Considering getting into deerstalking for next year.

deeksofdoom

I'm considering giving deerstalking a bash for next season.

Going to upgrade my .223 to a .243 coz its a good foxing round also.

Need to get sorted with a deer hunting license first though.

Then get the license for the rifle and then do the HCAP.

Any other things I should take into consideration/points to note?

Nightforce 65X55

deeksofdoom wrote: »

I'm considering giving deerstalking a bash for next season.

Going to upgrade my .223 to a .243 coz its a good foxing round also.

Need to get sorted with a deer hunting license first though.

Then get the license for the rifle and then do the HCAP.

Any other things I should take into consideration/points to note?

You should build yourself a set of shooting sticks and get plenty of practice with them before your Hcap Shooting Test. Here's a link to a , How to Video ...

http://youtu.be/1-FKA8soFjY

hiddenmongoose

deeksofdoom wrote: »

Any other things I should take into consideration/points to note?

where your going to hang them, where your going to butcher them,have you a big enough freezer for the meat, knives for butchering,skinning,gralloch,permissions and or lease sorted.

cookimonster

hiddenmongoose wrote: »

where your going to hang them, where your going to butcher them,have you a big enough freezer for the meat, knives for butchering,skinning,gralloch,permissions and or lease sorted.

Plus 1 on above

Suitable transport, the Misses mightn't be too happy with you turning the family bus into a 'knackers cart' , if alls good get a good sized game tray.

Most of all get out with lads now in the last month or so to see the business first hand. You never know it may not be your thing, not all hunters are into deer stalking and not all stalkers are into the birds and foxs etc.....

deeksofdoom

Nightforce 65X55 wrote: »

You should build yourself a set of shooting sticks and get plenty of practice with them before your Hcap Shooting Test. Here's a link to a , How to Video ...

http://youtu.be/1-FKA8soFjY

I have a set of them built them last year.

hiddenmongoose wrote: »

where your going to hang them, where your going to butcher them,have you a big enough freezer for the meat, knives for butchering,skinning,gralloch,permissions and or lease sorted.

Need to sort out a place to hang them; large fridge. Have everything else and permissions shouldn't be a problem.

tikkahunter

Get your own cheap form of transport , the smell is very hard to get out of a car so a cheap jeep for knocking around in is handy, a top end knife , the eka swingblade is ideal ,it is a straight blade knife and a grallocing blade in one,good binos and range finder,low light qualities are essential in deer stalking ,a high end scope will make a huge difference, i was in the high seat during the season at last light and out popped a few prickets, ranged them with my ziess and put the rifle up but could not see anything through the scope it was too dark, i was waiting for my ziess diavari to arrive and in the mean time i had the vortex viper on the 243, good scope with all the bells and whistles but it was brutal in low light, no fun when you have set out for hours waiting for a shot and you can see the target through the range finder but not the scope.
As mentioned a good silent set of sticks and some very silent clothing and boots.
Buy the best you can afford and if its not top end it will do till you can sell it on and add money to get top end stuff.
Get yourself some drag straps and last but not least a old drinks fridge for hanging.

Perazzi

Nightforce 65X55 wrote: »

You should build yourself a set of shooting sticks and get plenty of practice with them before your Hcap Shooting Test. Here's a link to a , How to Video ...

http://youtu.be/1-FKA8soFjY

Great clips on your YouTube page well done Nightforce top class.

Tawny Owl

deeksofdoom wrote: »

I'm considering giving deerstalking a bash for next season.

Going to upgrade my .223 to a .243 coz its a good foxing round also.

Need to get sorted with a deer hunting license first though.

Then get the license for the rifle and then do the HCAP.

Any other things I should take into consideration/points to note?

