| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| badgerhill |
Learning to hunt DeerWe've got nearly 50 acres of land with a good population of visiting red deer.The land looks perfect for hunting to me, it's got lots of regeneration, woodland, pasture and the like. Now I'd like to hunt the deer, however there are a few hiccups to that.. 1) I've been vegetarian most of my life and I'm not sure I can do it - emotionally not intellectually. Intellectually I'm there, I just don't know if I could pull the trigger. 2) I don't have a gun license 3) I would want to hunt the deer properly, pick the right deer to cull and not the most impressive stag. I wouldn't know where to start. Any thoughts, ideas, hints and tips... hen x 
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| bodger |
From what you have stated, I don't think you are at all suited to hunting deer. Although you say you want to hunt deer, you have just put forward three very compelling reasons to the contrary. | ||||||
| JB |
Or restating those three reasons;
1 - badgerhill is not 100% vegetarian 2 - badgerhill has a potentially suitable location for culling deer 3 - badgerhill has shown a willingness to learn how to do the job properly You might want to contact the BASC they might be able to help. |
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| vegplot |
1. Do nothing.
2. Get someone in, BrownBear springs to mind, who may want to shoot on your land for you. 3. Go through the process of obtaining a firearms certificate, purchasing a suitable rifle, having the land registered with the police for the purpose of shooting deer and go on a deer stalking course such as the DSC1 run administered by BASC. |
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| Cathryn |
Have a read of this getting your first gun
Got to start somewhere, I am. (former vegetarian as well  )
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| badgerhill |
An absolutely fair assessment. That's why I asked for others experience/opinions/advice. |
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| badgerhill |
I should have said that I've started to eat meat on ethical reasons! Yip I'm not vegetarian at all anymore. I was a bit misleading wasn't I! I will investigate BASC, thanks!
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| badgerhill |
!) I don't think I could just leave it, as it is a good food source on the land...so.. 2) the idea I could get someone in, initially, is a good one. So I can at least, if they didn't mind, watch over their shoulder and get a feel for it. 3) Yip. I think I'm definitely going to do that. thank you!
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| Northern_Lad |
I don't see any conflict.
You're not sure whether the herd will take management, you don't know if you could stalk properly and you don't know if you could pull the trigger. Management: get someone in. Marcus BrigBear lives up the leg to you and would be able to advise. Stalking: When he's had a look round by himself he'd probably be prepared to take you with him and explain what to do. Killing: you either can or can't. As long as you prepare for shooting so if you can pull the trigger you're as certain as you can be of a clean kill then that's fine. Deer are easily spooked and activly look out for things to spook them. If you manage to get close enough for a clean shot and find yourself unable then don't fire and just enjoy watching them from close quarters; they won't be harmed. |
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| badgerhill |
Read it! It's really good. Where are you in your learning? It's really good to see another woman starting on this and an ex-veggie to boot! Thanks Cathryn hen x
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| badgerhill |
I would absolutely not pull the trigger unless I was confident in myself of a good, clean, shot. There is no way on this earth that I would bring about unnecessary suffering on an animal just because I am a woose. Absolutely no way. I've been practising doing my own kind of stalking using the camera and have got very close to them. In fact, they act like it's their land and what the hell am I doing on it rather than running off! One stag in particular is like that. We have a video of him standing his ground in a very imperial manner a few feet from us. I will get in touch with Marcus Brigbear and get some advice from him. I appreciate this could take a few years before I shoot a deer. Thanks! hen x |
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| Mary-Jane |
*Snort* 
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| badgerhill |
what what what?
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| Cathryn |
Standing behind Brownbear (and my daughter). Going to be good though. Currently suggesting to my daughter that she is supposed to be recognisable in the Shotgun Certificate photos and shouldn't she remove some makeup... 
See, brave me, if I can do that I can probably shoot anything. |
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| vegplot |
He's refering to BrownBear, at least I think he is. There's probably a private joke in there somewhere. Don't worry you'll get used to it. |
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| badgerhill |
uh oh. ok! thanks
x |
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| Jamanda |
Just to reiterate - talk to Brown Bear - masses of patience, really good teacher and lives in the right County. | ||||||
| Brownbear |
Hi - this is me. I live in Exeter and manage deer in various locations. I'd be happy to look at your land and offer what advice I can, help with applications etc. If you want to PM me I'd be happy to talk over your options and make suggestions.
Very much including accompanying you on your first stalks, lending you a rifle etc. |
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| KILLITnGRILLIT |
Is that a local thing, as I don`t know anyone here that has had to have that kind of thing on there certificate here ?? |
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| vegplot |
Probably, my take on it is that it is to become national. Land registration is moving away from local knowledge to a centralised computerised system. It has advantages, registered land won't need rechecking by your local FAO. |
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| Brownbear |
It applies here if you have a closed certificate. Open certificate and you can still shoot where you have permission if you deem it safe. |
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| vegplot |
My FAC says '...shall be used for deer stalking and for zeroing on any land deemed suitable by the chief officer of police for the area where the land is situated and over which the holder of this certificate has permission to shoot...' 'Deemed suitable' means suitable for this particular calibre. So I can't shoot on land which hasn't been approved for this calibre regardless of whether I consider it safe to do so or I have permission from the landowner. In effect I don't have an open licence. |
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| KILLITnGRILLIT |
That`s kinda strange as for the past 8 years mine has said ".....for fox and deer control and zeroing on any land over which the certificate holder has permission to shoot for this purpose with this class of firearm."
Never had a mentor, only ever had permission on several farms and on various estates when at the foxes. Nowt as queer as folk eh? . |
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| vegplot |
What it boils down to is each chief constable can interpret the rather vague guidelines how they see fit. Idare say taht with more years behind me and more shooting rights my certificate will be re-worded. I'm at one end of the scale and BB the other. | ||||||
| lettucewoman |
marcus brigstocke...mad ironic sardonic comedian
brownbear...mad ironic sardonic comedian gun master
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| vegplot |
It what happens when you don't have a TV, chronic culture deficiency. |
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| vegplot |
I notice in the latest BASC magazine that deer stalker are now permitted to use deer calibre ammunition against foxes in England and Wales, bringing it into line with Scotland. All you need to do is apply for the variation on your licence. |