Dear All,
I find myself in the unenviable position of having to add further justification to my recent Variation Application for a .308 calibre on my FAC, hence this post, and no doubt a very common story on this forum.
I grew up with shooting as my 85 year old father was involved on local shoots, and has just started his 71st year of beating (man and boy!), and that is where my interest began. I have been a vermin shooter for many years, both with shotguns and rifles, and am taking the next step towards deer stalking and I hope overseas hunting for varied quarry in years to come. I am nigh on 52 years old, in pretty good health, and am looking forward to a time when I can slow down on work and start to enjoy more time doing what I enjoy, and my aspirations are that that includes deer stalking and turning the products of my labour into excellent food for myself and my family.
I have stalked once before in Sussex some years ago and have recently undertaken an 8-day back country hunt in BC Canada. In terms of rifles I currently use small calibres up to .223Rem. My discussions with Kent Police have got to a point where they have not declined to issue a variation but have requested I provide some UK experience, paid stalks, mentoring, feedback etc. I have gone through an extensive process of calibre review and choice based on numerous factors and taking into account the advice of very many people, so am not seeking to change anything on that front, but some experience is required and perhaps some reference / feedback from those I manage to engage with through some paid stalking (using .308 ideally as that will add much weight to my case).
I live in East Kent so ideally I am looking for some stalking opportunities in Kent, possibly East Sussex or further afield, but ideally as local as I can find and the sooner the better. I appreciate that many stalkers offering such will be fully booked, but may perhaps have cancellations, or perhaps there is someone out there who I can engage with to provide me with some mentoring along with stalking to add some experience to my 'portfolio' to pass onto the constabulary. Connecting with an experienced mentor in my area would of course be an optimal, but I expect highly unlikely, outcome. However, nothing ventured nothing gained hence this hopeful post.
If there is anyone in the East Kent / Kent area that could advise me, point me in the right direction, or perhaps offer me some stalking and mentoring advice, then I would much appreciate a contact from you. I expect nothing for free and am keen to invest in securing the right help to get me across this first hurdle with the constabulary.
Regards,
I find myself in the unenviable position of having to add further justification to my recent Variation Application for a .308 calibre on my FAC, hence this post, and no doubt a very common story on this forum.
I grew up with shooting as my 85 year old father was involved on local shoots, and has just started his 71st year of beating (man and boy!), and that is where my interest began. I have been a vermin shooter for many years, both with shotguns and rifles, and am taking the next step towards deer stalking and I hope overseas hunting for varied quarry in years to come. I am nigh on 52 years old, in pretty good health, and am looking forward to a time when I can slow down on work and start to enjoy more time doing what I enjoy, and my aspirations are that that includes deer stalking and turning the products of my labour into excellent food for myself and my family.
I have stalked once before in Sussex some years ago and have recently undertaken an 8-day back country hunt in BC Canada. In terms of rifles I currently use small calibres up to .223Rem. My discussions with Kent Police have got to a point where they have not declined to issue a variation but have requested I provide some UK experience, paid stalks, mentoring, feedback etc. I have gone through an extensive process of calibre review and choice based on numerous factors and taking into account the advice of very many people, so am not seeking to change anything on that front, but some experience is required and perhaps some reference / feedback from those I manage to engage with through some paid stalking (using .308 ideally as that will add much weight to my case).
I live in East Kent so ideally I am looking for some stalking opportunities in Kent, possibly East Sussex or further afield, but ideally as local as I can find and the sooner the better. I appreciate that many stalkers offering such will be fully booked, but may perhaps have cancellations, or perhaps there is someone out there who I can engage with to provide me with some mentoring along with stalking to add some experience to my 'portfolio' to pass onto the constabulary. Connecting with an experienced mentor in my area would of course be an optimal, but I expect highly unlikely, outcome. However, nothing ventured nothing gained hence this hopeful post.
If there is anyone in the East Kent / Kent area that could advise me, point me in the right direction, or perhaps offer me some stalking and mentoring advice, then I would much appreciate a contact from you. I expect nothing for free and am keen to invest in securing the right help to get me across this first hurdle with the constabulary.
Regards,
