Wicklow Newbie

omegaodie

I'm looking to get into deer stalking, my brother is interested too. I'm looking for a club in the Wicklow region or even just someone to take me out on a stalk with them. I'd like to get all set to maybe go hunting with a rifle of my own in December / January, but perhaps that's not realistic as I don't have a gun or any experience yet. I have a minister(ess) of finance that I need to run my spending by and so any budgeting options would be great.

cookimonster

Where to start with this one!

First of all if your looking for a club contact the NARGC and they can put you in touch with the Wicklow Regional Game Council who would have club details. Normally clubs only take people on inland around their AGM which are usually held between secound and third quarter of each year.

Have you any experience hunting or with the use of firearms, specifically rifles?
If not this is a bit of an ask to get yourself set up for deer hunting by December.

I'll assume you have no experience in either firearms or hunting. So let's begin-

Firearms - Deer Stalking Rifle
You'll need the following-
Land Permission (100 arces) that deer are present on. In writing from land owner.
Deer hunting license - you need the land permission to get that.
You may be asked to do a firearms training course (not a issue) by the Gaurds.
You must be eligible to apply for a Firearms License: see Garda website.
Gun Safe - extra cost to fork out for.

The actual firearm / calibre, well that's down to many factors but there is a good thread on here about purchasing a budget stalking rifle and it has a good insight to what's on offer.


Hunting / Shooting Insurance
Not mandatory but advisable, club insist on it and many land owners want you covered.

Transport
You'll just need it, doesn't have to be a 4x4 but once you can get to and from your locations with all the nessacery kit and carcass.

Cold Storage / Freezer / Preparation Area
Once you grass an animal the work begins. Field dressing, removal to a suitable cold storage, butchery area (specialised or your kitchen table what ever works and is mutually acceptable). Freezer space for 20 - 30 Kg of prepared meat.

Kit
Kit is another money pit if you want it to be you can go Gucci and spend a fortune or purchase items from Lidal and Aldi, military surplus and Ebays etc etc.
After you purchase you rifle and scope you'll need the basic-
Binos - €20 or €2,000. The quality will speak for itself. But you'll pick up something decent for €259 -€400.
Knife- €12.00 Mora Companion or as much as you want.
Drag Rope - specifically made or 4 metres of rope.
Game tray - or similar to transport you carcass in on the way home in the car.
There's loads of other kit like head torches, hygiene kits, range finders, gambles, shooting sticks, bipods, tripod etc etc you can pick up along the way as you develop your own style.
Clothing can be anything you want, but realistically for this country your looking at good water proof foot ware, trouser and jacket. Layering can reduce the cost as the same clothing can be used throughout the season by adding to or taking away from. Hats and gloves will provide comfort as well as a degree of concealment.

Experince
Again assuming your a novice this will take in to account the following.
Firearms safety, it's not something you learn from a book, it comes from experince and practice.
Basic Principles of Marksmanship - learning to shoot well and consistently, in various conditions.
Hunting / Stalking a never ending journey of learning best set out on with various mentors.
Humane Killing just because you can shoot straight doesn't mean you know how to kill an animal. Correct point of aim and importantly how to follow up if something goes wrong.
Game Preperation from bleeding, gutting to basic butchery, again life long learning skills to be learnt from many an individual.

My advice is to do as you are here by looking for someone to show you the ropes. But you have to understand that due to the nature of the sport and the use of firearms people may be reluctant to take on a stranger with out any references. Many of us are introduced to the sport through family or associates, but at the same time don't dispar as there are many here who started off on their own with no help. Your big hurdle to get over is to get land permission once you can do that then the key is turned in the lock. Even if you get out with lads it would be rare enough for a lad to get you your own permission. So get out there and start knocking on doors

omegaodie

That's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I know zero people who hunt, few enough who even shoot. Twas meat eater that gave me the idea. I've been able to find out a good bit from here and elsewhere about the costs, except range practice, most ranges allow .22s and no higher so I'm wondering about where I can go to shoot hunting calibres. As for the freezer end, that's what I'm really interested in, my wife and I are big into cooking and food and I can't wait to start butchering. Anyway I'll go check out what clubs are available and get some, cheers cookiemonster.

J.R.

While you're waiting - if you are big into the cooking side...why not ask here if there any lads locally that will sell you some venison during the season,...at least that will gert the cooking, butchering side of things going.

cookimonster

J.R. wrote: »

While you're waiting - if you are big into the cooking side...why not ask here if there any lads locally that will sell you some venison during the season,...at least that will gert the cooking, butchering side of things going.

You mean 'gift' him or 'trade him'.....😏🤔🤫

dodderangler

cookimonster wrote: »

Where to start with this one!

First of all if your looking for a club contact the NARGC and they can put you in touch with the Wicklow Regional Game Council who would have club details. Normally clubs only take people on inland around their AGM which are usually held between secound and third quarter of each year.

Have you any experience hunting or with the use of firearms, specifically rifles?
If not this is a bit of an ask to get yourself set up for deer hunting by December.

