Red stag hunting in Scotland

[JMV375]

Anybody have any experience with "West Highland Hunting" ?

Or any other recommendations for free range stag hunt in Scotland ?

Would like to make it a hunt /vacation trip for the family.

Thanks
JMV375

 

[BRICKBURN]

Don’t know the outfit you refer to.
There are so many options it feels overwhelming.

 

[wesheltonj]

I have met the owner at DSC and have looked at them too. I can tell you that they are one the six Leica Lodges worldwide and belong to Magic Safari Lodges marketing group, which are all very high end lodges. Use their stuff it's all Leica. The Stags all look small me conspired to else where in Europe, but the price is right. IF you are looking for a monster, better look at New Zealand.

 

[MarkCZ]

We always hunt (stalk) stags with Winston Churchill Venison. He is based just outside Dunoon. Stunning scenery excellent value for money. All the stalkers are very good at their jobs. We don't go anywhere else. You must be fit. Markcz

 

[MarkCZ]

I have met the owner at DSC and have looked at them too. I can tell you that they are one the six Leica Lodges worldwide and belong to Magic Safari Lodges marketing group, which are all very high end lodges. Use their stuff it's all Leica. The Stags all look small me conspired to else where in Europe, but the price is right. IF you are looking for a monster, better look at New Zealand.

The stags in Scotland are smaller because it tough terrain. Believe me when you grass a stag in Scotland you have really ernt it.
Markcz

 

[Rimbaud]

We hunted on private land. You can find many different outfitters/guides so be sure to check on their bona fides. We paid 500 pounds/animal, or about $650 USD. Be sure to ask if the stalk is a classic highland stalk across wide open spaces, or through a forest. I did the latter, and while I was initially disappointed to not hunt the wide-open highlands, the disappointment disappeared the moment we began to move through the forest. You will see large stags, sika, roe. Incredible hunt. Be sure to wear good boots, and carry a possibles kit. The sun went down on us after we shot a Sika stag across a valley, and over a river. By the time we got the stag to the other side, and began the walk out, the moon went down and it was pitch black, and the guide could not figure out how to get back to the truck, but that is another story. Scotland is incredible and the chance to hunt there is not to be missed. If you can, also take part in a driven bird shoot.

 

[ianevans]

Anybody have any experience with "West Highland Hunting" ?

Or any other recommendations for free range stag hunt in Scotland ?

Would like to make it a hunt /vacation trip for the family.

Thanks
JMV375

Hi I have had a look at the WHH website and they are all proper Scottish stalking estates where you will experience highland stalking at its best . try and book in early october to experience the rut . pm me and i will give you some other contact's.
cheers
Ian

 

[Lancaster]

West Highland Hunting have a very good reputation in the UK. The Head Stalker (PH) Niall (pronounced Neil) Rowantree is a well renowned expert on red deer, see the likes of

.

Most red deer stalking in Scotland let is on free range and on the open hill. WHH happen to have a deer park (a rarity) but just confirm you want to stalk the 'open hill' with them, this is open moorland in the mountains.
The stag quality on 'the hill' is not as good as forest stags or those from forested areas in other parts of Europe as the feed on the open hill is poorer.
Also, be aware, here in Scotland we cull bad heads as a rule, we take a few very old trophy heads. WHH have some of the biggest wild stags in Scotland mainly because Ardnamurchan sits on a penninsular and thus the warm Gulf stream waters surrounding 3 sides of it ensure it gets a longer grass growing season than most places in the country.
Most Highland estates offer stalking but get booked up so look to book now for the rut (end of Sept until end of season 20th October.) An agent who has been operating in the Highlands longer than anyone is http://www.kiltarlity.com/ who can arrange driven or walked up bird shooting too.
Alternatively you can opt to book direct with an estate such as https://www.alvie-estate.co.uk/ or http://www.achnacarrycountry.co.uk/stalking.html
Breathable waterproofs are advised but it can still be warm in October so a shell layer can be carried in a bag with your 'piece' (lunch.) 10x binoculars are advised. All estates offer a borrow or 'estate rifle' - otherwise popular calibres include 6.5x55, .270, 7x57, .308. Average ranges are around 150 yards and less in the rut.
Good luck!
Nick

 

[Alan Rose]

Scotland is full of Red deer.
Some stunning areas.

Don't just pick one Estate and think that'd where you are goin?

You need to choose what you want to shoot.
Cull or trophy.

Most Scottish estate are cull stags.
Ie old stags or stags that they don't want there DNA in the herd. Like small frame or back antlers.
Every stag is different.

Also pick for your ability to walk.
You might as well enjoy it so don't bust your ass and hate the experience.

Remember there are different seasons for different breeds of deer
Pm me if you need a hand. I am happy to help.

 

[johnnyblues]

Bottom line if your not looking for a trophy stag go have fun, some good recommendations here.

 

[Piet-Skiet]

My dream is a reg stag in the highand amd afterwords sit and enjoy a class of glenfidich watching the northern lights....one day even I have grown up

 

[Jäger_Ivo]

Thinking about stalking red deer in Scotland - is it worth going during the rut?

Hi there,

I'm thinking of going deer hunting/stalking in Scotland next year, and I'm wondering if it's worth going during the rut or not. In central Europe, red deer are very active during the rut, often coming out of the woods into open fields, and they can be called, making them easier to spot.

However, I've been to Scotland many times and haven't really seen any woods, so I wonder if this aspect doesn't really apply. Can anyone with experience of hunting in Scotland give me some advice on this? Does the rut affect hunting conditions as much as it does in Central Europe, or should I not worry about it?

Any recommendation or suggestion on Estate or outfitter for trophy deer?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Lancaster]

Red deer in Scotland rut on the open hill readily, just as readily as woodland stags.

There is lots of woodland and woodland red stags in Scotland, almost as much as open hill and open hill stags.

On the open hill you generally don’t need to call them as you can see them, you don’t need to call them out of cover.

If you want to stalk either let me know when and where you would like to go and I can give some recommendations including Ollie Hill at Sybartite Sporting who deals with a lot of German clients.

Regards
Nick

 

[Lancaster]

Red deer in Scotland rut on the open hill readily, just as readily as woodland stags.

There is lots of woodland and woodland red stags in Scotland, almost as much as open hill and open hill stags.

On the open hill you generally don’t need to call them as you can see them, you don’t need to call them out of cover.

If you want to stalk either let me know when and where you would like to go and I can give some recommendations including Ollie Hill at Sybartite Sporting who deals with a lot of German clients.

Regards
Nick

Spelt it wrong sorry, Sybarite Sporting