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Deer Species
Deer Species - The UK has six species of deer, these include the native Roe Deer and Red Deer. Fallow Deer have also been in the UK so long they are now very much considered to be part of the UK countryside. Other deer species introduced to the UK include Sika Deer, Chinese Water Deer and Muntjac Deer.
Each of the UK's deer species can be quite different in terms of appearance and behavioural characteristics, ranging from the diminutive Muntjac to large lowland Red deer. The spread and population of each deer species can also be quite specific to geographical location.
For more information about each individual deer species, click on the links below:
For more information on the behavioural characteristics and dates of the various ruts for each deer species follow this link: when-do-the-uk-deer-species-rut
Stalking the Deer Species
At County Deer Stalking our main stalking grounds are frequented by Roe, Fallow and Muntjac deer. For more information about stalking each individual deer species, click on the links below:
Deer Stalking Scotland
Deer Stalking in Scotland - Perhaps more than anywhere else in the British Isles, it is in Scotland where Deer Stalking truly finds its home.
Stalking deer in Scotland forms a crucial part of Scottish rural culture and tradition. It also plays a key role in land management policy and helps to protect many native plants and species, whilst also providing thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to the rural economy.
The Deer Stalking Open Seasons in Scotland are as follow:
From October 2023 male deer, of all species (Red & Sika Stag, Roebuck and Fallow Buck) may be shot all year-round and have no statutory closed season.
Red & Sika Hinds may be shot between 21st October - 15th February
Roe Doe may be shot between 21st October - 31st March
Fallow Doe may be shot between 21st October - 15th February
Note, that open seasons in Scotland vary to those in England & Wales.
Whilst figures differ, Scotland is thought to be home to between 500,000 and 1000,000 deer, the majority of which are the native and iconic Red Deer. Scotland also hosts a large population of Roe Deer and Sika Deer along with an increasing number of Red/Sika hybrids.
As well as fulfiling an important environmental need, stalking deer in Scotland is not simply about the hunt but is a means of witnessing the magnificent highland and lowland scenery. For many deer hunters from around the world, this forms part of the immense appeal of hunting in Scotland.
It is important to note, that Deer Stalking Legislation in Scotland differs from that in England & Wales.
For Roe deer, bullets must weigh at least 50 grains and have a minimum muzzle velocity of 2,450 feet per second and muzzle energy of 1,000 foot pounds of energy.
For other deer species Red, Sika & Fallow, bullets must weigh at least 80 grains and calibres used should have a minimum muzzle velocity of 2,450 feet per second and muzzle energy of 1,750 foot pounds.
If you intend to use your own rifle, it is advisable before stalking to give some thought to your chosen calibre.
Deer Stalking on 'the hill' in Scotland is often carried out over open exposed ground and therefore, shots are often taken at longer ranges than those typically taken by lowland stalkers. Added to this, Red Deer represent the UK's largest wild land mammals and are sizeable quarry. During the rut in late September and early October Red Stags pumped with adrenalin, can take some 'grassing'.
As such, calibres which can deliver plenty of energy at extended ranges, whilst possessing a flat trajectory, are the order of the day. For this reason, calibres such as the .270 Winchester, .30-06 .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor are ideal.
Above: The iconic Red Stag is a true symbol of Scotland and the main quarry for recreational deer stalkers heading to Scotland
If you are considering a visit, keep in mind that deer stalking in Scotland requires a good level of fitness, as the terrain can be tough and unforgiving.
Today many estate's use all terrain vehicles (ATV's) to assist with extraction of deer from remote locations, whilst on other estates traditional highland ponies called 'Garrons' are still used to help bring the beast down from the hill. Nonetheless, you can still be in for some long treks and changeable weather conditions, so be prepared.
One thing is for sure, whatever 'beast' you intend to stalk, hunting deer in Scotland will undoubtedly provide you with some long lasting and treasured memories.
To learn more about how to stalk deer in Scotland, a great place to start, is by taking the Proficient Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (PDS1). A nationally recognised LANTRA approved Deer Stalking Qualification that can be obtained via the UK Shooting & Hunting Academy. Follow this link for more details: deer-stalking-course
Go Deer Stalking
At County Deer Stalking we provide first class deer stalking for all six of the UK's deer species. Our stalking is over thousands of acres of superb, picturesque countryside in the south of England. Including Oxfordshire, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Kent, Hampshire, Wiltshire and other easily accessible home county locations.
A typical outing Deer Stalking lasts 3 hours and currently costs £155-00. Simply contact us by email, or telephone us in order to book an outing, email:
We also offer Deer Stalker training in the form of the excellent Proficient Deer Stalker Certificate Level 1 (PDS1). Follow this link for more details: proficient-stalker
Alternatively for Deer Stalking Packages and Training Courses for Beginners, please click on the following link for more details: deer-stalking-packages
For those interested specifically in Trophy animals and Roebuck please see ourTerms and Conditions under 'Fees' & Charges' for more details of our fees and pricing.
The deer stalking itself takes place at one of our picturesque estates, either at first light or at dusk and is predominantly carried out on foot, with some periods spent in 'high seats' or at static points if required. Our main stalking estates are in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Oxfordshire & Kent and are frequented by all six of the UK's deer species - Roe deer, Fallow deer, Sika deer and Muntjac deer, Red deer and Chinese Water deer.
There is no shooting other than deer stalking on these grounds, which means that the deer are undisturbed by other shooting activities. (For more information about stalking each deer species click on this link: deerspecies)
We want you to have an enjoyable, exciting and memorable outing deer stalking and so are very happy to accommodate your needs, be it in terms of the species of deer that you would like to stalk, or the manner in which you would like to do so. We aim that all deer stalking should be carried out in a safe, relaxed and friendly manner. However we also aim to be professional and humane and will strive to stalk deer according to Best Practice Guildlines for Deer Management.