I'll assume you have no experience in either firearms or hunting. So let's begin-

Firearms - Deer Stalking Rifle
You'll need the following-
Land Permission (100 arces) that deer are present on. In writing from land owner.
Deer hunting license - you need the land permission to get that.
You may be asked to do a firearms training course (not a issue) by the Gaurds.
You must be eligible to apply for a Firearms License: see Garda website.
Gun Safe - extra cost to fork out for.

The actual firearm / calibre, well that's down to many factors but there is a good thread on here about purchasing a budget stalking rifle and it has a good insight to what's on offer.


Hunting / Shooting Insurance
Not mandatory but advisable, club insist on it and many land owners want you covered.

Transport
You'll just need it, doesn't have to be a 4x4 but once you can get to and from your locations with all the nessacery kit and carcass.

Cold Storage / Freezer / Preparation Area
Once you grass an animal the work begins. Field dressing, removal to a suitable cold storage, butchery area (specialised or your kitchen table what ever works and is mutually acceptable). Freezer space for 20 - 30 Kg of prepared meat.

Kit
Kit is another money pit if you want it to be you can go Gucci and spend a fortune or purchase items from Lidal and Aldi, military surplus and Ebays etc etc.
After you purchase you rifle and scope you'll need the basic-
Binos - €20 or €2,000. The quality will speak for itself. But you'll pick up something decent for €259 -€400.
Knife- €12.00 Mora Companion or as much as you want.
Drag Rope - specifically made or 4 metres of rope.
Game tray - or similar to transport you carcass in on the way home in the car.
There's loads of other kit like head torches, hygiene kits, range finders, gambles, shooting sticks, bipods, tripod etc etc you can pick up along the way as you develop your own style.
Clothing can be anything you want, but realistically for this country your looking at good water proof foot ware, trouser and jacket. Layering can reduce the cost as the same clothing can be used throughout the season by adding to or taking away from. Hats and gloves will provide comfort as well as a degree of concealment.

Experince
Again assuming your a novice this will take in to account the following.
Firearms safety, it's not something you learn from a book, it comes from experince and practice.
Basic Principles of Marksmanship - learning to shoot well and consistently, in various conditions.
Hunting / Stalking a never ending journey of learning best set out on with various mentors.
Humane Killing just because you can shoot straight doesn't mean you know how to kill an animal. Correct point of aim and importantly how to follow up if something goes wrong.
Game Preperation from bleeding, gutting to basic butchery, again life long learning skills to be learnt from many an individual.

My advice is to do as you are here by looking for someone to show you the ropes. But you have to understand that due to the nature of the sport and the use of firearms people may be reluctant to take on a stranger with out any references. Many of us are introduced to the sport through family or associates, but at the same time don't dispar as there are many here who started off on their own with no help. Your big hurdle to get over is to get land permission once you can do that then the key is turned in the lock. Even if you get out with lads it would be rare enough for a lad to get you your own permission. So get out there and start knocking on doors

Great Post. Very informative mate.

garyc007

omegaodie wrote: »

That's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I know zero people who hunt, few enough who even shoot. Twas meat eater that gave me the idea. I've been able to find out a good bit from here and elsewhere about the costs, except range practice, most ranges allow .22s and no higher so I'm wondering about where I can go to shoot hunting calibres. As for the freezer end, that's what I'm really interested in, my wife and I are big into cooking and food and I can't wait to start butchering. Anyway I'll go check out what clubs are available and get some, cheers cookiemonster.

Your location is another thing against you, from what I hear Wicklow has a huge amount of shooters, but most aren't from Wicklow
It is either paid for or poached by every county around it.
I would say get yourself a .22 to learn the ropes & join a range, the rest will follow from there

omegaodie

I get what your saying and I could start off on rabbits. But Im not made of money and moreover it's deer and larger more nutritious game im interested in, it's pork im really hoping to replace. So if im going to invest in a rifle I want it to be able to do the things I want to get done. I can't be the first lad to start hunting from scratch. this year looks like it won't happen because its past june and ive no deer license, and even if it wasnt id not get one. But if I can get a rifle by christmas il have seven months to gitgud by the time hunting season 21 comes around. If i get a .22 i could blast a thousand rabbits and be no closer to a freezer full of venison.

cookimonster

You can apply for a deer licence at any time. They run for a year, so issued in August, valid from the 1st September up until the last day of August the following year. So you can apply now or in 6 months time once you fulfill the nessacery requirements.

The amount of deer your going to take depends on the amount of deer on your permissions. Even though Wiclow is highly populated with deer there are plenty of locations were deer are scarce or not to be found under normal hunting conditions. I will guarantee you that I will trip over Hinds and calves in the coming months of the season but as soon as they are in season themselves they become scarce. Same thing last year I ran into three stags in the woods in February when previously I had only seen one prior to Christmas. Hunting is as much about luck as it is about the planning.

omegaodie

Well hopefully im luckier than I am patient then.