Is deer stalking affordable for the Average Joe?

[devon deer stalker]

I find deer stalking one of the most rewarding things to do, but are we pricing the majority out of this experience?

The initial costs of getting started - buying a rifle, decent optics, completing DSC1 / 2, insurance, and everything else are one thing. But finding somewhere to stalk is another challenge altogether.

Around my neck of the woods in Buckinghamshire, some of the prices being asked are, in my opinion, becoming difficult to justify. I recently saw a stalking package where the stalk was £180, the shot fee for a cull muntjac was £60, and if you wanted to keep the carcass, it was another £3 per kg. By the time you've finished, you're looking at around £300 to take home a Munty. If you happen to shoot a medal buck, you could easily be paying double that.... For a Munty!!! God forbid you take a Medal Fallow... You'd be looking at over £1000 for the pleasure.

Another business model that baffles me is where estates or syndicates sell the venison commercially, charge people thousands of pounds for a place on the syndicate, and then don't allow members to keep the carcasses because the meat is being sold. So, effectively, you're paying thousands to carry out the deer management for someone else, and you don't even get to take home venison from the deer you've shot.
But, to be fair, at least they are offering the opportunity (regardless of price). Finding a permission or a syndicate space is like finding a treasure chest these days...

I totally understand that estates, guides, and landowners have costs to cover and businesses to run, and they deserve to make a fair return. But surely there has to be a balance?
How is any of this affordable for the average person? When you speak to land owners or other stalkers, they will all tell you what a problem the UK has with deer numbers, yet on the other hand deer stalking is one of the hardest hobbies to get into unless you have a healthy disposable income.

I don't have an answer to any of this and I accept it for what it is... Just a bit frustrated I guess

£180/outing?
No wonder I was popular when I did it!

My son lives in Wendover, Bucks, when I visit I'm amazed at the amount of muntjac.

I can relate to some other posts on your thread, people trying to undermine you when they go around knocking on doors, I've never done it, but if I had done and there was an existing stalker there I would walk away, no etiquette these days.

And I cull deer, I don't 'harvest' them

 

[Spear Chucker]

indeed just had one email the main man on an estate ive been doing over 8 years even asking after hes been told thanks but no thanks weve got a stalker who is doing the job another who asks every 6 months too

I was chatting to a client who lives in a red spot for fallow. I mentioned I had the stalking on a piece of ground neighbouring his. He immediately told me I should stalk his deer. I have enough. In my view better to do what you have well than bank land you never shoot. @JH83 is bang on. Good reputations are hard earned. I asked who was doing it now and he mentioned a name I didn't know, clearly a young chap who took a good few when he did get time.
I thanked the client and declined, saying it sounded like his current stalker needed the ground more than I did, was doing a fair job and he wouldn't appreciate having his chips p***ed on by a chancer, especially if he had invested in the ground and was working to a plan, I know I wouldn't be too happy". He looked at me a bit oddly and said "How unusual, I'll remember that". Hopefully he will. I felt a bit sorry for the stalker, it was offered so easily. With any luck the landlord will consider him more seriously now. I also hope that the Good Lord remembers me when chancers are after my ground - I know they will be.

 

[Mike1979]

£180/outing?
No wonder I was popular when I did it!

My son lives in Wendover, Bucks, when I visit I'm amazed at the amount of muntjac.

I can relate to some other posts on your thread, people trying to undermine you when they go around knocking on doors, I've never done it, but if I had done and there was an existing stalker there I would walk away, no etiquette these days.

And I cull deer, I don't 'harvest' them

I think respect goes a long way as you mention above. If I'm looking for new ground I tend to look at what is causing the farmer issues, and approach them on that basis. "i see you have a load of crows around the yard/ pigeons on the corn etc" but by the same token if they say "I have someone who shoots" then thats a "thanks very much" and on my way...However the one point that should be remembered, and it gets talked about loads on here, some people who shoot on ground dont do a very good job and on that basis why should someone shooting there be a reason not to approach the landowner? Personally if someone approaches the farmers where I shoot (and they do) and the farmer says crack on I take it more of a reflection on me not doing my job. I have one farm where there are maybe 4 of us who shoot the ground- 3 tend to be after pigeons so I leave them alone and sort the crows and rifle work.

 

[Spear Chucker]

Unfortunately in this day and age everything revolves around Money greed has took over humanity it’s a fact in some cases Money comes before family friends even health and life itself.

There are still plenty of the traditional farmer / landowner type who understand the value of quality, discretion, safety and good repute. The DFLs with 80 acres are a pain. They just don't get it. many are anti, but those who aren't are nearly as difficult and they see the money usually. Some of the "deer control" companies' practices are seriously dodgy and only encourage this. One Eff-up and we'll all be damned. Always worth stressing the value of safety, experience, reliability and discretion. If the landlord is not interested, is he a landlord you would want to stalk for?

 

[Dave_45]

I get door knockers a lot to the point it doesn't bother me anymore.
Ive got a good relationship with the main farmer and do what he wants when he says so and he values the deer being managed consistently and the things he wants left alone to be left alone...


Goose guides are the worst they seem to have no scruples at all when they know the ground is already shot.

 

[Stevie/P]

Personally I’ve two pieces of land I stalk one i pay for that i share with two other friends we pay a pepper coin rent and everything is split between us nothing is hidden one friend has in two visits taken 4 good bucks.
The other land I don’t pay for and has been very productive fallow muntjac I’ve never knocked on any doors seeking shooting it’s always been through recommendations of people who know me and having a family member as a game keeper has been beneficial ultimately the land owner occupier is responsible if anything happens so understandable reluctant to allow people on their land.
One farmer once told me he’d rather have the vermin than someone blasting away with a shotgun unfortunately that’s how a lot of land owners see shooting nowadays.