The secret society (also known as a few phone calls and chats over a pint) has suggested an addition to the usual AR Bash where we do the UK deer stalking thing in order to give this a more pan-european flavour. I think it's a great idea that we add more hunting, but not sure my wife agrees....

The plan is to go forward with the same format as last year in Suffolk to hunt Muntjac and Roe Does. I am finalising details and prices but that is scheduled for early-mid Feb. Dates look like either 4-6th or 11th-13th. I have agreed the pigeon shooting decision to be left until the day this year so we can treat it subject to the weather. Prices should remain fairly static as the estate has provisionally agreed a cull figure with me for the coming season. This weekend will be for up to 18 hunters again.

In addition to this I have been talking to one of the taller members of the forum... (three guesses ) and we will be organising a 4 day Seal hunting and cod fishing trip to Norway towards the end of March 2011. This is a smaller group, with a maximum of 6 guns and we are currently trying to put all the details together to come up with the full package of transport accommodation fishing licences and shooting.

So what do you think?

Rgds
Kiri

I want in on the Seal hunting, if I can borrow a rifle.

Australia to Norway with a rifle seems like a very painful concept.

Any news on the German trip Gerry suggested?

It looks like the format will be for teams of three to hunt together in each boat,so I'm sure borrowing a rifle off of one of your hunting partners will be easy enough to arrange.

Rgds,
Kiri

quote:

Originally posted by DJM:
Any news on the German trip Gerry suggested?

As I understand there are some dates in the offing but he's just waiting for them to be confirmed that end along with some other details. I think November was mentioned.

Rgds,
K

Do you fellows eat the pigeons? They are looked on as inedible here except by a few of us who truly love them. Seal hunting sounds like a fun time. I assume that's done out of boats?

Can I borrow your rifle in case I drop it overboard or vomit on it?

Chef,

Yes we eat the woodpigeons and the doves. The ferals go for fox or ferret food.

The seal hunting is done using a boat to spot the seals then the hunter is dropped onto the coast and he stalks in for the shot. At least that is how it was explained to me and I'm sure Anders will give us all the details.

FB

Hi Kiri, count me in for next AR in February, and another one called Speed on our forum would like to attend, as for the trip to Anders for Seals and Cod, I think I will pass. Going to Norway to shoot a seal and fish some Cod is just not right, we got a lot of them here and they are considered a pest and you just shoot them, and sometimes you get paid to do so. As for fishing, there is cod all-around the shore, and you can fish them from a Boat or from the shore.

quote:

Any news on the German trip Gerry suggested?

I am still waiting for hunt dates which have been promised sometime around the end of July.

Count me in on a AR Weekend in the UK, please.

quote:

Do you fellows eat the pigeons? They are looked on as inedible here except by a few of us who truly love them.

Wood Pigeons & Feral Pigeons are two different Kettles-of-Fish; nesting, brooding, feeding differences & conditions afford the Wood Pigeon solid status as table fare.

Hi guys
The seal hunting is very exciting. We'll be driving around in sturdy boats looking for seals. Once one or more is spotted, you'll be put on shore as close as possible. Normally the seals will pop up and down in the water. So when one erupts from the surface, you take the shot. Normally head shots, when the seals are in water. Distances from 30 to 150+ meters.

When you have taken the shot we radio the boat and guide them in direction of the seal as soon as possible. Normally they will float for a while. When I was there in March we were three hunters and hunted two days. Shot 15 and lost 2.

Borrowing a rifle shouldn't be a problem.. Hope we manage to get this hunt filled up! It will be great!

quote:

Originally posted by Small Bore:
Can I borrow your rifle in case I drop it overboard or vomit on it?

Of course, Dig!
I don't think you'll have a problem though.. I myself get dizzy quite easy, but didn't have any problems in March..

I'm up for the seal hunt - I absolutely hate the sly, whiskery, thieving legless bastards. One swam five miles from Caldy island recently just to steal the bass out of my 200 metre beach-net, leaving only a series of fish heads and a manky dogfish. I'd happily shoot them all. What's the right calibre for seals - I suspect my .223 foxing rig might turn into rather a good seal terminator?

Have to sort out the cold weather kit though - every cod fishing trip I have ever been on has been colder then a penguin's chuff...

Adam.

quote:

Originally posted by Adam.270:
What's the right calibre for seals -

6,5x55 and up, with a bullet weight of minimum 139gr.

I'm interested in the AR UK hunt

Up for both lads.

I want a montage of a seal fighting a pigeon, this sounds like the ideal opportunity.

quote:

Originally posted by Ghubert:
Up for both lads.

I want a montage of a seal fighting a pigeon, this sounds like the ideal opportunity.

Amir, Have you been at the cough medicine again??

I'll get some details finalised next week.

Rgds
Kiri

I'm interested in the UK one Kiri but, sorry Anders, I think I'll have to give the Norway trip a miss.

I'm already signing up for another Lithuania trip and need to spend at least a token amount of time with my family

Kiri,

A few questions for you:

Can Yanks participate (at least in the UK portion)?

Can you provide a break-down of costs involved?

