Where to go for a big red stag?

[Silvius]

Since I was a boy I have wanted to have a set of big red deer antlers -12 points or so- up on the wall. It has been an ambition for long enough that I don't think it is going to go away and I am now starting to think that to me it is not a worthless desire either.

However there are no red deer in my local area, so I know I am going to have to pay for this one and pay a lot too. I would like to get value for money on the experience. By this I don't necessarily mean the cheapest price but "something value for money". For example popping down to my local deer park, sitting in a high seat and coming away with a massive head for a relatively low cost would not fit the bill because it wouldn't be a "real enough" hunting experience for me. However, going up to highland Scotland and taking one of their finest stags off the hill would not fit the bill either as it would just be too much money to take one of the very best stags in a classic location where stalking is in high demand and people will pay a lot for the privilege. It would be a great hunting experience in a beautiful area but I am not in the class of people for whom this is value for money.

So I am wondering what members here might recommend to someone looking to take a 12 point wild stag. I expect it needs to be an area where 12 points is nothing too unusual, where everyone is not queuing to go but where the guides are good and the hunting itself is going to be memorable but not so difficult as to be likely to require a great number of days of effort which will all pile on the cost. What are members' thoughts please? Lowland UK or Europe? What sort of money to expect to pay and even any names to approach please?

 

[big ears]

Speak to Richard Jackson (Devon Deer on here) he’s a top bloke and regularly has big Devon stags on his land. He won’t rip you off, is great company but you will need to be fit as those Devon hills are not easy!


BE

 

[norma 308]

Got mine from Euston! Thetford

 

[CarlW]

Since I was a boy I have wanted to have a set of big red deer antlers -12 points or so- up on the wall. It has been an ambition for long enough that I don't think it is going to go away and I am now starting to think that to me it is not a worthless desire either.

However there are no red deer in my local area, so I know I am going to have to pay for this one and pay a lot too. I would like to get value for money on the experience. By this I don't necessarily mean the cheapest price but "something value for money". For example popping down to my local deer park, sitting in a high seat and coming away with a massive head for a relatively low cost would not fit the bill because it wouldn't be a "real enough" hunting experience for me. However, going up to highland Scotland and taking one of their finest stags off the hill would not fit the bill either as it would just be too much money to take one of the very best stags in a classic location where stalking is in high demand and people will pay a lot for the privilege. It would be a great hunting experience in a beautiful area but I am not in the class of people for whom this is value for money.

So I am wondering what members here might recommend to someone looking to take a 12 point wild stag. I expect it needs to be an area where 12 points is nothing too unusual, where everyone is not queuing to go but where the guides are good and the hunting itself is going to be memorable but not so difficult as to be likely to require a great number of days of effort which will all pile on the cost. What are members' thoughts please? Lowland UK or Europe? What sort of money to expect to pay and even any names to approach please?

Don't rule out a day or two on the stags in the Highlands. Likely to be cheaper than Europe.

 

[jer]

I don’t know why you think Scotland will be expensive, look around and you will find very good value for money and in my opinion Scotland offers the best experience. You may not get a trophy as heavy as some European stags but the experience will be awesome.

 

[bullet chucker]

I have taken some big stag's in Devon, if your given a contact you would be well advised to check it out for sure!

BC.

 

[Uncle f]

East anglia for mine

 

[ruger54]

Jim Riley at DGVM best experience to be had plenty of Red and nobody willing to shoot them highly reccomended

 

[Silvius]

Thank you for the replies guys. If you can give any rough indications on price, it would be appreciated. I know its not going to be cheap but I don't want to start talking to people and end up time wasting if they cost a lot more than I was expecting. Thanks.

 

[ruger54]

Jim Riley fee was £85 for stalk Red deer 10 points and over £50 per point but you might need to check if prices have gone up just got back myself this week stalk fee was still the same

 

[User00003]

Should be able to find an old cull royal on the Scottish hill for under £750, guide included.

 

[Silvius]

Thanks Ruger 54. Those prices seem fine to me. It looks like a good deal. Devon is nearer me and I like Devon. I have asked Richard to call me if he gets any availability. However he warns me it can be a bit hit and miss as to whether the deer are on his ground and his ground is really best in the rut, so I might yet hedge my bets and go to your guy too.

But what would I then do with two sets of antlers, in the unlikely event that I were lucky with both stalkers? The wife is not fond of my roe bucks, one red will be quite enough strife! Maybe I should call your guy if the rut does not yield anything in Devon?

Thanks PKL. I had not realised Scotland could be so reasonable. Its certainly an experience I would like to have one day at that price.

 

[Tulloch]

Since I was a boy I have wanted to have a set of big red deer antlers -12 points or so- up on the wall. It has been an ambition for long enough that I don't think it is going to go away and I am now starting to think that to me it is not a worthless desire either.

However there are no red deer in my local area, so I know I am going to have to pay for this one and pay a lot too. I would like to get value for money on the experience. By this I don't necessarily mean the cheapest price but "something value for money". For example popping down to my local deer park, sitting in a high seat and coming away with a massive head for a relatively low cost would not fit the bill because it wouldn't be a "real enough" hunting experience for me. However, going up to highland Scotland and taking one of their finest stags off the hill would not fit the bill either as it would just be too much money to take one of the very best stags in a classic location where stalking is in high demand and people will pay a lot for the privilege. It would be a great hunting experience in a beautiful area but I am not in the class of people for whom this is value for money.

