The Ultimate Stalking Handbook - 4th Edition, 2021

WILD GOATS

Feral goats have had some bad press but
in Galloway they are part of the mountains,
and they produce fabulous meat

THE MAN
WHO STARES
AT GOATS

WRITTEN BY PATRICK LAURIE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUNCAN IRELAND

51

WILD GOATS

G alloway is famous for its along the Rhinns of Kells between Dalry The feral goats can
goats. Some of the old herds and South Ayrshire. move across the hillside
have been living wild since with amazing agility
the days of Robert the I am a big fan of goats in Galloway, but
Bruce and, while they can’t I have also been part of major culls that
be classified as truly native, attempted to drive them out of certain areas
it’s hard to ignore centuries of freedom and as part of woodland regeneration projects.
independence. It’s not uncommon to find I disliked that kind of work and I would
goats on the loneliest hilltops during the always prefer to maintain their population
summer months and I’m often cheered by at a sustainable level than attempt to remove
the jolly sound of their bleating in steep, them altogether.
desolate mountain places between Newton
Stewart and Carsphairn. I have access to two pieces of deerstalking
where goats are occasionally encountered.
The Galloway Hills have some excellent I shoot a few every year in the hope that
place names to describe steep cliffs and by keeping their numbers under the radar,
treacherous mountain passes.When I was my neighbouring foresters won’t take
a teenager, I found an immaculately preserved a more drastic line.
billy goat’s skeleton in a lonely spot called
Nick o’ the Dungeon. Ignoring the horrible Challenged to stalk a goat by Shooting
smell, I pulled off the skull and brought it Times, I was happy to make the attempt
home on my back. in the approach to Christmas. Goats don’t
have any formal seasons for stalking and
After a couple of years to weather in the it is perfectly legitimate to knock them
rain, it came indoors and I wrote ‘Nick o’ down whenever they’re encountered.
the Dungeon’ on its forehead to mark its However, I was taught to follow some
point of origin.The horns hang on the wall basic sporting principles which ring true
like a satanic altar and it has sometimes been for most mammals, and these are based
a useful incentive to enforce good behaviour around breeding cycles and concerns for
among visiting children:“Finish your dependent young.
vegetables, or I’ll have to send for Nick.”

Most traditional writers and sportsmen
thought of these goats as wild, but modern
conservationists and foresters describe
them as feral.The word carries negative
connotations of dirtiness, danger and brutality.
We have a strong population of wild boar
in Galloway but whenever a cull is required,
they are described as feral pigs by the
authorities. It’s easier to endorse the killing of
a feral animal because the assumption is that
it is causing a problem.That logic sits badly
with goats, which have been living wild for
700 years, but there’s no denying that they
are treated as an irritant or obstacle.

Dwindling Patrick heads for a
stand of Sitka spruce
The 20th century has not looked kindly to find some shelter
upon wild goats in Britain. In his excellent
1972 book Wild Goats of Great Britain and
Ireland, G Kenneth Whitehead described a
number of herds across the UK. Many upland
herds were exterminated in large numbers
following World War II.They continued to
dwindle and there’s now only a handful of
herds that can be traced back to the days
before sheep became commercially dominant.

There are plenty of goats in Galloway
but their range has drastically contracted to
a few localised areas, particularly in the vast
massif around Cairnsmore of Fleet and out

52

FERAL GOATS

Goats ‘rut’ in the autumn at around the from 2020. Feral goats can be tame, but these
same time the stags are roaring.An emphasis animals were wild as hawks. I had hardly
is placed upon smell above spectacle; the begun to stalk into them from a range of 300
mature males drench themselves in their own yards when a swirl of the breeze betrayed my
urine and it is easy to smell them from a mile presence.They vanished like a puff of smoke
away or more.They splutter and foam and the into a wet, bracken-heavy hillside.
kids are conceived as part of a semi-comical
sideshow during the first frosts of autumn. I unclipped the magazine on the .308 and
began to watch the evening come on from the
Gestation is around five months, and the cover of a willow tree. I’ve killed a lot of goats
next generation appears in March. Nanny with that .308 and I’ve often been grateful of
goats spend the summer with their young, but the instant stopping-power of a heavy round.
are culled from August alongside the billies. There’s a risk that animals that run on through
By then, the kids are sufficiently independent,
as they often travel in small family groups “GOAT MEAT IS
which provide an important social connection. ABSOLUTELY
DELICIOUS AND
As we approached Christmas, I was aware PERFECTLY
that billies were still recovering from the SUITED TO
rut and nannies were advancing through CURRIES AND
pregnancy. Given my recreational approach
to goat stalking, I was hoping for a nanny or STEWS”
one of this year’s well-grown youngsters; the
equivalent of lamb carrying the summer’s scree and around cliff edges can easily be lost
fat. Goat meat is absolutely delicious and and I rate the meat too highly to lose it.
perfectly suited to curries and stews.
Rain fell for a time and ravens clocked
On the hill, it was fine to spend an overhead.A handful of suitable-looking goats
afternoon walking through familiar country emerged on a steep face high above me, but
with the dog at heel.The stags had vanished the walk would’ve taken me into darkness as
after a busy rut and I watched a hen harrier we approached the shortest day of the year.
hunting through the creamy grass.The birds I’ve learned the hard way to avoid dragging
are common here during winter months and a carcass across rough moorland in the dark
it’s not unusual to see them working away and decided that my goat would have to
alongside kestrels and short-eared owls. wait for another outing.