Going to give a small bit of advice, Deer especially Sika dont just stand there waiting to be shot,they are elusive and will spot you from 1000 yards, and keep running whistling like hell letting everything know something is up, were as Fallow will run when seen and stop and look back, and you may, and I say may get a shot off, in relation to a fridge it has been suggested a coke cola fridge is ok, and thats true may cost €200 to €250 check the local sites like Adverts and some others like DoneDeal,gear you need will cost some money Knife / Saw / hooks I bought mind from the WDAI great value, I just bought Mendal boots at a cost of €340 from the great outdoors and they dont give a discount so not cheap, but they are the best boot out there, make sure you dont buy the camo gear like what's sold in America, we dont live in America, our trees and landcape are not the same, you will stand out like a sore thumb, espically in a full moon as you will need to be out late watching the Deers movements and where there walking and they will spot you, get the dark green or brown type gear, again can be expensive, but you do need to be warm, under garments are needed as most of your time will be spent in the one spot, watching for any movement, up to 2 hours just watching.if you have private land you dont need to do the HCAP,so that will save you money,unless you are going after a lease from collite, and be careful in sharing as there could be 5 or 6 or 10 people on that 1 lease, you have to shoot on the lease at certain times and you must be off the lease at certain times, so be extra careful on this one, alll I can add is the very best of luck, be careful where you shoot remember when you shoot whats there if you miss where is that round going, so always have a back stop, and if you feel it's not right to shoot well dont shoot, the Deer is there for another day, always remember SAFETY FIRST ,;)

Nightforce 65X55

Perazzi wrote: »

Great clips on your YouTube page well done Nightforce top class.

Thanks. Its good to get positive feedback. Glad you like the videos.

luvhuntin

Your obviously very experienced in shooting with rifles so my only advice when getting into Deer Stalking is that the easy part is pulling the trigger so if you are using the animal for your own consumption try and go out and see how to do a good clean gralloch and learn how to identify diseases. If you are looking to go in on a lease just do your homework on who you are going in with as there are plenty of lads that will take your hard earned cash off you with no interest in helping you get any Deer. The HCAP is nothing to be worried about for someone that shoots as much as yourself and I'm sure you'll be blown away by the type on mongo that gets the HCAP, and obviously a fridge to hang the animal.
Best of luck with it

deeksofdoom

Thanks for the replies there lads. Going to see if I can sort the deer hunting permit this week.

I'm not interested in shooting big numbers or even big animals, just 1 or 2 handy small ones for my own consumption and can give the extra meat to some friends.

RKMG

I took up deer stalking last year with very little experience previously to that in any hunting.

Best piece of advice I can give is to find someone who is experienced and tag along with them as many times as you can, even leaving your own rifle at home.

If you are only planning on shooting a few a year, things like fridges (although I am now starting to look at getting one), a new vehicle etc are great to have but not necessary in my opinion. From the ones I have shot I butchered mine that evening and because they were youngish deer I didn't notice any difference in the taste from not hanging them. I have a big plastic container (€30) I got from woodies that would fit a fallow that just goes into the back of my car.

Things I wouldn't skimp on are binoculars and a decent scope. The ground you hunt will dictate the clothes and footwear you buy and that all depends on your budget but stuff can be bought quite cheaply and I don't think there is the need to be spending huge money on clothing.

If I was you I would just get the bare essentials first and then build on that from there

deeksofdoom

RKMG wrote: »

From the ones I have shot I butchered mine that evening and because they were youngish deer I didn't notice any difference in the taste from not hanging them.

Yeah I was thinking that you wouldn't have to hang a youngish deer very long, as for deer stinking up the car I'ld imagine that a rutting buck or stag would stink to high heaven.

tikkahunter

Tawny Owl wrote: »

