Who would or wouldn’t give free stalking and training to people you don't know personally through family or similar

[LarryLightFoot]

As kinda mentioned on my previous comment on this thread, I’m happy to help with building high seats, cutting rides ( got a bush whacker will travel ) and generally getting my hands dirty before any thoughts of cadging a days Stalk.
Would be happy to just shadow, look listen and learn .or learn about High Seat placement and building one/some first and in the process hopefully prove to that person that I’m reliable and trustworthy and not just another, got a gun want to shoot Deer, here today gone tomorrow numpty, before the subject of going out on a Stalk was approached .
When funds allow I will be 100% paying my way .
So if anyone in my neck of the woods South East needs someone not afraid of hard graft, handy enough on the tools to help on their perms setting up or maintaining seats or whatever then give me a shout .

 

[AGR]

I have mentored a couple of people in the past, and helped them get their FAC. All still friends keep in touch, no issues. I was and am happy to share my knowledge.

 

[Kwreid]

As a complete newbie to a rifles never mind going stalking, I'm of the ilk to first prove that I'm the right person to help by showing my enthusiasm first. I have started by joining a rifle club to learn the basics, I am paying to go on a rifle shooting and etiquette course , to help with training for DSC1, i'm currently studying for my DSC1 which is in about 6 weeks. My FAC is on the police force pile to be dealt with. I know its at least another 12 weeks. I'm keen to meet people in my local area to establish contacts, but I'm under no illusions I will just be asked to go out on a permission with anyone. I've looked into some estates within a few hours driving distance who offer deer stalking for novices and if my FAC is granted I will gladly pay to go on these on a regular basis until I feel I have suitable experience to ask other stalkers to go on a stalk.

 

[Diamonddave780]

I would and have taken people out it can be rewarding. I got introduced to stalking via a friends brother got several firsts of species too all on his permissions and me helping out with tree work , high seat making etc I was always grateful. However he let me down taking stuff off me and not paying with always an excuse or a promise to pay. He is no longer a friend and I shoot somewhere else.

 

[Dhindes]

I was offered a free stalk with a very kind member on here who took sympathy on my story of absolute failure to connect with a Roe. He gave me his time and solved my Roe problem. Needless to say I greatly appreciate it and now will do paid stalks with him.
Surely everyone appreciates it and behaves well if someone does them a favour - I certainly hope so !

 

[foxdropper]

I was offered a free stalk with a very kind member on here who took sympathy on my story of absolute failure to connect with a Roe. He gave me his time and solved my Roe problem. Needless to say I greatly appreciate it and now will do paid stalks with him.
Surely everyone appreciates it and behaves well if someone does them a favour - I certainly hope so !

You would think so mate .I’ve offered stalking to some on here who have turned up then think it’s ok to never return an invite with me knowing full well they have ground .That never gets forgotten .I’m not bitter at all

 

[KentCountryGent]

As someone relatively new to the world of shooting I've been shown genuine kindness and trust by a couple of notable people, one a neighbour of mine when I was just getting started who would always invite me out rabbiting/pigeon shooting etc. on his permission and one notable member on here who offered to take me on and teach me, allowing me to stalk and passing on his knowledge and experience, not really knowing me from Adam. They both showed real generosity, giving me a chance and I am deeply and genuinely grateful for that, and know I will always be. I've found something I absolutely love, and am really excited about one day being in the position to pass that on myself, as well as being able to invite those people out to a fruitful permission of my own.

To all those on here who have in the past taken such a punt on someone, however it has worked out, thank you.

 

[Ade8mm]

I have not read any of the above.
I am interested to know what prompted you to ask.
What I do know is that there are more than one or two on Stalking Directory who do this.
They are rightly cautious about posting same on here.

So, whilst a valid question, I strongly suggest any answers / stats you get on a public forum will be unscientific and unrepresentative .
Ade

 

[Foxyboy43]

Coming from NI where deer are few compared to the mainland, I have been both impressed and indeed humbled by the offers (most of them stalking related!) I have received from members on this site from Aberdeen to Kent and a few in-between. In turn, I have hosted a few guys at my local club to let them experience something they can no longer do back home; they are all friends now and I am the better for their friendship. That to me is the true essence of this site, a willingness to help or facilitate those perhaps less fortunate than you takes you and them a very long way Indeed.
Long may it continue.

 

[foxdropper]

Do you have any deer perm though foxy .Might influence any invite from myself

 

[Foxyboy43]

Sadly not! I do have a hill farm perm though where “deer” have been spotted - on Christmas Eve allegedly!

 

[Deermanagement]

The only people I take out that are not friends or family, help pay the lease. If I were to take them out for nothing, I'd be funding their stalking directly from my pocket. If I were a multi-millionaire or if my stalking did not cost anything, it could be different.

 

[bottletopbill]

We have two great guys who help you with deer shooting and gralloching in the south they will help any person they can.
These two people will always help others and will help them gain knowledge first hand.
So thanks for helping me

 

[Grannysmith]

Am now mentoring a young lad and enjoy it immensely

 

[muddy216]

I’m very fortunate to have access to a lot of permission. And have taken people out and still do. I have a good friend that I’m currently mentoring. Whilst I’m happy to take friends and people I personally know that’s were I draw the line

I have taken people out in the past that I didn’t know and it severely bit me on the arse. With them going to the land owner implicating that I wasn’t up to the task of managing the deer and dangerous to boot,

In be known to my guest the landowner in question was a family member and put him straight in his place. But it raised the question who I was taking out.

Never again I’m afraid

 

[bottletopbill]

This is why I and others struggle to get any help as others are F--king it up and I cant blame any one not mentoring some one after reading other comments being made.

Guys please do not judge others by these idiots

 

[bfltd0]

I was fortunate to get onto a small syndicate when a member dropped out due to age/covid illness reasons. I don't speak to the farmer, as the syndicate leader has the deer rights (he's been leading the stalking on the same ground for over 30 years). I have been told I can bring friends/family down stalking but they (rightly in my view) don't want me to bring paying guests - and frankly, I am not a professional guide, so, apart from contributing to the petrol costs(!), I wouldn't expect to charge my mates for an armed ramble in the countryside.

So I am comfortable asking friends down, as there is one degree of separation between me and the farmer. But it wouldn't be appropropriate to try to mentor a stranger on this particular permission.

Should I get my own permission in the future, with more stalking opportunities, I suspect I would have more friends popping out of the woodwork than I knew what to do with!

 

[Rutland lad]

Awkward one. Friends yes, strangers no.
Through a contact on here I was asked to help an international visitor shoot muntjac. I approached the gamekeeper and explained I was happy to take the person out and pass on any monies received.
Once they were here though, I personally felt under huge pressure to make sure they achieved their goal. I didn’t like that experience at all. The amount of money they’d spent to get here I felt every bit of it as if it was my own - and muntjac were seen, but as they found out they move quickly and are small !
In the end I asked them to leave a tip for the keeper which they gave to him personally. I expected nothing in return and frankly I was pleased not to be doing it for money !
Not an experience I’d like to repeat.
But friends - I feel no pressure at all.

 

[foxdropper]

Always thrived on pressure .Work , pleasure ,brings out the best in me .

 

[bottletopbill]

But at least you helped a fellow shooter and we all know it is only luck you may shoot or go home empty handed . My perm is like that shoot a rabbit then nothing for next two or three outings but that is shooting.