Deer Stalking - Have you tried it?

Deer Stalking - Three good reasons to take it upIf you are interested in going stalking, make sure that you have covered the following points first:

1. Get a Firearms licence
2. Purchase the correct rifle for the size of deer you will stalk
3. Zero your rifle and fire it at a target until you are competent and confident
4. Read up on the sport and familiarise yourself with the seasons and deer habits
5. Go out with someone who knows what they are doing, so you can learn the do's and don'ts
6. Ask yourself what you are more comfortable doing? sitting in a high seat or walking around?
7. Make sure you have permission to shoot on the land
8. Wear appropriate stalking clothing
9. Finally, BE SAFE!

Here are 3 great reasons why you should take up deer stalking:

The Season

The Deer population in the UK has risen sharply and is now circa 2 million. November 1st was the first day of season for does and hinds across mainland Britain. Fallow and Sika Bucks are also still in season, if you are looking for something a bit bigger!

Estates and Farms are awash with them and a steady cull is in force. You can purchase stalking from £80 depending on the species and specimen. Click here to see deer stalking opportunities on GunsOnPegs.

The Meat

We, the general public are beginning to embrace venison as a meat. The sales of venison have risen by 50% in Sainsbury's compared with 2011, while Marks & Spencer have sold three times the number in 2011 as it did in 2010. In total, UK sales of venison have more than doubled in the past five years.

As demand increases, stalkers are able to get more money for their carcasses. Roe is getting circa £1 per lb and Fallow and Sika are getting circa £0.65 per lb. If you take an average sized buck for each species, you are getting circa £35-£45 for a Roe carcass and £80 - £100 for a fallow carcass. 4 or 5 Fallow carcasses can buy you a new rifle!

If you go down to the woods today, you could be in for a big surprise!

You could come across a wild boar, or two, or three.....! There are now thought to be between 500 and 1,000 animals in the UK currently. The largest populations are in East Sussex, Kent and the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, but also in Devon, Bedfordshire, Dorset and parts of Scotland. Something different!

Deer by numbers:

• There are 100 species of deer in the world
• A deer can turn its head up to 310 degrees
• The average speed of a deer is 40mph
• A deer is pregnant for up to 200 days a year
• The average life expectancy of a deer can reach 20 years old
• The average litter size is 2

Click here to see deer stalking opportunities on GunsOnPegs.