Red Deer, Muntjac, and Roe Deer...

21 November 2011, 10:49

sws

East Anglia. Try Chris Rogers at Euston, or Holkham Hall.
But Muntjac are very hard to find in the summer when the Roe Bucks are in season and in summer coat.There are masses of muntys in East Anglia, but high cover in the summer makes life tricky.
Out of Roe, Reds and Muntys, you would want to have two picked as your key targets, and one as an opportunity.

21 November 2011, 12:01

londonhunter

Athina hunting

Everybody knows and endorses him here

21 November 2011, 13:52

DJM

quote:
Originally posted by sws:
East Anglia. Try Chris Rogers at Euston, or Holkham Hall.
But Muntjac are very hard to find in the summer when the Roe Bucks are in season and in summer coat.There are masses of muntys in East Anglia, but high cover in the summer makes life tricky.
Out of Roe, Reds and Muntys, you would want to have two picked as your key targets, and one as an opportunity.

+ 1

Either Chris at Euston or Glyn at Holkham with look after you

21 November 2011, 14:58

Gerry

quote:
Athina hunting

Everybody knows and endorses him here

+2!

23 November 2011, 17:37

jjklf1

http://www.hockhamdmg.co.uk/

Stalked with these guys for three years..perfect areas!

24 November 2011, 01:09

caorach

One thing I will say is that if you are coming across the world to go stalking red deer here then you really want to go after a stag on the hill in Scotland. This is a real experience and is what a lot of UK stalking tradition and so on is based around so it would be an awful shame to come all the way here and not engage in the sport that the UK is famous for.

It should be possible to get red deer stalking on the hill plus roe stalking fairly close to each other - maybe even on the same estate. You will not get muntjac in the same area though so you need to consider if you want a munti enough to either travel between destinations or give up the chance of a Scottish hill stag for one.

29 November 2011, 16:11

gbax

The seasons make things a little tricky if you want to do all three on the same trip - August is probably your best bet. I would recommend splitting your trip into two parts.

1) Scotland for the Reds
2) England for the Roe and Muntjac

I can put you in touch with an excellent PH who controls the stalking on 50,000+ acres of southern England whom I guarantee whould put you in front of medal Roe and Muntjac and plenty of them.

Drop me a pm if you are interested.

Best
Guy

29 November 2011, 21:19

Gerry

quote:
50,000+ acres of southern England

Alot of property - includes the Greater Metropolitan Area also?

29 November 2011, 22:15

gbax

Nope mostly Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire and smaller areas in a couple of other counties

01 December 2011, 01:52

dorsethunter

Kevin Downer gets very good reports.
Probably the most sucessful UK PH about...

01 December 2011, 20:44

Fallow Buck

Wade,

August might be a problem for the Muntjac on two counts. Firstly the bigger bucks may still not be clean until later in the month and secondly the undergrowth is so high that it is tough to spot them in the thicker cover they prefer.

It should also be taken into account that after the Roe rut it is normal for the deer to lie up and the bucks become virtually 100% nocturnal in this post rut period. This means that end of September is when they start to show again a bit which coincides with the start of the Red rut.

Given the three species you mentioned I would suggest you came when the reds are roaring rather than at an "in-between" phase of the seasons. By this time the Muntjac will be cleaner and all harvests completed will allow for easier spotting of these little deer. I seem to remember in your message that this was a priority animal for you out of the three. The Roe will also make an appearance by the end of September early October. On top of all this you will be able to do some shotgun hunting too if you are that way inclined.

Sadly we missed the Red roar this year with Tim but we still saw a few stags and got a nice Muntjac. Next year I think the dates are fixed to hunt during the roar with some clients that are doing something similar to what you are asking about so keep a look out for the pics

01 December 2011, 22:14

DJM

quote:
Originally posted by dorsethunter:
Kevin Downer gets very good reports.
Probably the most sucessful UK PH about...

I can't say I have ever heard of him does he have a website.

01 December 2011, 22:27

DJM

Wade as I said above either Holkham or Euston would be good had a bit more time to look up url's prices etc

www.holkham.co.uk

- The cost per outing is £75.

- Fallow, muntjac, roe and red deer are present on the estate.

- An estate rifle and zeroing range facilities are available if required at no additional charge. Visiting Stalkers will generally be expected to prove their ability on the range prior to stalking.

- There is no additional charge for shooting female deer of any species and yearling and cull male deer of any species. The decision to shoot yearling males and cull males will be made at the Deer keepers discretion.

- Fallow bucks over eighteen months of age will be charged at a flat rate of £50 in addition to the outing fee.

- Red stags over eighteen months of age will be charged at a rate of £25 per antler point in addition to the outing fee. (e.g. A 12 point stag will cost £300 plus the outing fee)

- Muntjac bucks over 4cm (measured on the longest antler) will be charged at £25 per centimetre. (e.g. A 10cm buck will cost £250 plus the outing

game@holkham.co.uk

www.eustonhall.co.uk

01 December 2011, 23:37

dorsethunter

quote:
Originally posted by DJM:
quote:
Originally posted by dorsethunter:
Kevin Downer gets very good reports.
Probably the most sucessful UK PH about...