Going to give a small bit of advice, Deer especially Sika dont just stand there waiting to be shot,they are elusive and will spot you from 1000 yards, and keep running whistling like hell letting everything know something is up, were as Fallow will run when seen and stop and look back, and you may, and I say may get a shot off, in relation to a fridge it has been suggested a coke cola fridge is ok, and thats true may cost €200 to €250 check the local sites like Adverts and some others like DoneDeal,gear you need will cost some money Knife / Saw / hooks I bought mind from the WDAI great value, I just bought Mendal boots at a cost of €340 from the great outdoors and they dont give a discount so not cheap, but they are the best boot out there, make sure you dont buy the camo gear like what's sold in America, we dont live in America, our trees and landcape are not the same, you will stand out like a sore thumb, espically in a full moon as you will need to be out late watching the Deers movements and where there walking and they will spot you, get the dark green or brown type gear, again can be expensive, but you do need to be warm, under garments are needed as most of your time will be spent in the one spot, watching for any movement, up to 2 hours just watching.if you have private land you dont need to do the HCAP,so that will save you money,unless you are going after a lease from collite, and be careful in sharing as there could be 5 or 6 or 10 people on that 1 lease, you have to shoot on the lease at certain times and you must be off the lease at certain times, so be extra careful on this one, alll I can add is the very best of luck, be careful where you shoot remember when you shoot whats there if you miss where is that round going, so always have a back stop, and if you feel it's not right to shoot well dont shoot, the Deer is there for another day, always remember SAFETY FIRST ,;)

Not true there mate, deer are colour blind so it does not matter what colour the gear is once its silent , It is proved they can see certain shades of blue but that is it.

tikkahunter

deeksofdoom wrote: »

Yeah I was thinking that you wouldn't have to hang a youngish deer very long, as for deer stinking up the car I'ld imagine that a rutting buck or stag would stink to high heaven.

Even when you clean out a hind and have her in a tray , its just that smell that lingers on.When the wife jumps in after to do the shopping then has to hang her head out the window you wont hear the end of it, or you have to pick a tick off her or one of the kids.If you can afford something to get you by go for it.

deeksofdoom

tikkahunter wrote: »

Even when you clean out a hind and have her in a tray , its just that smell that lingers on.When the wife jumps in after to do the shopping then has to hang her head out the window you wont hear the end of it, or you have to pick a tick off her or one of the kids.If you can afford something to get you by go for it.

I'll use a trailer, or strap the deer to the bonnet of the car.:)

Fallow01

deeksofdoom wrote: »

I'm considering giving deerstalking a bash for next season.

Going to upgrade my .223 to a .243 coz its a good foxing round also.

Need to get sorted with a deer hunting license first though.

Then get the license for the rifle and then do the HCAP.

Any other things I should take into consideration/points to note?

I would imagine you know the basics already, but I would suggest learning deer stalking correctly from the start before you get any bad habits.

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland run free seminars for their members, the next is on March 1st. It will show you how to get the best out of the deer you shoot safely, from the field to the fork. You can join online for only €25 via their website. They also run preparation workshop for the HCAP and other training.

If you don't want to be part of an association, try and find a legit experienced stalker to show you the ropes.

If you're hill stalking, dry feet is important, but already some recommendations have been made here on this.

Happy Hunting!

deeksofdoom

Fallow01 wrote: »

I would imagine you know the basics already, but I would suggest learning deer stalking correctly from the start before you get any bad habits.

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland run free seminars for their members, the next is on March 1st. It will show you how to get the best out of the deer you shoot safely, from the field to the fork. You can join online for only €25 via their website. They also run preparation workshop for the HCAP and other training.

If you don't want to be part of an association, try and find a legit experienced stalker to show you the ropes.

If you're hill stalking, dry feet is important, but already some recommendations have been made here on this.

Happy Hunting!

Where would I find out where these seminars are?

Fallow01

All the events are posted on their Facebook page, twitter, emailed to members or you can go to their website http://www.wilddeerireland.com/

270WIN

i wonder when do the npws stop issuing the 2014/2015 deer hunting licences...you might have to wait until next august before you can apply for a rifle licence cos the deer licences are only issued then?

dodderangler

deeksofdoom wrote: »

I'll use a trailer, or strap the deer to the bonnet of the car.:)

deeksofdoom

270WIN wrote: »

i wonder when do the npws stop issuing the 2014/2015 deer hunting licences...you might have to wait until next august before you can apply for a rifle licence cos the deer licences are only issued then?

If they won't issue me one, I won't be able to get the rifle and I'm not going to wait til August so that will be the end of that idea.

tikkahunter

deeksofdoom wrote: »

If they won't issue me one, I won't be able to get the rifle and I'm not going to wait til August so that will be the end of that idea.

