Your Stalkers Diary. December 2006.

Like Farmers, Stalkers always complain about the weather, however not this time. Still stalking in a light jacket in Dec is a first. Gone are the days when you offered to do the grallock because your hands were like blocks of ice. Now you suggest to your guest that he ought to do it because it would be good practice for him!! Almost joking aside, it would be nice to get some realy good cold crisp days. I saw baby rabbits this morning as well as rooks gathering nesting material, natures clock has gone stupid.

Like many others my pheasants are wandering far afield and there is little I can do to get them back, perhaps some kind reader would give me some tips.

But on to the stalking. The doe cull is going well, and for once I am well on target and should finish in plenty of time. The condition of the beasts is generally excellent and I am seeing very few poor yearlings this season. Natural food is still in plenty so I expect a high birthing rate next year. Last seasons young are well at heel and as I suspected there are far fewer twins about this year so the general condition is very high with plenty of body fat. There is plenty of deer activity around the corn bins which might explain it.

For those who have stalked with me, I am sorry to report that I lost my little Meg a month ago. She drowned in a narrow ditch whilst we were picking up on a shoot. I only missed her for a few minutes but that was too long and I was unable to revive her. A sad day, as not only was she such a character but she was showing considerable promise as a stalking dog. So I am now on the look out for another springer to take her place.

Finally I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and 2007 and hope to see you all next year.



Pete.
Diary Slideshow