Newbie in Buckinghamshire...

[Buckinghamshire_Toby]

Hello!

I'm based in Buckinghamshire, near Aylesbury, currently shoot clays and an air rifle.

I would like to work towards deerstalking in my own right (permission or syndicate), but appreciate there will be a lot of learning, experience and practice before that! Very keen to learn as much as possible about the deer, their habitat and responsible deer management. Have been buying and butchering deer carcasses for a few years so meat is also a big driver too.

General advice seems to be to get out on guided novice stalks, so I will be looking in the area for opportunities. However it feels like a big step to shoot at a deer with no centrefire experience before the day. Is there a way to get (supervised) centrefire range time without an FAC?

Also, I'm struggling to find much information on the route to getting a centrefire FAC approval? Is it typical to be a member of a rimfire club, then apply for FAC and then, when doing a decent amount of stalking apply for centrefire? Or is there a more direct route?

Lastly, if there's anyone in my area of Buckinghamshire (Great Missenden) that fancies meeting for a drink to discuss the above then I would be very happy to buy the drinks!

Thanks,

Toby

 

[bullet chucker]

Welcome to the site. Join a rifle club would the first advice, or if you know someone, that would be another avenue. Full bore club would be ok although I am not familiar with what is in your area, 22 rimfire club or possibly both under the same roof so to speak..

BC.

 

[TringSaint]

As BC says join a club. Can I recommend Chinnor rifle and pistol club? I was a member there for around 10 years and they are a great bunch of guys.
They have their own 25m indoor range for RF / pistol calibres and also they go to Bisley every month.

A few guys stalk there but not many - I stopped going because I am more into hunting than I am punching holes in paper.

As for shooting land, now there’s a thing. There are a lot of big estates around here and they are all keepered. The farms are also big corporate ones and they are largely a lock out as they are tenanted.

My recommendation would be to try some of the smaller farms between Wycombe and stokenchurch or around risborough.

Good luck

 

[LewisL]

Welcome!

 

[T.eddie]

Welcome from Essex

 

[GIMLET61]

If buying carcasses from local stalkers, ask them if you could tag along and if you get on, ask if they would mentor you.
Gain experience by using that air rifle, it gives a good foundation for being a stalker and you may get a small permission easiest, which could develop further.
Keep asking.

 

[Buckinghamshire_Toby]

Welcome to the site. Join a rifle club would the first advice, or if you know someone, that would be another avenue. Full bore club would be ok although I am not familiar with what is in your area, 22 rimfire club or possibly both under the same roof so to speak..

BC.

Thanks BC, much appreciated, actively trying to join a club now, seems to be the best first step. Thanks

 

[bullet chucker]

Also your local gun shop supplier, may have contacts of shooting venues other than shot gun/clay shooting. Good luck.

BC.

 

[B&W FOX]

Marlow has a rifle and pistol club.
They use an indoor range at Marlow leisure centre.
They also have a very active full bore section that uses Bisley