Fine billy Most stalkers will tell you that goats are
a distraction from the main event of stags
There has been no livestock grazing in and bucks, but I think there’s plenty of charm
this area for decades, so the goats follow in these strange and fascinating characters. USH
established tracks through the moss and
heather. I walked and spied ahead, spotting
a very fine mature billy goat on the rising
ground. He puffed and moaned at me, then
vanished over a steep rocky crag.

After an hour or two, I came upon a party
of nanny goats with their young followers

Glassing the group
of wild goats for a
suitable cull beast

53



NEXT GENERATION

Will there be sufficient numbers of
stalkers to deal with burgeoning
populations of deer?

CULL BEFORE
THE STORM

For decades, the popularity of stalking has been growing but that might not
last for ever and deer numbers continue to rise, warns Graham Downing

F or at least 20 years, deerstalking PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUNCAN the planting of thousands of acres of new
has been one of the brightest stars IRELAND; ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES woodlands and many miles of new hedgerows
in the shooting firmament. Its and conservation field margins.
rise has tracked the steady growth from continental Europe, especially from
in the range and population of Germany by returning ex-servicemen. Broadleaves
our six native or naturalised deer
species and has effectively resulted in the Fallow, too, were an important sporting At the same time, Forestry Commission
establishment of a new fieldsport. quarry, especially in ancient hunting forests policy moved away from single-species
such as Epping or the New Forest, or in conifer plantations and towards broadleaved
Until a few decades ago, mention of the context of large estates that had a long trees, with a focus on wildlife habitat.
deerstalking essentially referred to one thing association with park deer. Low-ground
alone: the pursuit of red deer — particularly stalking, however, was not exactly mainstream. The deer said “thank you very much”.
stags — in the Scottish Highlands. In the But, then, several things occurred. With the countryside becoming more
lowlands of England, a few enthusiasts stalked wooded and better connected by hedges,
roe, often drawing on the rich traditions of From the mid-1980s, the government spinneys and cover crops, and given the
woodland stalking that had been imported switched from support for intensive farming natural fecundity of most deer species,
to agri-environment schemes that prompted populations burgeoned.

