A brief encounter

Come rain or shine, professional stalkers have to be out there to try to control the deer, says Jon Snowdon

- Jon Snowdon

Stalkers are a funny lot. We keep in touch and invariably ask questions such as: “How’s the rut going?” Or: “Have you seen much movement?” Most of these conversations between us are because the questioner is experiencing a difficult period and needs reassurance that they are not alone. One of the questions I am often asked and always makes me smile is: “Are the deer moving?” The answer to which is: “Yes, but I am b******* if I know where.”

To date, especially on most of my ground, there are two words that can be used, to sum up, the present conditions: wet and windy. Weather can either help or hinder the stalker with their job on all of the species, but with roe deer, the weather is a prime player in the success or otherwise of the enterprise.

Hunters who are stalking recreationally may not be so affected by the conditions, especially if they have the choice of when they can choose to go. That said, there is no doubt that time spent on the ground is the most important factor for success.

On the other hand, the professional deer manager is out all the time and weather conditions can have a huge effect on cull results. So far, the weather up here in Northumberland has not helped at all. Wet and windy conditions are about the worst a deer manager can wake up to, and we can’t look out and decide it’s not worth the candle on any particular day.

The ‘show’ must go on regardless, and whatever the conditions we have to be out there trying to achieve the cull.

In such poor conditions, the deer manager needs to call upon all of their experience to decide where, given the wind directions and wet conditions, the roe deer are most likely to be.