What does the New Year have in store for Deer Stalkers? In short, a great deal of excitement!
Yes, it may be cold. Yes, the days are short and yes, Monday 17th January is said to be the most depressing day of the year (Blue Monday). However, we reckon there is plenty to be happy about.
In the UK, in one region or another, everything is in season except Roebuck. That means that somewhere in the UK stalkers can hunt, Roe doe, all Red & Sika deer and all CWD, Muntjac & Fallow deer.
Basically, if you see a deer, chances are, it is in season. Albeit careful selection is always important.
To get the year off to a great start, our official members club, the Capreolus Club, is hosting a Bank Holiday stalk day on Monday 03rd January, a Red deer overnight event in Devon at the end of January and then a return trip to its exclusive triple SI grounds on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset in early Feb for Sika. (See here for more: trips-events/)
Undoubtedly, there will also be a host of accompanied stalk outings and visits via our PLUS scheme to our syndicate grounds, by those that can go it alone. Click here for more: deer-stalking-syndicate
As if this were not enough, we are delighted also to have just signed the lease on another SSSI block of ancient woodland in the Cotswolds.
Unlike last year, when the country was in lockdown, 2022 is set to get off to a flying start.
Deer Stalking is one of the UK’s fastest growing field sports and understandably so. Increasingly, the popular narrative is one of sustainability, and deer stalking provides the perfect way of harvesting a sustainable food source, because deer are wild, free-range, sustainable, and non-intensively farmed.
Increasingly, as the year progresses, we anticipate that this drive to sustainability will intensify and as a result, people’s desire to hunt for their own meat will increase.
As for the deer themselves, January and February can be tough months in the northern climes, where the winters are longer and harsher. However, in the south I am pleased to see deer of all species in fabulous condition, with abundant fat reserves that will surely get them through the next couple of months of cold weather.
Furthermore, deer numbers are at their highest in a thousand years and this is having a detrimental impact on other flora and fauna, so why not enjoy a sustainable food source and simultaneously contribute to improved biodiversity?
If you’d like to get the most from your deer stalking during 2022, the Capreolus Club is a great platform from which to do it. Why not apply-now
If you are new to deer stalking, then a great place to start is by taking the PDS1 Deer Stalking Certificate which you can access easily online here: deer-stalking-course
IN Season in England & Wales: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe & Fallow Buck, Sika Stag & Sika Hind, Red Stag & Red Hind, CWD Buck & CWD Doe, Muntjac Buck & Muntjac Doe.
OFF Season in England & Wales: Roebuck.
In Season in Scotland: Fallow Buck, Fallow Doe, Roe Doe, Sika Hind, Red Hind.
Off Season in Scotland: Red Stag, Sika Stag & Roebuck
(Peter Jones - Editor)
