If they opened up the seasons would you ………

[RCS Deer Management]

In my experience of night shooting I would say its only marginally more effective than day stalking, they still run off in all directions, deer will be deer no matter what time of the day.
It certainly isn't the answer to the current over population problem, it's just an another tool in the box.

My most successful outing last season was on the last evening on the hinds, we shot the lead hind, followed by 5 others, it was a 'WTF have we just done' moment, but far easier dealing with them then than in the dark, it was only dimpsy by

In my experience of night shooting I would say its only marginally more effective than day stalking, they still run off in all directions, deer will be deer no matter what time of the day.
It certainly isn't the answer to the current over population problem, it's just an another tool in the box.

Do you have much experience of night shooting deer? I tried writing that several times to try and write it in a way that didn’t sound arsey, but I honestly don’t mean it in a condescending way. I’m just interested.

 

[palmer_mike]

There was a time many years ago when I didn’t care, when killing deer was all I wanted to do, then I treated it as a job.

Now I’m the polar opposite, i do what i have to do nothing more nothing less

I’m confused, are you advocating shooting more deer or less deer?

 

[devon deer stalker]

Yes @RCS Deer Management I was originally named on a night licence many many years ago, they were very rare in those days, it was very specific in that only fallow were to be shot.

And NE issued me, as the lead stalker of 3 other deer stalkers (or managers if you prefer) a licence to cull red and roe in the past 5 years, and now I have the CL55, so yes, plenty of experience in night shooting and over 30 years of deer management.

 

[Leec6.5]

I’m confused, are you advocating shooting more deer or less deer?

Me I’m semi retired, full time job, i do what I can with the ground I’ve got, but yes I would have no problem in shooting heavily pregnant red or fallow

More deer need to be shot that’s fact, how it’s done I think needs to be addressed

 

[Leec6.5]

Lets keep this at the top

 

[David Barker]

I do think extending the doe / hind season to the end of April would be a good idea , don’t get me wrong in areas where there isn’t a huge deer problem you could just voluntarily stop whenever you like but I think it would be good especially in southern areas with big fallow populations

Chris extending the female season will not help in my opinion and would be foolish unless we concentrate on just the breeders.

 

[Chill 123]

I agree if the foetus has been born then there is no extra cruelty , But I know I have shot enough Muntjac does to have left dependent fawns in the cover , which will have horrible death when I have killed its parent . Some would say its part of the job we do ?

Chill

 

[cjm1066]

Heavily pregnant means no dependent young, so fine with shooting if necessary. Lengthing the seasons so we could cull all year which might stablise the vension market.