Deer numbers

Mauser 308

Guys its 4 1/2 weeks to go till the start of the deer season, well stags anyway. Have many of ye been out spotting deer and dry running a stalk? I've been out a few times now over the past month, and deer numbers look healthy. Granted that will all change quite quickly in September but its great to see good numbers now. Mostly prickets and nursing mothers down my way so far, havent seen anything of any size. The freezer has another few weeks supply in it, but looking forward to restocking soon. But I do have to say that dry running a stalk this time of year is really great crack, to be honest I've come to the conclusion the stalk is by far the best part of deer hunting. And a gun is not even necessary. Although I am planning to carry it along on the 1st Sep.:D

dermot218

iv seen plenty of deer on my few permissions too. its great to see them after the hard winter and all the poaching .iv even came across deer where there have been none in years

arrowloopboy

Was in one of my woods last week,nearly got carried away by black flies,theres a quare lot to be said for a frosty morning:D.The brother dosn't even smoke and was walking through the wood with a lit cigarette held on top of his head.

tfox

Mauser308, did ya see much movement on my side when you were down there....?:rolleyes:

underthetumb

been out a bit the last few weeks, and have to agree, numbers are good down my way, a nice amount of prickets too

Mauser 308

tfox wrote: »

Mauser308, did ya see much movement on my side when you were down there....?:rolleyes:

Not much movement your side, but there was quite a few walkers about.
Bumped into the guy who has that land taken, he said there are lots of locals shooting that land and have been for years. He reckoned its been over shot, and then told me to shoot away without even asking. He also said its up for sale, 3 mill if you have it handy... Tom any idea what wood that is that tips the land? That might be worth a look but chances are thats been shot out as well.

tfox

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Not much movement your side, but there was quite a few walkers about.
Bumped into the guy who has that land taken, he said there are lots of locals shooting that land and have been for years. He reckoned its been over shot, and then told me to shoot away without even asking. He also said its up for sale, 3 mill if you have it handy... Tom any idea what wood that is that tips the land? That might be worth a look but chances are thats been shot out as well.

:mad: Nice to see a fella that rents the grazing only giving lads permission to shoot on the land !! only 4 people have permission there but wouldnt be surprised at all that the local go-boys are hitting it regularly !!

Yeah it is for sale but dont think hes had much interest, like most things he'll never get what he paid for it, the rest of its not eligable for forestry, poor grazing so pretty worthless (except sporting:D)

The wood that meets it at the very top opposite from your ground is a coilte let, Sheeskin I think it's called, I had the let beside it couple years back, all riddled with poachers, road nwtwork cross the whole mountain with barriers never closed :mad:

Let me know next time ur heading down for a look I'll hop in wit ya

poulo6.5

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Guys its 4 1/2 weeks to go till the start of the deer season, well stags anyway. Have many of ye been out spotting deer and dry running a stalk? I've been out a few times now over the past month, and deer numbers look healthy. Granted that will all change quite quickly in September but its great to see good numbers now. Mostly prickets and nursing mothers down my way so far, havent seen anything of any size. The freezer has another few weeks supply in it, but looking forward to restocking soon. But I do have to say that dry running a stalk this time of year is really great crack, to be honest I've come to the conclusion the stalk is by far the best part of deer hunting. And a gun is not even necessary. Although I am planning to carry it along on the 1st Sep.:D

i havent had a chance yet this year to do any scouting but i took this last year on a small part of my permissions. there were loads more about but i couldnt fit it all into the length of the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRuB7bFwi74

i took it last July in case you didnt cop that already:D

steyrprohunter

Looking good in the areas where I have permissions in Wicklow too lads!!Lots of healthy stags, prickets and hinds about. For Now that is. A few well known poachers have arrived back from another country and are apparently gearing up for another profitable season with their lamps. They shot the f*** out of some spots last season and then went abroad to work for the summer. They've already been seen driving around and scouting areas where deer are plentiful as weel as national parks grounds. Lets hope the cops and rangers get off their backsides this year and step up their patrols although I cant see the rangers doing a whole lot in fairness.:mad:

