Have VFP, will travel!

- mike

FB,
I use radios during the hunt in Italy, pmr, lpd, 70cm and 2 meters. have I to bring some? I'll follow KimR during the hunt. And in Italy, during wild boar hunts we dress orange jacket. which are the rules there?

You don't have to wear orange vests or caps in the UK although it probably wouldn't matter if you did.
Most people I've been stalking with wear cammo or dark non-reflective clothing. Something to cover the hands and face with like dark gloves and scarves is usefull since the deer pick up on white flashes very quickly.

Gents.

In reply to a couple of PM's regarding the insurance. This is NOT travel insurance, but rather a third party public liability insurance that comes through membership to organisations such as BASC or the countryside alliance.

You can apply online and all you will need is your membership number.

Rgds,
K

More Questions!!

Does anyone have any kind of food allergies, or specific food requirements?

I remember one of us was gluten intolerant, but other than that I'm looking at what you do or don't eat?

We currently have some Venison, Pheasant, Rabbit, Mutton and possibly a roast joint of pork.

I can also do chicken for the vegetarians....

K

I can eat anything but I'm otherwise generally intolerant.

No specific food requirements - plenty helps, though

The UK 3rd party insurance, does anybody know if there is a max insurance sum per incident??

Different countries have different requirements (e.g. Germany requires an insurance sum of EUR2M, France unlimited). I'll try to get my insurance company to issue me an insurance confirmation for the UK.

- mike

Mike

There is no stated requirement - however, generally we look at 5-10,000,000 GBP.

Folks

Days are few and we are looking at meeting up on the Friday morning at 11:15am. Meeting in the carpark of the Hinxworth Travelodge before moving to the hunt club for an 11:30 meet and greet. Please be punctual as we need to get through a lot of organization to ensure all are out hunting that afternoon.

Directions:
http://www.travelodge.co.uk/se...s_map.php?hotel_id=5

Note that when approaching from the south, you are on a dual carriageway and will need to exit two miles past the lodge, before retracing your route.

Please print off these instructions and see the email for contact numbers should there be any problem. PM me if you have not received an email with contact numbers by tuesday.

Rgds Ian

Thanks Ian, much appreciated.

Maybe you UK guys could keep us up to date on what to expect in terms of weather??

From BBC's weather report ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/u...onthly_outlook.shtml ), it sounds like pretty much all your snow on the ground has melted, and that chances are more for rain in the days to come - perhaps with some (light?) frost at night?? Still colder than usual for the Southern UK, but not as cold as last week. Good chance of rain with resulting muddy fields??

If it looks like this forecast holds up when we get closer to the weekend, I'll refrain from bringing some of the specific items for snow, and add rain gear instead.

- mike

I'm alchohol intolerant.
I find that more than two bottles of wine or half a bottle of whisky affects my sense balance and I start falling over.
Strangely, it has a more positive effect on my sense of humour and my singing ability.

Mike,

all though I wont be coming this time I am with you all in mind and spirit,

bring as much clothing you can and go heavy on the wind/rain proof stuff you will need it.

Exposed in a high seat you will loose warmth fast, surprisingly fast and there is no way of getting warm again. The wind is your fo in this case.

A good seat pad, perhaps one with heating and or a back rest and a piece of neuprene pipe/tubing cower, about a foot long to place on the seats edge are very usefull tools and advice to a first timer.

Best regards Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Trapper Dave:
I'm alchohol intolerant.

Strangely, it has a more positive effect on my sense of humour and my singing ability.

Not from this side, it don't!

Here is the weather for the coming weekend - as has been said, dress warm and waterproof.

http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/7days.asp

Rgds Ian

quote:

Originally posted by Husqvarna M98:

A good seat pad, perhaps one with heating and or a back rest and a piece of neuprene pipe/tubing cower,

Best regards Chris

Great idea - most of the seats do not have a padded shooting rail - a piece of pipe insulation will make for a quiet and non damaging cover.

Rgds Ian

Anyone arrives on Stansted on friday morning and want to share a cab?
Or are there other alternatives to get to the hunting area?

No but I am passing Heathrow about 0900 and would be happy to pop in and pick someone up?

Guys

The hunt organizer mentioned that our recent wet/snowy weather may make vehicle access to the some highseats impossible.

As part of your kit, will you ensure you bring a drag strap/rope so that carcasses can be easily brought to the nearest access point.

Edited to add:
If you need a drag strap, a good option is to get down to the likes of 'Poundland' and get a cheap ratchet strap. Put aside the ratchet and you are left with a 5m tape complete with a hook.

Weighs nothing and folds down to not a lot more - good thing to keep in the pocket of a stalking jacket.

Rgds Ian

"so that carcasses can be easily brought to the nearest access point. "

Dammit Ian, I nearly spilled my coffee!

Or is everyone shooting Muntjac?

Hey - these are Fallow, not Reds - how hard can it be?

Rgds Ian

This is what quad bikes were invented for!!