I can't say I have ever heard of him does he have a website.

No I dont think he does but he has a long list of clients and takes some of the UK's best trophies from parks and wild every year. He also does Reno.

02 December 2011, 01:47

Fallow Buck

Dave,

That must be a mis print I'm sure mate. I've spoken to Euston about their pricing and I think said it is £125/point for Red stags. There is also a weight caveat in case you shoot a heavy head over 8kg which is going back and light on points. They also have a 2-3 year waiting list from what Chris told me last week, but Dig was shooting with the Duke this week and will clarify the point.

If Holkham is selling Royals at £300 per beast then they will have a queue a mile long I'm sure, but I can't see there being that much of a disparity?

K

02 December 2011, 02:01

dorsethunter

For the price Holkham is seliing Reds for it must be for cull animals as anyone selling mature stags for that little is well, crazy!

Euston has a waiting list i can assure you. It is around what you have quoted of 2-3 years as they manage the stags superbly and shoot very small numbers ( not even the number of fingers you have on one hand stag wise)hence the waiting list but at the moment every one who goes there comes back so they get 1st dibs and i cant imagine a place coming up for a few years.

A big mature ( too many people shooting immature stags ) stag is worth and are being sold for £2500+ or £120-£150 point.

02 December 2011, 02:39

DJM

Surely 60% of the Stag or any cull should be made up of young animals.

In that area of East anglia an average 2 year old has 8 - 10 points and many 3 year olds are 14 pointers.

Kiri,

Those are the correct prices for Holkham

02 December 2011, 05:35

maxart

have hunted the UK quite exstensivly over the last 11 years, and Kevin Downer is the MAN.
No web site and he is booked solid every year.

02 December 2011, 11:32

londonhunter

quote:
Originally posted by dorsethunter:
Kevin Downer gets very good reports.
Probably the most sucessful UK PH about...

Never heard of him before !

Do you guys want to pay local prices or foreign hunting tourist price ..

Follows the locals on this forum

Otherwise you get creamed ...

Kiri is the man

02 December 2011, 20:03

maxart

just giving our recomendations on the expeirence's we have had. I understand you wanted to promote your friend and we are not saying Kiri is not a good stalker. Did'nt intend this to turn into ...my guy is better than yout guy.I have hunted with several stalkers in the UK and price considered I can only make one objective recomendation, not intendeing to be a diss on your man.

Max

03 December 2011, 13:54

DJM

Max I dont think London hunter meant anything against you by his comments.

However his point is valid

Booking Direct will always be cheaper than using an agent however you will have to do some of the work yourself, ie tranfers hire cars etc.

Typical UK prices are

Woodland Stalking £75 per outing 3-4 hour outing either morning or evening, plus a cull fee usually free for Juvinile Animals and Females,

Muntjac Trophy Fees

Measurements on smallest antlers
4 cm = Free
4 - 7 cm = £60
7 - 8 cm = £110
8 - 10 cm = £130
Over 10 cm = £160

Fallow Trophy Fees

Measurements on smallest antler.

Spike/Small Fallow Buck up to 25cm = Free
Buck up to 30cm = £50
Buck up to 40cm = £100,
Buck up to 40cm + 10cm Palms = £150

CIC Medal class trophies £200 CIC Bronze /£250 CIC Silver/£550 CIC Gold

Chinese water

Deer £350 per buck

£50 Juvenile Bucks (less than 2 cm) & Does £50

Sika

Stags 6 plus points £350

Red Deer

£25 per Tine / Point

Roe Bucks

Cull Bucks from From £75.00
6 point non medal £175.00 250 to 299 grams £225.00
300 to 349 grams £325.00
350 to 399 grams £425.00
400 to 499 grams £600.00
500+ grams £600.00 + £10.00 per gram.

Hill Stalking

Stags £300-350 per day including a single stag

Hinds £130 per day shooting as many hinds and calves that can be extracted from the Hill

How do these prices compare to what you have paid Max. Are they in the same ballpark, Higher or Lower?

03 December 2011, 20:24

sws

I'd agree that going direct you must pay less, but I suspect your a little on the cheap side for CWD with that. I know what I pay on my lease for a buck, and it wouldn't leave much of a profit margin for anyone if you recharged at £350/buck.

I've seen some ridiculous prices advertised. I think Svenska Safaris were £1000 trophy fee for a CWD buck...

03 December 2011, 21:13

maxart

Great prices... but, Wade is from texas...a foreign hunter and would need some level of service. Kevin Downwer is not an agent, he is a deer stalker and a game manager and has carved out quite a nitch takeing care or foreign hunters.
His current prices are
daily rate: 150.... 2 on 1, that is all day with a break for a late breakfast or lunch.
Morning and evening hunt.

Roe trophy fee is 450 for any trophy buck up to gold metal and 1000 for very exceptional trophies.
no charge for culls or non trophy animals

Muntjac... 650 for trophy buck, you will not shoot a small buck.

Chinese water deer...1150 for trophy buck at Woburn or surrounding area.

