Office Hours Stalking

[Yokel Matt 918]

As the title says is it worth stalking during the day? It know its generally accepted that the best times to stalk are around dawn and dusk but the walls have been closing in recently and I need to get out…

 

Does anyone have any luck stalking between office hours?

[Mr_Logic 5]

Every now and then. Chances are better either end of the day though, but you still get a walk in the country, so why not go anyway? Always pop off a few bunnies if there's nothing else doing!

[wireviz 8]

Deer are not actually Dawn and Dusk Creachers in the norm and are certainly more active at night ,Any one that has done any lamping will tell you that . But that makes it more likely to see them at the times nearest night . But they need to eat and pass food through there gut if not it will gas up and can be very uncomfortable for them so with regards roe deer there will be a feeding cycle of about 3-4 hours and it is these short spells of feeding were you might be lucky to catch one out feeding. ps this is not the best time for roe deer buck as they are now in the well known quite period were they are busy gathering fats for the on coming winter.

[Yokel Matt 918]

Cheers for the reply fellas – I’ve not been stalking during the day before although I have seen roe about at some odd times. I think I’ll have a crack tomorrow afternoon - You’re right that the bucks will probably be resting up but I might get lucky.

[Gimli 0]

I've shot my last three muntjac, a fallow and a CWD between 11.00 and 1600.

 

Always worth a try.

[Guest Fireball]

keep yourself focused and restrain yourself from none target species like popping a few Bunnies off on the way round especially if the conditions on your FAC restrict you from using it on vermin. Which most Deer calibre`s will have restrictions.

The last thing you want to be doing is churning up your stalking ground especially if its only a small place

 

Here`s a couple of mid day staggies that got whacked last season..

 

 

Edited August 24, 2009 by SportingShooter

[Mr_Logic 5]

You can decide if you want to shoot the odd rabbit; recent ACPO Guidelines on Shooting of Lesser Species allow you to take fox and rabbit with your stalking rifle, should you so wish and regardless of your FAC condition.

[Yokel Matt 918]

To be honest it’s never occurred to me to shoot rabbits with a stalking rifle – especially with ammo with ammo for a 6.5x55 running at over £35 a box! I keep an open mind about fox’s, I wouldn’t go out of my way for one if I was after deer but if it’s in the wrong place at wrong time it’ll have some Cheers for the feedback – goes to prove the books aren’t gospel

 

The weather looks to be better than expected – fingers crossed…….

[Guest Fireball]

You don't half write some shite Logic. I mean who the feck would want to control Rabbits with a Deer calibre

That in its self just shows how much of an uneducated Deer stalker that you really are..

I must agree Local it`s starting to be an expensive game running the larger centerfire`s especially when there`s a couple of keepers wanting you out foxing at night.

I`m starting to miss the old Fireball and i ain't even started of the foxes yet.

Let us know how you get on with the day time stalking local

[Mr_Logic 5]

Remind me where I said anything about controlling rabbits with a deer calibre? I said about if he's out and there's nothing much doing, he could shoot a couple... It's a bit different. And as for cost, reload. Then it ain't 35 quid a box, more like about 8 quid. Which is much easier.

[IanB 0]

Fireball you are one obnoxious f****r, you get everyones backs up, for some apparent reason.... Whats the score with the constant reiteration about reds and stalking prowess??? Seems you have some type of serious issues with yourself as a person never mind others..

[coldweld 65]

Mr Logic remember not every one is in a position to reload as you know yourself so the post of £ 35 a box is correct .

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

With pressure on deer at dawn and dust then daytime is a very viable time mate.The deer on my ground are active 24/7as i dont pressure them at any one time .Roll on the doe season i say

[Mr_Logic 5]

Mr Logic remember not every one is in a position to reload as you know yourself so the post of £ 35 a box is correct .

I'm not doubting that £35 is the common price now, though it does take the piss! My point was aimed at Furball - I am quite happy to knock over the odd bunny if it's a quiet day - don't get out too often after the deer so if there's sod all going I'll have a pop at what there is to shoot.

 

Obviously, only after I've spent quite a while verifying that there really is nothing doing.

 

Although, that said, I knocked over a roe the other night having just zeroed the rifle so they weren't too worried about the noise...

[Yokel Matt 918]

I totally agree that £35 is a piss take – they were £25 this time last year and they made my eyes water at that price. I agree that home loading is the way forward with this caliber and I’ll get round to it eventually.

 

Yesterday was eventful… I scored a couple of extra field’s permission mainly comprising of a knackered bean crop with 2nd generation rape mixed in. The crop was right up to the hedge row so it was bloody noisy to walk through and I bumped a few does – my wellies filling up with rape seed in the process. I tried the buttolo on the edge of a copse on the off chance and a dog fox popped out which I shot – he was right up against a strand of wire which the bullet clipped near cut him in half. I waited there for the afternoon as I had quite a good view of the surrounding area but only saw a few long distance does.

 

I saw a deer at about 70 yards against a hedge on the way back to the car but the light was fading fast and I couldn’t quite make out the sex as it was partially obscured by overhanging branches. It later turner out to be a young buck but by the time I identified him I was wrong footed on a new ploughed field and I didn’t fancy a rushed shot in fading light - Sods law when I got back to the car (parked in a field of stubble) and turned the lights on there was a young 4 pointer staring at me. Next year maybe.

 

I guess earlier in the season I’d have had more chance of a buck at this time of day as deer are about but as has been said they are very elusive after the rut. Looking forward to the doe season.

Edited August 26, 2009 by Local