Hi to all
Having just enjoyed a fabulous experience I thought I would take you along for the journey.
So we have just returned from a wonderful break on the Graythwaite estate in the Lake District, it is a gorgeous place. On Thursday last week I contacted George Sandys of Graythwaite and he pulled the rabbit out the hat and managed to book me in for a morning outing on Monday with a former Graythwaite keeper and stalker Brian. Brilliant!
Monday comes and 4 am I’m up, tea, toast and get set.
We had arranged a meeting place and not knowing where we would be off to I got fully dressed including binocular harness so I can exit the car fully prepared with no need to faff around clicking buckles, putting jackets on etc and making noise
I pulled up at the designated spot, quietly got out of the car, pulled my quad sticks out and gently pressed the car door shut. I stood enjoying the silence looking up at a few stars and wondering what the morning had in store for me.
Lights started to appear on the otherwise vacant road and sure enough a purposeful looking pick up pulled in. Brian got out and introduced himself, he had been out scanning the area in preparation for my outing - very professional.
I hopped in and off we went down various lanes with Brian scanning fields with his thermal. We discussed the use of thermal and ultimately I feel it helps a guide get a client onto a deer and is valuable as a tool preventing trapesing round empty fields.
After a loop round we pulled up near a gate that led into fields with sheep and a conifer plantation of 4 ish year old trees flanking one side.
Brian loaded and handed me the estate rifle I would be using, safety check and off we go. Pushing forward quietly Brian kept scanning as the sun started its way up. He kept me informed of potential spots the deer favour as we moved so we constantly looked. This guy knows this ground intimately I thought.
Pausing, he points out a roe buck browsing in between three trees maybe 250-300 yards away, great to watch for a couple of minutes but today we weren’t here for him, I was after my first red.
Brian asked me how far I was comfortable shooting. This is not a time for egos, this is responsibly taking a live animal so I said 150. I’ve shot well at 200 off sticks but let’s stay inside the comfort zone.
Moving across the field Brian pointed out a few reds dropping down into in a cleft between trees where the next field met the one we were in. We watched and moved towards a tree line. It was exciting to see these amazing animals in their natural environment.
He then pointed out a red hind and calf in the field we were in off to our left. She’s clocked us so stay still advised Brian. The wind swirled and a fresh haircut is a useful tool as the nape of my neck was acutely effective at indicating wind direction - I could simply feel it - who needs a kestrel. The wind turned and moved towards the deer and we watched motionless hoping she didn’t wind us and bark to warn the others off.
We stood, we watched, she started feeding again, phew. Onwards we move. Walking right under the tree line to conceal us we made way around the edge of the field to work towards the group of deer hovering around the fence ahead.
The deer seemed to come down their hill, get to the fence then move along it disappearing a way from us behind trees. Then a couple of spikers appeared - this is what I’ve come for.
Watching for a while a hind popped the fence along with a calf and came into the field. Brian advised this was good and the spikers would soon follow. They were about 220 yards at this point. He also commented there was a hole in the trees nearer to us where we may get one coming out so we carefully moved across a sapling field and along a wire fence.
I checked Brians estate rifle over, unusually stiff feeling stock, adjustable cheek piece. I saw the PSE logo, aah it’s one of those. Tikka action, custom barrel, Swarovski glass with BT, a quality set up and non lead.
We watched the deer for a while and Brian advised why one spiker was a good one to take compared to the other. We moved a little closer using a small clump as cover and he put my sticks up - right, this is it.
I put the rifle on the sticks, checked the magnification which we set around 12X and I got in position. I looked through the scope at the hind in the field and Brian asked if I was comfortable with my stability. Range was 175 and my sight picture was good. I was happy and ready. I checked my hand position on the grip and moved my thumb to centre of thumb rest for a good trigger press (thanks for the video lessons @Norway ) It was a tikka action so I knew the break would be crisp.
The spiker we wanted popped the fence following the better one so I framed him in the scope and he kept walking, Brian advised whenever I’m ready take him when he stops. He kept walking and I got to the end of the lateral movement of the front yolk of my sticks so I reached down, lifted the left leg of my sticks and pivoted them round to get ahead of the spiker. I moved the crosshairs back and found him, he kept waking and I kept tracking.
He stopped - BANG!
The rifle moved, there was a fair bit of smoke out the barrel. I didn’t see the shot hit or the deer. I looked at Brian “good shot, he dropped in his tracks” Shall I reload? “you can if you want but he’s dead”
The 150 gr peregrine VR4 left the barrel of the 300 WSM around 3350fps and dropped the spiker in his own footprint, now hidden behind a small clump of grass - Hammer!
