Latest hunts on offer from Diana: http://diana.netlag.dk/file/5193 (PDF takes a bit to load)

Anyone have experience with Diana, and specifically with their hunts in Scotland?

Bill

Bill,

I've been to Scotland with Diana three times on their "Hunt On your Own" offering where you just basicaly lease a Forest Property area from them for a week. After getting a breifing and them explaining the property bondaries you are litterally on your own. Did it once for Stags and twice for Hinds. This is O.K. for those of us in Europe who have the infrstructure required at their disposal; i.e., 4-Wheel Drive and acilliary equipment required that one simply cannot lug around on an airplane. We take what we need with us in the car on the Ferry.

If I had three complaints in general on ANY Scottish Estate stalking opportunity.

1. The limited hours you actually hunt when guided. Normally a morning and afternoon/evening session and for my personal taste too much time spent midday absorbing the ambiance of a heavy lunch with lots of wine. Don't get me wrong I like heavy lunches and wine but it has it's place and when I book a hunt I want to be out on the Hill. Perhaps typically North American attitude but still want to avail myself of every second of the Scottish Highlands possible.

2.. The second is the "Gentleman" aspect & attitude where you are sorta lead around by the nose and treated like the Great Landed Gentry. That's all fine and good when the Beasts are standing broadside in the paddock but that isn't always the case and then I want to have real hunting expereince, wallow in the Heather and low-crawl all day getting into position to shoot the Beast, basically a down & dirty hunting expereince but that isn't always the case.

3. The Ghillie is attached to you like a leeche or sewn to your hip pocket and I don't personally do well with someone leaning over my shoulder all the time I'm out.

These are personal preferences and expereinces and yes, in all fairness to the Ghillies who are for the vast part fantastic hunting companions; with tremedous expereince they don't only have you, the Client for a week but also his daily routine, feeding the Phesants, taking care of the Dogs and planning next weeks Driven Grouse/Phesant Shoot for the Landowner also.

To answer your mail, I've been on some other Diana offerings in Denmark and know many colleagues who have used them in Poland, Hungary, etc. from my experience with them they and others as well they are a reputable outfitter who have always provided us with a solid product at a pretty good price. Never had a glitch using them but then again we've also held up our part being at the right place puctually and having the correct equipment for the task at hand and quite frankly, myself and the hunting buddies who I have been along with on Diana excursions are simply not really extraordinary or overly demanding Clients. We know what we're getting into, which is European stalking at a reasonable price.

You'd be surprised at some of the horror stories you hear about Clients as well as Outfitters, also.

I am familair their products, have availed myself of similar offerings from other Outfitters in Scotland and have hunted near some of their Estates where they offer Stags, Hinds, Roe, Fallow and Small Game.

I also attend the Dortmund convention anually and we are normally quite close to Diana's stand. They certainly make a professional appearance and obviously have a large Customer base. If this activity, their offerings and the number of Clients correlate then it appears to me that with my past expereince their reputation is justified.

Wow! Hijacked my own thread, whata Jerk! Sorry the great tome. Diana's O.K. in my book.

Bill,

I haven't hunted with them myself, but know quite a few people that have. Their impressions have been that Diana offers reasonably decent hunts at reasonably decent prices. But they all seem to agree that nothing exceptional can be expected when hunting with this company. So as long as you go with that in mind, you'll probably have a nice time.

So you mean that there is a place for a Norwegian booking agent aswell as Diana in Denamrk to help guys get better hunts at what they expect from what they pay etc..?

Mr. Rigby,

I personally doubt there's room for another single booking agent in the whole of Scandinavia!

Seems to me like a lot of guys who'd been on a couple of hunts abroad themselves, jumped on this wagon some years ago and virtually flooded the market with "booking agents"...

As most of them don't really have much experiance with what they're dealing with, their hunts often leave a lot to be desired. Thus, I have the impression that quite a few of them won't last very long, so there might be some more room in a few years time.

there will be only one bookingfirm in Scandinavia in a ffew years time, MINE..... hehe

Very interesting argument! Next week I will leave to eastern Poland for a red stag hunt, booked with Diana, in Bialowieza state forest. I will post a report as soon as possible.

hi bill c
i have hunted with diana in poland for boar[half of which where feral !!]
there organization is extremely good sadly there prices are extremely high!!!!!
i reguarly recieve one of dianas mail flyers in the mail and the prices they charge for shooting in the uk is very steep ,i am sure you can get a lot more for your dollar without going with diana,if i can help you to arrange a hunt in scotland i will be glad to get you contact nos. pm me if i can help in any way
i am not an agent just another hunter
regards scirroco

Professional organization charging a healthy price. Good service and support.

Went on a test hunt to Turkey that sadly did not live up to the billing. Fortunately we had agreed a refund clause if the numbers of game were not as promised.

They were not. Diana paid up without quibbling.

Try chatting with Scirrocco - stalking is not state run in Scotland - and excellent deals can be negotiated.

Rgds Ian