Hunting/Stalking Expeditions in the Highlands

[J D-C]

Dear SD,

I love stalking for what it is, hunter-gathering, eating fresh food and living off the land. My experiences have been limited to morning and evening lowland, woodland and farmland stalking, which I really enjoy, but recently I have become more interested in the idea of stalking expeditions; hiking in pitching a tent, stalking in the day and on making a cull carrying out the beast. This is quite an American phenomenon as they have huge expanses of public land, but I was wondering if anyone knew of Highland stalking opportunities that got away from hunting lodges and took advantage some of the more inaccessible mountainous stalking grounds on foot? I appreciate people will have different views on this but i'd be grateful for comments either way. Many thanks.

 

[sikamalc]

Most if not all estates that I am aware of will be responsible for taking out the carcass. You might find a private lease holder, with a big enough lease of high ground that may let you undertake such a stalk. However any carcass taken will need to be off the hill and in the chiller the same day.
I have space next season for a weeks highland stalking, in areas past Inverness, but operating from a lodge not a tent.

 

[BLUEROLL]

Dear SD,

I love stalking for what it is, hunter-gathering, eating fresh food and living off the land. My experiences have been limited to morning and evening lowland, woodland and farmland stalking, which I really enjoy, but recently I have become more interested in the idea of stalking expeditions; hiking in pitching a tent, stalking in the day and on making a cull carrying out the beast. This is quite an American phenomenon as they have huge expanses of public land, but I was wondering if anyone knew of Highland stalking opportunities that got away from hunting lodges and took advantage some of the more inaccessible mountainous stalking grounds on foot? I appreciate people will have different views on this but i'd be grateful for comments either way. Many thanks.

My Lad and I did a spike camp in the Hind season a few years back with Lockinver Lodge, but not sure if they still do it.

 

[sikamalc]

My Lad and I did a spike camp in the Hind season a few years back with Lockinver Lodge, but not sure if they still do it.

I know it well, I did most of the culling there when it was first purchased by the Assynt Crofters foundation. Rather you than me camping out. However the use of the lodge at the time wasnt much better!!
Never known an area with such a high tick burden as that place, its was crawling with them.

 

[BLUEROLL]

I know it well, I did most of the culling there when it was first purchased by the Assynt Crofters foundation. Rather you than me camping out. However the use of the lodge at the time wasnt much better!!
Never known an area with such a high tick burden as that place, its was crawling with them.

It was bxxxxy cold and hard work with slippery snow on the ground as we grassed quite a few beasts on the remote parts of the estate. Definitely a job for younger legs.

 

[sikamalc]

2 years culling on there and nearly 400 head taken off. Not for me now, 44,450 acres and 3 Munroes is very hard work.

 

[J D-C]

Blueroll, that sounds like a good shout, I will do some investigation, thank you.

 

[J D-C]

2 years culling on there and nearly 400 head taken off. Not for me now, 44,450 acres and 3 Munroes is very hard work.

This sounds like the stalk is well earned at the end of the day, thanks for your comments.

 

[big ears]

Dear SD,

I love stalking for what it is, hunter-gathering, eating fresh food and living off the land. My experiences have been limited to morning and evening lowland, woodland and farmland stalking, which I really enjoy, but recently I have become more interested in the idea of stalking expeditions; hiking in pitching a tent, stalking in the day and on making a cull carrying out the beast. This is quite an American phenomenon as they have huge expanses of public land, but I was wondering if anyone knew of Highland stalking opportunities that got away from hunting lodges and took advantage some of the more inaccessible mountainous stalking grounds on foot? I appreciate people will have different views on this but i'd be grateful for comments either way. Many thanks.

As you say it’s an American thing. Have you thought of doing an “on your own” hunt in America?
Did exactly that in 2018 in Montana. Worth a thought once Covid over.

 

[John Gryphon]

J D-C
Come down to Victoria Australia and I can help you out,hard yards and lots of deer hunting fun.

 

[CarlW]

J D-C
Come down to Victoria Australia and I can help you out,hard yards and lots of deer hunting fun.

@J D-C , you'd be mental to turn that down. What a great offer from @johngryphon .

Respect, John.

 

[NickJ]

Dear SD,

I love stalking for what it is, hunter-gathering, eating fresh food and living off the land. My experiences have been limited to morning and evening lowland, woodland and farmland stalking, which I really enjoy, but recently I have become more interested in the idea of stalking expeditions; hiking in pitching a tent, stalking in the day and on making a cull carrying out the beast. This is quite an American phenomenon as they have huge expanses of public land, but I was wondering if anyone knew of Highland stalking opportunities that got away from hunting lodges and took advantage some of the more inaccessible mountainous stalking grounds on foot? I appreciate people will have different views on this but i'd be grateful for comments either way. Many thanks.

I know a couple of people who offer this in the Highlands: Sam Thompson at experiences — G O V H A and, I have a pal who is going to offer it from next season.

 

[Vulpes]

I completely agree with the OP, the satisfaction of the "American" style is what drew me into stalking in the first place and is something that I think is missing from our hills. I for one would also jump at the chance to hunt like this in the UK.

 

[chiron]

I read this thread and started thinking. Walk out shoot your beast drag it back to camp,butcher it and sit down to cook some over a camping gas stove,then crawl into a sleeping bag sweaty and smelly whilst the rain gently p****** down. Or walk out maybe with help from Argo. Take shot and have a dram with the stalker load beast into Argo and walk or ride back. Then go to hotel hot bath a cool beer and then a well cooked piece of venison by a competent chef plus a glass of red followed by a few drams in front of a fire. Retire to comfy bed.
Hard decision. Stuff al the romance of Hunter gatherer. I am too old for that.

 

[moray loon]

I read this thread and started thinking. Walk out shoot your beast drag it back to camp,butcher it and sit down to cook some over a camping gas stove,then crawl into a sleeping bag sweaty and smelly whilst the rain gently p****** down. Or walk out maybe with help from Argo. Take shot and have a dram with the stalker load beast into Argo and walk or ride back. Then go to hotel hot bath a cool beer and then a well cooked piece of venison by a competent chef plus a glass of red followed by a few drams in front of a fire. Retire to comfy bed.
Hard decision. Stuff al the romance of Hunter gatherer. I am too old for that.

I can see the attraction of both styles of hunting, but option 2 above sounds good to me !!

 

[studley]

Have a word with Matt at Atlas Sporting. We recently went to a range session with him and he said he had just arranged it for a couple of clients to camp up in the Highlands and free range stalk, fish, make camp etc.

Might be a bit cold this time of year now, I like coming back to hot bath after hind stalking in November!

 

[203itl]

It is great way of stalking, if you are physically fit. I do it few times a year on stags and hinds on my friend ground. If you butcher on the hill, walking back with backpack full of meat and camping kit, plus rifle can be hard..... Very rewarding though. Good luck finding opportunity.

 

[mattic]

As you say it’s an American thing. Have you thought of doing an “on your own” hunt in America?
Did exactly that in 2018 in Montana. Worth a thought once Covid over.

Like to know more about the Montana trip??

 

[J D-C]

J D-C
Come down to Victoria Australia and I can help you out,hard yards and lots of deer hunting fun.

Johngryphon, that is incredibly kind, thank you. I may have to take you up on that offer!

 

[J D-C]

Have a word with Matt at Atlas Sporting. We recently went to a range session with him and he said he had just arranged it for a couple of clients to camp up in the Highlands and free range stalk, fish, make camp etc.

Might be a bit cold this time of year now, I like coming back to hot bath after hind stalking in November!

Cheers Studley!