I was pleased. I had done my job and put the bulllet where it needed to go, I was calm.
The two hinds and the other better spiker trotted a bit across the field and stopped maybe a hundred yards from us. We hadn’t moved. The rifle was still on the sticks.
The deer stood looking at us. We watched them and discussed their behaviour for maybe 10 minutes. The deer trotted a bit further then stopped and watched us again for a few minutes. We kept talking quietly.
Eventually they went off and we set off to meet our spiker, and there he lay, my first red.
I did the eyeball test and we shook hands, now time to get to work. I wanted to gralloch myself and Brian was happy with that so I took my mora and gralloch kit out of my pocket - anti bac wipes, some small zip ties, gloves - those BASC videos have some useful tips
Under his guidance we went through the gralloching process step by step. Brilliant.
Then we left our stag there whilst we returned to grab the pick up and came back across the fields to collect our beast.
In the back he went and we took a brief trip on the roads around the estate so I could see it’s extent, it’s quite large.
Back at the larder I continued the work under instruction which Brian patiently and calmly gave, first taking off the legs, then the head and then tunnelling to present the carcass you see here at 55.5kg
A good animal to take and a good one for the game dealer who would be along by lunchtime.
What an incredible experience.
The Graythwaite estate is a wonderful place to explore and it’s a real privilege to stalk here having only been released from syndication in the last few years with deer management policy now in house again.
Brian was fantastic and turns out he’s on SD @swatty - Calm, easy going, incredibly knowledgeable and encouraging he instilled confidence. I’m already looking forward to another outing next year and would highly recommend a visit to the Lakes and outings with Brian and The Graythwaite Estate. I believe Brian has some other ground he may be able to take people on as well.
My sincere thanks and appreciation to George who runs Graythwaite Estate Sporting for sorting me out at such short notice. Huge thanks to Brian for being willing to get up extra early and take me out with no notice, for making my first red stalk such an enjoyable and memorable experience and passing on so much knowledge to help me in my deerstalking life, I would highly recommend you to anyone. And lastly, thank you to the hunting Gods for smiling on me that beautiful Lakeland morning.
Cheers
SCB
God Bless The Queen, may your spirit light up the heavens as it illuminated the Earth
Having just enjoyed a fabulous experience I thought I would take you along for the journey.
So we have just returned from a wonderful break on the Graythwaite estate in the Lake District, it is a gorgeous place. On Thursday last week I contacted George Sandys of Graythwaite and he pulled the rabbit out the hat and managed to book me in for a morning outing on Monday with a former Graythwaite keeper and stalker Brian. Brilliant!
Monday comes and 4 am I’m up, tea, toast and get set.
We had arranged a meeting place and not knowing where we would be off to I got fully dressed including binocular harness so I can exit the car fully prepared with no need to faff around clicking buckles, putting jackets on etc and making noise
I pulled up at the designated spot, quietly got out of the car, pulled my quad sticks out and gently pressed the car door shut. I stood enjoying the silence looking up at a few stars and wondering what the morning had in store for me.
Lights started to appear on the otherwise vacant road and sure enough a purposeful looking pick up pulled in. Brian got out and introduced himself, he had been out scanning the area in preparation for my outing - very professional.
I hopped in and off we went down various lanes with Brian scanning fields with his thermal. We discussed the use of thermal and ultimately I feel it helps a guide get a client onto a deer and is valuable as a tool preventing trapesing round empty fields.
After a loop round we pulled up near a gate that led into fields with sheep and a conifer plantation of 4 ish year old trees flanking one side.
Brian loaded and handed me the estate rifle I would be using, safety check and off we go. Pushing forward quietly Brian kept scanning as the sun started its way up. He kept me informed of potential spots the deer favour as we moved so we constantly looked. This guy knows this ground intimately I thought.
Pausing, he points out a roe buck browsing in between three trees maybe 250-300 yards away, great to watch for a couple of minutes but today we weren’t here for him, I was after my first red.
Brian asked me how far I was comfortable shooting. This is not a time for egos, this is responsibly taking a live animal so I said 150. I’ve shot well at 200 off sticks but let’s stay inside the comfort zone.
Moving across the field Brian pointed out a few reds dropping down into in a cleft between trees where the next field met the one we were in. We watched and moved towards a tree line. It was exciting to see these amazing animals in their natural environment.
