From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Deer stalking is wonderfully exciting and a very satisfying form
of rifle sport, involving mental and physical challenges that are
often very different from those that occur in shooting inanimate
targets. Having no significant natural predators in the UK, deer
numbers must be controlled by man, and selective, informed
shooting with a suitable rifle bullet is accepted as the best and
most humane means of achieving this.
However, deer stalking is not for everyone. A significant
proportion of individuals who can happily shoot rabbits,
woodpigeons and suchlike find the stalking, shooting, gutting,
physical extraction, skinning and butchering of a much larger
mammal to be a stressful and sometimes distressing business. In
midsummer stalking for roebucks, it can also mean 3am starts for
a morning stalk, and evening returns after midnight, which
doesn't suit everyone's personal circumstances or their
constitutional disposition. There is nothing whatever to be
ashamed of in that : but these are all very important personal
factors to be settled before you go any further, or undertake any
major expenditure.
Before getting an appropriate rifle, sights, ammo and other basic
kit for deer stalking, it is wise to go on a few stalks in the
company of an experienced stalker. That way, you can see most of
what's involved in the nitty-gritty. If you decide that it's not
to your liking for any reason, it has only cost you a little
time.
If deer stalking does takes your fancy, then a good first step is
to carry on with outings in the company of your stalker friend,
watching and learning as you go. He will eventually offer you the
chance to take a shot or two, and you can legally use his rifle
for this, thanks to a useful legal provision that now allows
this.
Still keen? Then look up www.swanhillbooks.com on the web - they
publish most of the best UK stalking books - and get them from
your local library. Read as widely as possible. Investigate other
websites such as www.deer-uk.com and www.sportingrifles.com .
Get details of stalker training and certification courses from
the British Deer Society, BASC and the various private
enterprises that advertise in the Classified Ads of Shooting Times
etc. The really good news is that there are masses of
publications and other sources of practical advice and training,
and actual stalking opportunities, for the newcomer to stalking
in 2000 - which was not the case when I started in the
mid-1960s.
Good luck!
Colin
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