So I am wondering what members here might recommend to someone looking to take a 12 point wild stag. I expect it needs to be an area where 12 points is nothing too unusual, where everyone is not queuing to go but where the guides are good and the hunting itself is going to be memorable but not so difficult as to be likely to require a great number of days of effort which will all pile on the cost. What are members' thoughts please? Lowland UK or Europe? What sort of money to expect to pay and even any names to approach please?

If you have your DSC, I can organise either an unaccompanied stalk with the chance to shoot a Royal and keep the trophy for as little as £350 plus VAT up here in the highlands so you will get both the experience and the chance of taking a trophy for no extra cost . If you do not have your DSC I can arrange guided also for around £550 plus VAT again In Scotland. Trophies are more common than you think and as I am not a trophy hunter I have sawn off antlers of many a royal or given them away. So why pay thousands for the chance when either way there is no guarantees.

 

[NickJ]

If you want the hill experience but a Royal the Lake District is as good as anywhere, I will PM you some options.

 

[lochty]

Stags in Scotland vary from £400 to £750 per day. You would have to factor in accomodation as well. Some places to search for are Mar Lodge and Invercauld in Deeside, or Atholl Estates or Drummond Estates in Perthshire. The latter two would almost certainly operate with ponies as well, so if it's a memorable experience you are after, that might be worth considering.

 

[Silvius]

Thanks Tulloch. It would be very exciting to stalk unaccompanied in the highlands and the experience of taking any deer of any size alone in the open hills would be very satisfying. I do have DSC1 but I am a lowland woodland stalker and I think I would benefit from a lesson in hill stalking before heading out on my own unless I was just going out on a cheap cull hunt where I could afford the high risk of returning empty handed. Where are you located please? Also what are your very rough % chances of success please per accompanied stalk for a big stag -perhaps based on last year's records? Probably its further than I was hoping to travel but I am still interested to hear about what you are offering because I certainly want to do it one day. Thanks.

 

[Freeforester]

Sorry to Hijack - Can someone point me to where in the river I can catch a fifteen pound fish, willing to pay up to £20 for a day permit, thanks!

 

[CarlW]

Thanks Tulloch. It would be very exciting to stalk unaccompanied in the highlands and the experience of taking any deer of any size alone in the open hills would be very satisfying. I do have DSC1 but I am a lowland woodland stalker and I think I would benefit from a lesson in hill stalking before heading out on my own unless I was just going out on a cheap cull hunt where I could afford the high risk of returning empty handed. Where are you located please? Also what are your very rough % chances of success please per accompanied stalk for a big stag -perhaps based on last year's records? Probably its further than I was hoping to travel but I am still interested to hear about what you are offering because I certainly want to do it one day. Thanks.

Don't be offended, but it is starting to sound like a deer park might be the way forward for you on this particular goal.

I promise it is not meant unkindly.

Best,

Carl

 

[Silvius]

Hi Carl,
I know from reading many of your other posts that you are a very polite and kind man, so I will take it the right way from you.

I think every individual has different motivations, experience and constraints both in time and money. I think it is wise to apply due diligence to any offer for what is an expensive purchase, particularly if that offer is made for using techniques about which one is not knowledgeable.

"Go where the game is" about the best rule of hunting I know. It is reasonable to enquire how much game there is about by asking about past success rates, particularly when for me it would mean travelling to the other end of the country to have a go. £350 plus VAT is a lot to pay for one stalk and like I say I have not stalked open hill country before, so I might do well to pay the £550plus VAT once or twice to avoid doing something dim from inexperience. £550 plus VAT is a very cheap rate to pay to shoot a big stag but one wants to know what the chances of getting a shot at such a stag are. Go out twice at £550 plus VAT and you are looking at £1320 plus considerable travel and lodging. At that point a guy down south who is charging say £100 or so for the outing plus a larger trophy of say £700 if you get one is looking like a better bet for me in my personal location and circumstances. I get to go for 6 stalks with him for £600 and I don't have to travel as far.

I am not looing for a canned hunt. If, however, I want a real hunt, I must be prepared to accept a real chance of failure. It is wise to seek some understanding of that chance before committing to travelling a great distance and paying a large amount of money per attempt to do something at which I am not experienced. Low outing cost and higher trophy fees are a fairly low risk approach where one should still do due diligence to make sure the stalker has actually got the game on his land some of the time but it is especially is wise to enquire in more detail about high outing costs.

 

[foxdropper]

You will gather from some of my posts that I’m not polite nor do I talk **** ,just say it as it is .
I’ve read this with a bit of restraint mate but here goes .
Hunting ,stalking whatever isn’t a100% guaranteed type of pastime but you seem to need that end result more than most people I know but at the same time I think your angle is to maybe try for an invite so you don’t have to dip into the funds .
For my part ,the travelling to unknown lands is all part of the reason why I love it but the end result has never been the driving force .
Like Carl says get yourself to a deer park ,rattle the bucket and get it off your chest because I don’t think stalking is your forte or your passion either and just as an aside mate ,grow a pair and tell the missus what the decor is going to be an stop pussy footing about ,it’s embarrassing .
Ps ,this life isn’t a trial for the next ,before you know it your having your arse wiped in a care home and that wedge being spent on nappies so spend it while can and your health allows it .