Last week I travelled to Norfolk to meet Glyn from Orion Wildlife Training after seeing a post on here about a pre DSC2 stalk. We'd spoken on the phone beforehand about my aims, and I was excited to stalk somewhere new.
After a quick zero check, we headed out for the evening stalk. There were plenty of deer about, including some stunning white fallow (sadly not in season).
Glyn's enthusiasm for the estate was infectious. Ken Hill has an active conservation and rewilding programme, with free-roaming horses, cattle and pigs, as well as a beaver enclosure. It's a fascinating place to visit in its own right.
After answering what must have been hundreds of questions from me, and following a good stalk through the woods, I soon had a couple of muntjac under my belt. Gralloching under Glyn's watchful eye, I picked up some great tips and tricks that will definitely make life easier. I always value stalking with people who have more experience—every stalk is different, and there's always something new to learn.
I shot a small doe that was slightly quartering away, and although the exit wound just caught the green, I was initially disappointed as I'm probably my own biggest critic when it comes to shooting. Glyn turned it into a valuable learning opportunity, we talked through the shot and then he showed me how to field butcher the carcass, something I had thought of but never done, and before long we had the loin and haunches in the game bag ready to take home.
As the light faded and we headed back to the larder, I was already looking forward to the morning.
I spent the night sleeping in the back of my Land Rover—far from luxurious! But with late finishes and early starts at this time of year, there didn't seem much point in booking a B&B.
We were back out at first light, with me taking the lead this time. It wasn't long before a muntjac buck presented itself, which helped settle the nerves. A little later I spotted a doe tucked into cover, and after a careful stalk she offered a chest shot and dropped on the spot. After gralloching and getting her into the game bag, we returned to the larder once more.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Orion Wildlife Training in Norfolk. It's a beautiful, diverse estate with plenty to offer, and I'd highly recommend Glyn to anyone, whether you're completely new to stalking or looking to develop your skills and prepare for DSC2. I'm already planning a return journey in November.
After a quick zero check, we headed out for the evening stalk. There were plenty of deer about, including some stunning white fallow (sadly not in season).
Glyn's enthusiasm for the estate was infectious. Ken Hill has an active conservation and rewilding programme, with free-roaming horses, cattle and pigs, as well as a beaver enclosure. It's a fascinating place to visit in its own right.
After answering what must have been hundreds of questions from me, and following a good stalk through the woods, I soon had a couple of muntjac under my belt. Gralloching under Glyn's watchful eye, I picked up some great tips and tricks that will definitely make life easier. I always value stalking with people who have more experience—every stalk is different, and there's always something new to learn.
I shot a small doe that was slightly quartering away, and although the exit wound just caught the green, I was initially disappointed as I'm probably my own biggest critic when it comes to shooting. Glyn turned it into a valuable learning opportunity, we talked through the shot and then he showed me how to field butcher the carcass, something I had thought of but never done, and before long we had the loin and haunches in the game bag ready to take home.
As the light faded and we headed back to the larder, I was already looking forward to the morning.
I spent the night sleeping in the back of my Land Rover—far from luxurious! But with late finishes and early starts at this time of year, there didn't seem much point in booking a B&B.
We were back out at first light, with me taking the lead this time. It wasn't long before a muntjac buck presented itself, which helped settle the nerves. A little later I spotted a doe tucked into cover, and after a careful stalk she offered a chest shot and dropped on the spot. After gralloching and getting her into the game bag, we returned to the larder once more.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Orion Wildlife Training in Norfolk. It's a beautiful, diverse estate with plenty to offer, and I'd highly recommend Glyn to anyone, whether you're completely new to stalking or looking to develop your skills and prepare for DSC2. I'm already planning a return journey in November.
