A first-time deer stalking experience with Chiltern Sporting
A few months ago, Richard had his first deer stalking experience with one of Chiltern Sporting’s guides, Henry. He happily left review of his experience with us and we are very proud to share it with you. Here is his story told in his own words :
I was looking around for something to do in the countryside during lockdown and I came across Chiltern Sporting and I couldn’t believe it when I realised it was on my doorstep.
“Having fished and shot game all my life I was looking to experience stalking for the very first time in my life.”
I contacted Tom by email originally and he got back to me very quickly with details, dates, rates etc. All was very reasonable. As I had not shot a rifle or stalked before Tom suggested I start on Chinese Water Deer which need culling on a local farm to conserve their crops. We agreed a time and date where I would meet my guide Henry and I duly set out one early November morning before it was light.
Henry was already waiting for me and we drove to a local farm where he showed me the rifle, scope and binoculars. He was keen for me to test the trigger and action on the rifle and I was glad that he did as I now know what a hair-trigger feels like and nothing like a shotgun trigger.
“We walked quietly into the next field just as it was starting to get light enough to see the horizons. ”
Henry warned me to keep my voice to a whisper and to keep below the hedge line behind us. We chose a good spot below the hedge and started scanning the field. There were some bucks a long way out to the left and two or three does and young bucks in front of us about 190m away. All the time, my guide was explaining the lie of the land and where not to shoot bearing in mind what lay beyond the deer.
He then got me to sit on the ground with the rifle on a tripod and to watch the deer through the scope. Whilst he was watching through the binoculars we chose a deer from the group and waited for it to turn broadside to us.
“Once in the ideal position I checked with my guide if the shot was good and he said “Go for it”.”
With a silencer on the .243 there was not much sound as I took the shot and the deer collapsed without moving and Henry called a good clean kill shot. We had done our job, culled a deer that had been feeding on the winter crops and got some lovely meat for the pot at the same time.
“The whole time Tom and Henry looked after me brilliantly and I will definitely be using Chiltern Sporting again. All the gear was in great quality and worked well and I didn’t need to bring anything apart good outdoor clothes.”
— Richard
