Red stag stalking, costs?

[wildfowler.250]

Folks, this is really one for folk who either take regular days or work on estates. What is the going rate these days for a day at the stags and how much do the prices change year on year?

I’ve shot over 4 estates in the last number of years so my experience is somewhat limited. One estate had a pay per head size type situation which seamed reasonable to some degree when you consider you could come home with a switch or a 10 point.
I’ve noticed even between two estates offering a similar day with a garron, the price can vary between £150 plus vat,(which is quite a difference). Is this likely a prestige thing on some estates? Higher running costs? Or just a bigger profit margin?
The prices also don’t seem to adjust alongside inflation. Even between years , prices seem to go up by £100 which is around 10-15% increase on previous years.

I’m not knocking what any estate can get at the end of the day. And frankly hinds can be the same day out at better value. I’m just curious really 1) what the average day rate is at the moment and 2) what are you getting on these slightly higher end costs days?

(We’re still relatively cheap compared to hunting abroad).

 

[Freeforester]

Can you possibly elaborate on the ‘bigger profit margin’ bit? Asking for a tweed jacketed friend…

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Show me an estate that's making a profit.

Regards

JCS

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Kingairloch was quoting £900 + vat for red stag stalking for the 2025 season.

 

[rem284]

I think if you are getting a day rate for £150 it's hellafa cheap.

 

[tom308w]

REMY 250 is saying the difference e between estate prices can be £150

 

[NickJ]

I'd say the average I know of this season is £800 per stag and I'd assume with forests using a garron that will be nearer £1,000

 

[wildfowler.250]

Can you possibly elaborate on the ‘bigger profit margin’ bit? Asking for a tweed jacketed friend…

Show me an estate that's making a profit.

Regards

JCS

Sorry I couldn’t have been clear with what I was trying to say. I purely meant, do you feel these estates that are charging £100 to £150 per stag more than another, are offering anything different? Ie a better service, nicer estate, more prestige, better heads?

The ‘profit’- should have said difference - of £100 is purely the difference of one place charging £800 and another £700. The net total for the year might still be a loss. I’m just trying to establish what you’re getting for the difference in prices - to me it seems quite a difference - & also what the average current rate/trend amongst estates is.

£900+vat seems high?

 

[wildfowler.250]

I'd say the average I know of this season is £800 per stag and I'd assume with forests using a garron that will be nearer £1,000

Cheers!

 

[rem284]

REMY 250 is saying the difference e between estate prices can be £150

Awk, I see

 

[Tim.243]

Sorry I couldn’t have been clear with what I was trying to say. I purely meant, do you feel these estates that are charging £100 to £150 per stag more than another, are offering anything different? Ie a better service, nicer estate, more prestige, better heads?

The ‘profit’- should have said difference - of £100 is purely the difference of one place charging £800 and another £700. The net total for the year might still be a loss. I’m just trying to establish what you’re getting for the difference in prices - to me it seems quite a difference - & also what the average current rate/trend amongst estates is.

£900+vat seems high?

It is easy to answer, just don't go and pay for shooting a stag unless you just wanted to run a thread?
It is like the wine list most pass by the Château de plonk @ 1k and have a diet coke.

 

[wildfowler.250]

It is easy to answer, just don't go and pay for shooting a stag unless you just wanted to run a thread?
It is like the wine list most pass by the Château de plonk @ 1k and have a diet coke.

That doesn’t answer much I take the odd day here and there but not every year. At least the current ball park of £800 has been suggested. I was more interested in whether folk pay slightly more because it’s say , on royal deeside or where the price variations come from

 

[HonestJohn]

I do £500 for the day on stags, anything up to 6pt is included in the price for first stag, further 6 or under £100 each and anything above is £250 each. Carcasses are included if the stalker wants them. Heads are done boiled and mounted and shipped for £175 each.

Hinds, £500 per day with unlimited culls and up to two carcasses can be kept by stalker included. Some might argue that’s expensive for hinds, but lower and it’s not worth my time. Stags (Scotland) can be shot during hinds and go at same rates as above stag rates.

I feel that’s transparent and fair pricing

 

[Tim.243]

That doesn’t answer much I take the odd day here and there but not every year. At least the current ball park of £800 has been suggested. I was more interested in whether folk pay slightly more because it’s say , on royal deeside or where the price variations come from

Save you money for Africa our deer will still be there

 

[wildfowler.250]

I do £500 for the day on stags, anything up to 6pt is included in the price for first stag, further 6 or under £100 each and anything above is £250 each. Carcasses are included if the stalker wants them. Heads are done boiled and mounted and shipped for £175 each.

Hinds, £500 per day with unlimited culls and up to two carcasses can be kept by stalker included. Some might argue that’s expensive for hinds, but lower and it’s not worth my time. Stags (Scotland) can be shot during hinds and go at same rates as above stag rates.

I feel that’s transparent and fair pricing

Seems very fair. Hinds also seem good value considering you can keep the carcass

 

[lochty]

I've just paid £600 plus vat for what will be my last stag, 20 October this year in Perthshire.

 

[wildfowler.250]

I've just paid £600 plus vat for what will be my last stag, 20 October this year in Perthshire.

This was one of the reasons I asked. There’s quite a jump between £600+ vat and £900 +vat. You’d almost squeeze a day at the hinds out of the difference

 

[Hayduke]

Being out on a mountainside in Britain's most spectacular scenery, hunting a nice stag with a ghillie, and a garron not far behind is the pinnacle of UK deer experience. These must be tough times for the estates offering this service with rising costs for everything, the bloated government agencies pushing what amounts to a 'kill 'em all' deer agenda, and over twenty years of socialists in Holyrood who care not a jot for country traditions. So it's a huge thanks to the ghillies, owners and guests for safeguarding and maintaining our culture and traditions when it matters and when so much is against them.
Pay or don't go, Id love to be able to.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Being out on a mountainside in Britain's most spectacular scenery, hunting a nice stag with a ghillie, and a garron not far behind is the pinnacle of UK deer experience. These must be tough times for the estates offering this service with rising costs for everything, the bloated government agencies pushing what amounts to a 'kill 'em all' deer agenda, and over twenty years of socialists in Holyrood who care not a jot for country traditions. So it's a huge thanks to the ghillies, owners and guests for safeguarding and maintaining our culture and traditions when it matters and when so much is against them.
Pay or don't go, Id love to be able to.

Agree with the sentiments. As I say, no harm in asking what the rough market price is from a client perspective though. It seems to change every 1-2 years,(as you would expect). I’d rather ask on here and get a ball park from folk in the know than email half a dozen estates to get a range. For me, it’s a huge difference if a day is £600 or £1000

 

[BenC]

We’re on Royal Deeside and this year have been £650+vat/stag, There’s not much in it even at higher prices when you factor in stalker, ghillie both being paid for the day and the stag being left for around 7 years plus the costs or running argos/garrons etc. i’ve always thought they’re good value even at the higher end of the pricing.