As much as I enjoy Christmas, and with three small children its difficult not to get swept up in the excitement, I must confess a readiness to return to work and some sense of normality by January.
By the time the Christmas decorations come down, I am ready to be back in the field. That said, January is a hard month. It is the coldest month of the year in the UK and despite having passed the shortest day, the hours of daylight are still fleeting, as are the remaining weeks during which we can cull females.
In the south of England, this is an important consideration, especially when it comes to Fallow deer, who, abundant as they are, are more or less nocturnal at this time of year.
Elsewhere, around the UK, other deer species are the priority, with hundreds of Chinese Water Deer needing to be shot in the east midlands area, Sika in Dorset and Red in Scotland.
This is the time of year when the pre-Christmas rush of fee-paying guests is over, and the hard work and management of deer is increasingly carried out by professional deer managers.
Nonetheless, those recreational stalkers who are serious and experienced enough to monopolise on the opportunities, will remain welcome company for professional deer stalkers who are more focused and mindful of achieving their cull targets than at other times of year.
Finally, if you haven’t seen it already, I’d like to encourage you to take ten minutes to watch our latest County Deer Stalking film, which we feel is our finest to date.
I am ‘going it alone’ with a new Blaser K95 Ultimate Carbon single shot ‘Kipplauf’ rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. The film includes stunning slow-motion footage of RWS lead-free Evo Green ammunition on a Fallow Buck, and as we head into 2024, I share my view on the future of deer stalking whilst cooking up a ‘stalker's breakfast’ over an open fire.
In the meantime, may I take this opportunity to wish you and your family the very best for the Christmas holidays and a very Happy New Year. And if, looking ahead to next year, you are interested in the Capreolus Club, I’ll leave you with some images of our recent Christmas event.
All photographs by Simon Webster Photography
IN Season in England & Wales: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Fallow Buck, Sika Hind, Sika Stag, Red Hind, Red Stag, CWD Doe, CWD Buck, Muntjac Doe, Muntjac Buck.
OFF Season in England & Wales: Roebuck.
IN Season in Scotland: All deer.
(Peter S Jones - editor)