Are any other deer species (particularly Fallow Stags) available on the UK estate?

Thanks for any further details.

Hi Pinotguy!

As Kiri is currently enjoying some quiet time with his good lady wife I'll chime in here.

In answer to your questions Yanks are very welcome ( we do some basic checks for links to terrorism but nothing like you'll be used to if you've ever flown through JFK ). Assuming you turn out not have any links with any terrorist organisations you'll find a couple of other yanks have been coming along to these gatherings for years now!

The costs will be a fixed fee to include everything apart from transfers from airports, though usually one of the boys might be able to give you a lift depending on the schedule, and twenty quid to the keeper at the end of it. Kiri will post the costs when the deal is finalised but to give you some idea last year's bash was £400 including a few beasts.

Six species in total are availiable in the UK, we can put you on to anything you want to shoot. As for the question, can Kiri arrange for a Fallow Buck.......have a look mate http://forums.accuratereloadin...8321043/m/4981064711

Pinot,

Yes we do indeed have a couple of your compatriots along each year.

Regarding the Fallow I will be arranging a couple of days prior to the hunt for those that are interested in some culling and the chance at a buck. Anders, MrG, Arild, Solvi and Gerry came along on this last year,for a couple of outings. If you are specifically after an antlered buck I will arrange a local guide for you to go out and look for one. Simply speaking very little of what we do over here is what you would call trophy hunting, however we also have a different idea of what constitutes a trophy, and the cull buck on my wall gets most people happy with our trophy standards!!

Gimme a call if you want to chat about the options.

Costs for the hunts are on their way.

Rgds,
Kiri

I am also interested in the AR UK hunt.
Regards Toby

quote:

we will be organising a 4 day Seal hunting and cod fishing trip to Norway towards the end of March 2011.

Idol curiousity compells me to ask.

What do you do with the seals once you've hunted them?

I know the Inuit like to eat bits of them. But I'm not sure I would without being starving first.

quote:

Originally posted by Gintrap:

Idol curiousity compells me to ask.

What do you do with the seals once you've hunted them?

I know the Inuit like to eat bits of them. But I'm not sure I would without being starving first.

I jump in with an answer since I'm part of the organizing.
We take care of the skins as well as parts of the meat. Seals are actually great eating! Don't know what to compare them with, but it's very tasty.
The skins can be turned into clothing or as a rug in your hunting/tophy room.

Anders

How interesting.

Presumably the seal meat has a slight fishy flavour given their diet. How is it cooked? Hopefully not just tossed in a pot and boiled with a few potatoes.Yuk!

Do people still wear seal skin clothing? I'm aware that the Inuit still do, but you don't get that many Inuit in Norway.

quote:

Originally posted by Gintrap:
Anders

How interesting.

Presumably the seal meat has a slight fishy flavour given their diet. How is it cooked? Hopefully not just tossed in a pot and boiled with a few potatoes.Yuk!

Do people still wear seal skin clothing? I'm aware that the Inuit still do, but you don't get that many Inuit in Norway.

Not sure if I would call it fishy. Maybe a bit towards whale meat. Quite tender. At least the best parts, like the back straps and tenderloin.

I have only hunted seals once and brought back some of the meat. Haven't eaten much of it yet though. So far I've only tried frying in a pan like a steak. I love red, bloody meat, but the outfitter we used sayed we would be better of avoiding it. Don't know why. It's very important to remove all the fat and avoid it getting in contact with the meat. This will give a bad taste.

I don't think many people wear the skins as clothing. I'm not gonna. Will use them as decor in my trophy room!

quote:

Not sure if I would call it fishy. Maybe a bit towards whale meat.

Love that quote.

quote:

Originally posted by Anders:

Not sure if I would call it fishy. Maybe a bit towards whale meat. Quite tender. At least the best parts, like the back straps and tenderloin.

I have only hunted seals once and brought back some of the meat. Haven't eaten much of it yet though. So far I've only tried frying in a pan like a steak. I love red, bloody meat, but the outfitter we used sayed we would be better of avoiding it. Don't know why. It's very important to remove all the fat and avoid it getting in contact with the meat. This will give a bad taste.

I don't think many people wear the skins as clothing. I'm not gonna. Will use them as decor in my trophy room!

As I've never eaten whale meat I'll have to take your word for it.

I can understand the outfitters warning. The big problem in eating a top of the food chain predator is the accumulation of toxins in the body tissues. As you go higher up the food chain so the ingested levels of toxins increases especially lead and other heavy metals.

Lets hope those skins don't shed to much fur.

If you're heading to norway for seal this is the place to be.

http://www.seljakt.net/


most bang for the buck!


and yes, I have been there but I am in no way affiliated with the company..

This sounds very interesting, and I would also love to be kept updated ......

Kiri.
I´m saving for Namibia in April 2011, but if funds allow, I´ll love to be over to UK again next year.
That´s include fallow at your land and a stay over at The White Horse Inn

quote:

Originally posted by Goldeneye:
If you're heading to norway for seal this is the place to be.

http://www.seljakt.net/


most bang for the buck!


and yes, I have been there but I am in no way affiliated with the company..

That's where we're going!