Thread: Classic Highland deer stalk, what to expect

A short film showing both success and failure during a classic Highland stalk.

Showing the payoff from target practice and how the margin between success and failure can be as small as "mental presence" from the hunter.

The most common error I see with new hunters is wildly overdressing and they run themselves to the ground sweating/ dehydrating.

(What am I doing wrong? Unable to preview film)

https://youtu.be/n7qA--_SQhk

I think a classic highland stalk in Scotland these days is a load of crap and is a long way from the NZ dream stalk , my 2 cents worth

I don't think Norway was comparing. He's been here and experienced our hunting. But the same principles to hunting apply here. Preparation, stealth, marksmanship and ethics.

Classic Highland deer stalk, what to expect

Rain and wind no rain or wind midges

Good stalk, you were lucky to get two with that many pairs of eyes scanning for danger

Originally Posted by xtightg

Classic Highland deer stalk, what to expect

Rain and wind no rain or wind midges

Thistle strike. Tweed and elbow patches. Upperclass toffs.

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Enjoyed that as always, thanks Norway.

Enjoyed the scenery and something different. Looks bloody frigid though

Nice shooting. In that country I would imagine there would be a few stalks that went sour. All part of the challenge of hunting in wide open spaces.

Originally Posted by Lucky

I think a classic highland stalk in Scotland these days is a load of crap and is a long way from the NZ dream stalk , my 2 cents worth

2 cents is worth nothing/worthless.....just like your opinion aye!!

Originally Posted by Lucky

I think a classic highland stalk in Scotland these days is a load of crap

Sir, a double dish of shit for me please, I'll eat that poo any day!

Originally Posted by Tahr

I don't think Norway was comparing. He's been here and experienced our hunting. But the same principles to hunting apply here. Preparation, stealth, marksmanship and ethics.

You nailed it, cannot say it better. I find it very rewarding to capture these films, there's something deeply satisfying about rigging the camera and framing a shot when best practice would be to keep your head down.

I've been to NZ, enjoyed that immensely. But NZ is 35 hrs and $$$$ away, these grounds are 5 hrs and $$$ away.

There is definitively an element of class divide present in British shooting, but it also a way of life and an opportunity to create an income in otherwise difficult locations. Some are happy with that and the interest stops when the trigger is pulled. For me it's a privilege to be invited and have tuition from these guys, they have progressed my "open land stalking" skills immensely in a very short time - I basically didn't have to crack any codes myself.

It was the same when I visited NZ. Experienced hunters took me under their wings, told me where to go and gave me enough insight to understand the how-to. The result was of course immediate success, I am no wonderboy, I am a product of my training which have largely been given me by other hunters/ shooters. That is why I enjoy forums like this.

Thanks Norway. I have stalked many times in Sutherland and Caithness, mostly in Winter after hinds. It’s very different to stalking here - generally open hill, lots of deer, and relatively easy access, but it’s a great experience. Shooting stags can be an expensive business, but hinds are cheap to shoot and often free if you are helping with the cull.

Stalking, shooting and fishing provide incomes for many in these hard pressed areas and stalkers are not necessarily wealthy or elitist. I’m certainly not and I had many great trips up there with like minded mates and often wives too. My wife shot a 14 point stag on the Loyal Estate circa 2009.

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Stalking, shooting and fishing provide incomes for many in these hard pressed areas and stalkers are not necessarily wealthy or elitist. I’m certainly not and I had many great trips up there with like minded mates and often wives too. My wife shot a 14 point stag on the Loyal Estate circa 2009.

Being Norwegian, I've had the same. I've been fortunate enough to never meet a hunter asshole, but I have heard the horror stories from the guides and beaters attending pheasant shoots. In my experience, almost every person I've met hunting has had similar qualities and they have taught me something useful. Heck, it was being out with two kiwis that got me into filming.

Scotland is an incredible place to stalk - I couldn't think of a better place to live. Not all stalking is on the big open estates. Most of my Red, Sika and Roe stalking is in commercial woodland (Sitka spruce, with a little bit of Scots pine and native Birch in some parts). Scotland never really gets hot so even in summer I can hang a carcass to butcher the next day.

There's something special about leaving work at 4pm in summer, being out on a hill at 5pm and stalking until dark at 11pm or so.

Originally Posted by takbok

Scotland is an incredible place to stalk - I couldn't think of a better place to live. Not all stalking is on the big open estates. Most of my Red, Sika and Roe stalking is in commercial woodland (Sitka spruce, with a little bit of Scots pine and native Birch in some parts). Scotland never really gets hot so even in summer I can hang a carcass to butcher the next day.

There's something special about leaving work at 4pm in summer, being out on a hill at 5pm and stalking until dark at 11pm or so.

Plus that is the animals native land - ground they have lived on and been hunted on for thousands of years. Something to be said for the history of Scotland and Europe compared to here