Seeing as I’ve been shooting now for 24 years it feels extremely strange to be writing this in my thirties as I feel I am very late to the party - but finally I have stalked, shot, butchered and ate my first deer all thanks to the Stalking Directory and VSS for the opportunity and hospitality.
Day 1:
It started bright and early at around 5:30am as I got up to begin the second leg of the journey towards North West Wales with clear blue skies and the sun just beginning to rise, I was feeling very enthusiastic about what was to hopefully come in the following hours.
Upon arrival I sat with VSS and had a much needed brew as we discussed safe shooting angles on his land along with a host of other checks (identification of the correct animal, shot placement etc.) before taking about the plan of attack for the stalk.
By this time the sun was out in full force and was beating down, cooking us to a nice 25C+, we looked at one another contemplating on whether or not to put another layer over our long sleeved shirts and when VSS said we might end up crawling through some gorse, we both realised that it was probably worthwhile.
So fully laden with all the gear and some idea I set off behind VSS and entered into the area where the fallow were most likely to be visible from.
There was a slightly elevated spot we were aiming to get to, to allow the safest position for a shot within the shooting envelope we had previously discussed.
Off we went crawling on all fours in-between the long rushes before flattening onto our bellies and going at a much slower pace, as we neared closer to the desired position to avoid spooking any nearby Fallow. It was at this point where I was absolutely melting in all of my gear and regretted the decision of putting on the jacket! But nevertheless I slowly crawled on!
We reach the shooting position and from there we have a good 360 degree overview of the land, as we scan with our binos we realise the Fallow have managed to move around us into a different area where there is some shade but no safe shot opportunity.
As we continue to observe the herd they start moving closer and closer to the area that would present a safe shot - all led by what I must say some very impressive bucks with fantastic palmated antlers.
I close the last little bit of distance and crawl round the elevated top into a more concealed position and get the rifle into position on my bipod and into my shoulder whilst waiting do a couple of range checks to make sure my POA offsets are firm in my mind for the potential shot.
Some time passes and the herd move quite quickly across in front of me (left to right) by about 85 yards led by those bucks. They get past the point of where I am set up and afraid of spooking them I don’t move an inch.
A very wily doe spots me and jolts back to the left and splits the herd as the rest jolt towards the right.
A Fallow pricket is caught in the middle and unsure of whether to go left or right, decides to go left - right into the safe shooting envelope and stops perfectly broadside head raised looking in my direction. I do my internal mental checklist (identify deer, safe backstop into the ground etc). I press forward on the safety catch releasing it and take aim for the classic hilar shot as instructed by VSS, I then gently squeeze the trigger calm as you like.
The deer drops on the spot as VSS said it would for that particular shot placement - not even a breath escaped with it on the ground. I watched it for a fair few seconds before realising a follow up shot was not going to be required.
A huge adrenaline rush hits me and I remove the magazine from the rifle and eject the spent brass case, leaving the bolt open and making the rifle safe before the jitters start kicking in. The realisation and excitement of shooting my first deer starts to set in and I quickly range the shot fallow - 63.5 yards away.
VSS quickly appears from his position a few yards behind me and says “bloody hell that rifles quiet” before congratulating me and shaking my hand once he sees the deer is down.
I pocket the spent brass case, close the bolt on the rifle apply the safety catch and place the magazine back into the rifle and we go over to inspect the downed deer. VSS exclaims “ nigh on perfect shot placement but you’ve shot the smallest one” and laughs.
We do the classic poke the eyes with the shooting sticks to make sure and then head back the way we came to pick up the 4 wheeler to bring the carcass back to the chiller/ larder for gralloching outside.
With everything packed away and now back down to a t shirt the gralloching lesson begins.