Hunter Bob

steyrprohunter wrote: »

Looking good in the areas where I have permissions in Wicklow too lads!!Lots of healthy stags, prickets and hinds about. For Now that is. A few well known poachers have arrived back from another country and are apparently gearing up for another profitable season with their lamps. They shot the f*** out of some spots last season and then went abroad to work for the summer. They've already been seen driving around and scouting areas where deer are plentiful as weel as national parks grounds. Lets hope the cops and rangers get off their backsides this year and step up their patrols although I cant see the rangers doing a whole lot in fairness.:mad:

NPWS and Gardaí both have limited resources. The deer in Wicklow are not native, so would be of less importance than the many native species that are in trouble. Just a theory..........

crackcrack30

Are there any npws guys on here? I find it hard to believe that there aren't, A comment would be welcomed on this matter ......... ......... ..........

Mauser 308

tfox wrote: »

:mad: Nice to see a fella that rents the grazing only giving lads permission to shoot on the land !! only 4 people have permission there but wouldnt be surprised at all that the local go-boys are hitting it regularly !!

Yeah it is for sale but dont think hes had much interest, like most things he'll never get what he paid for it, the rest of its not eligable for forestry, poor grazing so pretty worthless (except sporting:D)

The wood that meets it at the very top opposite from your ground is a coilte let, Sheeskin I think it's called, I had the let beside it couple years back, all riddled with poachers, road nwtwork cross the whole mountain with barriers never closed :mad:

Let me know next time ur heading down for a look I'll hop in wit ya

Yea T,he seemed quite lax about shooting. I'd say there is no chance of keeping that land to just a select few. Thats the problem with situations like that, it ruins it for everyone, as the deer will move on there very quickly as there will be too many hunting. On the land my side, I was originaly told by the owner I am the only person they have given permission to, but last week I started finding high seats set up around the place. When I discretley checked it out I find the owners son has given permission to some locals which is his right. I am disapointed as I thought I was on to a great thing but in reallity it was foolish of me to think I would have it all to myself. In general the farmers want the deer controlled and once they think people are safe they tend to let them in. I suppose in fairness none of us would ever get started if all farmers kept their land to a very select few. I mentioned your delima to a friend today and he pointed out a fair point, the farmer who has the land leased wants the deer controled as they are eating his grass that he is leasing the land to grow. While he may not have the sporting rights he does have a right to protect his grass. And really only in a case were the land owner and owner of the sporting rights wants to inforce their claim will there be an issue with the lease holder allowing guys to shoot etc. In your case would the owner be willing to pull rank on the lease holder.

Mauser 308

steyrprohunter wrote: »

Looking good in the areas where I have permissions in Wicklow too lads!!Lots of healthy stags, prickets and hinds about. For Now that is. A few well known poachers have arrived back from another country and are apparently gearing up for another profitable season with their lamps. They shot the f*** out of some spots last season and then went abroad to work for the summer. They've already been seen driving around and scouting areas where deer are plentiful as weel as national parks grounds. Lets hope the cops and rangers get off their backsides this year and step up their patrols although I cant see the rangers doing a whole lot in fairness.:mad:

Hi Styer, are them boys patroling our lease?:mad:
Guys any more on the talk about deer tags etc when sending deer to a game dealer? there was talk of ideas like that to cut down poaching etc

staghunter

seen nine hinds wensday evening all with calfs and a fine big stag a fifteen pointer if i can manage to keep him alive for another two years he should have a serious head.don,t want to seem nosey lads but is that sheskin would in mayo your on about.

Mauser 308

staghunter wrote: »

seen nine hinds wensday evening all with calfs and a fine big stag a fifteen pointer if i can manage to keep him alive for another two years he should have a serious head.don,t want to seem nosey lads but is that sheskin would in mayo your on about.

