Hello from N.Ireland. This is my first post, I hope some of you UK based guys can help me out.
I will be in Scotland, near Inverarry Argyllshire, in mid August for a family holiday. I'd like to take in some stalking while I'm there. Can anyone suggest a contact who could arrange some Roe Buck, a morning and evening session would be enough, or even Red's? I'm not interested in trophies, just a cull buck.
I would need to borrow a rifle as I presume my .270win would be OTT for Roe.
Thanks for the help.
Brian.

Hi CD!

I�m far from the best person to help you with this matter But I have been to Stachur a couple of times for roe and reds. Strachur is just across the sea south from Inverarry.

We run into a gentleman named Winston Churtchill (yes that�s his name!) outside Dunoon souht of Strachur. He offers hunts for roebucks (and more) on good grounds at resonable prices. My friend have been there several times and Winston is a good host that takes good care of his guests.

We had several great hunts for reds during the rut on Forrestry Enterprices grounds around Strachur but FE doesn�t accsept "outside hunters" on their land around Strachur anymore

I hope you will get a buck in the highlands, it�s a great experience!!

Stefan.

Brian

I wouldn't worry about a .270 being too much gun, especially if you're interested in sport only. Just nail it with whatever you have.

Stefan

Do you have an address or contact number for Winston Churchill as I regularly venture north to Dunoon? I could chuck a rifle in the car next time I go.

Regards

Tim

Guys, thanks for the feedback. I spotted the Winston Churchill website a few weeks ago www.deerstalker.com/winston_churchill_stalking.htm
Its good to know of positive experiences before booking with someone new. I'll contact him and see if I can arrange a date to suit.

Tim, I guess that my 150gn Hornady Interlock handloads would punch through a Roe without opening up too much.

Thanks. Brian.

Dan,

If there is no reason for your .270 to be "too much" for Roe if you handload. Although I would be regarded as a heretic by most .270 owners for suggesting it you can easily ease back on the gas a little and duplicate the milder 6.5x55mm or 7x57mm..

Regards,

Pete

Pete, I am relatively new to stalking (couple of years), a friend has been concocting my handloads.
I was thinking it should be possible to load a 150gn .270 down to .30/30 velocities, say 2200 or 2300fps for Roe.
Have you any suggestions to loads, or even the feasibility of this? I'm lead to believe that typical ranges for Roe are pretty short, around 70 or 80 metres.
What do you think?
Brian.

Brian,

I would not load down quite that low a velocity, but a 130 grn at 2600/2700 would certainly do the trick without too much meat damage. One of the guys on our syndicate homeloads for a.270 and i will ask him what he recommends.

While shots are often in the 70m/80m range as you suggest, i have also taken a fair few out at 150m and the odd one at 200m when the circumstances were right. Still, the fun really is in the getting close...

Actually if this a one off trip, I think i would probably not bother developeing a new load, but try some Federal Classic in 130grn. Meat damage can be kept to a minimum with good shot placement, and I find Federal Classic will open on Roe without blowing up as perhaps a Balistic Tip might...

Regards
Pete

Thanks for the info gents. I now have a booking with Mr. Churchill for my holiday.

The speculation on a lighter load is really just an outbreak of cabin fever.

Anyway its warming up a bit here, I'm off to go fishing.

Regards, Brian.

Stefan

Too much to drink
Did this chap have a cigarr and a face that looked like bulldog

Did you get any redstag or roe buck?

Cheers
/ JOHAN

Brian,
I'll be in Donegal for a wedding in August and then down south to see some more family. Are there any sporting opportunities for me to take advantage of in Ireland?
Kevin

Kevin,

Brian will probably be able to fill you in better, but there is certainly good certainly stalking to be had in Southern Ireland. They have Red, Sika and I think Fallow deer, along with feral goat in some places. I have not stalked their myself, but I know a few British stalkers go "over the water" to take advantange of the sport over there. Things used to be pretty tight with regards what caliber you could use, but I think that has been relaxed now. For just a day or two's stalking you might find it easier to borrow a rifle whilist you are there...

Regards,

Pete

Kevin, it depends what sport you are after, but it is certainly possible to arrange something. In southern Ireland, if my memory serves, Deer stalking does not open until 1st September, however, you could stalk Sika and Fallow in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland in August. Places such as Baronscourt Estate and Colebrook Estate both let stalking by the day. Borrowing a rifle is definitly the way to go. Both these places are within an hour of almost anywhere in Donegal.

A friend of mine also has some pretty tasty wild goats in north Antrim if that tickles your fancy.

If you are into fishing, August can be fantastic for trout and salmon fishing. numerous places from Donegal right down the west coast to Kerry.

If you want more info, send me a private mail.

Regard Brian.

Kevin,

I just found this site after doing a quick search:
http://www.sidsjournal.com

Its mostely fishing, but there is a fair bit about the Irish stalking scene as well.

Brian,

Have you stalked wild goat over there? How do they compare to deer? I am hoping to get a crack at a decent billy later this year, probably in Scotland. My only reservation is that I have been told that in some places they are too tame to offer much of a stalk...

Regards,

Pete

[ 03-13-2003, 14:33: Message edited by: Pete E ]

Pete, I have never set out to stalk goats, but we have encountered them both in north Antrim and Donegal while looking for Deer.

Genuine wild goats are as difficult to stalk as deer, they apparently have poor eyesight, but their noses don't let them down much. We have spooked goats on several occasions which we failed to spot until they legged it.

On the otherhand, I've seen goats on farm land that were about as hard to stalk as sheep. But these are over exposed to humans. There is an old billy on my dads farm, he has a huge set of horns. If you forgot your rifle, you could probably cull him with a medium calibre swiss army knife.

I am sure it could be arranged here in the north, or certainly in Kerry. I have seen goat stalking advertised in Scotland in some of the English magazines.

Brian.

Claret dab how much for your hunt in US dollars?and what do you get for that?

Gryphon, ball park prices for one day's deer stalking in Scotland seems to be coming in around $200 plus tips. This will either be for a whole day on the hill after Reds, or a morning and evening session after Roe. For this you get a one-on-one hunt with a professional ghillie.

Various places then charge extra for each beast you shoot. These charges vary from next to nothing to some pretty substantial trophy fees for good stags or bucks.

The per day charge will drop some if you were to book a five day package.

Brian.