55

NEXT GENERATION

Roe continued their colonisation of Once centred on Highland Scotland, stalking certificates on issue in England and Wales.
central England, fallow spread throughout the rapidly grew into a nationwide fieldsport From 117,700 in 2002, the figure grew to
localities of current and former deer parks, 159,745 in 2019, and there are a further
while ancient trees had red deer browsing Others came into stalking through the 26,000 certificate holders in Scotland.
beneath them for the first time in three ‘hunting’ branches of shotgun shooting,
centuries or more. such as rough shooting and wildfowling, They are not all stalking-related, of
and found that their love of fieldcraft and course, but the National Firearms Licensing
The numbers of muntjac, present in only hunting skills transferred easily to a new and Management System across England and
a few isolated locations across the south challenging quarry. Wales shows that a little under 50,000
Midlands and the east of England at the certificates are conditioned for shooting
beginning of the 1970s, simply exploded. Throughout the ‘noughties’, the British deer.This is a ‘best guess’ figure for the
In the 30 years between 1972 and 2002, Deer Society (BDS) experienced a surge in number of active deer stalkers, allowing
no other British species matched it in membership.A 2007 survey of BDS members for the fact that some shooters with .22
range expansion. found that 32% had taken up stalking in the centrefires conditioned for pest control are
previous 10 years, while 16% had discovered also legitimately able to shoot muntjac and
As measured by its presence in 10km grid Chinese water deer.
squares, muntjac achieved an annual rate of
increase of 8.2%, compared with 1.8% for Some two-thirds of all deer stalkers have
fallow, 2.3% for roe and 2% for Chinese completed their DSC1 qualification.
water deer. Suddenly, there were deer on the
doorstep of most shooting enthusiasts across Decrease
the southern half of England.
However, in 2020, after 17 years of continual
Changing policy growth, the number of firearm certificates on
issue dipped to 159,483. It is a small decrease
Landowners realised that deer numbers in a statistic that is, as we have seen, no more
needed to be brought under control.Those than one-third stalking-related, but it is a
who had undertaken planting schemes and decrease nonetheless.
were in receipt of government grants soon
came to appreciate that, unless damage “UNTIL A FEW DECADES AGO, DEER
was controlled, their farm incomes were STALKING ESSENTIALLY REFERRED
in jeopardy. TO ONE THING ALONE: THE PURSUIT
OF RED DEER IN THE HIGHLANDS”
Conservation bodies also woke up to
the fact that browsing deer were putting the sport only in the previous five.Thousands Is it perhaps a signal that the growth has
unacceptable pressure on important wildlife enrolled on deerstalking certificate (DSC) gone out of stalking? Has the bubble burst?
sites. Soon, the management of deer received courses in order to learn more about deer “I’m not convinced that the number of
the seal of approval from the conservation and deerstalking. Home Office figures stalkers is still on the increase,” says Martin
establishment. More deerstalkers were bear out the rise in the number of firearm Edwards, BASC’s head of deer management.
needed. Something else happened, too.The “There’s not a significant change, but the
1997 ban on target pistol shooting prompted number of stalkers is not growing.”
many experienced firearm certificate holders
to look at other branches of shooting sports.
A significant number turned to rifles and, in
particular, deerstalking.

Plans to plant millions of trees Ageing stalkers
mean deer management will be
He believes that it is now the older shooter
more important than ever who is looking to sidestep into deerstalking.
“When we did a BASC survey of stalking
members in 2006, the average age was 48,
but when we did the same survey in 2020,
it had risen to 55, ” he reveals.“We have an
ageing stalking population, that’s my concern.
There are not as many youngsters coming in
as I would like.”

Martin believes that there are now
significant barriers to entry into deerstalking,
especially by younger people.

“A lot of people will do their DSC1
and then struggle to get hold of stalking

56

NEXT GENERATION

Deer can cause damage to
trees and need to be controlled
to allow woodland to flourish

opportunities,” he saysa.“We get lots of How true this is I cannot say, but what products and reports particular activity in
inquiries from people who want to do I do know is that a longstanding personal thermal-imaging equipment.
DSC1 and often the prime reason is to find relationship between a time-served
a stalking opportunity. But it’s much harder experienced stalker and a landowner David Thompson, of Viking Arms, says that
now. Increasingly, landowners, and particularly counts for a great deal. sales of stalking rifles are definitely on the
institutional owners, require DSC2 and proof increase, though he admits that some at least
of practical competence.And in some areas it Fresh blood may be going to existing stalkers trading up
comes down to money.” to new products.That, of course, will always
I can say from experience that the assistance be true and some shooters will always be
These are holes that BASC is trying to of an additional young, strong pair of hands eager to move to the latest bit of kit, whether
plug with its stalking schemes, Martin adds. is most welcome when you’ve dropped a it be a straight-pull rifle to replace their
big fallow 150 yards into a wet ploughed conventional bolt action, or a 6.5 Creedmoor
But his wider point about the ageing field in late January. So let’s not worry too in preference to their old .243 Win.
stalking population is valid.The average much about any risk that may or may not be
age of 55 identified by BASC matches that attached to bringing in fresh blood. But there is no doubt that, in the coming
revealed by the latest BDS membership years, we will need more skilled and
survey. Somehow, we must do more to Setting aside current difficulties over competent deerstalkers.Woodland creation
encourage youngsters – a cry that I hear carcass sales, I do not believe that stalking is a key part of the Government’s 25-Year
echoed across shooting discliplines in general. is in crisis.The number of advertisements and Environment Plan, which includes increasing
product launches for new stalking kit tells the area of woodland in England to 12%
There is a strong case for older stalkers its own story – remember that commercial of land by 2060.That means millions more
mentoring younger ones and sharing with manufacturers and distributors study and trees and, without proper management of
them the benefits of their years of experience. follow the market very closely. Britain’s burgeoning deer population, a good
Some old hands are certainly concerned that proportion of those are destined to disappear
younger, fitter and keener people may snatch Simon West, of the Gun Trade Association, down cervine gullets. USH
away their stalking rights. believes there is still growth in stalking

