What to expect from your Deer Stalking month by month. Enter your email address below to receive the Almanac:
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Sika Deer Stalking
At County Deer Stalking we are able to offer what we believe to be the finest sika deer stalking in the UK.
We have grounds in Dorset and in Kent where we are able to offer first-class stalking over hundreds of acres of stunning scenery.
Sika Deer Stalking can be highly challenging as these deer are a secretive and whilly quarry. The best time of year to be hunting is during the rut in September to October, and during the early days of the season for hinds in November.
At County Deer Stalking we are delighted to be able to offer superb Sika Deer Stalking in Dorset and Kent for both cull animals and world class Sika stag trophies. Please contact us for details. 0203 981 0159
As well as in Dorset and Kent, many who choose to hunt Sika, will visit Scotland where there is a large population of Sika, along with an increasing number of Sika/Red Hybrids. Other large herds can be found in the New Forest and East Anglia.
Sika Deer (Cervus Nippon) are one of the larger UK Deer Species having originally been introduced to the UK in the 19th Century from Japan.
Typically existing in single sex groups but mixing more readily during the Rut in September, Sika deer are a highly vocal deer with a large range of unusual calls.
To watch a short film in which we are hunting Sika on our Dorset ground, follow this link: youtube.com/watch
Deer Stalking seasons vary between England & Wales and Scotland.
The Open Season for Sika Deer in England & Wales:
Sika Stags: 1st August - 31st April
Sika Hinds: 1st Nov - 31st March
The Open Season for Sika Deer in Scotland:
Sika Stags: 1st July - 20th October
Sika Hinds: 21st October - 15th February.
For more information about opportunities to stalk Sika Deer please contact us on 0203 981 0159 or email:
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Deer Stalking Seasons in England & Wales
Deer are protected by legislation which makes it an offence to kill or take deer during their close season.
Deer Stalking OPEN Seasons England & Wales:
| RED DEER | |
| Stags | 1st Aug - 30th April. |
| Hinds | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| FALLOW DEER* | |
| Bucks | 1st Aug - 30th April |
| Does | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| SIKA DEER | |
| Stags | 1st Aug - 30th April |
| Hinds | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| ROE DEER* | |
| Bucks | 1st Apr - 31st October |
| Does | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| CHINESE WATER DEER | |
| Bucks | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| Does | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| MUNTJAC DEER* | |
| Bucks | No Close Season |
| Does | No Close Season |
* These deer frequent County Deer Stalking grounds.
Please note that Deer Stalking Seasons for Scotland and Ireland differ from those of seasons in England & Wales.
For more information about the stalking seasons in Scotland take a look at our 'Deer Stalking Scotland' page: http://www.countydeerstalking.co.uk/outings-scotland.html
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Chinese Water Deer Stalking
Stalking for Chinese Water Deer (CWD) is confined to certain areas in the UK. This is due to this deer’s specific habitat of Reed beds, River Estuaries and grasslands. Today some of the best CWD Stalking can be found in locations around Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, with other stalking available for smaller populations in Yorkshire & Shropshire.
CWD Stalking involves hunting one of the oldest species of living deer known to man, as they are thought to date back 35 Million Years!
Chinese Water Deer are peculiar to other UK Deer Species, due to the fact that the Bucks do not carry antlers, CWD do however exhibit long tusks.
The requirements of stalking Chinese Water Deer and their behaviour, usually dictates that the stalker use a flat shooting calibre. This is because shots are often taken at longer ranges than normal due to the deer's inclination to 'couch' in the middle of large open fields.
| CHINESE WATER DEER Open Season | |
| Bucks | 1st Nov - 31st March |
| Does | 1st Nov - 31st March |
If you are interested in stalking Chinese Water Deer or any other species then please CONTACT US for more details.
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About Us
County Deer Stalking is the UK’s leading provider of Deer Stalker Training and Deer Stalking Outings and is open to all of those that are dedicated and committed to the betterment of species through the careful selection of sustainable, wild, free-range animals.
As well as delivering hunderds of outings to individuals each year, County Deer Stalking is a 'UK Registered Learning Provider' and is responsible for delivering the hugely popular 'Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (PDS1) a training course that has been 'Accredited' by the UK's leading land-based awarding bodies LANTRA and UK Rural Skills. Follow this link to find out more: proficient-stalker
Our Online Deer Stalkers Magazine is the UK’s No1, go-to hub for all things deer stalking and the UK's leading website for Deer Stalking & Deer Management related information. Providing countless top-quality Films and over 1,000 pages of News, Articles and Equipment Reviews written by Industry Professionals.
To find out why we are the UK's leading deer hub for all things deer stalking, simply follow this link: deer-stalking-hub
If you'd like some deer stalking training, or would like to book an outings deer stalking. Or if you are a landowner that requires assistance in the management of deer, then please contact us on: 0203 981 0159 or email:
Contributors to 'County Deer Stalking' include top industry professionals and leading Deer Management experts, including:
Peter S Jones - One of the UK's most familiar faces in deer stalking. Professional Stalker, LANTRA Approved Trainer, PDS1 Approved Verifier and DMQ Approved Witness. Editor-in-Chief at 'County Deer Stalking' and Chairman of renowned deer stalking club the capreolusclub
Iain Watson - Senior International CIC Judge to the UK delegation.