All I can say here to keep it short and sweet (as it’s already quite long) - I was given a masterclass lesson lots of tips and tricks to ensure there is no contamination and the meat is left in a way that it’s easier and more presentable when butchering out, inspection of relevant parts to ensure it’s all healthy the list goes on and on. VSS answering all of my questions, explaining absolutely everything and allowing me to assist in the process. We hang it up in the chiller/ larder and say our goodbyes and I make the long journey home !
Day 2 (a week later)
Again an early start as I head back to north west wales with my car laden with a cool box and plenty of ice packs even more eager to receive yet another master craft lesson in how to now skin and butcher out the deer making use of every usable scrap of meat.
I watch and follow VSS instructions as best as a very inexperienced butcher can, as we break down the deer into primals before then jointing out further so that I can see how to get pretty much all cuts of meat from a carcass. VSS taking one half and I the other. With my side looking awful compared to VSS’s - I’m a little OCD so not being able to get it even remotely right (cleanliness of cuts to keep it aesthetic etc) first time annoyed the hell out of me but I’m sure with some more practice it will improve!
We segregate all into piles and trays and amass more meat than I was expecting over what ended up being quite a long time.
We mix the secret burger recipe after we placed our burger pile through the mincer and place in the freezer to firm up whilst we vac pack and label the rest of the cuts, we wash down all of the tools and apparatus before packing up and bidding farewell to go home.
Now here’s the kicker I get home around 1am ready go get all the meat into the fridge/ freezer to find that my darling partner has been harvesting eveything out of our garden and has decided to brim the fridge and freezer full of produce leaving no space for venison - I say sod it and go to bed it’s a problem for later on!
In total I ended up with around 11.2kgs of Venison, bones for broth, the head I plan to skin / mount (in progress as we speak) and memories that will last a lifetime.
First meal was a fantastic: venison pie and it tasted so much better than venison I have had in the past (I think the field to fork experience makes me a little bias
).
I can’t put into words how grateful to VSS I am for the opportunity and experience. The lessons were fantastic, full of detail and VSS is an amazing teacher who is extremely patient and just brimmed with knowledge!
I hope in years to come once I reach that experience level myself I can pass the torch down to other young/ inexperienced stalkers and offer the same experience I have had the pleasure of having.
Day 1:
It started bright and early at around 5:30am as I got up to begin the second leg of the journey towards North West Wales with clear blue skies and the sun just beginning to rise, I was feeling very enthusiastic about what was to hopefully come in the following hours.
Upon arrival I sat with VSS and had a much needed brew as we discussed safe shooting angles on his land along with a host of other checks (identification of the correct animal, shot placement etc.) before taking about the plan of attack for the stalk.
By this time the sun was out in full force and was beating down, cooking us to a nice 25C+, we looked at one another contemplating on whether or not to put another layer over our long sleeved shirts and when VSS said we might end up crawling through some gorse, we both realised that it was probably worthwhile.
So fully laden with all the gear and some idea I set off behind VSS and entered into the area where the fallow were most likely to be visible from.
There was a slightly elevated spot we were aiming to get to, to allow the safest position for a shot within the shooting envelope we had previously discussed.
Off we went crawling on all fours in-between the long rushes before flattening onto our bellies and going at a much slower pace, as we neared closer to the desired position to avoid spooking any nearby Fallow. It was at this point where I was absolutely melting in all of my gear and regretted the decision of putting on the jacket! But nevertheless I slowly crawled on!
We reach the shooting position and from there we have a good 360 degree overview of the land, as we scan with our binos we realise the Fallow have managed to move around us into a different area where there is some shade but no safe shot opportunity.
As we continue to observe the herd they start moving closer and closer to the area that would present a safe shot - all led by what I must say some very impressive bucks with fantastic palmated antlers.
I close the last little bit of distance and crawl round the elevated top into a more concealed position and get the rifle into position on my bipod and into my shoulder whilst waiting do a couple of range checks to make sure my POA offsets are firm in my mind for the potential shot.
Some time passes and the herd move quite quickly across in front of me (left to right) by about 85 yards led by those bucks. They get past the point of where I am set up and afraid of spooking them I don’t move an inch.
