Wanted: Stalking taster

[Joe1954]

I've have wanted to try deer stalking for years but due to work and family commitments, never had the chance, time or finances.
I've just retired after 54 years and am on state pension, so money is tight. Does anyone do a taster session around North Derbyshire that I could do, to find out if I'm capable of doing stalking before I buy equipment for stalking and pay out for a DSC 1 course. I have a slight disability

 

[bottletopbill]

Stick with it as I did there will be some one willing to help you.
Good luck and enjoy your stalking I started at 65yrs old never to late.
(loving it)

 

[75]

Speak to John at Thoresby (FB - Nottinghamshire Deer Stalking) - lovely bloke, used to novices, fabulous ground and you WILL see deer.

ps. I'm not far away I guess if I can help

 

[Rookandrabbit]

@Joe1954 I don’t know if you are located nearby but I have found Mike Dickinson from the Calton Moor Ranges to be a great guy. He has his own “100 m tunnel range” and also does deer stalking outings.
I have a problem with my spine and find prone shooting very difficult but Mike is a very skilled countryman who will get you onto the deer! Good luck and best wishes Rookandrabbit

 

[bottletopbill]

See our great this site is in helping each other

 

[Joe1954]

Speak to John at Thoresby (FB - Nottinghamshire Deer Stalking) - lovely bloke, used to novices, fabulous ground and you WILL see deer.

ps. I'm not far away I guess if I can help

Thanks for the information. Can't find him on FB

 

[75]

Thanks for the information. Can't find him on FB

I've PM'd you the details

 

[Tim.243]

See our great this site is in helping each other

How was your stalk Bill as there are a lot of deer around?

 

[bottletopbill]

The stalk was great saw plenty of deer and had plenty of chance's at least 5.
But being novice did not load on no 1 shot on no2 shot deer heard the bolt as loading.
Then missed the next three .
Checked the net and they say zero at 25yards my rifle was zeroed at a 100yds.
Ruger 243 100g Winchester

So now really P off and angry at my self .
Let the stalker down he must have thought what a old c--t

 

[Tim.243]

The stalk was great saw plenty of deer and had plenty of chance's at least 5.
But being novice did not load on no 1 shot on no2 shot deer heard the bolt as loading.
Then missed the next three .
Checked the net and they say zero at 25yards my rifle was zeroed at a 100yds.
Ruger 243 100g Winchester

So now really P off and angry at my self .
Let the stalker down he must have thought what a old c--t

What happened to your training Bill did it not kick in...?

 

[bottletopbill]

Still trying to find a venue have asked many village halls and my gun club but not had any reply's yet.
One guy is trying to help find a venue as well.
So not giving up yet a few years ago had lots of as halls as a youth worker but all used as a nursery unit now

 

[Tim.243]

Still trying to find a venue have asked many village halls and my gun club but not had any reply's yet.
One guy is trying to help find a venue as well.
So not giving up yet a few years ago had lots of as halls as a youth worker but all used as a nursery unit now

No you dsc1 training as you said you went through it ok?
Why did miss the other 3 deer?

 

[bottletopbill]

DSC1 shooting went through on the first attempt (luck) with the instructors rifle
Tim I looked on the net about zeroing my Ruger m77 243 using 100g Winchester rounds.
It said you should zero at 25y my rifle was zeroed at 100y.
Tim what would you say zero at as wont be shooting further than 200yds and they stated at 25yds is good up 300yds

 

[Tim.243]

DSC1 shooting went through on the first attempt (luck) with the instructors rifle
Tim I looked on the net about zeroing my Ruger m77 243 using 100g Winchester rounds.
It said you should zero at 25y my rifle was zeroed at 100y.
Tim what would you say zero at as wont be shooting further than 200yds and they stated at 25yds is good up 300yds

I would just go to the range and get them on the money at a hundred.
What is says is not what you need !! in the bull at a hundred.

Why did you not check it before you went?

 

[Donkey Basher]

Zero 2” high at 100 yards & you’ll have no issues just taking the usual point of aim on deer anywhere out to about 230 yards with that combination.

 

[bottletopbill]

Last time i took it out it worked ok fitted a scope and this time it was rubbish.
As this was a quick stalk i did not get time to recheck it.
But out tomorrow and will zero it at a 100yds
Good learning curve for me. 2inches high

 

[Stalker62]

But being novice did not load on no 1 shot on no2 shot deer heard the bolt as loading.
Then missed the next three .

@bottletopbill

Whilst I applaud your honesty in this post; the fact that you (and your Stalker) then went on to take three shots at live deer, without stopping to check your rifle/scope is disappointing.

I hope you get your rifle zeroed correctly, and enjoy your next outing, whilst being properly prepared.

 

[sikamalc]

No disrespect, but the guide should have at least asked you to load the rifle and safety catch on before getting too close to the deer. Also what scope and mounts do you have on the rifle.
Again no disrespect, but I've had clients turn up with a 308 or similar with a scope only suitable for a .22 or air rifle, and then wonder why the scope wont hold centre.

 

[bottletopbill]

Hi folks the guide told me to load and put the safety on but i only had loaded two bullets and the top chamber was empty.
The stalker as seen me use this rifle in the past on two occasions and kill a deer on each occasion all deer run wild and my first was shot in ten minutes.
On the second it took a bit longer one hour.
My scope mounts are 5 on the front and 6 on the back mount as directed by Ruger manual.
The scope is a Swarovski scope and is checked by them in Surrey.
But I zeroed at twenty five yards as the big webb said to do.

So folks it was the webb and me that got it wrong as as you seen so many people all have a different way to zero.
That is why i was asking who does what at zero and distance

Guy's out tomorrow on my perm shooting 100yds 2inch high at targets only.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Hi folks the guide told me to load and put the safety on but i only had loaded two bullets and the top chamber was empty.
The stalker as seen me use this rifle in the past on two occasions and kill a deer on each occasion all deer run wild and my first was shot in ten minutes.
On the second it took a bit longer one hour.
My scope mounts are 5 on the front and 6 on the back mount as directed by Ruger manual.
The scope is a Swarovski scope and is checked by them in Surrey.
But I zeroed at twenty five yards as the big webb said to do.

So folks it was the webb and me that got it wrong as as you seen so many people all have a different way to zero.
That is why i was asking who does what at zero and distance

Guy's out tomorrow on my perm shooting 100yds 2inch high at targets only.

Why wouldn't you just do a search on here for zero distance? There's all the info you will likely ever need on here somewhere, it's just a matter of finding it.

Zero at 100, not an inch high. Then shoot at 200 then 250 and watch bullet impacts and see how low it is. 25 yards to get on paper I can understand but to then not recheck at 100+ is quite poor in my opinion.