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.243 Winchester
First introduced by Winchester in 1955 as a varmint cartridge the .243 Winchester has gone on to be a highly successful calibre for both vermin and light skinned deer.
In simplest terms the .243 is a necked down .308 case which can be loaded with bullet weights that range anywhere from 55 grains to 115 grains. The lighter bullets typically being used for vermin and fox with bullets of 90grains and upward being typically used for deer.
(Left: Back row in order from left to right, .308 ballistic tip, .308 Soft point, .243 Soft point. The .243 Winchester is simply a necked down .308 case)
In the UK the .243 calibre has gained an excellent reputation which was compounded in 1963 with the Deer Act which required at least a .240 calibre rifle for use on deer. This legislation has meant that in order to be able to shoot all species of deer in the UK the .243 calibre is seen as the entry level calibre for deer stalking.
Producing around 1950 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle with 100 grain bullets the .243 goes on to deliver 1600 ft lbs at 100 yards and around 1350 ft lbs of energy at 200 yards.
The bullet trajectory whilst being inferior to the .308 parent cartridge at longer ranges is in fact flatter shooting than the .308 out to at least 300yards due to its higher velocity. Typical drop for a 100grain bullet with a 100 yard zero is 3.3 inches at 200 yards and 12.5 inches at 300 yards.
For many this is a popular calibre with which to start deer stalking, added to which Home Office Guidelines for the police mean that for the beginner this is considered to be the most acceptable calibre for those first requesting a deer calibre on their Firearm Certificate.
Famously having been used by the LAPD SWAT teams this calibre benefits from mild recoil and muzzle blast and is extremely accurate. It is also very well suited to lighter framed shooters and in countries outside the UK where there are restrictions on the use of military calibres the .243 also fits the bill.
All things considered for deer stalking in the UK the .243 Winchester is a great calibre. Some will argue that it doesn't quite pack enough of a punch for the largest of our Uk deer species however for Roe and Muntjac it is certainly one of the best calibres available.
At County Deer Stalking we use this calibre loaded with 100 grain ammunition in a Sauer 202 as one of our Estate rifles.
Typical .243 Ballistics (100 grain bullet)
Muzzle Energy: 1950 ft/lbs Muzzle Velocity: 2960 fps
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Roe Buck Stalking
Roe Buck stalking offers some of the most exhilirating and exciting deer stalking in the world and can be at its very best in the South of England where numerous medal class animals are acheived on a yearly basis.
At County Deer Stalking we are able to offer first class stalking for Roe Buck during the whole of the season which stretches from 1st April to 31st October.
During the whole of the summer (Particularly from May - early August) bucks can be seen jostling for territory, however the season is at its most thrilling during the rut in late July and early August when Roe Buck throw caution to the wind in their attempt to mate.
It is during the rut that Roe buck can also be seen to come to a well executed call, something which when witnessed can be a truly memorable experience!
(To watch our short film in which we demonstrate Roe Calling, follow this link: youtube)
Our Roe Buck stalking is in beautiful countryside locations within the county of Hampshire, a county well reputed as having some of the very best Roe Buck.
Within our cull plan we have many quality medal class animals and can offer superb stalking for both the serious trophy hunter or those who simply wish to be able to continue their stalking throughout the summer months.
The grounds are less than one hour from London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports and are easily accessible from both the M3 and M4 motorways.
We can also offer assistance with transport and advice on accomodation as required.
Roe Buck stalking is highly prized and as such we do not class these deer as 'cull animals'. For details of our pricing for Roe Buck please take a look at our: terms-conditions
If you like to watch a film about stalking Roe Buck in May take a look at our short films page: short-films (Roe Buck in May -2014)
ROE BUCK Open Season in England & Wales: 1st Apr - 31st October
To book an outing or for more details please CONTACT US.
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Fallow Deer Stalking
Fallow Deer Stalking - At County Deer Stalking we are able to offer Fallow Deer Stalking over a number of beautiful private estates in the South East of England less than one hour from London.
