Should the Youth get into deer stalking ???

[Fireflytk]

This ain’t a thread to source info like my previous one but one of curiosity, what do older deer stalkers and other closely related professions think of younger people getting involved in the sport ( or hobby I don’t know what you would call it ) I would like to know just to have an understanding. What do you think ?

 

[CAVHUNT]

I'm probably more ancient than older but I'll respond for my part of the world.
Young people are a desirable addition to our ranks but seem to lack patience for stalking and "sit and wait" ambush type hunting. Instant action/results are important to them. Heads in their phones is a negative.
Sport/hobby? Nup...neither of those. The correct term is "lifestyle". Hunting is not just something we do but rather a way of life.
Your questions are welcome. You might learn something.

 

[Roedeer 1962]

Patients is needed but the younger generation don’t seem to have it all but a few

 

[Hawshill]

From what point of view? The individual youth or for the good of the sport/profession?
I think the answer to both is yes. There is a perception that the youth of today are lazy, glued to their phones and unable to communicate effectively in real life. From my limited experience this is partly true, depends on the individual. Being out in the great outdoors counters two of these things - it could be argued that stalking isn’t great for building communication skills but one does have to engage with landowners, guides etc. The other thing often cited as an issue in the younger generations is mental health- no surprising given the above points. A lot of these issues stem from not living in the moment or ‘mindfulness’ in modern terms. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels most in the moment with a rod or gun in my hand.
From the industry perspective- definitely, the burgeoning deer population isn’t going anywhere soon so we need the next generation of experienced deer managers coming through the ranks.

Jon

 

[tarponhead]

Yes, the skills set and the mindset required to become proficient are all worthwhile for the younger generations - it’s less age and more of a maturity thing. We should share and those that stick with it will reap the benefits that we older folk get. I’ve helped lots of youngsters get into angling for the same reason. Not everyone will take to it, but some patience and forbearance on our part for those new to the activity goes a long way.

 

[nocturnaldave]

Yes yes and yes! Get them involved…. Seize every opportunity to help a new person into the sport. Great for the sport and great for building thier character….

 

[AJC]

My son has been stalking with me. i'd like him to continue but will have to see how it goes. he's 12. wasn't the best start to it as the rain was horrendous all day so he was sodden

 

[nocturnaldave]

lol… character building straight out of the box!!!

 

[WalkedUp]

They definitely should, to know where their food comes from and how the land is managed.

My eldest son had is SGC granted aged 9 to be in place to apply for a coterminous renewal & grant when he reaches 14. The three of them (10, 8 & 6) do weights (1.5 - 3kg) together in the mornings to build up their upper body mass preparing for the day they can carry a gun or rifle. The eldest has shot in Africa and the middle one has his eyes on a Red stag for his first. They work with me on the post shot side, skinning and butchering but are too small currently for the anti social hours. I would love to take them each to tag along on a stalk on a winter afternoon, but as I pay for my stalking the price would be prohibitive. Sitting still for hours in a hide is something they could all do, but spot and stalk walking suits young minds and legs better.

 

[25 Sharps]

This ain’t a thread to source info like my previous one but one of curiosity, what do older deer stalkers and other closely related professions think of younger people getting involved in the sport ( or hobby I don’t know what you would call it ) I would like to know just to have an understanding. What do you think ?

All for it, the more people in the sport (shooting generally) the safer it will be going forward.

I’ve introduced several through taking them stalking, rat shooting, clay pigeon shooting or up to Bisley and I intend to keep doing so!

 

[Chris Richardson]

Yes definitely introduced several younger people over the years to shooting and stalking

 

[VSS]

Yes.
And if they've really got the enthusiasm for it there are career opportunities too, particularly given how high deer numbers currently are.

 

[maximus otter]

We desperately need new stalkers entering the pipeline:

“When we did a BASC survey of stalking members in 2006, the average age was 48, but when we did the same survey in 2020, it had risen to 55. We’ve got an ageing stalking population, that’s my concern. There are not as many youngsters coming in as I would like.”

Cull before the storm

Explore Rising Deer Numbers with Shooting UK. Shooting guides, techniques, and expert advice for game, clay, and field shooters across the UK.

www.shootinguk.co.uk

August 2022: “The average age of BASC deer stalker members is 58 years old…”

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basc.org.uk

maximus otter

 

[25 Sharps]

They definitely should, to know where their food comes from and how the land is managed.

