That was the question, as the Sika stag turned its body from five to two o clock, exposing his vitals, presenting a broadside shot. It’s the question we all ask. When is the right time to pull the trigger?
He knew we were there, in the thick wooded, muddy scrub. The beauty of the environment is that close quarters action is inevitable, and he must have only been 35 yards down the old farm track. Quick shooting is required in such environments. Identifying the animal, picking a point to put the bullet, making sure there is a back stop, making sure there isn’t an unintentional “front stop” for that matter and deciding when, and if, to shoot!
We hadn’t been stalking for long, maybe 20 minutes. This was my first Sika stag stalk; my second ever season deer stalking. We had attracted the attention of Sika hind, which came bouncing towards us across a field upon hearing the stag call. She was safe enough; it was a joy to watch her through the binoculars. Meanwhile, the stag was making his way down the thick woodland to investigate the rival that we pretended to be.
Continuing down the track, towards the thickness, we moved in to engage. The sound of a small stream covered any steps me made towards our reconnaissance point. Had we been in the trenches, we would have fixed bayonets at this point, instead I had reduced the magnification to its minimum, the modern equivalent. Big D scanned with the thermal and indicated that the beast was close. The sticks were already set, the rifle in hand. I found him in the scope staring straight at us, his body quartering to the right, I didn’t have a shot, but I knew he would turn. It was glorious to be stalking my first Sika stag.
The 4 points started to bear away, like a flying fifteen in the wind, I knew my opportunity to shoot wasn’t going to be generous. After years of foxing, rough shooting and vermin control where quick shooting and fast thinking is learnt with time and practise, I was confident when to pull the trigger. I never thought all that time shooting in west Wales would I be using the skills on Sika in Northern Ireland!
He retreated into tall reeds and grass out of sight. We gave him time. I chambered another round, grabbed the sticks and advanced towards the shot site and followed the trail of frothy blood and hair before we found him laying peacefully in an eternal sleep.
My first Sika Stag. 21/09/2026
Thank you to the lads who are involved. You know who you are.
He knew we were there, in the thick wooded, muddy scrub. The beauty of the environment is that close quarters action is inevitable, and he must have only been 35 yards down the old farm track. Quick shooting is required in such environments. Identifying the animal, picking a point to put the bullet, making sure there is a back stop, making sure there isn’t an unintentional “front stop” for that matter and deciding when, and if, to shoot!
We hadn’t been stalking for long, maybe 20 minutes. This was my first Sika stag stalk; my second ever season deer stalking. We had attracted the attention of Sika hind, which came bouncing towards us across a field upon hearing the stag call. She was safe enough; it was a joy to watch her through the binoculars. Meanwhile, the stag was making his way down the thick woodland to investigate the rival that we pretended to be.
Continuing down the track, towards the thickness, we moved in to engage. The sound of a small stream covered any steps me made towards our reconnaissance point. Had we been in the trenches, we would have fixed bayonets at this point, instead I had reduced the magnification to its minimum, the modern equivalent. Big D scanned with the thermal and indicated that the beast was close. The sticks were already set, the rifle in hand. I found him in the scope staring straight at us, his body quartering to the right, I didn’t have a shot, but I knew he would turn. It was glorious to be stalking my first Sika stag.
The 4 points started to bear away, like a flying fifteen in the wind, I knew my opportunity to shoot wasn’t going to be generous. After years of foxing, rough shooting and vermin control where quick shooting and fast thinking is learnt with time and practise, I was confident when to pull the trigger. I never thought all that time shooting in west Wales would I be using the skills on Sika in Northern Ireland!
He retreated into tall reeds and grass out of sight. We gave him time. I chambered another round, grabbed the sticks and advanced towards the shot site and followed the trail of frothy blood and hair before we found him laying peacefully in an eternal sleep.
My first Sika Stag. 21/09/2026
Thank you to the lads who are involved. You know who you are.
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