Red deer... 450 and up
fallow... 500 for trophy quality

These prices include pick up and delivery from Heathrow or Gatwick, rifle hire, takeing care of your trophy, and arrangement for sight seeing.
Yes, these price are higher than your local listing, but when you are comeing from the US you need to have a PH that is dedicated to the time you are there. Kevin is with you for your entire stay, from the time you wake to the time you call it a day. no car hireing , no train schedules, no looking for a decent place to eat. He also has speacial rates at local B&B's for 70.00 per night.
A hunter from West Sussex would be a totaly different, and would benifit from " the Locals"
But a foreign hunter most likely would not.

Look, i'm mot trying to book hunts for anyone, I am just replying to a post from a Texan...an outfitter, asking for info on a good hunt in the UK, not a cheap hunt.
There was no disrespect ment... but it sure seemed like it ruffled someones feathers.

Good luck Wade on your English hunt..whoever you go with.....Max

03 December 2011, 21:33

Eland Slayer

quote:
Originally posted by maxart:
Great prices... but, Wade is from texas...a foreign hunter and would need some level of service. Kevin Downwer is not an agent, he is a deer stalker and a game manager and has carved out quite a nitch takeing care or foreign hunters.
His current prices are
daily rate: 150.... 2 on 1, that is all day with a break for a late breakfast or lunch.
Morning and evening hunt.

Roe trophy fee is 450 for any trophy buck up to gold metal and 1000 for very exceptional trophies.
no charge for culls or non trophy animals

Muntjac... 650 for trophy buck, you will not shoot a small buck.

Chinese water deer...1150 for trophy buck at Woburn or surrounding area.

Red deer... 450 and up
fallow... 500 for trophy quality

These prices include pick up and delivery from Heathrow or Gatwick, rifle hire, takeing care of your trophy, and arrangement for sight seeing.
Yes, these price are higher than your local listing, but when you are comeing from you US you need to have a PH that is dedicated to the time you are there. Kevin is with you for your entire stay, from the time you wake to the time you call it a day. no car hireing , no train schedules, no looking for a decent place to eat. He also has speacial rates at local B&B's for 70.00 per night.
A hunter from West Sussex would be a totaly different, and would benifit from " the Locals"
But a foreign hunter most likely would not.

Look, i'm mot trying to book hunts for anyone, I am just replying to a post from a Texan...an outfitter, asking for info on a good hunt in the UK, not a cheap hunt.
There was no disrespect ment... but it sure seemed like it ruffled someone feathers.

Good luck Wade on your English hunt..whoever you go with.....Max

Max,

Thanks very much for the info....

Are the prices you quoted in pounds or US dollars?

03 December 2011, 22:38

maxart

Your welcome Wade, They are in pounds. I cant find the funky f on my key board

21 December 2011, 01:03

SFRanger7GP

A lot of good information. Red Stag is my favorite animal to hunt and I would love to take one on their native soil. I have killed stag in Argentina and the US. How hard is it to bring your own firearm into the UK? Will any of the AR members from Europe be attending the DSC?

21 December 2011, 01:10

Caracal

I would say, go to main europe (poland or eastern countrys). You will get a wonderful big redstag and a big roe deer. You can hunt for big boars and other species, too.
Pm me if you need contacts.

Dennis

05 January 2012, 06:43

new forest

Kevin Downer is one of the big boys He speciality He is very has a big US following also at the Joe Jacob from Point Blank handles two to three groups of hunters through the Uk each year or another would be Shavesgreen safaris they have had very good reports from outgoing clients. These are all outfitters that have been running hunts in the UK for many years I have worked for the latter two as both driver and guide and they run tight ships.

05 January 2012, 11:53

Trapper Dave

I guess we can all only speak as we find.
The only ones that visit here that I have used and would unhesitatingly recommend are Fallowbuck and IanF.

That's not to say that the other names put forward aren't good, only that I've never heard of or had the pleasure of hunting with them.

05 January 2012, 15:30

londonhunter

There are a few operators in the UK that only caters for hunters outside the UK and do not guide local hunters

Perhaps this gentleman is one of them

THis is likely due to the HUGE difference in price they charge foreign hunters as compared to local prices DJM have previoulsy listed

SO again no offence
the shooting ferternity is pretty tight here in the UK

If one farts in London you hear about it in Scotland by lunchtime

None of our shooting friends have heard of this name anywhere

best of luck to your future hunting in the UK

05 January 2012, 18:17

Fallow Buck

quote:
Originally posted by SFRanger7GP:
A lot of good information. Red Stag is my favorite animal to hunt and I would love to take one on their native soil. I have killed stag in Argentina and the US. How hard is it to bring your own firearm into the UK? Will any of the AR members from Europe be attending the DSC?

Hi Ranger,

It is very easy to bring a rifle into the UK for hunting purposes. A sponsor, (usually your outfitter/guide) makes the application on your behalf. he then couriers the permit to you and you literally walk through customs, declare the gun and go on your merry way.

It looks like I should be at SCI so if you are there lets hook up for a beer and swap some stories.

Rgds,
K