Stalking Solo vs. With a Friend – Which Do You Prefer and Why?

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GGC96 said:
Just curious to hear people’s thoughts and experiences on this…

Do you prefer heading out on your own, just you, and the rifle, or do you enjoy stalking with a friend , sharing the experience (and maybe the flask of coffee too)?

I’ve done both over the years, and I can definitely see the appeal of each. Solo stalking gives you that sense of total immersion, moving at your own pace, no distractions, and full focus on the task at hand. There’s something quite special about being out alone in the early mornings and late evenings. Stalking with a friend can be just as rewarding, sharing the success (or the learning moments!), or simply enjoying the day out together. Sometimes it’s just good to have the company and a second set of eyes or hands.

Obviously, there are practical and safety considerations too, especially in more remote areas or when dragging out a beast. So what’s your preference - solo, with a mate, or a mix of both? Would be great to hear any stories or reasons behind your choice
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I enjoy both. To explore the forest on my own, watching trace/tracks of animals finding them and do the final stalk. I also enjoy to bring new hunters out, or hunting a new specie for them, its a greater achievement for me to have a success with a friend than shooting one more animal of the same kind just alone. Then I hunt with my brother we go to remote areas new for us camping and hunting during the days.

In the Swedish language we mostly use hunting/jakt as the word for stalking, shooting, wildfowling and trapping. Stalking would be used for the final approach to the animal.
 
Solo, by far. Quiet time is far more relaxing. One person makes less noise and movement, so more chance of success. Also success/failure is down to me alone.

The one near exception would be a day on the hill in the highlands. I like the tradition of the stalker and am happy to support that. I also like just walking with the stalking party or helping out with the pony or dragging.

But still nothing beats shooting a red deer solo, choosing the route, crawling in right under its nose, then radioing for backup. It would be nice if more estates offered this, particularly for hinds when they are after numbers. Its only happened to me a few times on estates that I have got to know well, where the stalking party gets divided to go after two groups of deer.
 
tackb said:
i doubt it since the tourists have just been replaced by boat people!
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Not here they haven't.

(Unless you're referring to the wealthy types swanning about down at the marina? There's still a few of those about, despite the summer hols being over).
 
tackb said:
i doubt it since the tourists have just been replaced by boat people!

wales is just somewhere you need to cross to get some guiness !
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Now that is not nice. Wales is a stunning place despite what I say about N Wales (which isnt true...just funny). :)
 
Mike1979 said:
Now that is not nice. Wales is a stunning place despite what I say about N Wales (which isnt true...just funny). :)
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i know but as you say telling the truth isn't as funny !

and in my defence the welsh are not our biggest fans........... (esp at rugby...)
 
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