I am from the USA, going to Scotland, near Tyndrum, for four days of stalking hill stag.From the photos I see, it seem as though much of the shooting is done from the prone position. Do I need to think about shooting off of sticks? I have been given a list of clothes and gear appropriate for the conditions. I am just wondering what I have not thought of.Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

The majority of shots will be taken prone on the hill although some of the short light weight sticks could be worthwhile to allow a sitting shot.

Your ghillie should be able to guide you as to the usual procedure on his hill.

Don't forget to take lots of pics and post a report.

Good luck!!

K

Good luck on your hunt. In my experience, you will only be taking prone shots with a bipod as a client on the hill.

If you are taking your own rifle, I would recommend the slightly higher 13-25" bipods as these will allow you to clear the heather after some 'sinkage' in the moss or peat.

Take plenty of waterproof clothing and have a great time.

You need to practice crawling and belly sliding as these will be the most usual modes of transportation.

I did a lot of running and step climbing before my hunt. Next time I'll just crawl ...a LOT!!!

troy

You should not need a stick for shooting off but i always carry one with me just as a help in walking climing checking depth of peat etc. Best of luck and a lovely place you are going.

If you are shooting in tall heather, I have found that a pair of decent 3-stage telescopic shooting sticks gives a more versatile and stable platform than my irritatingly wobbly 12-23" bipod.

As for kit, pack wet weather gear - you're going to be in Scotland and it WILL be raining (unless it is snowing or foggy) and it it's not raining, it's about to... Mind you, if the long range weather forcast is anything to go by, pack skis as well if you are stalking on high ground from mid October onwards!

Adam.

and the question is not IF the wind will blow...it's how hard will it blow????

I got knocked down TWICE while stalking on the hill one day, found out that night the wind gusts hit near 100mph!!!

I also missed an easy 150 yard shot on a stag. We were behind a hill, shooting across a valley. My bullet hit FOUR FEET to the right. WTH??? As we walked toward the stags position and cleared the hill we were on we found the wind blowing HARD to the right, prolly over 50mph!!!! Talk about wind drift....

Prettiest country and friendliest people in the world. Have fun.

troy

good luck!

Get a nice waterproof-windproof tweed shooting jacket and look the part!

All the best.

It will be wet and you'll learn to hate midges ;-)
The stags in scotland are not big but you'll find a nice one if you're patient.

Thanks for the response. I keep hearing about how wet it is going to be, thinking about taking my waders. Overkill? Other than that, I think I'm ready.

Waders are unsuitable for walking on the hill - you need good walking boots with decent support that are well broken in and comfortable. It depends upon the estate - some will take you up the hill on an argocat and you will only have to walk a short distance, and they will recover the stag with the argocat, but with others there is no mechanical access and so you will have to walk, often for hours, and drag the stag back, often for hours. Clearly your level of fitness is a key factor.

The other thing that it is really important to take is as little as possible. It is a pain to crawl with your pockets stuffed full of gadgets and if you have to walk 20 miles you will live to regret carrying more than was necessary.

In general you need your rifle, ammo, binos, decent boots and decent clothing. A knife is useful but the stalker will almost certainly have one so why carry two? It is also nice to have a camera to record your day and likely that you will be expected to bring your lunch and something to drink - lots of water in a light plastic bottle there is no need for a fancy or costly solution to a simple problem. You should ensure that these will all go in the pockets of your coat as that might be how you will have to carry them. If you have a ghillie then he, or the stalker, may sometimes carry a small rucksack for lunch and water but they will not appreciate being asked to carry much more than this. This will relieve your pockets of lunch and water leaving you with a rifle, ammo binos and your camera.

eny - you can expect the ground to be wet and peaty in many areas. Due to the rough terrain a lot of stalkers prefer high leather boots coupled with gaiters. Waders would be quite restrictive and may be damaged when the stalk inevitably ends with a long crawl...

eny:

You won't be staying in a tent at night, so being wet isn't that big of a deal.

You are going on a hell of a hunt.

Thanks everybody. wife says to quit stressing the wet conditions, man up and wear a kilt. I did by a camera, so I will have photos. (not of the kilt)One more thing, I know the estate gets the meat, but would it be concidered rude to ask for a bit of liver, or heart?

Your wife is right - just stop worrying about it, travel light and enjoy the day out. If you want some liver then ask for it and see what they say, same with heart though you may well have just shot that.

When are you going?

I head to town tonight, on the plane in the am

Good luck with the hunt and be sure to enjoy yourself. The rut has been very patchy here and in some places seems not to have got fully underway but the forecast is for cooler weather so you might be in luck.