sika in the rain?

DubPredator

Does anyone know how the rain will affect sika? do they move upland or down to lower ground? do they stay in heavy pine forests for cover? surely if its raining for afew days they still have to come out to eat??

doyle61

Don't know about their general habits but I was brought out for a shot yesterday morning to Wicklow for a stalk for sika. With the rain we got that night I wasn't expecting to see a thing but we ended up getting a hind and calf. I got the hind and the lad who brought me got the calf with the follow up shot. Was really surprised to see them out with the bad weather but delighted as it's my first sika.

DubPredator

where they out grazing or did u see them in cover?

Sika98k

doyle61 wrote: »

Don't know about their general habits but I was brought out for a shot yesterday morning to Wicklow for a stalk for sika. With the rain we got that night I wasn't expecting to see a thing but we ended up getting a hind and calf. I got the hind and the lad who brought me got the calf with the follow up shot. Was really surprised to see them out with the bad weather but delighted as it's my first sika.

Obviously haven,t done the HCAP

doyle61

DubPredator wrote: »

where they out grazing or did u see them in cover?

Grazing about 1m into a fire break in a young plantation. Wouldn't class the plantation as much cover. On my permissions its all fallow and with the rain we had the night before, and that was coming down when we were out, you'ld find fallow generally staying in cover. Either way, whether sika generally stay in or out in that weather I was a happy bunny anyway

doyle61

Sika98k wrote: »

Obviously haven,t done the HCAP

And your point being???? So what if I don't have it done, no law against that. plenty of stalkers on here don't have it done so ild say they'ld also like to know what your getting at. Go on enlighten us........

ClarkyTrd

Seen 2 hinds out today while out walking the springer, they were both at the edge of a small wood. Weather was horrible, lots of rain so I was very surprised to see them out in it.

Got within 80ft of them, first two I've seen all season lol.

The dog went mad when he picked up the scent

Cupid__Stunt

doyle61 wrote: »

And your point being???? So what if I don't have it done, no law against that. plenty of stalkers on here don't have it done so ild say they'ld also like to know what your getting at. Go on enlighten us........

According to the HCAP you should shoot the calf first I think is what he is getting at! At least I think that's what was written in it.. didn't pay much heed to it as a lot of it was a bit inaccurate:(

garv123

Cupid__Stunt wrote: »

According to the HCAP you should shoot the calf first I think is what he is getting at! At least I think that's what was written in it.. didn't pay much heed to it as a lot of it was a bit inaccurate:(

The calf will normally stand around though if the mother drops on the spot because she doesn't have a clue whats after happening, and when they have two guns pointing at them the calf wouldnt have much time to react.

Sika98k

doyle61 wrote: »

And your point being???? So what if I don't have it done, no law against that. plenty of stalkers on here don't have it done so ild say they'ld also like to know what your getting at. Go on enlighten us........

Havent done it myself either as I dont stalk Coillte land but even so when learning the ropes was always encouraged to take the calf first,then the hind/doe.
It,s a humanitarian thing.Shoot the calf first,adult female goes about her thing. Shoot the hind first,orphaned calf left to fend for itself.

doyle61

Wellif you havnt done the HCAP either sika98 , where in gods name do you get off critising others. Normally I do this practice myself but a couple of things to point out: firstly there were two guns present, secondly the hind was the safer cleaner shot as she was nearer to me, now heres a big one, look at the mild weather we've had, it was a big strong EARLY (born) calf so it was going to survive as it wasn't reliant for survival on the hind.
I'm no expert, and I wouldn't put myself up as one, but ild say a very sizeable number of posters here would have done the exact same as we did so go figure: a lot of experts who post here so according to you we're all doing it wrong

Hibrion

Each to their own, lads. None of us are wrong as there are technically no strict rules on the subject. I usually leave Hinds with calfs alone altogether. I'm sure many would criticise me for that too.