What to expect from your Deer Stalking month by month. Enter your email address below to receive the Almanac:
SPONSORS OF THE ALMANAC
As Aristotle once commented of nature; “horror vacui” meaning: ‘nature abhors a vacuum’, indeed this is true of Roe. Given the opportunity and sufficient browse, Roe deer will diffuse evenly around the countryside.
How can you time be best spent during June?
May is one of the most exciting months to be deer stalking.
Things are all change from 1st April, we explain what's happening in the deer world.
The month ahead gives us the opportunity to mix things up a bit. Peter Jones explains more.
We take a look at what February has in store for deer stalkers across the UK.
From the 15th February Scottish deer stalkers can at last take a well-earned break from the bulk of their duties, with the season for both Red, Sika and Fallow Doe all coming to a close.
North of the border as attention turns away from the larger species in favour of Roe, it is a good time to remember that across the whole of the UK, whilst the mature Roebuck will now appear well advanced in velvet, this will not be true of all Roebuck. The Roebuck fawns will in-fact be in the process of casting their ‘buttons’ during February and so will be absent of antler for a month or so, before re growing their first simple antlers in time for the start of the Roebuck season in April. Other identifying features must therefore be sought in order to verify the sex of the animal, the ‘anal tush’ of the doe being the most obvious example.
Unlike Scotland, in England & Wales the open season for the larger species has some time to run and with the game shooting season having ended on the 1st February, there is an opportunity for stalkers to reclaim the countryside for themselves without fear of upsetting birds just before a shoot day.
As for what nature has in store, a glimpse of the long-range weather forecast reveals that during February we may have some icy weather in store however, to mitigate this, by the middle of the month we will have an extra hour and a half of daylight in the evening and three quarters of an hour in the morning. Enough to make it feel as though we are gradually turning a corner.
Whilst I have your ear, there is something to which I would like to draw your attention. New for 2019 and after some considerable investment we are delighted to be able to launch our radically improved and enhanced ‘PDS Woodland Stalker Course’. Which now boasts some 20 targets out to ranges of 200 yards. This unique course, just one hour from London, is the very best deer stalking facility in the UK and it is now available for both corporate and individual bookings, I’d strongly encourage you to give it a go.
If you’d like to try this course, then we are now welcoming bookings simply contact us on 01403 790244 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Finally, our film, which this month shows the West Highlands at their finest. Snow-capped Munro’s and stunning scenery, along with some great stalking. Please take a look and if you’d like to be a part of the Capreolus Club’s next trip then why not apply for membership of this thriving and exciting deer stalking club: apply-now
To watch the film, please follow this link to our short films page: short-films
IN Season in England & Wales: Roe Does, Fallow Does & Fallow Buck, Sika Stags & Sika Hinds, Red Stags & Red Hinds, CWD Bucks & CWD Does, Muntjac Buck & Muntjac Does.
Off Season in England & Wales: Roe Buck.
In Season in Scotland: Sika Hinds, Red Hinds and Fallow Does until 15th Feb only. Fallow Buck & Roe Does remain in season throughout February.
Off Season in Scotland: Red Stags, Sika Stags & Roe Buck. Also Red & Sika Hinds and Fallow Does from 16th February.
(Peter Jones - Editor)
Peter Jones looks at what is in store for the month ahead.
As I sit here in my office looking out over the garden and watch as the ‘Blue tits’ peck feebly at the ice in the bird bath, I am reminded of just how tough nature can be.
A conversation with a stalker during a recent trip to the highlands revealed that in late winter last year, after the ‘Beast from the east’ deposited a late dump of snow, more than one hundred deer were lost through cold and starvation on one estate alone, it is surely only the hardy that survive.
Not even our best meteorologists will be able to accurately predict exactly what the weather will have in store between now and the first buds of spring however, by the end of the winter it will be only those deer most fit to pass on their genetic make-up that will have endured.
With that thought, I am reminded of how important it is for us to also act as nature intends and ensure that we select carefully the weak and infirm in our cull plan.
With most recreational stalking having taken place prior to Christmas, January is the time of year when professional stalkers, especially those in the highlands, can go about their business of selection in somewhat of a more considered manner.
In Scotland, deer will have left the exposed peaks of the highlands for the lower ground and in the lowlands will be taking shelter where ever they are able. If you are stalking on a cold wintery day a little thought as to where you yourself might seek shelter in such conditions will be the best approach to finding the deer, and when you get amongst them, give a little though to taking the elderly and infirm that look as though they might be pleased for a swift conclusion to their plight.
Whether you are stepping out this January or taking a break, I'd like to finish 2018 by thanking all of our readers for their continued support, and on behalf of all of the team at ‘County Deer Stalking’, take the opportunity to wish you all a very happy new year!
IN Season in England & Wales: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe & Fallow Buck, Sika Stag & Sika Hind, Red Stag & Red Hind, CWD Buck & CWD Doe, Muntjac Buck & Muntjac Doe.
OFF Season in England & Wales: Roebuck.
In Season in Scotland: Fallow Buck, Fallow Doe, Roe Doe, Sika Hind, Red Hind.
Off Season in Scotland: Red Stag, Sika Stag & Roebuck
(Peter Jones - Editor)
The UK has six species of deer. Why not cast your net a little wider this December?
November 1st is one of the most significant dates in the deer stalkers calendar, Peter Jones explains why.
This month Peter Jones takes a look at the sheer joy of stalking the Scottish Highlands.