He then pointed out a red hind and calf in the field we were in off to our left. She’s clocked us so stay still advised Brian. The wind swirled and a fresh haircut is a useful tool as the nape of my neck was acutely effective at indicating wind direction - I could simply feel it - who needs a kestrel. The wind turned and moved towards the deer and we watched motionless hoping she didn’t wind us and bark to warn the others off.
We stood, we watched, she started feeding again, phew. Onwards we move. Walking right under the tree line to conceal us we made way around the edge of the field to work towards the group of deer hovering around the fence ahead.
The deer seemed to come down their hill, get to the fence then move along it disappearing a way from us behind trees. Then a couple of spikers appeared - this is what I’ve come for.
Watching for a while a hind popped the fence along with a calf and came into the field. Brian advised this was good and the spikers would soon follow. They were about 220 yards at this point. He also commented there was a hole in the trees nearer to us where we may get one coming out so we carefully moved across a sapling field and along a wire fence.
I checked Brians estate rifle over, unusually stiff feeling stock, adjustable cheek piece. I saw the PSE logo, aah it’s one of those. Tikka action, custom barrel, Swarovski glass with BT, a quality set up and non lead.
We watched the deer for a while and Brian advised why one spiker was a good one to take compared to the other. We moved a little closer using a small clump as cover and he put my sticks up - right, this is it.
I put the rifle on the sticks, checked the magnification which we set around 12X and I got in position. I looked through the scope at the hind in the field and Brian asked if I was comfortable with my stability. Range was 175 and my sight picture was good. I was happy and ready. I checked my hand position on the grip and moved my thumb to centre of thumb rest for a good trigger press (thanks for the video lessons @Norway ) It was a tikka action so I knew the break would be crisp.
The spiker we wanted popped the fence following the better one so I framed him in the scope and he kept walking, Brian advised whenever I’m ready take him when he stops. He kept walking and I got to the end of the lateral movement of the front yolk of my sticks so I reached down, lifted the left leg of my sticks and pivoted them round to get ahead of the spiker. I moved the crosshairs back and found him, he kept waking and I kept tracking.
He stopped - BANG!
The rifle moved, there was a fair bit of smoke out the barrel. I didn’t see the shot hit or the deer. I looked at Brian “good shot, he dropped in his tracks” Shall I reload? “you can if you want but he’s dead”
The 150 gr peregrine VR4 left the barrel of the 300 WSM around 3350fps and dropped the spiker in his own footprint, now hidden behind a small clump of grass - Hammer!
I was pleased. I had done my job and put the bulllet where it needed to go, I was calm.
The two hinds and the other better spiker trotted a bit across the field and stopped maybe a hundred yards from us. We hadn’t moved. The rifle was still on the sticks.
The deer stood looking at us. We watched them and discussed their behaviour for maybe 10 minutes. The deer trotted a bit further then stopped and watched us again for a few minutes. We kept talking quietly.
Eventually they went off and we set off to meet our spiker, and there he lay, my first red.
I did the eyeball test and we shook hands, now time to get to work. I wanted to gralloch myself and Brian was happy with that so I took my mora and gralloch kit out of my pocket - anti bac wipes, some small zip ties, gloves - those BASC videos have some useful tips
Under his guidance we went through the gralloching process step by step. Brilliant.
Then we left our stag there whilst we returned to grab the pick up and came back across the fields to collect our beast.
In the back he went and we took a brief trip on the roads around the estate so I could see it’s extent, it’s quite large.
Back at the larder I continued the work under instruction which Brian patiently and calmly gave, first taking off the legs, then the head and then tunnelling to present the carcass you see here at 55.5kg
A good animal to take and a good one for the game dealer who would be along by lunchtime.
What an incredible experience.
The Graythwaite estate is a wonderful place to explore and it’s a real privilege to stalk here having only been released from syndication in the last few years with deer management policy now in house again.
Brian was fantastic and turns out he’s on SD @swatty - Calm, easy going, incredibly knowledgeable and encouraging he instilled confidence. I’m already looking forward to another outing next year and would highly recommend a visit to the Lakes and outings with Brian and The Graythwaite Estate. I believe Brian has some other ground he may be able to take people on as well.
My sincere thanks and appreciation to George who runs Graythwaite Estate Sporting for sorting me out at such short notice. Huge thanks to Brian for being willing to get up extra early and take me out with no notice, for making my first red stalk such an enjoyable and memorable experience and passing on so much knowledge to help me in my deerstalking life, I would highly recommend you to anyone. And lastly, thank you to the hunting Gods for smiling on me that beautiful Lakeland morning.
Cheers
SCB
God Bless The Queen, may your spirit light up the heavens as it illuminated the Earth
