So the time came for the annual trip to hunting Scotland on the reds, I say annual but the last time we went was December 2020 but then again even with the best intentions covid scuppered the plans!
I set off early morning from Cardiff to Bristol as we are making our way up to Lairg, Inverness. With a car carrying 3 of us, 2 dogs, rifles and equipment it’s cosy to say the least but with good company and a good dose of **** taking, the journey goes quick.
That evening we meet up with James of NewAvon Arms and fellow stalkers for a meal. James is our guide so sets out the plans and options for the next few days ahead. There’s 2 of us shooting, myself and my mate Tom so we decide to take it in turns you shoot, I shoot agreed. Also in our party is jamie who is coming along for the company and experience of highland stalking.
The plan is to stalk woodland blocks- I say woodland but in reality more forestry- on the flat and on hills. Some reds and sika have been spotted so the air of excitement and expectation rises. Permits are in place for the stags as well so anything is game, in the back of my mind I’m thinking I might be in for taking a highland sika stag. I’m not particularly interested in red stags but definitely sika. Don’t ask me why as I don’t honestly know- maybe it’s the elusiveness, maybe it’s the scowl and ‘don’t f*ck with me’ look… who knows but it’s definitely top on my stalking bucket list… I can only but imagine at this point.
Anyways we’re geared up with 308’s with 150g ammo so not leaving much to chance.
Day 1
Early start and the flip of a coin decides that Tom is shooting first. We meet up with James who takes us into a forestry area, spying and stalking rides. First deer presents itself, sika hind, she’s far out so we attempt to get closer… unfortunately she’s gone. Walking up the tracks we stop for catch up, as we set off a red stag appears meter’s away. Unfortunately he’s quicker than Tom and takes off.
Reality sets in that we need to be quicker off the mark in these areas and expect the unexpected. Lesson learnt from the morning and we’ll be ready from here on in….
The afternoon proved to be more productive as we move to a different area. James spots a heat source on a hillside… we move in and the animal is taken with a well placed shot at 100m- A nice sika hind.
That’s one in the bag for Tom and we off to a start. We finish the afternoon off in the high seats/towers into the early evening- there’s deer around but I’m struggling to make them out through the optics so it’s a no go.
Day 2
We are back in the area we left last night and a good scan on the thermal picks up some heat sources on the hillside. The sika appear to be feeding just inside the edge of the tree line and not quite braving the open making it tricky for us. The buggers are easily spooked and aren’t making it easy for us, time for us to just go up the hill after them. James leads us on a route, again spying along the way.. at the foot of the hill 50m in front of us is a sika hind feeding out. I get on the sticks and drop her. Fair play she’s moved 15m from where she’s taken the shot proving that these sika are tough.
Up the hill we go, and see sika and red hinds . Tom’s having an off day on the rifle today- either that or he’s turned into a conservationist- so a couple of misses and we are heading back down.
The local cafe draws us in with a big fry up and a chance to dry off in front of the log burner. Several coffees and some cakes later it’s time to head off into the afternoon which lands us on day 1’s woodland area, a nice walk around through the rides and tracks proves to be beneficial as we take a hind and calf on the last night.
Today’s been a good day, we go into the evening tired but looking forward to day 3 which is unfortunately the last day.
Day 3 enables us to stalk in the morning taking the dogs out. Both GSP’s Baron & Purdy are happy to be out. There’s no real need for the dogs really but it’s nice having them out.
The morning is quiet so it’s off for a fry up breakfast at the cafe making full use of the log burner again, with coffee and cake fuelling us up for the afternoon.
We head out to where the hind was shot on day 1, driving the forestry track we spot 2 hinds. Out with the rifle and one is taken off the bank, a quick drag and gralloch and suspending the carcass for a pick up later. We’re up a short hill this time spying the hillside opposite. The hill is steep, covered in a mix of woodland and heather, James suggests we head up giving us the opportunity to see what’s on the top with the wind in our favour. We zig zag up and I’m blowing out my arse- time to give up the vapes… we push on, James making it look easy- further convincing me that he was a mountain goat in a previous life..
we make it to the top and spot a herd of reds, a deer fence makes the line of sight for the shot difficult so we move on round to an elevated position to give us the best chance. Upon taking position there’s two animals on the edge of the woodland, James confirms- two sika stags about 260m away. I set up and dial in. Very little wind, good backstop but the stag is quartered… we wait a moment before he’s broadside on. Off with the safety and a squeeze of the trigger i send a round which strikes hard just behind the shoulder. He runs and drops a good 50m away. James finds him and we drag him back to the woodland edge. What a fantastic beast, talk about right time right place and I’m delighted. A quick few photos followed by the gralloch and now the drag down off the mountain which I’ve volunteered for … my animal my drag… bucket list big tick
It’s hard work but with some much needed assistance at the end (I’m still blaming the vapes!) I’ve got the stag back to a position to be picked up.
Ready for a walk back to the car, another small herd of deer are spotted.. Tom is wanting to finish his trip on a high so is eager to take one more. We’re losing light quick so off him and James go to track down these deer. I’m cream crackered so I’m happy to wait , not a lot of time passes before I hear a shot. Tom’s taken a hind 270m across the valley and they go off for the recovery. I’m happy to stay on my side and watch them on the thermal as they go to work. Again a swift gralloch and a carcass recovery they are back in no time carrying the carcass over the shoulders.
The carcasses are recovered and we head into the evening both tired and hungry, some decent food and a nights sleep ahead.
Upon returning home I’m meeting James within a day to collect a carcass. I’m a firm believer in field to fork and am happy to spend the day butchering, I’m no chef so keep things simple and the meat is fantastic.
All in all a great trip with good friends making some long lived memories.
