Picture yourself walking through the heather on a windswept glen in Scotland, binoculars at the ready, stalking one of the most iconic deer species in the UK - the red deer. If you have always wanted to try your hand at one of the oldest forms of hunting but don’t know where to start, then we have put together a short guide to get you started on your journey.

Training

A minimum level of training and knowledge is required before you step foot outside with a rifle. Whilst it is not currently mandatory to hold a Level 1 Deer Stalking Certificate (DSC1) or equivalent, the current Scottish Government are considering this under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, which is currently working its way through Parliament.

The DSC level 1 is a nationally recognised qualification for new or experienced stalkers. The course covers topics including deer identification, management, safety, legislation, ballistics, shooting skills and meat hygiene. For more information on training, have a look at the Deer Management Qualification website.

Mentoring

Finding a trusted mentor with years of deer stalking experience and access to suitable hunting ground is the next step. This will be someone who will take you, the apprentice, out in the field to observe and shadow. It may be best to take a rope at this stage, rather than a rifle as shooting the deer is a privilege that some consider needs to be earned. Helping to bring the deer off the hill or from the forest will gather you more brownie points with your mentor than merely watching the day unfold! At this stage it is more important to get out as much as possible with your mentor to watch and learn. This invaluable experience, together with a formal course will give you solid foundations as a future competent deer stalker, improving your understanding and safety practices.

If you are over 17 years old, you can borrow a rifle from your mentor or outfitter to use under the supervision of the lender. The lender must be over 18 years old and possess a full firearms certificate for the rifle being used.

If you are a DSC1 holder and want to find a mentor to guide you, then contact your representative organisation in the first instance to see if they can help. Make sure you join an organisation that suits your needs with relevant insurance, such as the Countryside Alliance, who provide insurance including public liability cover of up to £15 million.

Online forums may offer advice and contacts but be wary as not everyone has the same level of professionalism. If you cannot find a mentor, then you can book a stalk through any of the available outfitters online. Choose one with a good reputation.

Choosing the right equipment

Want to go the next step and purchase your own rifle? Choose a rifle with a calibre that will meet your needs and the current legal parameters. The larger species of deer in Scotland would legally be shot using rifle calibres of .243 and above, though this calibre is more suited for smaller deer, such as Roe, it is considered a little light for larger species. A 6.5 Creedmore, .270, .308 or similar would be preferable.

Purchasing a good quality scope is essential. Spend as much as you can afford on the scope and, if you need to compromise, do so on the rifle. If buying a second-hand rifle, make sure a gunsmith gives it a clean bill of health before committing. Buy from a reputable business. Binoculars are a vital bit of kit as well. These will make the difference between spotting deer or not, as well as recognising and sexing the deer at distance.

Firearm certificate and land permissions

The cost of applying for a firearms certificate is currently £198. All applicants must have a valid reason for possessing a firearm, e.g. as part of their job, or for recreational deer stalking. The applicant must also have somewhere to shoot deer. Permission can be given by a landowner, or one might pay to rent an area to stalk over as an individual or as part of a syndicate. The latter would be a cheaper option if you only wanted to take a few deer per year. A final option could be to book stalking with an outfitter. In order to grant a licence, the Police would need proof that you have booked, or plan to do so once the licence is granted. Please bear in mind it can take from 3 to 6 months to apply for a firearms certificate from Police Scotland. Other UK forces may differ depending on the applicants’ circumstances and any backlog within the forces licensing office. Further information on this process can be found on the Police Scotland website.

Wild deer best practice guides

Lastly, for some bedtime reading, we recommend perusing the Wild Deer Best Practice (WDBP) guides for further information on deer and deer stalking. The online guides provide free information on topics such as deer ecology and behaviour, firearms, culling and carcass preparation. The Scottish Countryside Alliance is a member of the WDBPG Steering Group and has helped to compile these guides over the years.

Please get in touch with our team if you have any further queries:

jill-stewart@countryside-alliance.org or jake-swindells@countryside-alliance.org