Your Stalkers Diary. March 2007.
The end of another doe season, and for once all went well.
We had a few blanks but in every trip out bar one we saw deer. The targets hit and met in all but a few areas. So thanks to all my guests for their efforts. The weather was generally good with the odd day when it never stopped raining, but that in itself stimulated me to get out and about when it was fine. Snowdrops, primroses and butterflies were all to be seen earlier than usual.
My friend Steve was down for a few days and try as I might I was unable to get him a shot. We did have a record stalking session with 25 seperate deer seen. Never in 25 years of stalking have I seen that number within 3 hours. As soon as he had gone up north we had the larder full. Draw your own conclusions!! Joking aside we did all the right things but were unlucky. The wind was light and in the covers, it came from all directions. Another time Steve.
Some will have noticed that I am now running Deer Management and Country skills courses for those doing their Gold Awards aged 16-24. After a slow start the enquiries and bookings are comming in and we will be full. The content will be roughly along the lines of DSC1 but with far more practical content and a ratio of 2 or 3 : 1 students to rangers. I am looking forward to the challenge and know it will be a lot of fun for all concerned.
My latest addition Mace is progressing well, 15 week old springer pups can be so ammusing. She walked into the game larder to be met by a big red stag hung on the rails. She was not sure of what to make of this as it was so so frightening! Tail between her legs she retreated straight under my truck only to emerge with a toothless grin when she saw we were all laughing at her. It was almost as if she was saying " If I had got my big teeth I would have sorted it out for you Dad!"
Next it is on with the jobs on the Ground, clearing rides, mending High seats and making new ones. I have put a few blocks out and this has had mixed results todate. The Roe and Muntis seem to be taking more of the corn that the pheasants.
We have seen some good bucks over the last week, still very much in velvet but looking in fine condition. They seem to have wintered well. Thanks to my visitors during the does, I had less to do myself this season, a number taking their first roe. We only had one miss( which was my doing, another story) and one that required tracking and a second shot. The standard was first class. Well done ladies and gentlemen.
Best wishes and keep up the practice.
Pete.
The end of another doe season, and for once all went well.
We had a few blanks but in every trip out bar one we saw deer. The targets hit and met in all but a few areas. So thanks to all my guests for their efforts. The weather was generally good with the odd day when it never stopped raining, but that in itself stimulated me to get out and about when it was fine. Snowdrops, primroses and butterflies were all to be seen earlier than usual.
My friend Steve was down for a few days and try as I might I was unable to get him a shot. We did have a record stalking session with 25 seperate deer seen. Never in 25 years of stalking have I seen that number within 3 hours. As soon as he had gone up north we had the larder full. Draw your own conclusions!! Joking aside we did all the right things but were unlucky. The wind was light and in the covers, it came from all directions. Another time Steve.
Some will have noticed that I am now running Deer Management and Country skills courses for those doing their Gold Awards aged 16-24. After a slow start the enquiries and bookings are comming in and we will be full. The content will be roughly along the lines of DSC1 but with far more practical content and a ratio of 2 or 3 : 1 students to rangers. I am looking forward to the challenge and know it will be a lot of fun for all concerned.
My latest addition Mace is progressing well, 15 week old springer pups can be so ammusing. She walked into the game larder to be met by a big red stag hung on the rails. She was not sure of what to make of this as it was so so frightening! Tail between her legs she retreated straight under my truck only to emerge with a toothless grin when she saw we were all laughing at her. It was almost as if she was saying " If I had got my big teeth I would have sorted it out for you Dad!"
Next it is on with the jobs on the Ground, clearing rides, mending High seats and making new ones. I have put a few blocks out and this has had mixed results todate. The Roe and Muntis seem to be taking more of the corn that the pheasants.
We have seen some good bucks over the last week, still very much in velvet but looking in fine condition. They seem to have wintered well. Thanks to my visitors during the does, I had less to do myself this season, a number taking their first roe. We only had one miss( which was my doing, another story) and one that required tracking and a second shot. The standard was first class. Well done ladies and gentlemen.
Best wishes and keep up the practice.
Pete.