What cold prevention remedies are people bringing?
I was thinking of Talisker but am quite happy to bow to other experiences gained on the ground

Sleeping Bag, Long Johns and a bottle of Redbreast.

I need to think about packing.

Gents,

I'm off now to start preparations for Fridays Arrival. I will have sporadic internet access so if you have any questions I'm nominating Ian to take care of them regarding logistic information, and if you have anything pressing then feel free to call me on my Mobile. Ian can provide it via PM should it be required.

Have a safe journey from whereever you are travelling and I'll look forward to seeing you in a couple of days.

Personally I will be bringing some Glendronnach and I'm hoping I still have some Smoked Fallow for those that are extra nice to me!!!

Rgds,
K

quote:

Originally posted by Claret_Dabbler:
I need to think about packing.

No reason to panic Brian, lots of time yet...

A resounding "THANK YOU" to both Kiri and Ian for putting this together for us! Where would we be without you?? (Not in Baldock, that's for sure...). See you in the UK on Friday morning.

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by londonhunter:


Snowed last night in the area of the hunt and this picture will be in the daily mail newspaper this morning...........

Also have a picture of Ghubert creeping up on this group last night in the snow trying hang name tags on all the bucks ...................!!!!!!!!!!! Ghubert If you are reading this which I am sure you are good luck to your vesectomy on Tuesday.

Thank you Mr. Hunter.

For everything

Regards,

Amir

bags packed, rifle zeroed just 1 more sleep then on the boat in the morning!

On my way to bed, will be up at 4 a clock flying
To Stansted, to night, will be at the Hotel tomorrow at noon.
I will practice the eating and drinking until the rest of you arrive.

Mates,

I am with you all in mind and spirit,

just to add a bit of tease to the ones attending,

this is what they look like:



Vid is taken at "secret location" today some where in Sweden buy a good friend of mine.

By the way I expect good updates and pics throughout the weekend.

Best regards Chris

I'm packed. Rifle zeroed. Whiskey is on board.

Picking up Brass Thief at 8.15am. 308mate gets picked up at 9.00am. Boat 10.30am, will be in Scotland at 12.30.

Driving down through England, should be in Baldock 7.30pm.

Going to bed now.

Whish you all a great weekend
Should have been there, but work, work, work.....
Looking forward to the report with lots of pics.

Yes, a great weekend, take LOTS of photos! ....and I have to go to work in less than 3 hours

Just going to leave in a few minutes only 20 miles from the meeting place..................

quote:

Originally posted by Husqvarna M98:
Mates,

I am with you all in mind and spirit,

just to add a bit of tease to the ones attending,

this is what they look like:



Vid is taken at "secret location" today some where in Sweden buy a good friend of mine.

By the way I expect good updates and pics throughout the weekend.

Best regards Chris

Nice little video. obviously not his first time out. How and where do we all learn to whistle ? I thought I was a genius when I discovered it ! Slightly let down when I tried to pass it on,only to be told .oh yeah been doin,that for years .
Happy hunting blokes,good whisky and cigars !

May be someone over there has some sort of wireless connection, so we will have some live news update....

Hi to all

I think I am the only person home tonight. End of first night 09 deers in total. Mixed bag of fallow and mutys
Great atmosphere eveyrbody got on very well. Kiri's curry is awesome.

They are all still drink and having deserts when I left 20 minutes ago.,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Early start 0515 GMT I will leaving home around 0445 just to be on the safe side.

Zeroing was fun. Five guys had to retest since their rifles did not group after their journey.

There will be lots of pictures to come will update again tomorrow afternoon.

04 of us are going clay shooting between stalks tomorrow and 03 of us will be going to Bisley on sunday after the end of the hunt.

Good night folks

quote:

Originally posted by londonhunter:
....Zeroing was fun. Five guys had to retest since their rifles did not group after their journey.....

that's really surprising! Thanks for the update

Had to leave hunt early due to work emergency.....

End of Day 02

Total harvested to date 23 beasts including a a white fallow buck 311 yards using a single shot blaser 6.5 x 55 140 VLD

Well what a great weekend we had!

Our first visit to Baldock and meeting with AR members, what a great bunch you all were.

Sorry if I did not get a chance to speak to you all,

Londonhunter sorry to hear that work kept you from coming today I wanted to have a look at your rifle before we left, next time!

Claire and I had a great weekend and yes the rumours are true Claire did shoot a better group than me and she had never shot a centrefire before her 3 round test, my story is that it was the quality of the coaching that enabled her to shoot so well.

A big thanks to Fallow Buck and IanF for all there hardwork and organising the weekend.


The Total for the weekend was,

2 CWD

7 Muntjac, 2 Bucks 5 Does

20 Fallow 11 Does 8 Spikers 1 Buck

And lots of animals seen including some very nice quality bucks of all species.

Only one question Fallow Buck when is it booked for next year?

