Autumn 2011
Now mid Oct 2011 and time to reflect on the Buck season. As usual my visitors came from far and wide with Spain, and Portugal Germany USA and SA providing the bulk of the foreign visitors. The Brit contingent held their own with considerable successes!
We had several blank sessions this year which was a first but only to be expected being still dry and plenty of woodland cover. Without exception every party had a shot during their visit.The cull targets were achieved on most of the stalking areas and David and I finished the job on areas that were light.
Several medal bucks were taken and in all cases they were going back. Many times I have been criticised by clients for not letting them shoot large heavy bucks but I defend the policy of maintaining quality bucks as breeding stock for the future. After 20 years of adopting this policy the results have increased year by year and the average cull beast weight has increased by 17%!.
The Courses have gone well this year with most weeks full and often overbooked. My thanks to Mike, Paul, David, John and Pip for your help and good nature during this busy time. It has been so rewarding teaching stalking and all the skills required. Over 70 new young keen stalkers trained, and Oh what fun we have had.
With the weather getting colder, I have to start thinking about the first pheasant shoots, the Poults have done well this year and I am looking forward to some exciting days ahead. Mr Fox and mink have been a problem initially but problem solved with a bit of time on the hill.
This year over £3,000 was raised for Combat Stress and related charities. We took out several parties both to stalk and photograph deer. The Exmoor Safaris were a great success and the closest picture taken was by Paul G from about 5 yards!! Hell of a stalk from half a mile out. We donated 6 days to charities this year and will continue this policy next year. No pressure then!.
For those of you that have stalked here you will know Mace and Saffy and Jasper. Well Mace and Jasper got married and the happy event is about to happen!
Talk about round, Mace is waddling and starting to nest. The next two days should bring a result!! Don't know how many she will have but 5 spoken for so far.
Thanks to all for your visits and we look forward to more great stalking next year.
Pete Samways Pete.
Now mid Oct 2011 and time to reflect on the Buck season. As usual my visitors came from far and wide with Spain, and Portugal Germany USA and SA providing the bulk of the foreign visitors. The Brit contingent held their own with considerable successes!
We had several blank sessions this year which was a first but only to be expected being still dry and plenty of woodland cover. Without exception every party had a shot during their visit.The cull targets were achieved on most of the stalking areas and David and I finished the job on areas that were light.
Several medal bucks were taken and in all cases they were going back. Many times I have been criticised by clients for not letting them shoot large heavy bucks but I defend the policy of maintaining quality bucks as breeding stock for the future. After 20 years of adopting this policy the results have increased year by year and the average cull beast weight has increased by 17%!.
The Courses have gone well this year with most weeks full and often overbooked. My thanks to Mike, Paul, David, John and Pip for your help and good nature during this busy time. It has been so rewarding teaching stalking and all the skills required. Over 70 new young keen stalkers trained, and Oh what fun we have had.
With the weather getting colder, I have to start thinking about the first pheasant shoots, the Poults have done well this year and I am looking forward to some exciting days ahead. Mr Fox and mink have been a problem initially but problem solved with a bit of time on the hill.
This year over £3,000 was raised for Combat Stress and related charities. We took out several parties both to stalk and photograph deer. The Exmoor Safaris were a great success and the closest picture taken was by Paul G from about 5 yards!! Hell of a stalk from half a mile out. We donated 6 days to charities this year and will continue this policy next year. No pressure then!.
For those of you that have stalked here you will know Mace and Saffy and Jasper. Well Mace and Jasper got married and the happy event is about to happen!
Talk about round, Mace is waddling and starting to nest. The next two days should bring a result!! Don't know how many she will have but 5 spoken for so far.
Thanks to all for your visits and we look forward to more great stalking next year.
Pete Samways Pete.
