Feeling a bit bemused - Guided stalk

[finnbear270]

I reckon it's time we had a sticky on this subject, OK, we should be bright enough to ask some questions ... but come on those who are out to fleece a guy/newbie whatever could simply be cut out of the game, if a list of sensible expected questions could be put together for all the new guys to learn by rote, why not stick it up on the home page?

 

[Klenchblaize]

‎I'm assuming you got to keep the carcass and that your trusty Guide allowed use of his superb lardering facility to prep said beast for onward portage to the freezer?
‎
Beggars belief you wouldn't know that in pulling the trigger your wallet would be 12 brown notes the lighter!

K‎

 

[willie_gunn]

I reckon it's time we had a sticky on this subject, OK, we should be bright enough to ask some questions ... but come on those who are out to fleece a guy/newbie whatever could simply be cut out of the game, if a list of sensible expected questions could be put together for all the new guys to learn by rote, why not stick it up on the home page?

Regarding the questions, I though we'd already done this: Pointers for novice stalkers looking to book an outing

It is easy to be wise after the event, but I doubt people would book a holiday, employ a decorator or get their car serviced without understanding what they are likely to be charged, so why should it be any different with stalking? Any prospective client should ask the stalker to email/send them their price list and Terms & Conditions. If the stalker refuses, or can't explain clearly and concisely what is/is not chargeable, that should start the alarm bells ringing.

 

[finnbear270]

Thanks Dom, just been & had a gander, needs tidying up & the salient best bits stickying in a prominent position.

 

[MarkA]

Thanks guys for the info!

Perhaps I was a bit naive, but I'll certainly be a lot more careful in the future before booking anything! It's a shame when someone really wants to learn and progress that there are people who like to take advantage of their inexperience!

On the plus it's good to know that stalking can be made available for far less.

 

[tom_o_m]

Maybe worth mentioning the stalker in question, otherwise other novice stalkers might be duped in this way.

Thanks guys for the info!

Perhaps I was a bit naive, but I'll certainly be a lot more careful in the future before booking anything! It's a shame when someone really wants to learn and progress that there are people who like to take advantage of their inexperience!

On the plus it's good to know that stalking can be made available for far less.

 

[woodmaster]

glad you managed to grass a deer. That was the good bit. Unfortunately although every trade has people who are out to take folk for a ride from my experience this particular one (stalking) does seem to have more than a fair share. I suspect if you do enough stalking you will come across more of these guys. I know I did in my first few years. That said there are lots and lots of decent guys out there, many on this site which when encountered really override the bad taste the dogs leave with you.

 

[Sivell]

The plus side is you completed your first cull this side of the border and it will stay with you forever you will always remember it don't let the price put you off. Not every body is out there to rip other stalkers off, many want to help and pass on what they no. I'm sure on SD you will be able to find some one in your local area who is reasonably priced and happy to guide you. Good luck.

Regards

JS

 

[Tam16]

If your ever up in the Scottish Borders a will gladly take you out for free .

 

[6pointer]

In my opinion you were stung but you were at Fault if I was told it would be 100 or what ever for a stalk it would not matter what I shot that's all the chap wold get.If I connected he would get a nice bottle. Glad you liked Scotland never heard any Scottish guides asking for money they didn't tell you about up front. I have had lads out shitting them selves to pull the trigger wondering what that particular animal will cost.I have even had lads miss the chance because of money grabbers. Do as the best guides do and make it clear to these boys.

 

[fairacre]

If your ever up in the Scottish Borders a will gladly take you out for free .

A nice gesture Tam, well done.

Mark, if you do take up Tam's offer you won't be disappointed, I have stalked with him many times and he is very honest and straightforward if you can understand a word he says LOL
ATB

 

[Sle]

Maybe worth mentioning the stalker in question, otherwise other novice stalkers might be duped in this way.

+1

 

[Tam16]

A nice gesture Tam, well done.

Mark, if you do take up Tam's offer you won't be disappointed, I have stalked with him many times and he is very honest and straightforward if you can understand a word he says LOL
ATB

Hello Mr fair acre how are you well a hope . Give me a phone one night for a chat and catch up

 

[bigscott270]

If your ever up in the Scottish Borders a will gladly take you out for free .

good on ye big man hospitality at its best north of the border

 

[bewsher500]

I am sorry but why do people get into these positions and then pay?

first one, why enter into something involving guides or any kind of service without asking for all the costs up front

second one, if you feel strong enough to ask the question and feel ripped off (which you have been) why did you pay?

it is a sad state of affairs but there are Shisters in every walk of life
if a taxi driver suddenly decided to charge you for "fuel surcharge" or someone you asked for directions asked for payment after the event.....would you pay?