You could be a bit snookered on that one, ring them explain what your doing and see if you send them in the application with the permission from the land owner will they grant you the license, i doubt they will with a month left so you might have to wait till August, but look it, get your self set up first if you have to wait till August then so be it, in truth it takes a few seasons to get into stalking properly ,again you get your gear your permissions sorted, get to know how the deer move on it ,your shed set up with your equipment in it , a few months wait wont kill you, it will be no time really if your serious about it long term.

The Aussie

tikkahunter wrote: »

Not true there mate, deer are colour blind so it does not matter what colour the gear is once its silent , It is proved they can see certain shades of blue but that is it.

True, and movement, they will notice the slightest movement ahead of any colour.

Although like any sport if anything gives you a bit more confidence go for it, be it a €1000 Camo suit to a white feather in your cap or a stinky left sock.

270WIN wrote: »

i wonder when do the npws stop issuing the 2014/2015 deer hunting licences...you might have to wait until next august before you can apply for a rifle licence cos the deer licences are only issued then?

I got issued my first Licence out of season, obviously could not hunt Deer but it enabled me to process with the Firearm Licence.

daithi55

best of luck with the new venture.. start small good binos and scope and a knife and a way of butchering...everything youcan do without for a while and pick them up as you go... at type of scope is on your .223
i made one of these for my car its the job just cover the deer with a sheet

hiddenmongoose

deeksofdoom wrote: »

Where would I find out where these seminars are?

There is one in march I think, check out the facebook page,normally a good enough day with a display of skinning and butchering,disease identification,some bits for sale and some venison cooked.

tikkahunter

hiddenmongoose wrote: »

There is one in march I think, check out the facebook page,normally a good enough day with a display of skinning and butchering,disease identification,some bits for sale and some venison cooked.

They are meant to be very good

deeksofdoom

The Aussie wrote: »

I got issued my first Licence out of season, obviously could not hunt Deer but it enabled me to process with the Firearm Licence.

Well that's good to hear did you have to pull any strings? would love to get the rifle sooner rather than later as it would give me a chance to get my eye in with the foxes.

The Aussie

No, just put in all the relevant information (Foilo numbers) I'm sure that a Deer Licence is valid for 12 Months to allow for people on a Section 42 so they are Valid from the 1st September to August 31st, but obviously you can't hunt out of Season without a Section 42*





*that sounds better in my head than I'm translating I'm sure.

clivej

Hi Deeks.
Get yourself a good nice rifle, something your keep
Tikka, Sako, I'd even include a CZ 550 in that.
Half decent scope but not top range stuff. I have a Bushnell 4200 elite 6-24x50 (got second hand).
Start asking farmers now for stalking permissions. Something that boarders forests that are known to hold deer.
Try to get out with someone that stalks now if you can, only 4 weeks left now.
You can get all the gear you'll need over the summer.

Read this guide http://www.bestpracticeguides.org.uk/
and also send off for the loose leaf book for £15 to have for the HCap if your taking it. You can download the guide, chapter by chapter, but the book is best.
Form here........
http://www.bestpracticeguides.org.uk/sites/default/files/Subscription%20Form.pdf

FISMA

tikkahunter wrote: »

Not true there mate, deer are colour blind so it does not matter what colour the gear

I disagree, my experience and the research I have read disagree. I most definitely believe that colours matter.

Colour blind does not necessarily mean you cannot see colours. It means different things to different eyes.

In the case of deer, they: see colours, just less of the spectrum than we see, with greater difficulty, and do not pick up differences that we would. It appears they share our red/green colour blindness and see more from the green spectrum in to the UV.

Human eyes quickly pick up my orange hat in green fields miles away, but a deer pays no attention to, even at 20yards. This inability to differentiate between colours is another form of colour blindness.

Our eyes are tri-chromatic, we see red, green, and blue. Deer are di-chromatic, they see blue, green, yellow and something red/green. They see blue the best and red's the worst.

Deer do not usually live long in the wild, thus, their eyes do not have a UV filter as we do.

Clothes detergents contain UV optical brighteners that make clothes look brighter and whiter to our eyes. Since deer have no UV filter, we believe they see the effects of optical brighteners better than we do.

