Stalking Etiquette

1. Listen to the brief and ask questions if you aren't sure what you are doing.
2. Ask questions if you THINK you know what you are doing.
3. Listen to what you are being told.
4. Don't be a clever Bggr and talk up what you think you know.
5. Don't have a skin full the night before.
6. Take your binos and use them to see what is in front and around you, stalkers appreciate an extra pair of eyes.
7. Keep the stalker between you and the deer and watch where he is going, how he is moving and where he is putting his feet.
8. If you are struggling with the terrain or not sure what you are doing, speak up.
9. If you are put onto the rifle with deer in front listen to which beast he wants you to shoot, don't get all excited and loose off at whatever is in front of you.
10. Take a gralloch knife and, if you are comfortable, offer to gralloch, or if you haven't gralloched before offer to have a go or at least explain that you are new to it and watch what he does.
11. If you grass a beast and the drag gets tough, offer to get on the drag line, or ask if he has another and act as a brake at the back.
12. Tip appropriately and express your thanks for the hard work that has gone into your success.

Most importantly enjoy the time out.
Look, listen, smell and hear what is around you, it's not just about the deer, if you keep your wits about you there is much to enjoy about a day out with the rifle.
 
Follow the stalker at a reasonable distance. Dont let him get too far ahead. Listen to how much noise he is making as he walks and try and be even quieter. If he turns round to look when he thinks you are not behind him that shows you are quiet. Always keep your head up professionals know you have had enough when you start looking at the ground. If he's driving open and shut the gates from him dont just sit with your feet up and let him do all the work. Use your binos and try and spot a deer before the pro does he will be impressed you are trying hard.
 
Gentlemen,

Thank you for all your replys I will read through them a few times and hopefully it will be retained and put to use I have to say I didn't expect so much great information.

Atb
A
 
I would add from early experience, don’t be afraid to question / double check what the stalker says. Not all are as perfect as others. One of my first stalks over clearfell, a stalker suggested I shoot a deer that was skylined, when I questioned it he said there is nothing behind but more open ground. I declined. You are pulling the trigger.
 
Guidelines for clients:

If you have any concerns discuss them asap.

Try to stay close to the guide so you can both communicate easily

If he decides to sit and watch an area, sit quietly but try to spot deer as much as he does.

Watch his dog

If a beast is presented, stay calm, act fast but smoothly. Concentrate on your crosshair before, during and after the shot(follow through) and then reload to be ready for a follow-up.

Muzzle awareness at all times. Not a nice feeling when a rifle is pointing up your @ss when crawling in on something or having to dodge a moderator as a client turns to look a different direction

Try and get on with each other and enjoy. It's good to have a laugh. One former client I had has became a really good friend

Only shoot if YOU are sure it's safe and you are confident to achieve a clean humane shot.

Dry fire practice from as many possible positions as possible.
 
Always remember , there is never ever a silly question. Something I drum into candidates for Level 1. No point in bumbling around behind the guide when you didn't understand the instructions. They will be going along thinking that when you come on a beast, you are going to deal with it just as he told you. Asking for clarification will save a bit of embarrassment and the lost chance of getting your deer...J
 
In terms of actual etiquette, a few things I didn’t fully realise at first (and probably should have):

If someone invites you stalking on their ground, you really should find a way to reciprocate.

A ghillie and a stalker are different roles, and you really shouldn’t call the stalker the ghillie.

There can be some sensitivity about dress code, and it’s a good idea to find out in advance whether an estate is ok with camo. This is rarer now, but it’s still good to be aware of expectations.

People can be sensitive about maps and boundaries. It can be considered very bad form to ask for a map, especially one with boundaries marked on. I’m not really sure why, but have seen several people get very upset about this.
 
Mungo said:
People can be sensitive about maps and boundaries. It can be considered very bad form to ask for a map, especially one with boundaries marked on. I’m not really sure why, but have seen several people get very upset about this.
Click to expand...
I can relate to that, I had a client book me once, sent his cheque, signed all the forms, provided everything I needed, perfect.
Then he asked where we would be stalking, I gave him a general area, that wasn't good enough, then I provided a grid reference, that wasn't good enough, he wanted boundaries and names of farms.
I refused, he cancelled the booking.
A potentially quick way to lose one's stalking areas.

That was a while ago, these days I often see clients way marking into their smart phones, so far it's all been ok, so far!

Cheers

Richard
 
I always thought the most important thing was to narrate every detail loudly into your recording iPhone and then post on you tube, and therefore making you an expert instantly. 👌
 
Mungo said:
I know! Shocking…

Though I have to admit to still being a bit confused about the distinctions between stalker, keeper and ghillie…
Click to expand...
Hahaha

my mate a head stalker in Scotland is all of them plus security officer for the whole estate and drop off and pick up person to the train station

when I mention “ excuse me my man could you” I never manage to get the whole sentence out before a whole charade of rude words indeed come forth across the room which means possibly NO :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
 
If you have any doubt at all about the backstop a guide presents to you, particularly where woodland is concerned, feel free to ask and question as much as you like.
And if you're not comfortable or don't want to take a shot, don't feel the least pressure to. You're expected to accept a blank day in a sporting attitude with good grace and the same applies to them if you don't want to fire for any reason at all.
 
Mungo said:
I know! Shocking…

Though I have to admit to still being a bit confused about the distinctions between stalker, keeper and ghillie…
Click to expand...

The lines between a stalker and a keeper can be a bit blurred but basically a stalker is what .it says on the tin his responsibility is to manage deer some may have other duties such as grouse and like a keeper he will be expected to control pests such as foxes and covids , I did say it could be blurred.
A keeper is more of a game bird manager/provider though in some cases his remit may also include deer but game birds will be his main task.
Oh did I mention blurred.
The Ghillie is really the stalkers servant he will do the dragging, drive the argo( other ATVs are available) probably prepare trophies and any other tasks the stalker wants him to do in some cases he may.not have an ATV but a pony now is he a Ghillie or a pony man did I mention it was blurred ,what is the difference well not all Ghillies have experience of horses an experienced pony man is an asset.
Many stalkers began life on the hill as Ghillies
and many young men take jobs as seasonal
Ghillies to gain experience in the hope of eventually landing a job as a stalker some returning year after year.
There you are clear as mud lol.
 
Maybe not etiquette….but important.
Enjoy every bit of the day from get up to lie down and everything in between.
The shot is important but the goal of all hunting is the hunt itself, not just the kill.
Take an interest in what’s going on around you and you’ll never be bored, birds, car maintenance, dogs, weather, clouds, sheep, they’re all interesting if you take the time to look.
Everything wont always go to plan, weather, accidents and just plain bad luck and misfortune will occur, learn to enjoy that too, or at least learn to endure it without ****ing and moaning. It’s all part of the experience.
Maybe one trip in ten will “click” and go perfectly.
You’re collecting a storehouse of memories and experiences on every single trip that will last a lifetime and that not too many others can rival.
You also get privileged access to lots of stunning bits of private land that most people will never set foot on. I’ve had several exclusive tours and was shown around one big house by the aristocratic owner purely because I showed a bit of interest.
Shooting and stalking are a series of journeys not a set of destinations, enjoy the tour.
 
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