Tony Jackson - Former Editor of the 'Shooting Times'.
Lord Ivar Mountbatten - Owner of Bridwell Deer Park.
Chris Parkin - Top Shooting journalist & award winning competitive marksman.
Andrew Venables - Chief Instructor at WMS Firearms Training.
Chris Dalton - Professional Stalker at Ayrshire Stalking & DMQ App' Wit'.
James Schneider - Experienced PDS1 & PDS2 qualified Deer Stalker and industry expert.
Charly Green - Professional Stalker & Outfitter.
Alan Shannahan - Professional Stalker and DMQ Approved Witness.
John Barton - Professional Stalker and DMQ Approved Witness.
Dr Simon Lee - Experienced DSC2 & PDS2 qualified stalker and industry expert.
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Terms and Conditions
1.Deer Stalking will take place on dates previously agreed and will be under the direction of County Deer Stalkings employee's/workers who's decision will be final.
2. It is your responsibility to ensure you are fit & healthy for Deer Stalking. Any health conditions that might affect your ability to stalk deer should be disclosed to your guide prior to your outing.
3. YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN THIRD PARTY INSURANCE
4. An Estate rifle can be made available, however if you are shooting your own rifle it must comply with the minimum legal requirements.
5. You must accept that you will not be permitted to shoot deer unless we are satisfied that you are competent to do so. Depending on your experience we may ask you to pass a shooting test prior to being allowed to stalk.
6. We reserve the right to send a guest home without refund if safety is infringed or inhumane shots are attempted.
7. There are a number of footpaths and walkers that frequent the land we hunt on therefore:
SHOTS MAY ONLY BE TAKEN AT STATIONARY DEER WITH AN OBSERVABLE SOFT EARTH BACKSTOP.
8. High seats are maintained to a high standard but guests must accept that they use them at their own risk.
9. We reserve the right to cancel booked stalk outings and/or training courses and rearrange if in our judgement we feel that the weather conditions are unsuitable for the activity.
10. During a stalk outing or on one of our training courses, you may be loaned equipment to use such as stalking sticks, binoculars or knives. Whilst the equipment is in the possession of the client during the loan period, the client accepts all risks for personal injury, public liability, personal liability and / or damage to property related to the use of the loaned equipment. In the event that any item of loaned equipment is damaged, the cost of repair or replacement will be charged to the client.
Fees & Charges
The cost of a morning and/or afternoon/evening outing which averages 3 hours costs £155+Vat. We will endeavour to ensure you are successful, however with wild animals no guarantee can be given as to success. Trophy fees are payable on the successful shooting of an animal. A list of all trophy fees is available upon request by emailing
Stalking
We offer first class stalking for 5 of the 6 UK deer species found in the wild including Roe, Red, Fallow, Muntjac and CWD.
Park Deer Stalking
We offer exceptional stalking for medal class Barasingha, Red, Fallow, Sika and Pere David on a private 1,000+ acre estate in East Sussex.
Trophy Stalking
Selection of trophies to be at the discretion of County Deer Stalking staff/workers or the manager of the estate venue.
Professional Trophy Preparation
CDS offers simple cutting, boiling and bleaching and mounting through to skinning and the highest quality taxidermy.
Wounded/missed animals
If an animal is wounded or missed, all stalking will stop until all possible attempts have been made to locate the animal. Any time spent in excess of the normal 3 hour stalk session in search of the animal will incur an additional charge.
In circumstances where the beast is not found and the shot is deemed to be a clean miss, this will incur a charge of 75% of the estimated trophy fees and venison at the discretion of the stalking guide.
In circumstances where the beast is not found and the animal is deemed to have been wounded, 100% of the estimated trophy fees and venison will be payable by the client.
Venison
Any resulting venison remains the property of County Deer Stalking though you may be given the opportunity to purchase the carcass. The full price of the carcase will be charged if the carcase is badly shot resulting in haunch/saddle damage etc.
Payment
Stalk outing fees are payable upon booking an outing, subsequent fees for shot animals, venison etc. are to be paid on the day or by bank transfer by arrangement following the hunt. Stalk packages and training courses are payable upon booking; for our more expensive courses, costs may be spread over a period by arrangement.
Cancelations
Cancellation of bookings less than one week (7 days) will incur 100% of the stalk outing or training course fee/cost and therefore not valid for a refund.
Gift vouchers
Gift vouchers issued for stalk outings and training courses are valid for one year and are non-refundable. If the recipient of a gift voucher does not wish to participate in the activity specified on the voucher, it may be exchanged for another CDS activity of the same value.
BY ACCEPTING AN OUTINGS STALKING YOU ARE DEEMEMD TO HAVE AGREED TO THE ABOVE TERMS & CONDITIONS.
YOU ALSO DECLARE THAT YOU ARE NOT A PROHIBITED PERSON UNDER SECT 21 1968 FIREARMS ACT OR SECTION 63 2004 FIREARMS (N.I) ORDER.
