For at least 20 years, deer stalking has been one of the brightest stars in the shooting firmament. Its rise has tracked the steady growth in the range and population of our six native or naturalised deer species and has effectively resulted in the establishment of a new field sport.
Until a few decades ago, mention of deerstalking essentially referred to one thing alone: the pursuit of red deer — particularly stags — in the Scottish Highlands.
In the lowlands of England, a few enthusiasts stalked roe, often drawing on the rich traditions of woodland stalking that had been imported from continental Europe, especially from Germany by returning ex-servicemen.
Fallow, too, were an important sporting quarry in some locations, especially in ancient hunting forests such as Epping or the New Forest, or in the context of large estates that had a long association with park deer. Low-ground stalking, however, was not exactly mainstream. But, then, several things occurred.
Changing policy
From the mid-1980s, the Government switched from support for intensive farming to agri-environment schemes that prompted the planting of thousands of acres of new woodlands and many miles of new hedgerows and conservation field margins.
At the same time, Forestry Commission policy moved away from single-species conifer plantations and towards broadleaved trees, with a focus on wildlife habitat.
The deer said “thank you very much”. With the countryside becoming more wooded and better connected by hedges, spinneys and cover crops, and given the natural fecundity of most deer species, populations burgeoned.
Denne historien er fra January 20, 2021-utgaven av Shooting Times & Country.
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Denne historien er fra January 20, 2021-utgaven av Shooting Times & Country.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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United we stand
Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors
Serious matters
An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning
They're not always as easy as they seem
While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort
Debutant gundogs
There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting
When the going gets rough
Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make
A step too far?
Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work
Two bucks before breakfast
A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem
Stalking Diary
Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside