RED DEER, Feeder Stags, Hummels

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

Im pretty sure it was the day after the stag season finished, and the unmistakeable siloette of a stag appeared on the skyline, as i watched from the bothy. And only days before we had been searching miles of open hill to try to bag a couple more before the seasons end, but they were keeping well out of the way, all we were seeing was hinds!! They know when the stag season ends, im sure of it!!! And its probably because as soon as it ends, we put out blocks for them, which the stags take advantage of to help them bounce back after a gruelling rut. One feeder stag that the stalker recognised, had lost an eye, probably from another stags horns, the stalker said he would take this stag next season, as he will be past his prime now.

Our estate wasnt a comercial affair, just some family stag stalking, then we were left to selectively cull old or poor stags as well as good numbers of hinds when their season gets under way.

Not all stags on an estate will come in for the feed, but many of the same ones will be seen year after year. We had three hummels comming in one winter, and I had shot two big hummels in the season prior to this. We also bagged one of next doors best feeder stags of over 21 stone, which was an estate record, and much bigger than the average stag. Most hill stags in the area would struggle to reach 14 stone, and lots were around 10-13 stone, which shows how poor the quality of grazing was. And the reason for providing the blocks was not hard to see. Some estates spoil their feeder stags rotten, but will see much better quality heads on their beast. Even with our modest feed, our feeder stags were usually over the 13 stone mark, and in their prime would often carry a 'royal' head.

A fairly tipical Hill Stag

[Deek 0]

Cracking read mate and nice pics

[thurso jack 3]

a very good read, well done, i take it you no longer live in the area?

[alimac 882]

a very good read, well done, i take it you no longer live in the area?

 

no, thank feck !!!

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

North East England now.

[bagwell06 0]

North East England is f*****g shit i live in hartlepool

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

North East England is f*****g shit i live in hartlepool

I dont agree mate, north east england is great, Hartlepool, on the other hand IS a shit hole!!

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

Thanks for sharing your memories mate ,good read .

[Guest joe ox]

North East England is f*****g shit i live in hartlepool

I dont agree mate, north east england is great, Hartlepool, on the other hand IS a shit hole!!

 

Wise words about hartlepool

[Beef 2]

Is that Monar????????

[alimac 882]

Is that Monar????????

 

if i remember rightly you could be right, certainly rings a bell.

[dogs-n-natives 1,182]

Is that Monar????????

 

if i remember rightly you could be right, certainly rings a bell.

Bingo! well spotted beef!