Heading to Scotland this September to hunt stag with Mike McCrave. What type of clothing, boots, and gear should I bring? My guess is that the weather will be variable with a chance of serious rain. Will my Gortex 8" light weight kangaroo leather boots work? How about my Kuiu rain suit with layered clothing? Do I need gaiters? Suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I have heard that the terrain/heather can be a real work out.
Thanks
lb

I do not know what area Mike McCrave hunts, but I have hunted different areas in Scotland and all of the terrain has been challenging. I think your boots and rain gear will be fine if you are comfortable with them. There is a high likelihood that all of you kit and clothes will be wet everyday. As you said yourself, layers is the way to dress. I recommend gaiters.

quote:

gaiters.

+1

...and a hat with a bill or brim, and a hooded garment can keep the rain from running down your back in a deluge.

think rain, wind, rain, hard wind, cold, crawling..and rain and wind.

Not sure where you live, but September should be fairly mild (temperature) but wet and windy. Gaiters are a good shout - waterproof trousers (pants) too. Small backback to stow bits and pieces is also useful. The day can begin with a strenuous climb so breathable clothing (or stuffed in the backpack) can be useful.
I prefer high boots (Meindl dovre) with plenty of ankle support. Finally a stick can be very handy to help navigate the various hidden pits and boggy sinkholes.

I guess Mike will send you a clothing recommendation list but my advice is gore tex hunting boots, light goretex trousers, and a jumper or fleece with a water proof thin coat.

I'd take a small backpack which you can carry clothes in, plus take some sandwiches and drink.

Thanks all!
lb

I agree with the comments above. Moreover add:
-midge repellant (as important as boots)
-weigh permitting a second coat, in case the usual coat is too wet the day after a heavy rain.

LB,

I've done that hunt with Mike. Your gear sounds fine and all the advise you've been given is correct but Mike uses Argos to get to the top so its not too much of nut buster at all. Just relax as they do things differently in the field than we do. Just go with the flow, follow your guide's instructions and you'll be fine. We crawled up to about 150 yards from a good stag that was lying down. I told my guide that I could shoot him easily in his bed. No way as that was not the traditional way to do it. We laid in the water for 45 minute until he stood and then we shot him. I actually really enjoyed the experience and I look forward to doing some further hunting in the UK at some point.

Mark

I took a variety of clothing for mild to very cold, and especially some good goretex type rain gear. I wore La Chameau Chassier boots and wouldn't wear any other kind. Covers all the terrain and especially the continuous marshy terrain.

Well they always say in Scotland that you get four seasons in a day, and if you don't like the weather then wait an hour and new season will be along.

Stalking Stags in August you will get weather of 15 to 20degrees C, bright sunshine and clear air (sunburn) to driving rain / sleet.

Start from feet upwards - good well broken in Mountain boots with plenty of ankle support. You can easily cover ten or fifteen miles over broken ground. Some wear tweed knee length breeks, but most now wear full length hunting trousers with reinforced knees. Top half - a checked shirt with a tie is traditional, and many stalkers still wear this along with a tweed jacket, and some of the smarter estates will expect their guests to be similarly dressed. I would add to this a wooly jumper or fleece, and a smock type top layer. Personally I have a ventile smock thats light, wind and waterproof and breathable. Very useful is lightweight down jacket in your pack to add huge amounts of warmth without much weight. It can get pretty cold if you have to wait out a group of hinds.

Colour - depends on the ground to some extent but err more on browns rather than dark greens.

Take the advice of your guides.

I'd say what you wear will depend on where you are hunting.

If the ground is steep, broken and rocky you will need good, well broken in boots with gaiters (both Gore-Tex/breathable) - rubber boots are NOT suitable, no matter what anyone says. If the ground is flatter and you are hunting forestry then sure you can get away with something less stout. I usually wear Meindl boots and Le Chammeau gaiters through the winter.

Similarly on steep ground you will be in some cases expected to make some serious ascents (DO NOT rely on mechanical assistance being available) - so its best again to be prepared with layered, breathable garments. I'd suggest you take two top layers because it WILL get wet and often membrane coats are slow to dry. I use a Swazi Tahr and some others several days a week from October to April.

Get fit (if you're not), don't take anything on the hill you don't need to carry, be prepared to crawl a long way - and enjoy!

Should also have said - its good to have a strong, waterproof and lightweight slip for your rifle. Sometimes you will be expected to carry this, other times the stalker will carry it - in each case unloaded with 3/4 rounds under.

You'll be Wet,Wet and more Wet.. Another thing is Ticks..
I used Cabelas MT505 rainwear and Irish Setter Waterproof knee high Boots.. There are other choices but I'd wear the Knee High type..
I didn't get any Ticks on me because I always take Sawyer bug spray everywhere I go.. Spray wrists and other areas which are exposed..My Stalkers all went in for shots because of the Ticks.. Ticks love Wool..

Ticks. I had no idea.

In addition to ticks at that time of year if it is mild you may to contend with the midge. A terrible fly which delivers far more discomfort than what you would think when you look at its diminutive form.

While all of the above may be true, you could also have lovely days, weatherwise. A mild breeze, sunny, on easy walking ground, with no midges, ticks or soggy marshes in sight.

I've also gone on one of Mike McCrave's hunts. You will have a great time!

When I went Mike was using the Kintradwell estate outside Brora for stags, but I don't believe he hunts there anymore.

Are you taking the combo hunt/sightsee with spouse/significant other? When you're on one of those, Mike brings along a registered tour guide--if it's still Mitch, he's a delight, and extremely knowledgeable.

As to gear, the suggestions above are all right on target; the only thing I'd add is if you're stalking in the Highlands, wear something that makes as little noise as possible. Free-range stags are pretty wary.

Booking with Mike McCrave was one of the best hunting experiences of my life.

Wool.

I'd call or email your stalker (this Mike fellow) and ask him. He'll think it neither odd nor think less of you for it.

My tip is bring something waterproof that if rolled up or folded you can sit down upon.

All hill stalking involves a "sit down". To "spy", to talk, to take a cigarette to gauge the wing. Or just to take your "piece" or picnic...or take a breather.

And sitting down on wet ground isn't nice! Me? I have a big round flat cap on my head, I take it off, turn it upside down and sit on that.

As others have said Boots are important, both times I stalked in Scotland I spent a lot of time side hilling so broken in boots that are comfortable and have ankle support are important. I work broken in Mindl boots and at the end of the day my feet were sore.

I would then wear a good pair of wool socks, Gaiters are really helpful. I have worn breeks but found that Plus Fours were the best, they are warm (when wet or dry) they don't ride up and are really quiet when crawling through the heather. As an american you will feel weird in them but trust me the Scots will not think twice about you having them.

A cotton shirt, wool jumper (sweater) and a waterproof jacket would be very versatile for the top. Lawyering is helpful because the weather can change very quickly. And it usually will!

I would treat all your clothes with Permethrin for ticks it really helped me last time and get a Midge net, you may not need it but if you have to lie for an hour waiting for the stags to get up while in a swarm of migies you will be grateful.

To get an idea of the terrain here is a picture of one of my stags, and yes they are wearing ties.