Imagine a deer scanning a field or forestry, an area devoid of UV brighteners, and then coming across you, hunkered down in camo, giving off a UV hue. Busted!

If the UV brighteners don't bust you, the morning fresh scent will! Do yourself a favour and get some scentless, UV dye free detergent. Probably even more of a concern if you hunt dusk and dawn.

Personally, I wash my clothes weeks in advanced of the hunt. Dry on the line and leave there for a few days. Then they go in to a paper bag that has pine needles, leaves, or whatever material I have gathered from my hunting grounds.

Leave the bag somewhere free from strong scents, like the garage if it has cans of petrol, mower, ...

My two cents

• Never wear blue
• Never wear white, (like snow camo, unless there is sneachta:-)
• Wear camo to break up your outline
• Move as little as possible
• Do not wash your clothes in common detergent

Scent-lok clothing is great as well. I have tested it a bit and do believe that the portions of your body clothed are protected.

However, when it comes to people, what's the most common scent you get off of them? Their breath! I don't see the point in getting all togged out in scent-lok and leaving the #1 source of your scent un-covered. Seems to me that a carbon mask we be more effective than an entire outfit of scent-blok.

deeksofdoom

clivej wrote: »

Hi Deeks.
Get yourself a good nice rifle, something your keep
Tikka, Sako, I'd even include a CZ 550 in that.
Half decent scope but not top range stuff. I have a Bushnell 4200 elite 6-24x50 (got second hand).
Start asking farmers now for stalking permissions. Something that boarders forests that are known to hold deer.
Try to get out with someone that stalks now if you can, only 4 weeks left now.
You can get all the gear you'll need over the summer.

Read this guide http://www.bestpracticeguides.org.uk/
and also send off for the loose leaf book for £15 to have for the HCap if your taking it. You can download the guide, chapter by chapter, but the book is best.
Form here........
http://www.bestpracticeguides.org.uk/sites/default/files/Subscription%20Form.pdf

I was originally thinking of a CZ550 or the new CZ557 but I don't know if they are available here yet. Then I was talking to a dealer and he said that he is finding it hard to sell them as they are so heavy. Was then considering a Sako A7.

dodderangler

My boss is getting out of deer hunting. He hasn't got the time but he's willing to sell all his things. Knives, clothes etc and he has a steyr .270
I can ask how much if you want. He'll do a deal for the lot but I'd say it's be pricey

deeksofdoom

dodderangler wrote: »

My boss is getting out of deer hunting. He hasn't got the time but he's willing to sell all his things. Knives, clothes etc and he has a steyr .270
I can ask how much if you want. He'll do a deal for the lot but I'd say it's be pricey

Thanks lad but I have a few guns that I want to trade in and I was looking for .243, might be interested in the butchering gear he has though.

dodderangler

deeksofdoom wrote: »

Thanks lad but I have a few guns that I want to trade in and I was looking for .243, might be interested in the butchering gear he has though.

Already asked him about the knives and camo gear and he wants em all to go in one sale.
Fcuked if I'm getting a .270.
But he has a .22 magnum I may take off him though
Also has a pump action but wouldn't be my thing

Kat1170

DHL runs from Sept 1st to Aug 31st ie. 12 months.

Within that 12 months you can only shoot the various breeds/sexes in their respective seasons.


Current Deer Hunting Seasons.


SPECIES

OPEN SEASON DATES

LOCATION

Red Deer Male 1 September to 31 December Throughout the State, exclusive of the County of Kerry
Red Deer Female and Antlerless Deer* 1 November to 28 February Throughout the State, exclusive of the County of Kerry
Sika Deer Male 1 September to 31 December Throughout the State
Sika Deer Female and Antlerless Deer* 1 November to 28 February Throughout the State
Fallow Deer Male 1 September to 31 December Throughout the State
Fallow Deer Female and Antlerless Deer* 1 November to 28 February Throughout the State
Muntjac 1 September to 31 August Throughout the State


* Antlerless deer will be construed as including any male deer without antlers, of less than one year, i.e. a calf