My eldest son had is SGC granted aged 9 to be in place to apply for a coterminous renewal & grant when he reaches 14. The three of them (10, 8 & 6) do weights (1.5 - 3kg) together in the mornings to build up their upper body mass preparing for the day they can carry a gun or rifle. The eldest has shot in Africa and the middle one has his eyes on a Red stag for his first. They work with me on the post shot side, skinning and butchering but are too small currently for the anti social hours. I would love to take them each to tag along on a stalk on a winter afternoon, but as I pay for my stalking the price would be prohibitive. Sitting still for hours in a hide is something they could all do, but spot and stalk walking suits young minds and legs better.

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I’m fortunate enough to have my own ground which is great as I can take other people out who don’t and my son tags along with me.

He’s been coming along for 3 years, and loves it as well as beating, he’s itching to get his cert’s at 14.

 

[Apthorpe]

They definitely should, to know where their food comes from and how the land is managed.

My eldest son had is SGC granted aged 9 to be in place to apply for a coterminous renewal & grant when he reaches 14. The three of them (10, 8 & 6) do weights (1.5 - 3kg) together in the mornings to build up their upper body mass preparing for the day they can carry a gun or rifle. The eldest has shot in Africa and the middle one has his eyes on a Red stag for his first. They work with me on the post shot side, skinning and butchering but are too small currently for the anti social hours. I would love to take them each to tag along on a stalk on a winter afternoon, but as I pay for my stalking the price would be prohibitive. Sitting still for hours in a hide is something they could all do, but spot and stalk walking suits young minds and legs better.

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Absolutely first class parenting. I take my hat off to you (although my hat is rather inferior to your boys').

 

[Tulloch]

In my honest Opinion YES!

But they need to be told the honest truth about it. I grew up knowing what eventually I was going to get into. I spent some of my life avoiding the inevitable. That saying what's for you won't go by you, My first head Grouse keeper told me that I would be on deer one day, I didn't believe him. I preferred the Grouse work though.

Youngsters have to understand that you will never be rich, the job is uncertain and you might have to put into it more than you expect, long periods of boredom and real hard work, cold , rain and pain and no respect for doing that job.

You will meet some nice people but likewise some people that just want to really ruin your life, a lot of jealousy, but, if you take the good with the bad its worth it.

We need more stalkers, but most of all we need more people who understand the work practically but then also willing to get a real qualification in wildlife and habitat management.

So more young people definitely YES

 

[Apthorpe]

This ain’t a thread to source info like my previous one but one of curiosity, what do older deer stalkers and other closely related professions think of younger people getting involved in the sport ( or hobby I don’t know what you would call it ) I would like to know just to have an understanding. What do you think ?

Very keen om younger people getting into all fieldsports. What may not be obvious to you is that as you get older and have family and work commitments is just how little time you have for yourself and how quickly that time passes and this might be one reason why it might be hard to find older people actively and frequently helpful.

 

[Cris]

Just reading this morning that the NHS ADHD clinics are not taking new patients due to the high demand.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

My son, likes to moan that he's never been taken. No sign of actually pursuing the opportunity
My daughter - only just grown out of veganism - still hope as her boyfriend's dad is keen on wild food - not that ive been allowed to meet him.
My friend's son; vegetarian and keeps kosher, is showing an interest as the ethics appeal to him, and I think he enjoys watching his mum squirm.

Shooting, and particularly Stalking, are a bit "guild' in the UK, if you don't come from a shooting/stalking family your likelihood of getting into it is severely compromised.

I think the biggest hurdle is the widespread belief that we cant own guns. It's become so entrenched.

The second biggest obstacle is the attitude of shooters and clubs.

There is a club in North London, if you shoot gallery or small bore you will know the name.
I was invited to join by the club RFD, who is a member my 'home club' I submitted paperwork in person, after 18 months I learn that one of my referees wasn't acceptable to them.
It's now been many months since I sent new referees, they actually have a page on their website asking that applicants don't come to the club to chase up their application.
A friend of mine applied on the same day, he's now given up and joined a club at the far end of the Met line, took two weeks.

If I'd applied at age 15, I'd now be preparing to leave home to go to Uni. If it's too convoluted for a 50 something lawyer I'm hardly surprised they cant recruit teenagers.

If any of you follow the shooting pages on Facebook/Reddit you'll be familiar with the How do I start? questions, and the inevitable and tedious responses telling the prospect; they cant, its too difficult, only apply for a 22lr and wait. Ive even seen someone claim that sending updates to qualifications/experiance/good reason during one year wait will "irritate" an FEO.

If we want shooting to survive all we need to do is remove barriers to entry and recruit one person each every year for three years.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

Just reading this morning that the NHS ADHD clinics are not taking new patients due to the high demand.

Yes, the trend for self diagnosis isn't going to help.