New Member from North Carolina, USA

[West5575]

Hello all, I hope you don't mind a new member from across the pond. I came across the site as I have a rifle I'm wanting to customize similar to your traditional stalking rifle. I mostly hunt whitetail deer here in NC. My family is of English descent (Westmoreland) and I'd like to someday make a trip over to do some stalking. I tend to enjoy traditional hunting rifles in classic calibers. I recently acquired a new in box old stock CZ 550 in 6.5x55. I have been wanting a rifle in this caliber for a long time, and finally found a good deal on one and plan to make some modifications for a proper stalking rifle. Previously I've taken deer with muzzleloaders, 30-30 and 45-70 lever rifles, 308W, 7x57 (now given to my son). I also really like the 270 (Winchester Featherweight) but haven't hunted with it yet. I probably enjoy hunting and shooting my 22LRs as well as anything. I'm looking forward to learning more about the hunting culture in England and on the continent with hopes of doing some stalking there sometime in the near future.

West

 

[bullet chucker]

Welcome to the site.

BC.

 

[22ppc]

Welcome aboard

 

[pommers]

Welcome mate! NC is a lovely part of the world; I have spent a lot of time in the Pinehurst area recently and really enjoyed my time there.

In my humble opinion, the sentiment of hunters in the UK and the US is remarkably similar - the biggest point of difference in the UK is access; the majority of land here is private, so arranging permission to shoot across it can be a lengthy and diplomatic exercise. We don't have public land with the same freedoms as our cousins across the pond, which is a shame.

I've found that the commitment to ethics is widely shared between hunters in both nations - one slight departure might be acceptable ranges for taking a shot; I would generally say that most UK hunters wouldn't consider a shot over 300m, and a successful stalk is considered one that puts you a lot closer to the quarry. There are probably a few reasons for this: less emphasis on long range marksmanship, tradition, safe backstops in the smaller areas we hunt in, etc.

These are of course generalisations based on my own experience and I'm sure others will have different experiences to share.

Nevertheless, welcome to the site, it's great to have representation from the US. Happy hunting!

 

[T.eddie]

Welcome from Essex UK

 

[West5575]

Welcome mate! NC is a lovely part of the world; I have spent a lot of time in the Pinehurst area recently and really enjoyed my time there.

In my humble opinion, the sentiment of hunters in the UK and the US is remarkably similar - the biggest point of difference in the UK is access; the majority of land here is private, so arranging permission to shoot across it can be a lengthy and diplomatic exercise. We don't have public land with the same freedoms as our cousins across the pond, which is a shame.

I've found that the commitment to ethics is widely shared between hunters in both nations - one slight departure might be acceptable ranges for taking a shot; I would generally say that most UK hunters wouldn't consider a shot over 300m, and a successful stalk is considered one that puts you a lot closer to the quarry. There are probably a few reasons for this: less emphasis on long range marksmanship, tradition, safe backstops in the smaller areas we hunt in, etc.

These are of course generalisations based on my own experience and I'm sure others will have different experiences to share.

Nevertheless, welcome to the site, it's great to have representation from the US. Happy hunting!

Thanks for the warm welcome. You are right about the similarities and differences. So much of hunting style/tradition depends on location. I live on the east coast and the only big game animals hunted here are whitetails and black bear. I don't hunt bear. Most hunting in the east is pretty close range. Very seldom do you have to shoot further than 150 yards. Popular cartridges here are 30-30 and 308 in handy rifles. I notice a lot of similarities with your stalking. We have a fair amount of public land in North Carolina but I haven't had much success hunting it. Believe it or not most hunters in my area have permissions to hunt private land, farms, etc. Out west is very different, with many more types of game and way more wide open hunting and public land, although access is still probably not as easy as you might think. Every state has its own licensing system, and the best zones for different species have lotteries that may take years to draw a tag. Further, it is so far away (big country) you pretty much need a guide service or some other assistance if you want any success out west. In many ways it would be easier for me to plan a trip to Africa than to hunt elk in the western US. Western hunting culture is very different and the trend is toward long range shooting (sniping) which does not interest me. I've taken as many deer with open sights as I have a scope.

P.S. Were you in Pinehurst to golf?

 

[vulpes vulpes]

Welcome to the site from North Yorkshire, ask as many questions as you like, everyone will be happy to help..
I myself have a 6.5x55,it's great do it all cartridge

 

[Cootmeurer]

Welcome, from a former NC resident. Spent 6 years there near Fayetteville

 

[Dorset Shakari]

Welcome. I spent many a dollar in the PX at Ft Bragg, NC. Excellent selection of calibers too.