A very wily doe spots me and jolts back to the left and splits the herd as the rest jolt towards the right.
A Fallow pricket is caught in the middle and unsure of whether to go left or right, decides to go left - right into the safe shooting envelope and stops perfectly broadside head raised looking in my direction. I do my internal mental checklist (identify deer, safe backstop into the ground etc). I press forward on the safety catch releasing it and take aim for the classic hilar shot as instructed by VSS, I then gently squeeze the trigger calm as you like.
The deer drops on the spot as VSS said it would for that particular shot placement - not even a breath escaped with it on the ground. I watched it for a fair few seconds before realising a follow up shot was not going to be required.
A huge adrenaline rush hits me and I remove the magazine from the rifle and eject the spent brass case, leaving the bolt open and making the rifle safe before the jitters start kicking in. The realisation and excitement of shooting my first deer starts to set in and I quickly range the shot fallow - 63.5 yards away.
VSS quickly appears from his position a few yards behind me and says “bloody hell that rifles quiet” before congratulating me and shaking my hand once he sees the deer is down.
I pocket the spent brass case, close the bolt on the rifle apply the safety catch and place the magazine back into the rifle and we go over to inspect the downed deer. VSS exclaims “ nigh on perfect shot placement but you’ve shot the smallest one” and laughs.
We do the classic poke the eyes with the shooting sticks to make sure and then head back the way we came to pick up the 4 wheeler to bring the carcass back to the chiller/ larder for gralloching outside.
With everything packed away and now back down to a t shirt the gralloching lesson begins.
All I can say here to keep it short and sweet (as it’s already quite long) - I was given a masterclass lesson lots of tips and tricks to ensure there is no contamination and the meat is left in a way that it’s easier and more presentable when butchering out, inspection of relevant parts to ensure it’s all healthy the list goes on and on. VSS answering all of my questions, explaining absolutely everything and allowing me to assist in the process. We hang it up in the chiller/ larder and say our goodbyes and I make the long journey home !
Day 2 (a week later)
Again an early start as I head back to north west wales with my car laden with a cool box and plenty of ice packs even more eager to receive yet another master craft lesson in how to now skin and butcher out the deer making use of every usable scrap of meat.
I watch and follow VSS instructions as best as a very inexperienced butcher can, as we break down the deer into primals before then jointing out further so that I can see how to get pretty much all cuts of meat from a carcass. VSS taking one half and I the other. With my side looking awful compared to VSS’s - I’m a little OCD so not being able to get it even remotely right (cleanliness of cuts to keep it aesthetic etc) first time annoyed the hell out of me but I’m sure with some more practice it will improve!
We segregate all into piles and trays and amass more meat than I was expecting over what ended up being quite a long time.
We mix the secret burger recipe after we placed our burger pile through the mincer and place in the freezer to firm up whilst we vac pack and label the rest of the cuts, we wash down all of the tools and apparatus before packing up and bidding farewell to go home.
Now here’s the kicker I get home around 1am ready go get all the meat into the fridge/ freezer to find that my darling partner has been harvesting eveything out of our garden and has decided to brim the fridge and freezer full of produce leaving no space for venison - I say sod it and go to bed it’s a problem for later on!
In total I ended up with around 11.2kgs of Venison, bones for broth, the head I plan to skin / mount (in progress as we speak) and memories that will last a lifetime.
First meal was a fantastic: venison pie and it tasted so much better than venison I have had in the past (I think the field to fork experience makes me a little bias
).I can’t put into words how grateful to VSS I am for the opportunity and experience. The lessons were fantastic, full of detail and VSS is an amazing teacher who is extremely patient and just brimmed with knowledge!
I hope in years to come once I reach that experience level myself I can pass the torch down to other young/ inexperienced stalkers and offer the same experience I have had the pleasure of having.
Well done Tim and Waidmannsheil 