No way out, its in the midlands. Good luck with the 15 pointer, sounds like a serious animal...

staghunter

it'l be a miracle if he gets through this year poachers causing awfull problems down here aswell and lads without permission.ya wouldn,t believe the size some of stags can grow to down this way but never get the chance because of a few eejits culling animals to early.the biggest ive seen was a tweenty two pointer,but there was a foreign lad afew years back shot athirty four pointer.he wasn't cheap from what i heard

Mauser 308

staghunter wrote: »

it'l be a miracle if he gets through this year poachers causing awfull problems down here aswell and lads without permission.ya wouldn,t believe the size some of stags can grow to down this way but never get the chance because of a few eejits culling animals to early.the biggest ive seen was a tweenty two pointer,but there was a foreign lad afew years back shot athirty four pointer.he wasn't cheap from what i heard

Must be the good grub down that way. Ur footballers have been eating similar going by this afternoon..

tfox

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Yea T,he seemed quite lax about shooting. I'd say there is no chance of keeping that land to just a select few. Thats the problem with situations like that, it ruins it for everyone, as the deer will move on there very quickly as there will be too many hunting. On the land my side, I was originaly told by the owner I am the only person they have given permission to, but last week I started finding high seats set up around the place. When I discretley checked it out I find the owners son has given permission to some locals which is his right. I am disapointed as I thought I was on to a great thing but in reallity it was foolish of me to think I would have it all to myself. In general the farmers want the deer controlled and once they think people are safe they tend to let them in. I suppose in fairness none of us would ever get started if all farmers kept their land to a very select few. I mentioned your delima to a friend today and he pointed out a fair point, the farmer who has the land leased wants the deer controled as they are eating his grass that he is leasing the land to grow. While he may not have the sporting rights he does have a right to protect his grass. And really only in a case were the land owner and owner of the sporting rights wants to inforce their claim will there be an issue with the lease holder allowing guys to shoot etc. In your case would the owner be willing to pull rank on the lease holder.

Well in fairness to the farmer he has bout 30 acres of actually grazing whihc he gets for a token rent, and the deer are seldom down thet far The real stalking ground he doesnt lease but tells everyone else to shoot it !!

Cant see the owner doing much in fairness, he wont take any money off us for the stalking as he had trouble with squatters in an old cottage there when he bought it and hes afraid if he sells that we'd have some claim on the sporting rights. So as hes getting nothing off us cant see him doing anything to protect our permissions, which is understandable.

As you know yourself the gate over the bridge is neve locked as its a right of way, which in turn gets you onto the whole slievebloom mountain road network, poachers paradise !!

steyrprohunter

They're not "patrolling" our lease Mauser as Im up there constantly herding the sheep for an uncle nearby. Was up there last week and some very impressive animals. Lots of hinds which always good news, goes to show how many survived the poaching and the snow we got. We need to be vigilant this season as I dont think the revenue or any system will hinder some of the diehard poaching scum from their activities. The cameras are the only real solution in my opinion so long as you do it discreetly and legally. A picture paints a thousand words!!!!:)

Mauser 308

steyrprohunter wrote: »

They're not "patrolling" our lease Mauser as Im up there constantly herding the sheep for an uncle nearby. Was up there last week and some very impressive animals. Lots of hinds which always good news, goes to show how many survived the poaching and the snow we got. We need to be vigilant this season as I dont think the revenue or any system will hinder some of the diehard poaching scum from their activities. The cameras are the only real solution in my opinion so long as you do it discreetly and legally. A picture paints a thousand words!!!!:)

How true. We must tie up for a scout some morning early before the 1st. Will give ypu a call during the week to arrange something.

steyrprohunter

Sounds good to me.Im on holidays until next sunday in the west. Hopefully the rest of the cams will be in by then and we can do a bit of work b4 Sept 1st comes around. Im seeing a few decent sika stags on my private permissions also so we'll arange a hunt there some morning too if you'd like Mauser?

iwsf

Sounds good lads. Just give me a call then and i will be ready

dermot218

i got a call this mrning to tell me that a guy frm kerry is doing the midlands looking for permissions hes been seen in several places.

arrowloopboy

dermot218 wrote: »

i got a call this mrning to tell me that a guy frm kerry is doing the midlands looking for permissions hes been seen in several places.

