In deer stalking, August reprsents a prelude of things to come. Peter Jones offers some advice on how to approach the weeks ahead.
Each year, I usually lead the August almanac with a word of caution about not getting too excited about the start of the season for Fallow buck and Red & Sika Stag. My advice goes something along the lines of: ‘don’t pressure them too hard or else you’ll just make your life a whole lot harder later in the season’. I then promptly ignore my own advice, get over excited and start bashing the Fallow buck, only to curse my eagerness in October, when things really get started.
With the commencement of the season in England & Wales from 01st August, its easy to get excited, nonetheless, my advice remains the same, hold off, wait. The larger species can be very susceptible to pressure, meaning you’ll shoot far more Fallow over what is effectively, a long season, if you can be patient.
Instead, use August to take a few more Roebuck, while the Roe rut continues and then, here’s an idea, use the time to cut back some rides, sure up your high seats and prepare for the glory days ahead.
Personally, it’ll be easier this year for me, because I shall be on my hol’s until the end of the month! Good job too, because here at County Deer Stalking & Capreolus Club, from September through until the end of the year, my feet hardly touch the ground.
We have a host of events and trips planned with the club, that capture the highlights of the autumn rut for Sika, Fallow and Red, along with an abundance of new ground for the club syndicate and openings for guided stalking. In truth I love it!
Autumn for me is the very best time of year and despite now having done this job for over two decades, I am still prickling with excitement and anticipation at the thought of the best of the year to come!
To find out more about what the Capreolus club can offer follow this link to the club’s diary of events: trips-events
IN Season in England & Wales: Roebuck, Fallow Buck, Red & Sika Stag, Muntjac Buck & Muntjac Doe.
OFF Season in England & Wales: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Sika Hind, Red Hind, CWD Bucks & CWD Doe.
IN Season in Scotland: Roebuck, Red Stag, Sika Stag, Fallow Buck.
OFF Season in Scotland: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Sika Hind, Red Hind.
(Peter Jones - Editor)