Thanks to James of NewAvon Arms, Bristol who put in the time and effort to get us on the animals. I can’t recommend him enough and already looking forward to the next trip.
I set off early morning from Cardiff to Bristol as we are making our way up to Lairg, Inverness. With a car carrying 3 of us, 2 dogs, rifles and equipment it’s cosy to say the least but with good company and a good dose of **** taking, the journey goes quick.
That evening we meet up with James of NewAvon Arms and fellow stalkers for a meal. James is our guide so sets out the plans and options for the next few days ahead. There’s 2 of us shooting, myself and my mate Tom so we decide to take it in turns you shoot, I shoot agreed. Also in our party is jamie who is coming along for the company and experience of highland stalking.
The plan is to stalk woodland blocks- I say woodland but in reality more forestry- on the flat and on hills. Some reds and sika have been spotted so the air of excitement and expectation rises. Permits are in place for the stags as well so anything is game, in the back of my mind I’m thinking I might be in for taking a highland sika stag. I’m not particularly interested in red stags but definitely sika. Don’t ask me why as I don’t honestly know- maybe it’s the elusiveness, maybe it’s the scowl and ‘don’t f*ck with me’ look… who knows but it’s definitely top on my stalking bucket list… I can only but imagine at this point.
Anyways we’re geared up with 308’s with 150g ammo so not leaving much to chance.
Day 1
Early start and the flip of a coin decides that Tom is shooting first. We meet up with James who takes us into a forestry area, spying and stalking rides. First deer presents itself, sika hind, she’s far out so we attempt to get closer… unfortunately she’s gone. Walking up the tracks we stop for catch up, as we set off a red stag appears meter’s away. Unfortunately he’s quicker than Tom and takes off.
Reality sets in that we need to be quicker off the mark in these areas and expect the unexpected. Lesson learnt from the morning and we’ll be ready from here on in….
The afternoon proved to be more productive as we move to a different area. James spots a heat source on a hillside… we move in and the animal is taken with a well placed shot at 100m- A nice sika hind.
That’s one in the bag for Tom and we off to a start. We finish the afternoon off in the high seats/towers into the early evening- there’s deer around but I’m struggling to make them out through the optics so it’s a no go.
Day 2
We are back in the area we left last night and a good scan on the thermal picks up some heat sources on the hillside. The sika appear to be feeding just inside the edge of the tree line and not quite braving the open making it tricky for us. The buggers are easily spooked and aren’t making it easy for us, time for us to just go up the hill after them. James leads us on a route, again spying along the way.. at the foot of the hill 50m in front of us is a sika hind feeding out. I get on the sticks and drop her. Fair play she’s moved 15m from where she’s taken the shot proving that these sika are tough.
Up the hill we go, and see sika and red hinds . Tom’s having an off day on the rifle today- either that or he’s turned into a conservationist- so a couple of misses and we are heading back down.
The local cafe draws us in with a big fry up and a chance to dry off in front of the log burner. Several coffees and some cakes later it’s time to head off into the afternoon which lands us on day 1’s woodland area, a nice walk around through the rides and tracks proves to be beneficial as we take a hind and calf on the last night.
Today’s been a good day, we go into the evening tired but looking forward to day 3 which is unfortunately the last day.
Day 3 enables us to stalk in the morning taking the dogs out. Both GSP’s Baron & Purdy are happy to be out. There’s no real need for the dogs really but it’s nice having them out.
The morning is quiet so it’s off for a fry up breakfast at the cafe making full use of the log burner again, with coffee and cake fuelling us up for the afternoon.
We head out to where the hind was shot on day 1, driving the forestry track we spot 2 hinds. Out with the rifle and one is taken off the bank, a quick drag and gralloch and suspending the carcass for a pick up later. We’re up a short hill this time spying the hillside opposite. The hill is steep, covered in a mix of woodland and heather, James suggests we head up giving us the opportunity to see what’s on the top with the wind in our favour. We zig zag up and I’m blowing out my arse- time to give up the vapes… we push on, James making it look easy- further convincing me that he was a mountain goat in a previous life..
we make it to the top and spot a herd of reds, a deer fence makes the line of sight for the shot difficult so we move on round to an elevated position to give us the best chance. Upon taking position there’s two animals on the edge of the woodland, James confirms- two sika stags about 260m away. I set up and dial in. Very little wind, good backstop but the stag is quartered… we wait a moment before he’s broadside on. Off with the safety and a squeeze of the trigger i send a round which strikes hard just behind the shoulder. He runs and drops a good 50m away. James finds him and we drag him back to the woodland edge. What a fantastic beast, talk about right time right place and I’m delighted. A quick few photos followed by the gralloch and now the drag down off the mountain which I’ve volunteered for … my animal my drag… bucket list big tick
It’s hard work but with some much needed assistance at the end (I’m still blaming the vapes!) I’ve got the stag back to a position to be picked up.
Ready for a walk back to the car, another small herd of deer are spotted.. Tom is wanting to finish his trip on a high so is eager to take one more. We’re losing light quick so off him and James go to track down these deer. I’m cream crackered so I’m happy to wait , not a lot of time passes before I hear a shot. Tom’s taken a hind 270m across the valley and they go off for the recovery. I’m happy to stay on my side and watch them on the thermal as they go to work. Again a swift gralloch and a carcass recovery they are back in no time carrying the carcass over the shoulders.
The carcasses are recovered and we head into the evening both tired and hungry, some decent food and a nights sleep ahead.
Upon returning home I’m meeting James within a day to collect a carcass. I’m a firm believer in field to fork and am happy to spend the day butchering, I’m no chef so keep things simple and the meat is fantastic.
All in all a great trip with good friends making some long lived memories.
Thanks to James of NewAvon Arms, Bristol who put in the time and effort to get us on the animals. I can’t recommend him enough and already looking forward to the next trip.