 

[Selous]

I understand what you're saying about voting with your feet but when it's after the event it's yet another newcomer shafted by some unscrupulous count.

couldnt agree more, there are too many prepared to fleece newbies and it gives the genuine decent guides a bad name

 

[tom308w]

Tam you been drinking

 

[Erik Hamburger]

When I started out and used professional guides I had both good and bad experiences.
An outing with a very well known stalker on a very well known Estate of international fame with deer jumping in your lap (allegedly) resulted in a £240 fee with no deer seen all day. Not even one.
On the other hand, on recommendation of a few local RFD's and Clay shooting schools, I got in touch with a local stalker who charged me just £70, guided me on my first deer, and I could keep the carcass as well.
Via your local Clay ground, regional Rifle Range, friendly RFD or gunsmith, or local Game shoot, you can find like-minded people who will help you into stalking without the rip-off, you just need some tenacity and a bit of luck to meet the right people.
Be aware of trophy hunting and trophy fees - try to focus on shooting for crop protection and conservation. If your interest in deer is for venison rather than for antlers you are going in the right direction and save yourself a lot of money.
Good luck.

 

[Chasey]

Mark

I am also new I started out last October and was incredably lucky to fall on me feet with Robin and Geoff of Kent and Sussex Deer Control.

£75 for a morning 75 for an afternoon and £150 all day

The 150 all day doesent sound like a bargin till you realise in the winter months its ALL day with a break for breakfast

Frankly i should apolagise to Geoff and Rob for not tipping them and accepting a free day when one of the days didnt go according to plan for reasions which frankly were not their doing.

Fact is I didnt realise how lucky i was to be using their services.

No Kill fee and meet at game deeler rates and a full on effort to put me in front of deer. I had a chance of a shot every trip but didnt get one due to my own lack of abuility getting rifel to stick. A better stalker would have had one in the truck on I think every trip I did.

I also stalked with Mark (Deer Stalking England) up in Sussex and his set up was more in line with what aparently is the norm. Stalked from first light to 9:30 ish then he went off till the afternoon and i slept in the car all day waiting for the evening stalk.

Didnt get charged for the Muntie I shot and very happy with his service but id thaught all stalking was like Geof and Rob till then.

Thats not a complaint, just an observation as I now understand Geoff & Rob are the exception not the rule

Frankly I feel you have been stuffed rotton but sadly i have to agree with the general consensus in that you need to find you the costs upfront

Why the hell this industry doesent see a need to let all clients know full costs in advance I have no idea. I feel you would have been well within your rights to walk without payment of anything except the agreed stalking fee and the meet rate

I did try and book some roe stalking in the summer and had to be very precise in my questions abotu what the day would cost. Eventualy I pinned down that it would be stalk + kill fee + meet and I didn't book


ATB


Mark

 

[countrryboy]

It really is quite a hard thing to self police, and while 90-95% of stalkers/guides will be brand new and fee's will be obvious upfront etc and will do all they can to put u onto deer, but u may not always see deer even when deer are present in numbers for various reasons.

But i wouldn't be too hard on the stalking industry in general, plenty of established and reputable (allegedly) builders/tradsemen will get jobs on a very cheap quote but by the time u add on wot they have left of as extra's(which are not really 'extra's') not really so cheap.
It does sound very very steep, and from reading similar threads seems to be more of the 'rogues' the further south u go (but then again leases will be dearer down there too)
Possibly i'm very lucky living up here in scot as u rarely here of people being ripped off, while it seems to happen more often elsewhere the vast majority of guides will still be good honest folk

As erik said above if ur getting reccommendations from people face to face at clay shoots, gun shops or on here u should be fairly well looked after as less about fancy adverts/marketiing.
This site esp is very friendly and always someone willing to offer advice/help and plenty of good guides use it (as has been said u won't go wrong with sika malc on here or save up for next years trip up to highlands (if they do 1) fantastic place and experience and cheap too for a week of stalking)