New to deer stalking

[Gez 0]

I have copied this from the newbie forum, as I wanted to introduce myself here as well. Moderators please feel free to delete this if it is inappropriate.

 

I've just joined up to the forum and thought it polite to introduce myself.

 

I'm a complete novice when it comes to shooting live quarry. I have a friend who is an instructor at a rifle range who has offered to improve my shooting,and have spent a lot of time stalking deer when i was younger, but have never shot one.

 

My uncle lives in Germany and owns the shooting rights to large areas of land with both deer and wild boar, and is high up in the local hunting committee. From a very small age he has taken me out hunting with him, starting from sitting in a high seat or hide, and as i got older moving onto actual stalking. However as we only used to visit once a year, he never got the chance to teach me to shoot well enough to take a rifle on the hunt myself.

 

I have always loved spending the time on the hunt with him, but could never really afford to get into hunting at home. However, now I'm a bit older, this has changed and my enthusiasm hasn't wained, so I thought its about time i bit the bullet (if you pardon the pun!) and took advantage of the opportunities open to me.

 

I have signed up for DSC 1 as a starting point to learn more about the different species of deer, their behaviour, identifying them, the law etc. and I am taking up my friend's offer to teach me to shoot well. After that I want to progress onto DSC 2 along with gaining my FAC, buying my first gun and hopefully making friends with and joining in with the local deer stalking community. Of course I also want to be able to hunt with my uncle, and thought that I would be best off if I could go over there and prove that I am already a competent shot have taken the time to learn everything properly, and have at least a few recorded kills under my belt in the presence of an assessor. (I can get return flights to see him for about the same as a day's guided deer stalking locally, and there we can go out as many times as I like during my stay!)

 

 

Gez

 

PS I hope nobody here takes offence at me wanting to jump straight in at the deep end so to speak. I do recognise that deer are seen by many people as the ultimate quarry, and deer stalking is not something to be taken lightly. As I explained above, I have spent a long time with my Uncle on hunts who has always drummed into me the importance of proper and ethical stalking (eg taking a sick deer rather than the prize head that is next to it), along with being sure that you only take a shot that you are confident will fell the beast with one shot. I hope I'm doing the right thing by learning about and researching the animals and the sport as much as possible, and taking the time to ensure my shooting is excellent rather than just adequate before I actually shoot a deer. Your comments, views and advice (and maybe even help) are greatly appreciated.

Edited September 25, 2008 by Gez

[SNAP SHOT 194]

Hey Gez,

I don't profess to know alot about deer stalking but i've been at it a while now, i think your going down the right route mate, building the skills with the rifle is the most important step you will take as without rifle skills nothing else matters.....So marksmanship will be your best and first skill.

once you build the confidence with the rifle you will know weather you can or can't make the shot....

Good luck with everything and i hope you enjoy the experience along the way.....

snap.

[dwighet 1]

Hey Gez,

I don't profess to know alot about deer stalking but i've been at it a while now, i think your going down the right route mate, building the skills with the rifle is the most important step you will take as without rifle skills nothing else matters.....So marksmanship will be your best and first skill.

once you build the confidence with the rifle you will know weather you can or can't make the shot....

Good luck with everything and i hope you enjoy the experience along the way.....

snap.

couldn`t of said it better myself... Im just a beginner myself and what snap shot just quoted is bang on..

[Gimli 0]

You're spot on Gez - it's the same plan I've put into effect. Took shooting lessons, have started learning deer stalking from a professional (who is now my mentor and is preparing me for DSC1). It's also the effective way of convincing your firearms officer that you are serious when it comes to getting your FAC. Mine only took three weeks from application because they said I'd done everything to ensure that I was safe and responsible. So I've got a FAC for .22 and .243.

 

If you start your DSC, I'd apply for your FAC as soon as you have a booking. If you have some land to shoot over, get one of the landowners to write a letter for the police about your use of the land.

 

Good luck and good hunting.

[Gez 0]

Cheers guys, I appreciate the comments. I'd done a fair bit of research into it and I thought I was going along the right route (common sense kind of told me that too!) but its still good to hear from other people who've taken the same route.

 

As an additional question, I know that for DSC 1 you have to get a 3 bullet group within a 4 inch circle at 100 yards, but this still seems not particularly accurate to me. As a personal target, what sort of grouping should i be aiming for to be confident in my marksmanship abilities once out in the field?

 

Gez

[SNAP SHOT 194]

Cheers guys, I appreciate the comments. I'd done a fair bit of research into it and I thought I was going along the right route (common sense kind of told me that too!) but its still good to hear from other people who've taken the same route.

 

As an additional question, I know that for DSC 1 you have to get a 3 bullet group within a 4 inch circle at 100 yards, but this still seems not particularly accurate to me. As a personal target, what sort of grouping should i be aiming for to be confident in my marksmanship abilities once out in the field?

 

Gez

 

if i can't shoot a group 3/4" or under @ 100 yards then something is up with me or the gear....

i'm not happy until i achieve the best accuracy possible for my gun.....