We are able to offer first class stalking of both cull animals and superb Fallow Buck Trophies. (Please contact us for more details).
The season for Fallow Buck stretches from 1st August until the 30th April and for Fallow Does from the 1st November until the 31st March.
Fallow Deer (Dama dama) are a herding deer and have been gracing our countryside for hundreds of years, having first been introduced by the Normans. For many years they were associated with wealth and their presence in the private grounds of many Country Estates was seen as a status symbol.
Today the south east of England plays host to large numbers of wild Fallow deer, who now roam free around areas were once they were introduced.
Here at County Deer Stalking our fallow deer stalking is over the grounds of a number of former Country Estates, however the Fallow today are completely wild and free ranging.
The Fallow seen on the Estates, vary in appearance and include the four colour variations Menil, Common, White and Melanistic (black). The Fallow Rut usually takes place around October and can be an exciting time when the bucks take up 'Rutting Stands' and can be heard by their characteristic 'groaning' and 'belching'.
Although the predominant species on these estates are Fallow deer, they are also frequented by occassional Roe deer and Muntjac deer.
To find out more about Fallow Deer and to watch us stalk this species taek a look and some of our short-films.
| FALLOW DEER Open Season in England & Wales | |
| Bucks | 1st Aug - 30th April |
| Does | 1st Nov - 31st March |
If you are interested in Fallow Deer Stalking please CONTACT US for more details.
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Roe Deer Stalking
Roe Deer Stalking - The South East of England offers some of the very best Roe deer stalking in the world.
At County Deer Stalking we are delighted to be able to offer all year round stalking of this elegant deer at our attractive stalking grounds in Hampshire, less than one hour from London and easily accessible via either the M3 or M4 corridors.
Roe deer (Capreolus Capreolus) are a long legged and secretive deer and are native to the UK. They are usually found alone or in small groups and for many deer stalkers represent the very best in UK stalking.
The Roe Buck season stretches from the 1st April to the 31st October and the Roe Doe season from 1st November until the 31st March. This means that we are able to stalk one or other of the sexes all year round.
For much of the year both sexes are territorial, however this activity peaks around late July and early August during the Rut, when the Buck chases the Doe, usually in circles or a figure of eight, until such time as mating takes place.
Roe Buck are unique in UK deer in so much as antler growth takes place during January to March. The result is that the stalking season for Bucks is over the summer months when the bucks are in hard antler.
At County Deer Stalking we have a good range of trophy Roe Buck and less dominant Roe Buck during the summer, along with a sizeable Doe cull to undertake during the winter months.
To watch us stalking Winter Roe Deer and for more information about the stalking of Roe Does, take a look at our short films page: short-films (February 2014)
| ROE DEER Open Season in England & Wales | |
| Bucks | 1st Apr - 31st October |
| Does | 1st Nov - 31st March |
If you are interested in stalking Roe Deer then please CONTACT US for more details.
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Muntjac Deer Stalking
The Indian Sub species of Muntjac was first introduced into the UK at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire in 1893 by the Duke of Bedford, before subsequently being replaced by the secretive and diminutive little 'Reeves Muntjac'.
After several deliberate releases and many escapes the 'Reeves Muntjac' has now colonised much of southern England. There expansion and ever increasing numbers, can in part be put down to the fact that they are the only deer species in the UK to be able to breed all year round, with does being able to give birth every 7 months!
Notable for having visible canine tusks and typically weighing only around 10- 20kg on the hoof they are one of the UK's smallest and most primitive deer species.
Muntjac make for some challenging and exciting deer stalking, which often involves stalking through thick cover and dense woodland. At County Deer Stalking we have good numbers of Muntjac and due to there being no closed season we are able to offer Muntjac deer stalking all year round at our Estates in Hampshire and Oxfordshire.
In addition to Muntjac we also have good numbers of Roe and Fallow Deer.
| MUNTJAC DEER Open Season | |
| Bucks | No Close Season |
| Does | No Close Season |
If you are interested in stalking Muntjac Deer or one of our other species then please CONTACT US for more details.
