We look at what January holds in store for deer stalkers and why getting out deer stalking can be good for your mental health.
Apparently the most depressing day of 2023 is due to be Monday 16th January. Or so says university professor and psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall, who calculated the most depressing day of the year, using a formula that considered a number of factors including, debt accumulated over Christmas, the time since Christmas, likelihood of failing our New Year’s resolutions, feelings of low mood and motivation and the need to take action.
I dare say we could all add one or two other ingredients to that equation e.g., the likelihood of bugs picked up by my delightful little ‘petri-dish’ children, or getting up in the dark. One way or another, with the cost of living and general gloom in the economy, it’s important to take time out to do something for yourself to pursue things that you enjoy.
Deer Stalking is not only a fabulous past time but sitting quietly with your mobile phone switched off and away from laptop, is extremely therapeutic and great for our mental health, as it provides us with a period during which we can simply live in the moment, away from the stress of everyday life.
I wrote an article a while back called ‘Zen in the Art of Deer Stalking’; it was a shameless take on the famous book ‘Zen in the Art of Archery’ by another university Professor Eugen Herrigel. Having studied Philosophy and Sport at Brunel, it is a subject close to my heart. Perhaps if you have a moment, you’ll flatter me by giving it a read: zen-in-the-art-of-deer-stalking It may just provide a little insight into why we find deer stalking so addictive and therapeutic.
One way or another, I hope that this January you will combat the ‘blues’ by taking a little time-out for yourself and get out hunting. It is in fact, a great time to be out, with all the UK’s deer species being ‘in season’ somewhere in the UK.
A great platform from which to do this is the Capreolus Club where we have events throughout the new year starting with Exmoor Reds in January and Sika Deer on the Isle of Purbeck in February & March. On which note, if you’d like to see what you can expect from a Capreolus Club trip to the Isle of Purbeck, you may like to watch our latest film: youtube.com/watch
In the meantime, may I wish you a very happy New Year and thank you for subscribing to the ‘Deer Stalkers Almanac’.
If you know someone that could do with a bit of an escape from daily life and who might enjoy deer stalking, then please give us a mention and we’ll be delighted to introduce them to the sport which has given us all so much.
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)