In reality anything an inch or under, at 100 yards is more than ample for stalkng........ and considered good shooting............

[woodcock 0]

I have copied this from the newbie forum, as I wanted to introduce myself here as well. Moderators please feel free to delete this if it is inappropriate.

 

I've just joined up to the forum and thought it polite to introduce myself.

 

I'm a complete novice when it comes to shooting live quarry. I have a friend who is an instructor at a rifle range who has offered to improve my shooting,and have spent a lot of time stalking deer when i was younger, but have never shot one.

 

My uncle lives in Germany and owns the shooting rights to large areas of land with both deer and wild boar, and is high up in the local hunting committee. From a very small age he has taken me out hunting with him, starting from sitting in a high seat or hide, and as i got older moving onto actual stalking. However as we only used to visit once a year, he never got the chance to teach me to shoot well enough to take a rifle on the hunt myself.

 

I have always loved spending the time on the hunt with him, but could never really afford to get into hunting at home. However, now I'm a bit older, this has changed and my enthusiasm hasn't wained, so I thought its about time i bit the bullet (if you pardon the pun!) and took advantage of the opportunities open to me.

 

I have signed up for DSC 1 as a starting point to learn more about the different species of deer, their behaviour, identifying them, the law etc. and I am taking up my friend's offer to teach me to shoot well. After that I want to progress onto DSC 2 along with gaining my FAC, buying my first gun and hopefully making friends with and joining in with the local deer stalking community. Of course I also want to be able to hunt with my uncle, and thought that I would be best off if I could go over there and prove that I am already a competent shot have taken the time to learn everything properly, and have at least a few recorded kills under my belt in the presence of an assessor. (I can get return flights to see him for about the same as a day's guided deer stalking locally, and there we can go out as many times as I like during my stay!)

 

 

Gez

 

PS I hope nobody here takes offence at me wanting to jump straight in at the deep end so to speak. I do recognise that deer are seen by many people as the ultimate quarry, and deer stalking is not something to be taken lightly. As I explained above, I have spent a long time with my Uncle on hunts who has always drummed into me the importance of proper and ethical stalking (eg taking a sick deer rather than the prize head that is next to it), along with being sure that you only take a shot that you are confident will fell the beast with one shot. I hope I'm doing the right thing by learning about and researching the animals and the sport as much as possible, and taking the time to ensure my shooting is excellent rather than just adequate before I actually shoot a deer. Your comments, views and advice (and maybe even help) are greatly appreciated.

[woodcock 0]

I have copied this from the newbie forum, as I wanted to introduce myself here as well. Moderators please feel free to delete this if it is inappropriate.

 

I've just joined up to the forum and thought it polite to introduce myself.

 

I'm a complete novice when it comes to shooting live quarry. I have a friend who is an instructor at a rifle range who has offered to improve my shooting,and have spent a lot of time stalking deer when i was younger, but have never shot one.

 

My uncle lives in Germany and owns the shooting rights to large areas of land with both deer and wild boar, and is high up in the local hunting committee. From a very small age he has taken me out hunting with him, starting from sitting in a high seat or hide, and as i got older moving onto actual stalking. However as we only used to visit once a year, he never got the chance to teach me to shoot well enough to take a rifle on the hunt myself.

 

I have always loved spending the time on the hunt with him, but could never really afford to get into hunting at home. However, now I'm a bit older, this has changed and my enthusiasm hasn't wained, so I thought its about time i bit the bullet (if you pardon the pun!) and took advantage of the opportunities open to me.

 

I have signed up for DSC 1 as a starting point to learn more about the different species of deer, their behaviour, identifying them, the law etc. and I am taking up my friend's offer to teach me to shoot well. After that I want to progress onto DSC 2 along with gaining my FAC, buying my first gun and hopefully making friends with and joining in with the local deer stalking community. Of course I also want to be able to hunt with my uncle, and thought that I would be best off if I could go over there and prove that I am already a competent shot have taken the time to learn everything properly, and have at least a few recorded kills under my belt in the presence of an assessor. (I can get return flights to see him for about the same as a day's guided deer stalking locally, and there we can go out as many times as I like during my stay!)

 

 

Gez

 

PS I hope nobody here takes offence at me wanting to jump straight in at the deep end so to speak. I do recognise that deer are seen by many people as the ultimate quarry, and deer stalking is not something to be taken lightly. As I explained above, I have spent a long time with my Uncle on hunts who has always drummed into me the importance of proper and ethical stalking (eg taking a sick deer rather than the prize head that is next to it), along with being sure that you only take a shot that you are confident will fell the beast with one shot. I hope I'm doing the right thing by learning about and researching the animals and the sport as much as possible, and taking the time to ensure my shooting is excellent rather than just adequate before I actually shoot a deer. Your comments, views and advice (and maybe even help) are greatly appreciated.

[paddy31 120]

Hello Gez and welcome to the site im relatively new to the site myself and find it a great site most of the lads on it are good crack and have good edvice for anyone willing to listen.All the best with your deer shoot and i hope that you have some really good luck all the best for now and happy hunting....