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Every few years, I go on a hunt where my wife, who does not hunt or care anything about it, can also enjoy the experience. A few years back, we went stalking hill stag in Scotland, and while I hunted, she and a friend were treated to personal tours of the Highlands by the outfitter's assistant. Made for an enjoyable experience for both of us. Now, she's making noise about doing something similar in Ireland. So, I'm looking for suggestions. I would be interested in hunting fallow deer, maybe another red deer and sika deer. I already know and understand that the trophy quality in Ireland is not nearly as good as other parts of the UK, but that is not the primary reason for the hunt. Any suggestions as to outfitters and areas where the above criteria can me met? Thanks in advance. | ||
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Gahunter, I hunted in Ireland with John (SIKA) Fenton a few years back and enjoyed it very much. Beautiful country and lots of game. I don't have John's contact info but can possibly get it from a friend in Ireland if you are interested P.M. me. Hawkeye | |||
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I found plenty of info doing a Google search on him. Seems he specializes in hunting Sika deer. Did you hunt anything other than Sika? | |||
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You will have a great time in Ireland. As regards the hunting, Ireland is justifiably famous for its sika stalking. I would recommend going in early to mid October when the stags are very vocal and respond well to the call. Sika are available in many areas, but the two main spots are Wicklow and Kerry. Wicklow has the highest density of animals and I believe John Fenton operates there, but these are nearly all, to one degree or another, red/sika hybrids. The pure Japanese sika in Kerry are generally lighter in build and antler size, but are considered genetically pure. In addition the scenery in Kerry is stunning. Alternatively, hunting red deer up in Donegal is very good and the heads are heavier than Scottish hill stags. Just spotted your reference to fallow. These are fairly plentiful but large trophies are hard to come by compared to a hunt in Eastern or Southern Europe. A high proportion of the fallow I've seen are melanistic (black), which is nice. Again, mid-October is prime time for a big buck. | |||
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Just got a quote from a group called Celtic Field Sports, whose operation is on the Wicklow/Kildare border. They are offering a four day, five night fallow/sika hunt for 3900 Euro, including trophy fees for one each of both species. Wife would be a 150-Euro per night add on. I responded, make it in dollars, and we've got a deal!  | |||
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GA Hunter, I hunted with a friend from Cork that was associated with John. I shot a nice Sika and a Sika/Red cross at John's and a Fallow and a Sika at another estate. You can also hunt Hares and fox at night with the aid of lights. We shot a truck load and I really enjoyed it. Beautiful country and friendly people. Hawkeye | |||
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Guys 3900 euro to huntin Ireland !?! Did you manage to meet a few local hunters during your stay? With things they are in Ireland at the moment there will be queues of farmers that will let you roam for a percentage of that fee on their land Then again if you are having a great time good luck to you. | |||
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Gahunter, I've been shooting in Ireland for the last 8-9 years and it is a great place to hunt. I've yet to take up any of the numerous invites to go out on the deer over there but I will at some point, (probably once the kids are moved out!!) I'm keen to get out and have a crack at those Hybryd stags at some point soon though, but I don't fancy having to drag one out!! Wicklow has an enormous density of deer, and when we visit family they are always around so I'm sure you will have a great time. Rgds, K | |||
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Another recommendation for John Fenton in Wicklow - he offers astounding deer density and once you prove you are competent, has ground you can stalk yourself. Only 3/4 hour drive to the south of Dublin airport, which is nice! Dublin offers all the tourism & craic your lady may enjoy. Rgds Ian  Just taking my rifle for a walk!........ | |||
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Would Sika hunting in Ireland be an attactive idea for the 2012 AR fall hunt? | |||
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I hear Fenton is running a much reduced operation these days and has let some of his leases go, but he is still in operation. There are a few other guys offering stalking in Wicklow, but they can be hard to pin down. Sika antler quality in Wicklow is very good. No doubt there is a lot of hybridisation, but the bulk of the population there is pure or near pure Sika. Be careful what you wish for on those hybrids though. I was stalking down near Donard a few weeks ago. I spotted a parcel of hinds and calves at about 1200 yards off. I stalked in to about 180 yards from a huge hybrid hind. I refused the shot though as there was no way I could have extracted the carcass before dark, it was all I could do to extract my own fat ass before dusk. Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not out to get you.... | |||
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All my stalking is in wicklow for sika and hybreds. If your looking for sika stalking in ireland the man to talk to is John Fenton, he has the best ground in wicklow approx 20,000 acres. http://yeswehunt.eu/en/goods-s...es=true&estates=true None of the other operators have the ground or animals on their ground. Most of the sika are pure, there are hybreds on the the hill ground, you get the odd good head on the hybreds but compared to a good sika stag they dont come close. Stalking sika on the hill in my opinion is as good as stalking as youll get. sikastag | |||
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I'm afraid I have only hunted with family so can't recommend any guides. Good densities of deer.  Typical clearfell terrain. Bring good boots.  Wicklow sika stag.  You probably won't get this close!  | |||
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Boggy, I can get pretty close too - 4 feet in this case...  Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not out to get you.... | |||
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Boghossian, Is the picture with the lake looking towards Valleymount and Blessington lake? I think it is I also frequent the area every year my friend has built a house overlooking the lake on the far shore near Lacken. My friends gold medal stag which made about number 14 in the record books:  | |||
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Hi - I'm afraid I took that picture 4 years ago and can't recall which bit we were on. Here's another nice sika, alas not taken by me.  | |||
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Hi gahunter i have a decent bit of stalking in wicklow and celtic field sports have being going around buying up all the shooting the can 100 acres here and there paying big prices for ground some of it is beside national park and the have being seen in there stalking the do not have the land to give you the type of trophys your looking for as far as i can see there just a money making racket john fenton wpould be a much better guide as he has years of good service behind him imo | |||
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Have hunted with David Moores Celtic field Sports 3 Years now and would recomend him and am going back this fall. | |||
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