Small, secretive and constantly on the move, the muntjac is a challenging quarry for the deer stalker. Little bigger than a springer spaniel, it offers a difficult target among the thick undergrowth that it prefers to live in. Although its antlers are simple things, usually not more than a couple…
Deer Stalking
Sauer 100 Pantera .308 stalking rifle
Designed as a compact, longer-range, fast-handling rifle, the Pantera — from Sauer’s Model 100 series — is equally good in the field. The manufacturer’s Model 100 rifles range from walnut-stocked classic to laminate, synthetic and camo-clad variants, but the one on test was the dual-role Pantera in .308 Win, which…
Franchi Horizon stalking rifle
With the short days you have a only small window of opportunity before the fallow feeding on the fields disappear into the woods. Get there early, stumble to the field margins quietly and hopefully, as the light improves, you will have a chance. The trouble is the fallow are wise…
Stalking gear for women – we test out Harkila’s Freja range
In Norse mythology, Freja was a warrior goddess. By naming its new woman’s stalking jacket and trousers after such a character, Härkila is making a very positive statement. Stalking kit designed for the female form isn’t always easy to find, so I was keen to review the latest Härkila offering.…
Bergara B-14 Ridge
Bergara, whose rifles are manufactured in Spain and distributed in the UK by RUAG Ammotec, has made fantastic inroads into the British shooting market. Bergara’s barrels have long been revered for their accuracy and are often used for custom rifle builds. These precision-made barrels also feature on the manufacturer’s hunting…
Five of the best binoculars
What size of binoculars would you recommend for deer stalking? Is there a good compromise that can be used for both woodland and open hill work?
Wish you were here?
View this post on Instagram 2 men and their dogs #shooting #gameshooting #fieldsports #shotgun #gameseason #countrysports #huntingseason #hunting #lovehunting #gamekeeping #gamebirds #countrylife #shooting #pheasantshooting #pheasanthunting #shotgun #sidebyside #grouse #grouseshooting #hunting📷 #grousehunting #gamekeeper #gamekeeping A post shared by Shooting UK (@shootinguk_) on Sep 27, 2018 at 11:09am PDT …
What really is ‘essential’ kit for deer stalking?
Deer stalking: I have attended a Deer Management Qualification where I noticed people coming along with all sorts of 'essential' gadgets. What would you say is really essential for someone new to stalking?
7 of the best places to stalk red stags in Scotland
Heading off to stalk red stags in Scotland is a bucket-list experience for most stalkers. One of the country’s most majestic animals, the red deer is Scotland’s largest native land mammal and one of its most sought-after sporting trophies. The majority are found in the Scottish Highlands and islands, and there is a wide variety of stalking ground…
Shooting deer near houses. Is it legal?
Deer have moved into my area and are coming into the garden, damaging plants and vegetables. How high a fence will I need to keep the little ******* out?
Remington AWR stalking rifle
I decided to try out the Remington American Wilderness Rifle (AWR) while roe stalking in Scotland, and in Argyll at this time of year you can usually count on one of two things — that it is midge ridden or blowing a hoolie with rain. Guess what? The temperature was…
How to pass your DSC1
Charles Smith-Jones tells you how to prepare yourself to pass your DSC1 and face the assessments with confidence
How to be a deer stalker
I have just passed my DSC Level 1 and want to progress and learn more about deer. Would it help if I joined one of the specialist groups and, if so, which should it be – the British Deer Society or the St. Hubert Club?
Stalking muntjac – a real sporting challenge
The diminutive muntjac deer arrived in Britain in 1900 as a plaything of the 11th Duke of Bedford who added it to his deer park at Woburn Abbey. Rumour has it that the Duke was so fond of this little species that he engineered a series of clandestine releases, driving…
English and Welsh roe review 2017 and other species
The CIC’s trophy measuring system has had another good year. Newly qualified UK measurers got into their stride throughout 2017 at home and at shows around the country. And senior members of the UK Trophy Evaluation Board (TEB) attended the International TEB in Budapest last September to assess, along with…
Mauser M12 Impact
Mauser knows what real shooters want from a rifle. The Impact is not only a premium sporting arm at a great price but its overall design of stainless-steel metalwork and synthetic stock also makes it a superb all-rounder for any game, target, weather or range. That may sound a bit…
What’s the right cartridge for red deer?
Deer stalking: I plan to get involved in deer stalking on my father’s farm and two neighbouring Estates where there are Roe, Fallow and a few Sika. Can you recommend a calibre that will cope equally well with all three species?
Should deer stalkers have to be qualified?
Soon after I accepted my first invitation to shoot in Germany, a small package arrived. Inside were the instructions and forms required before I would be allowed to join the shoot. These included letters proving insurance, in both English and German, passport photos, copies of a firearms licence and a…
2018 deer seasons
Red deer England and Wales: Aug 1-April 30 (stags) Nov 1 – Mar 31 (hinds) Scotland: July 1-Oct 20 (stags) Oct 21-Feb 15 (hinds) Northern Ireland: Aug 1-April 30 (stags) Nov 1-March 31 (hinds) Sika deer England and Wales: Aug 1-April 30 (stags) Nov 1 – March 31 (hinds)…