We take a look at what February has in store for deer stalkers across the UK.
From the 15th February Scottish deer stalkers can at last take a well-earned break from the bulk of their duties, with the season for both Red, Sika and Fallow Doe all coming to a close.
North of the border as attention turns away from the larger species in favour of Roe, it is a good time to remember that across the whole of the UK, whilst the mature Roebuck will now appear well advanced in velvet, this will not be true of all Roebuck. The Roebuck fawns will in-fact be in the process of casting their ‘buttons’ during February and so will be absent of antler for a month or so, before re growing their first simple antlers in time for the start of the Roebuck season in April. Other identifying features must therefore be sought in order to verify the sex of the animal, the ‘anal tush’ of the doe being the most obvious example.
Unlike Scotland, in England & Wales the open season for the larger species has some time to run and with the game shooting season having ended on the 1st February, there is an opportunity for stalkers to reclaim the countryside for themselves without fear of upsetting birds just before a shoot day.
As for what nature has in store, a glimpse of the long-range weather forecast reveals that during February we may have some icy weather in store however, to mitigate this, by the middle of the month we will have an extra hour and a half of daylight in the evening and three quarters of an hour in the morning. Enough to make it feel as though we are gradually turning a corner.
Whilst I have your ear, there is something to which I would like to draw your attention. New for 2019 and after some considerable investment we are delighted to be able to launch our radically improved and enhanced ‘PDS Woodland Stalker Course’. Which now boasts some 20 targets out to ranges of 200 yards. This unique course, just one hour from London, is the very best deer stalking facility in the UK and it is now available for both corporate and individual bookings, I’d strongly encourage you to give it a go.
If you’d like to try this course, then we are now welcoming bookings simply contact us on 01403 790244 or email:
Finally, our film, which this month shows the West Highlands at their finest. Snow-capped Munro’s and stunning scenery, along with some great stalking. Please take a look and if you’d like to be a part of the Capreolus Club’s next trip then why not apply for membership of this thriving and exciting deer stalking club: apply-now
To watch the film, please follow this link to our short films page: short-films
IN Season in England & Wales: Roe Does, Fallow Does & Fallow Buck, Sika Stags & Sika Hinds, Red Stags & Red Hinds, CWD Bucks & CWD Does, Muntjac Buck & Muntjac Does.
Off Season in England & Wales: Roe Buck.
In Season in Scotland: Sika Hinds, Red Hinds and Fallow Does until 15th Feb only. Fallow Buck & Roe Does remain in season throughout February.
Off Season in Scotland: Red Stags, Sika Stags & Roe Buck. Also Red & Sika Hinds and Fallow Does from 16th February.
(Peter Jones - Editor)