Sounds like a great gathering (again)
Looking forward to pics and reports.
And next year is defenately of interest as retiered then I´m free to roam

Baldock perspectives.
It’s probably impossible to give a narrative on the weekend that sums it up since everyone had very different experiences around a core of activities and socialising that all seemed to enjoy.
It starts when you pull into a slightly rundown car park behind a diner on the A1M and walk over to a bunch of guys dressed in a motley collection of hunting gear and introduce yourself. It ends as you drive out again a few days later after the last goodbye, tired but happy.
Somewhere in between is a whole chessboard of possibilities and depending on which squares you land on, depends to a degree your experience and enjoyment. Some guys got lucky and knocked over a lot of beasts. Others left on Sunday without having fired a shot after the range test. Talking to the others during the weekend, it became clear that if you were in the right seat at the right time, you could knock over beast whilst another guy a few hundred metres away saw nothing shoot-able. Each time you went out could be your lucky break. So each of the eighteen or so people there could write a very different story about the same event.
My luck came the first evening. I’ve never shot a Muntjac and was quite keen to try. So, following instructions I trudged up a muddy track, through a gap and into a field, looking for a high seat against an oak tree. I found it, climbed up and surveyed the scene. Wind on my face good, a view down one side of a wood to my right with some scrubby grass in front. A view along another face of the wood to my front right with an empty high seat just before a bay I couldn’t see into. Wood beyond again going into a hedge which went away to the left about 700 metres down to a field corner. To my left a hedge for a few hundred metres which then went across the field for the same amount and disappeared around the corner. Directly in front of me was a patch of uncultivated grass with some pheasants feeding on it. Barely three weeks from the end of the game bird season and they already knew they were untouchable!
I got myself set up and ranged all the safe shootable directions to get an idea of distance and then scrutinised everything with the binoculars. Two hours and several hundred sweeps with the binoculars again, I finally spot my first muntjac in the wood. Busy, head down, few steps forward, stopping, looking up, around, down, nibble here, step forwards, nibble again, moving all the time. It heads off through the wood up towards the other high seat, disappears from view into a ditch and suddenly emerges into the field 30 metres away from where I last saw it. Its in Range! I slowly offer the rifle up and take aim. Of course it won’t oblige by standing still sideways on! It carries on, out into the field and down towards me. 70 metres away it stops to feed on some beans. Turns this way and that and I follow all through the scope. Finally it turns sideways, stands up chewing a mouthful and I line up the crosshair, squeeze the trigger and crack, it drops on the spot. I reload just in case but nothing moves except the pheasants who completely ignore both the noise and the dead animal only 10 metres away. I get my camera out to take a picture but find that the rechargeable batteries have not held their charge and it can only summon up enough energy to tell me it is shutting down.
I put the camera away and resume scanning with the binoculars. After about ten minutes another muntac appears from the patch of woodland beyond the bay by the other high seat. It starts walking towards my in a wandering bitty sort of way stopping to glance right and left but never presenting a show. The light is beginning to fade and I thought it would spook when it saw the dead one but, instead, it walked across and sniffed it. Whack, it went down beside it but it had moved at the same time as I pulled the trigger and I could see its legs move a couple of times. It didn’t get up or raise its head or move again so, after 10 minutes I climbed down for a look. This one had gut contents emerging from the exit wound so I thought I ought to do a quick gralloch before the meat spoiled. Not quite so easy as a Roe. Because the legs are shorter, you can’t hold them apart with your knees whilst you work. The smell was strange too, rather like Rabbit I thought. It was getting dark by the time I finished so I set about packing up and getting the carcases back to the truck.
This was quite the opposite challenge to the Red I dragged across the snow at Ian’s. I slung one over my shoulder and picked up the other by putting all four hooves together and just lifting. It seemed a long trip down the track and they got heavier after a few hundred metres but I didn’t want to put a rope on them and drag them through the mud. The mud was a constant feature of the weekend and clung to your boots and anything else it could get onto with great tenacity. The only thing stickier was the pecan pie in the mess room!
I got back to the others and put the carcases in the trailer whilst they went off to pick up Steve.
As luck would have it, I didn’t shoot any more deer over the weekend.
However Saturday morning I saw a Red Tailed Kite trying to take a pigeon, was inspected several times by a Hare and saw yet more pheasants.
Saturday evening I some Chinese Water Deer go from visibility to invisibility and back again but never managed to shoot one.
Sunday morning I did have the unique pleasure of sitting in a high seat and watching Barn Owls hunting at very close quarters.
Later, as we were driving out, I saw a group of seven youngsters in a field and later a group of bucks, one of which looked to be a Gold Medal.
As I said at the start, if you were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, the deer were there for you.
Possibly something about my other experiences later………….

Congrats Dave,

that is why we call it hunting,

no matter how well prepared one is there is always the element of luck and good fortune,

however fortune favors the prepared.

Waidmansheil to you on your first two muntjacs.

Best regards Chris