Also Tru-dis

 

[DevonRifle]

I would suggest a different approach if you can.

As you are starting from the beginning if you can find someone locally I would ask to follow them on a stalk and just watch. A lot of stalkers would be glad of a hand lifting. This should be free and will give you a chance to see what it’s all about before spending money. A paid stalks can cost quite a bit and you may get a better view of what it really means to stalk your own permission (assuming that’s your goal).

By the way, if you have mastered consistent accuracy with a spring powered air rifle you have a lot of transferable skills.

 

[Curried Venison]

Try a pre dsc1 course, with the accent on weapons training and use. I did one with Jelen/PWS , before taking the DCS1 course, so that when it came to the shooting assessment I knew what I was doing.