Price of stalking

[Mickeydredd]

Stalking is moving away from the common man again as we are being priced out.

I don't think it is.

Estates have always charged big money for "the experience". There is still a lot of stalking to be had for either no cost, the odd bag of venison or a reasonably-priced lease. I can personally evidence each of these options within the last couple of years.

There are also now some incentive schemes to provide a reasonable reward for the stalker's efforts.

Edit: Shabz is also correct regarding the forestry leases.

 

[homer]

Horses for courses really. Same with everything in life, you can go and buy a ford fiesta, or if you have the money, a lamborgini!
If its too much for your budget, look elsewhere. As someone has already said, it costs an absolute fortune to keep an estate running now, so profit wise, there may not be much made at that price.

 

[Rafter]

For 15k NZD you could fly 2 guys to NZ and shoot a reasonable stag on paid hunts, or as many as you can for free on public land. You won't have a ghillie telling you how awesome you are, but it will probably be memorable nevertheless.

 

[kieran222]

The "Scotland has a deer problem" is only relevant if you have ground to shoot on. If you haven't then you have to pay to shoot on someone else's land. I could see that price being justified, if the accommodation, location and stag quality were good. I wouldn't be interested myself but I would probably have had an idea before requesting a price that it wouldn't be what I would want. They will probably have plenty of Americans to pay for those hunts, £3.5k each wouldn't be extortionate for some.

What would you have thought would be a reasonable price?

If you are looking for value, book your stalking on here and your accommodation separately.

 

[HonestJohn]

There’s no deer problem in Scotland, there’s a deer problem in England though . instead of estates becoming re wilding, carbon capture, and throwing up stupid little glamping pods everywhere, I think it’s good if they can pull in high paying customers to make the traditional
Model stick a little longer. Ok, maybe not for the common man, but does it have to be? A fully inclusive trip to the dark continent isnt exactly for the common man either.

 

[Rutland lad]

We all have opinions and I understand them totally.
I have a friend who wears a £15 Biden watch who ribs another friend mercilessly about his £10,000 Rolex.
Both do the job, one feels quality and tells the time, the other just tells the time.
I understand both points of view.
The ‘experience’ bit I get too, but for me personally, I feel the price is rich. That is all.
My wife would point out the motorbikes I have in the garage and tell me I can’t ride more than one at a time. But she doesn’t understand……

 

[nic531]

Not all of Scotland has a deer problem. the price imho is way too much at face value for the offer. Everything is going up in price so estates are increasing prices each year massively. It wasn't uncommon to get a great estate stag for £4-450 around 2021/22 and cheap accommodation so 2 days great stalking for £1000-1100 if one were so inclined. Stalking is moving away from the common man again as we are being priced out.

as you say "and cheap accomodation". I imagine that the accommodation at this place is not on the cheap end of the scale.
I cannot have a go at someone in business offering a deal that someone is willing to pay. I beat on a commercial shoot that is not one of the 'big' shoots but we have people that are willing to pay to travel from Europe to shoot pheasants there at a price far above what I would be willing or able to pay. Still cannot knock them for it though, if that is what they want to spend their money on.

 

[Freeforester]

We all have opinions and I understand them totally.
I have a friend who wears a £15 Biden watch who ribs another friend mercilessly about his £10,000 Rolex.
Both do the job, one feels quality and tells the time, the other just tells the time.
I understand both points of view.
The ‘experience’ bit I get too, but for me personally, I feel the price is rich. That is all.
My wife would point out the motorbikes I have in the garage and tell me I can’t ride more than one at a time. But she doesn’t understand……

Ask her to count her feet, then her shoes…

 

[Pedro]

If they charge that and people pay that, then it's not over-charging, or simply people wouldn't pay it. Market values.

It's far too rich for me though.

 

[DMc88]

I don't think it is.

Estates have always charged big money for "the experience". There is still a lot of stalking to be had for either no cost, the odd bag of venison or a reasonably-priced lease. I can personally evidence each of these options within the last couple of years.

There are also now some incentive schemes to provide a reasonable reward for the stalker's efforts.

Edit: Shabz is also correct regarding the forestry leases.

I know there are opportunities to stalk for free, I do this myself in exchange for pigeon/fox control and favours from good friends. However, it's not really free as the amount of money I spend on rifles, equipment, pick up, qualifications etcs mounts up to a very sizeable amount but in my eyes its worth it because I stalk at every chance I get.
For clarifications I mean the common man who wants to go and shoot a stag a year and maybe some Roe bucks etc. the common hobbyist/would be more serious recreational shooter is priced out and put off by the costs now. Estates have been expensive in the past but many were reasonable as I say.
Completely agree with Shabz with the forestry leases and syndicates. Local lads can't get a look in on many places because again bought out by the 2 a year crew.

 

[Heym SR20]

So, what does a night at decent hotel cost. £200?

Decent meal. £50

What do you earn in a day. A guide is not doing it for free. 10 to 12 hours in the day. Plenty of time doing stalking related stuff for the client that is not being seen by the client.

Costs of running vehicles

Etc etc etc

On the flipside plenty of hunters are doing proper jobs, running companies or are professionals earning monies plying their own trade. For them going hunting is a “holiday” experience. It’s their means of escape and relaxation.

And offering these sorts of experiences allows land owners and stewards of the countryside to recoup some of the costs of maintaining wild habitats for benefit of wild species that we hunt.

Do you like wild spaces? Do you like shooting deer, phaesants, ducks, grouse etc etc.

Indeed are you employed to enable such activities. The only reason we still have as many wild places as we do is thanks to hunting.

The alternative land uses are not particularly attractive. Yes, there is a fashion for rewilding, principally driven by tech gerks trying to greenwash their businesses, but money is seeing through that.

Alternatives are extractive industries and energy.

Drive over the A68 on Soutra Fell just south of Edinburgh. 20 odd years ago that was Grouse Moor - highly productive. Now its windfarms are far as the eye can see with plenty more on the way. The only thing that land produces are a few sheep, and lots of £££ for offshore investors in Energy.

 

[TringSaint]

I’ve had this land in my inbox following a enquiry earlier in the year. In order to allow the Estate some protection, I’ve removed a couple of identifying words.
I’m just asking if the membership think this is value for money bearing in mind that currently in Scotland, the deer are apparently an issue, and I believe the Estate would get paid for each carcass by the Scots Government.
Your thoughts are welcome.





Good evening from the Isle of ……….

I am delighted to share that ……………… will be welcoming guests once again this season.

We are pleased to offer a 3-night, all-inclusive stay for two hunters, including two full days of guided stalking with four stags included, at the special rate of £6,995.

Availability for this exclusive offer is limited, and bookings will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

If this opportunity is of interest, I would be delighted to provide further details or discuss available dates.

Kind Regards,

I bet the offer is limited! Limited to those with more money than sense!