Thank you gentelmen for the information provided in this forum, I have learned a great deal.
Looking at some of the opportunites discussed here, I would love to spend a few days either chasing stags or roe bucks in the UK, as I gte to London a few times a year, and did not realize that hunting was both affordable and had the potential it does over there.
It seems to me that the prices I looked at, kindly provided by JohnTheGreek, would suggest between 1000-1500L for a 4 day trip, with trophy fees included. Knowing the airfare, what other costs are associated with this type of hunt? Tipping is obvious, but what of trophy preperation? What happens to the meat, and what is the process of having the trophy mounte and shipped back to the states, or is it better to be mounted here?
Also, the packages I looked at indicate the "average" chance for a week being so aand so number of stags or bucks, do these programmes tend to actually produce chances at the quoted number of animals, or is that generally wishful thinking?
Any guidance and other issues that you gentlemen feel should be considered up front would be appreciated.

Adam,

Contact Meyrick Griffith-Jones At Herne Woodland & Wildlife
http://www.hernewoodland.com

I hunted with him in Feb of '01, and could definitely help you out. I shot 10 deer in a 7 day trip Roe does, Fallow and Muntjac. He can set you up with a package as you have looked into, or as little as a single day of hunting for whichever species they are hunting at the time.
Most of the meat usually gets sold to the venison dealer, as that is part of the business. As far as the mounts go you can do either, but either way you'll need to crate and send them through an import service.

Drop me a note if you wish,
bhodsdo1@maine.rr.com

Barry

Merryck and his company are not members of the UKAPDM (UK association of professional deer managers)

The leading lights of the UK stalking fraternity are nearly all members, their knowledge is legendary.

[ 09-27-2002, 14:53: Message edited by: 1894 ]

1894,
I have never heard of the UKAPDM until now. If he is not a member than he must have his reasons.

I know a lot more about him than just what is in his website. As I stated above (if you had read it) I spent a very enjoyable & successful week hunting with him and would recommend him to anyone wishing to hunt in England.

Barry

I certainly appreciate the replys gentlemen. As I said, I'm just beginning to look into this for a hunt next summer, hopefully, so any and all advice is appreciated. Both established organizations and personal experience are valuable.
I will email you BarryH, if you don't mind. 1894, I'd sure welcome any advice other than who to avoid, I want to contact a few people soon to get this thing in the works. While you can easily contact these people, I have to rely on websites and the advice of people in this forum, which should be more than enough to start researching.
Adam

Sika,

You have a private message.

BarryH,

I have amended my post. I wanted to state a fact which I think I have now done so in a less ambiguous way. I did read your post, from the photo it looks like you had a good time, what did you think of our muntjac?

[ 09-27-2002, 14:56: Message edited by: 1894 ]

Sika,
Absolutely, shoot me a note.

1894,
Had a great time. Hoping to go back again. Muntjac are fascinating little freaks. In fact I'm sorta jealous you guys have 12 month hunting on these guys. Plus Roe Bucks in summer, Fallow, Sika, & Reds all fall & winter. Think I could talk my wife & kids into moving again?

Barry

Barry,

Don't forget the small but growing population of wild boar, along with feral goat and Chinese Water Deer too!

Pete

Sika

Like you I have been looking at Scottland for its hunting opportunities and priceing,but due to my health I have not commited to it yet.
Check out www.creeside.co.uk
This is the company that I have settled on when I go. They are extremely willing to work with you on anything that you want,hunting or fishing.
Example of pricing, 4 day hunt package including accommadation and meals 339.00L.
Trophy fee for standard Roe buck 6 point or under
75.00L. Red stag 250.00L.Hope this helps.
James

What currency are you guys refering to by "L"????

Yes, what Pete asked. - Dan

L = Pounds
Prices are listed in pounds on the web site.

As amosgreg has stated, L = British Pound.
At current exchange rate $530.00 U.S. Dollars
is 338.64 L. Not bad for 4 day hunt package.
James

What are the problems, if any, of importing a rifle for one's hunt? What are the weapons of choice for this type of hunting? Thanks. Ku-dude

Ku-dude
No real problems on importing firearms.
You have to apply for a visitors firearm permit
which is usually taken care of by outfitter,
or you can use an estate gun. Calibers run
from 223 to 270 win, 243 seems to be very popular.
Check out www.sportingrifles.com ,this is an
On-Line Scottish magazine. They have a very
nice article on Roe buck stalking in south
west Scotland this time.
James

Excellent info fellas, thanks again. This is definitely going to happen this summer for me.
Buying a house and an upcoming marriage have me a little tight in the wallet, so this is a good choice for an overseas trip, since the airfare is already taken care of by my employer, for the most part.
Are there any issues with bringing your heads back to the US? I would probably like the skull cleaned and the cape tanned with the outfitter's taxidermist, then shipped back to me for my local taxidermist to mount, is this a good idea, and is there any special regulations on this?
Thanks again,
Adam

The prices don't seem bad, not to mention spending money to support a passion that we all love.. one that needs all the help it can get in the UK!!

Sika,

I am not aware of any problems exporting heads from the UK, but please check your end as far as recieving them goes as I believe the US has clamped down because of the BSE and FMD in domestic stock.

Ku-dude,

As far as deer goes, centre fire .22's are only legal for roe in scotland, the minimum
calibre for all deer across the UK in practice is a .243 with 100grain bullets. There is no statutory upper limit but in practice the line seems to be drawn around the 30-06 level.

The trophy fees quoted above seem pretty reasonable for commercial stalking, but I suspect they are the minimums for animals of that class....

Pete