Hunting deer

Never before have we had such a great stock of deer as we do now. Roe deer, red deer, fallow deer and wild game are found in more and more places and in larger and larger rudders, so large that some farmers feel the pressure on their crops. This shouldn't bother us hunters, on the contrary, it gives many hunters good opportunities to get the unique hunting experiences that were previously reserved only for the few. Deer stalking is therefore a hunt that will only become more widespread in the future. Whereas new hunters used to start by shooting ducks, hens or hares, they now shoot deer with a rifle as their first piece of game. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just a sign of the changes in fauna. To be a successful deer stalker, it's important first to plan the hunt properly. Planning is a special discipline, as this is when you can enjoy the pleasure of anticipation around a good hunt. If you have a new hunting area that you haven't been to before, it's a good idea to talk to former hunters on the terrain, or to the landowner, who will be able to pass on information about the stock. This is particularly useful for new hunters. It's also a good idea to study the terrain on a map. But nothing will be as good as being there out of season, experiencing the nature for yourself. If you are new to hunting, it is worth going out with an experienced hunter, as he or she will be able to help you get a perspective of the first hunting situation and give you tips and tricks along the way. Before throwing yourself into the first hunt, make sure all your equipment is in order.

Another advantage of good binoculars is that they absorb the light, so you actually see better through them in fading daylight than you do with just your eyes. Binoculars come in many different sizes, but if you plan to do more deer stalking as opposed to sitting still on a shooting ladder you would benefit from binoculars that aren't too heavy or bulky to carry around.

Deerhunter’s recommendations for stalking

A lot of game flees at the noise of a hunter who is trying to unfold their new four-legged bipod and adjust it to the right height while also getting their rifle to rest at the right angle. These are things you need to practise so you can do them standing on your head, and so that you are able to shoot responsibly. An extra bonus is that you can also lean your binoculars against a good bipod during your stalk for a steadier look across the landscape.

Always make sure to shoot the rifle before hunting and when changing ammunition. Prioritise good riflescope. There's no point fitting a cheap telescope to a very expensive rifle! Get someone experienced to fit the telescope so that it sits firmly and correctly on the rifle in terms of eye distance. And finally: practise at the shooting range in all the positions that you might get into on an actual hunt, so that you're well prepared.

Use the sun and wind

Instead of going right up against wind and sun, you could plan the hunt so that you stalk in a side wind. This isn't always possible, of course, if the terrain isn't suitable. The same applies to an evening stalk with a north-westerly wind - depending on the season. In the winter, the sun sets early and doesn't reach the north-west; it's the sun and wind coming from the same direction that's the challenge. Evening sun isn't usually as sharp as morning sun. However, if you have the sun on your back, the animal will struggle to see you as it doesn't see well against the sun either, and you can easily move around in the shadows from the trees and other vegetation. Always think of your stalk with the sun and wind in mind. If the conditions aren't right for a morning hunt, or if you haven't seen any animals around several mornings in a row, it may be worth planning your stalk for midday.

Keep an eye out all year round

You could also carry a small bottle of chalk with you on a hunt. A quick squeeze of the bottle will quickly show you which way the wind blows. Alternatively, throw a handful of dried grass or leaves up in the air without too much effort. When you are out and about in the terrain out of season, note any areas where there are scrapes and sweeps. Animals will often be nearby or return to those spots. Tracks are common to game, and if you can find a cross between two tracks, there is twice as much chance. In early spring, the animals like the sun and tend to pick the sunnier side of the forest or terrain. When you go on a recognition mission, you may find the seating areas where they like to stay. All these small signs of life are worth getting to know, just as it's important to notice whether they are moving to and from a particularly attractive feeding area.

In windy weather, the animals hold themselves much more still in the forest than normal. Their sense of smell and hearing isn't optimal in these conditions and so they do what's safest for them - stand still. This means that they won't be as visible as when the weather is calm, but will mean you can get a little closer. During a stalk in windy weather, you may have to look for the animals inside the forest growth and the higher vegetation. On days like these you need to look carefully through your binoculars to spot the the slightest change in nature between the trunks and behind the bushes.

No hunt is the same

That's why it's always exciting and is what makes us want to keep going back. If we knew exactly what everything would be like beforehand, we'd quickly lose interest. The old saying 'in theory there's no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is,' is very applicable to hunting. That's the wonderful thing about hunting, we never become perfect in ourselves, everything is a game between nature and human. We will never be able to dictate the course of battle. Only rarely will we experience everything coming together, but with regular practise and good planning we may get lucky and enjoy more and more of those moments. Everyone has their own unique experience of what works for them on their terrain. The biggest route to success is to hunt as much as possible and create your own experiences.

Having said this, it's also worth getting a trained butcher to show you how it should be done. This ensures you get more out of the animal, especially larger deer. A butcher can show you how to properly bone a haunch and explain what the different parts are called, and how best to use them. Having this knowledge and being able to do this part of the hunt completes the experience as a hunter and will delight your family and guests at the dinner table! As hunters we have to use what we kill and both the heart and the liver are superb to eat.

Deerhunter’s recommendations for stalking

READ ABOUT OTHER TYPES OF HUNTING