This hunt takes place out of Norfolk, UK which is a county in the East of England and East Anglia. It borders Lincolnshire and The Wash to the north-west, the North Sea to the north and east, Cambridgeshire to the west, and Suffolk to the south. The largest settlement is the city of Norwich. This outfitter's background started with stalking red deer in the highlands of Scotland, and as their experience grew so did their desire to increase the challenge. The owners are world travelers and have hunted on many continents, so they understand first-hand what it takes to provide the experience as you would expect it to be.
Steeped in a rich cultural history, the United Kingdom needs little introduction. Consisting of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, Great Britain has 7 big game species that can be pursued. For Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer there is no country in the World better than England to shoot a good trophy, with a 5th of the World’s population of CWD living across 3 counties in England. The red deer stalking culture in Scotland; in some cases still using a pony, is something unique to only the Highlands, and despite the smaller heads compared to Southern England’s World Class medals, the stalking experience here is something to behold. With strong populations of introduced Sika Deer in Scotland, Ireland and England, with both Roe and Fallow throughout the mainland, a number of trips are required to understand the United Kingdom’s full sporting potential. The British invented Shotgun Shooting for sport, and nowhere else on earth is it possible to experience such great traditions in the hunt; while the same time experiencing a great sport on a English driven game day.
Red Deer (cervus elaphus) are the largest wild deer in Europe, and have been native to the United Kingdom since the last ice Age. By Choice Red Deer are a forest-dwelling animal but they have adapted well to life in open upland habitats. The majority of British Red Deer are found in Scotland, although sizeable herds are found in England particularly Cumbria, Exmoor and East Anglia. Although traditionally, stalking in Scotland seems to be the British ideal of stalking, much larger animals are secured in the lowlands where the food contains more nourishment and the shelter is plenty, compared with the barren hills in Scotland.
The pelage of Red Deer is as described and is a rich red in color. The rump patch is yellowish white and reaches high onto the back above the tail, which is short and the same color. A dark dorsal stripe runs up the spine from the rump patch to the back of the head, during the rut a Stag’s underbelly will also become black. He will also develop a heavy mane at this time of year which is retained during the winter. There is a wide variation between the size of Stags and hinds and as mentioned between upland and lowland deer, Mature stags can be twice as heavy as mature hinds in the same herd and lowland deer are often twice as heavy as their upland counterparts, they concentrate primarily on the lowland Stags for his impressive trophy, but can arrange trips into Scotland on request.
The Antlers of Red Deer vary widely in length, spread, weight and appearance depending on the food available, the habitat as well as the genetic characteristics. The classic Red Deer head is known as a royal with 2 x 6 point antlers showing brow bay and trey tines, with each main beam topped by a crown of 3 points emerging from a single point on the beam. On our grounds Stags annually are shot with 16+ points, and those with 20+ points are not unknown. A stag’s antlers grow and develop each year of new growth, reaching their peak at about 8-12 years old. However, multi point yearling stags can be seen in our areas (although they do not shoot them). With advancing age the weight drops to the lower part of the antlers and points tend to become shorter and the tops get spindly, this is termed as “going back”. Occasionally Stags do not grow antlers at all, this is termed as a hummel, and these animals tend to be much bigger bodied because they do not use the nutrients required to grow their massive antlers. When the Stags have cast their antlers all disputes are settled by standing on their hind legs and boxing with their front hooves.
Red Deer in the UK spend most of the year in single sex herds although a few young stags are often found to be running with hinds and their calves. The single sex herds often occupy distinctly different ranges – partly due to different food preferences. They have an incredible sense of smell and can detect human scent from up to a mile if conditions are right, that coupled with their keen hearing and sight make the Red Stag a very worthy hunting adversary. Stags will often wander over great distances especially during the rut and this is the most exciting time to hunt Red Stags. Towards the end of September, the stags begin to roar and become increasingly belligerent towards each other before the “The Break out” when they leave the male herds to search for hinds that are coming into season. The rut continues till the end of October and typically a stag will round up a harem of hinds herding the together to defend them more easily against other encroaching stags. The private land that they hunt is hind territory, a few miles out of Thetford forest which is home to some of England’s Biggest Stags. During the Rut, the forests biggest deer come onto our grounds and battle for the biggest harem of hinds. The majority of Stags shot during the rut, on our grounds are medal animals and it is very exciting to stalk into the herd with his constant roaring, rushing about and mating. They regularly see fighting take place between two big Stags which is a spectacle in itself.
The Stags roar is not unlike a cow and may end in a series of grunts, and both sexes will give a bark or grunt if alarmed or suspicious, often followed by a stamp of the hoof. They Hunt Red Stags generally during the rut adopting a spot and stalk method, although blinds and high seats may be used in some circumstances they feel a stalk on foot for this impressive animal is not only more exciting an adrenaline pumping, but is also more successful.
Hunting Seasons:
Red Stag (season: 1st July – 30th April – hunt during the rut, early October)
Roe Buck (Season: 1st April – 31st October)
Chinese Water Deer (Season: 1st November – 31st March)
Muntjac (no closed season)
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