Finally, we will do everything we can to insure that you are successful, however we are proud of the fact that all our deer are wild and free ranging and as such no guarantee can be given as to success.
CONTACT US to book an outing or to find out more.
The Deer Stalking Estates:
County Deer Stalking can offer you accompanied Deer Stalking over four Estates that total over 4000 acres.
Hampshire Estate: We have well in excess of 1500 acres of prime Hampshire Deer Stalking over picturesque countryside just north of Basingstoke. The stalking grounds are comprised of mixed arable, pasture and woodland and are easily accessible from the M3 & M4 corridors.
All three deer species (Roe, Fallow & Muntjac) are represented and are usually stalked on foot with some time spent in static positions or high seats. During the summer months this ground is perfect for those who wish to stalk Roe Buck.
Oxforshire Estate: Positioned just west of Oxford we are delighted to be able to offer superb Fallow Deer Stalking over a substantial block of ancient woodland. There is some deer stalking on foot however there are also numerous well located High Seats and Covered Shooting platforms overlooking long woodland rides.
Whilst this estate has some Roe & Muntjac deer, the main species of deer on this Estate are Fallow. This hunting ground is perfect for the individual and for bookings of more than one person.
Surrey Estate: A simply beautiful private estate spanning nearly 1000 acres of rolling countryside in the Surrey Hills. Positioned just south of Guildford this estate offers superb Roe Deer Stalking just 45mins from West London. Perfect for those who are pushed for time and wish to escape to the countryside for some quality deer stalking.
Kent Estates: We offer stalking on two private estates in Kent, spanning over 1,400 acres. This is a unique stalking opportunity that offers Sika (Japanese & Manchurian), Fallow, Red, Barangha and Pere David stalking in a park environment. Here the choice of trophies is exceptional and Stags will invariably be excellent representative heads and/or medal class animals.
For beginners: Click here to read about the Deer Stalking Packages we offer.
Stalking Areas in the UK
Deer Stalking in the South East of England offers arguably some of the best stalking available in the whole of the UK. Compared with other areas in the UK the relatively moderate climate and high density of woodland in the south east means that deer have an excellent availability of food through good quality grazing and browse.
This in turn can lead to some excellent specimens, indeed each year many medal class animals are seen to come from the southern counties of England. Whilst the South East of England typically plays host to Fallow, Roe and Muntjac there are also small populations of Red, Sika and Chinese Water Deer.
The 'open' stalking seasons for the species that typically frequent the South East of England, (Roe, Fallow & Muntjac) mean that there is one species or other that are in season 365 days a year!
At County Deer Stalking we are based in the South East of England and can offer guided deer stalking for Roe, Fallow and Muntjac deer in beautiful surroundings less than one hour from London, Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
Click on any one of the links below to read more about stalking in that area:
Articles & Reviews
Bovey Castle
PROMOTION
Thursday 28 March 2013
A stay at Bovey Castle is a unique experience of true English luxury. From the tailored tweed plus-four trousers worn by the hotel concierge to the apples and sloes gathered from the estate to make traditional cider and gin, Bovey Castle draws its contemporary and luxurious appeal from the manor house’s rich heritage and the surrounding ancient moorlands, chosen for Steven Spielberg’s War Horse.
Holding an unrivalled position within a 275-acre estate on Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is aspirational in its meticulous delivery of luxurious hospitality, exhilarating and traditional country house pursuits, sumptuous décor and roaring log fires. Built at the turn of the 20th century, heritage and history are at the heart of the hotel, which was constructed in a neo-Elizabethan style with oak panelled rooms, striking fireplaces and ornate plaster ceilings.
With the hotel’s luxury accommodation divided between 64 uniquely-appointed rooms and 14 lodges, the estate includes an 18-hole championship golf course, event and conference facilities, the UK’s flagship SUNDÃRI spa and one of the most extensive selections of activities to be found at any hotel.
Through the hotel’s resort team, new activities are trialled and introduced throughout the year - many of which draw their influence from the hotel’s former life as a country retreat and Twenties hideaway. The list includes cider and sloe gin making, archery, croquet, tennis, falconry and fishing. The course at Bovey Castle, which will host the PGA Lombard Challenge as the regional qualifying course for this tournament in June 2013, is a challenging and beautiful 18-hole championship golf course, designed in 1926 by J F Abercromby to rival its sister courses at Gleneagles and Turnberry.
From the local area, the hotel offers rock climbing, riding, hot air balloon excursions, Sunseeker yacht excursions and neighbouring shooting parties. Arrangements can be made for driven pheasant shoots, duck flighting, rough shooting, snipe and woodcock shooting near to Bovey Castle. This is good local shooting with local people, with around 40 birds on a typical driven pheasant day. Deer stalking for fallow and roebuck is also available in the countryside surrounding Bovey Castle, with storage of rifles and shotguns on hotel grounds.
Using local food producers is integral to Bovey Castle, with ingredients sourced from the moorland and coastline to create seasonally changing menus in the Castle Bistro and the nose-to-tail Beef Menu in the fine dining Edwardian Grill, overseen by head chef Marc Hardiman. The quintessentially English affair that is afternoon tea retains its ceremonial glamour through its evolving choice of delicacies, best enjoyed from the panoramic window seats in the Cathedral Room and Adam Room.
With accessible links to every major transport network, including a high-speed service from London Paddington, Bovey Castle is the unrivalled location for any number of occasions, be it a family get together, sporting holiday, romantic escape or corporate retreat.