There was crowd of chancers set up a makey uppie culling/poaching service from Kerry,is he involved with them ?

dermot218

it could be possible the same jeep was seen around kinnaghty hope thats spelled right last year. a farmer told my friend who shoots therehe got the number checked out i think we should keep an eye out for them we dont our sport ruined by chancers like them

rambo87

member of my gun club informed me off two spots where he found deer guts from poachers..reckon they were lamped.. we only had a few deer and i rarely ever saw them but this carry on is a disgrace!

HWH DEER HUNTER

hoz it going steyrprohunter,just being reading your last few posts, just wondering if u have seing many stags to gether up there. i have a few leases in wicklow havent had a chance to get up there yet.this weekend hopefully

Birdnuts

Huge numbers of females and and maturing fawns in the Kilbride area in any bit of forestry land(and there is alot!!). The bigger antlers/trophy's are still hanging out on the higher land eg. Sally Gap, ATM:)

Eddy Hill

crackcrack30 wrote: »

Are there any npws guys on here? I find it hard to believe that there aren't, A comment would be welcomed on this matter ......... ......... ..........

flush them out

steyrprohunter

Hows it going HWHDEERHUNTER!! Theres a few showing up on my properties anyway but wishfull thinking they'll still be there in Sept. Just curious but are you the guy that rang me last month about a certain hill where A. G owns?????

Mauser 308

Was back out for a walk today, and brought herself along. Again seen a good few Doe's and calfs and young prickets, ie last years calfs but no stags any older than that. Any idea why that would be? On this particular piece of land aprox 500 acrs I see plenty of deer (until the season starts) but never seen a stag over 1 year of age.

Tackleberrywho

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Was back out for a walk today, and brought herself along. Again seen a good few Doe's and calfs and young prickets, ie last years calfs but no stags any older than that. Any idea why that would be? On this particular piece of land aprox 500 acrs I see plenty of deer (until the season starts) but never seen a stag over 1 year of age.

Because they are on their own or in Bachelor herds.

Mauser 308

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

Because they are on their own or in Bachelor herds.

Yea Tack, but I would expect to come across them at some stage. I can scan a huge area from some of the vantage points and have never seen one over say a year old or so. Even through the summer as I went walking the area and all through the Coillte woods around the area for a look, I never came across one.

Tackleberrywho

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Yea Tack, but I would expect to come across them at some stage. I can scan a huge area from some of the vantage points and have never seen one over say a year old or so. Even through the summer as I went walking the area and all through the Coillte woods around the area for a look, I never came across one.

Do you know the most remote spots?

Because that's where they are.
Male deer unless covorting with females like a remote solitary life.

A deer Buck/Stag does not get to be a trophy by being stupid and hanging out in public.

They also can eat tougher grass than little Does and Tiny Fawns so go higher up the mountain.

Mauser 308

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

Do you know the most remote spots?

Because that's where they are.
Male deer unless covorting with females like a remote solitary life.

A deer Buck/Stag does not get to be a trophy by being stupid and hanging out in public.

They also can eat tougher grass than little Does and Tiny Fawns so go higher up the mountain.

They could be in the thicker forest areas, but would have thought I would catch a glimpse every now and then. I know that more mature stags may only move and feed in darkness but not sure why the in-between stags ie 2/3/4 years are no where to be seen. Take your points though and will venture a bit deeper/higher to take a look....

poulo6.5

Don't worry about it. The bucks/stags are in bachelor herds or on their own as far away from the hassle of raising babies as they can.
They could be a few miles away in a different area minding them selves and building them selves up for the rut.
The prickets you see now will be pushed out by next year to join the bachelor herds or wonder around until it finds it's own quiet patch of ground.

Sika stags have bin known to travel 30k a night in search of hinds and will try and keep them if there is no bigger stag already there.

The fact that you are seeing plenty of female and young means that they are doing their job. And come the silly season they will be back around to do it again.