57

VENISON

AMERICAN BEAUTY

Lean venison loin is a real crowd-pleaser as a beef substitute in a hearty
Philly cheesesteak sandwich, one of Cai ap Bryn’s favourite quick dishes

Iwill always remember my first proper PHOTOGRAPHY BY if you are not a fan of spice, you can simply
cheesesteak sandwich. It wasn’t in ANDREW SYDENHAM; GETTY IMAGES remove the chillies.
Philadelphia, however; it was in New
York, which is close enough. I think venison shouldn’t be gamey. It can The basic fundamentals of a good
I have always been a big lover of steak. be sweet and delightful as long as the whole Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwich are thinly
In fact, if you were to ask me what my last process from field to table has been dealt with sliced steak, onions and cheese in a baguette.
meal on earth would be, I would probably properly and the animal was not shot in the Some people, like me, are partial to adding
have to choose steak. I love it.The meaty rut, as it would be full of testosterone, which peppers and others prefer adding mushrooms.
texture and rich flavour is something that produces a toxin in the meat. It’s all down to personal preference.
can’t be matched as much as people try.
A good steak is the real deal. This meal, or a snack if you must, is For this recipe, I use the leanest and most
another one of my quick crowd-pleasers. tender pieces possible, such as the inside fillets
But I do think venison is a fantastic It involves little work but the outcome is or the loins. Both are good but the inside
substitute for beef. It is a red meat that is tremendous. I make my own rub to go on fillets, though incredibly tasty, probably have
bold and flavourful. I don’t like my venison the venison, which gives it a nice savoury just enough meat for a sandwich per fillet.
strong. I like to hang a good fallow for seven edge with a bit of a spicy kick. Of course, A deer is obviously a lot smaller than a cow,
to 10 days. so the meat yield is much less. So for this
recipe, I have used a nice lean loin.

VENISON PHILLY CHEESESTEAK SANDWICH

INGREDIENTS METHOD 4 Lay over the onions. Slice the loin thinly and
pack it into the sandwich.The sandwich must
• 500G VENISON LOIN For the rub be eaten warm to fully enjoy the experience.
There is always the option to use condiments,
• 2 WHITE ONIONS, 1 Mix all ingredients with olive oil until it makes and ketchup, mayonnaise or even mustard all
SLICED a nice marinade. work well. USH
2 Rub it all over the venison loin and let it rest for
• 2 PEPPERS, SLICED an hour at room temperature.
For the sandwich
• 6 SLICES MONTEREY
JACK CHEESE (YOU 1 On a hot skillet with a tablespoon of oil, sear the
COULD USE CHEDDAR venison on all sides until it is medium rare.At about
OR EVEN A SOFTER 55°C, this could take five to seven minutes.The
GOUDA-STYLE CHEESE) length of time it will take depends on the thickness
of the loin. I like to really get a crust on the meat
• 3 6IN BREAD by searing the loin and putting a nice colour on
BAGUETTES, the outside.When it is seared, set it aside to rest.
CIABATTAS OR 2 Add another tablespoon of oil to the same pan.
EQUIVALENT Add the onions and peppers. Once soft, pile the
onions and garlic in the middle and lay over the
FOR THE RUB cheese so it melts with the residual heat.
• 1⁄2 TSP SALT 3 Open up the chosen bread or roll. Now, place
it in the pan to absorb the remaining juices.
• 1 TSP BLACK PEPPER
“THIS MEAL, OR A SNACK IF YOU
• 1 TSP CELERY SALT MUST, INVOLVES LITTLE WORK, BUT

• 1⁄2 TSP ONION POWDER THE OUTCOME IS TREMENDOUS”

• 1 TSP GARLIC
GRANULES

• 1⁄2 TSP PAPRIKA

• 1⁄2 TSP MILD CHILLI
POWDER

• OLIVE OIL

58

VENISON

59

RIFLES

THE DEER RIFLE

THAT’S HAD A BIG HILL TO CLIMB

Deerstalkers ask a lot of their rifles and it says much about the makers
of yesteryear that little has changed, says Diggory Hadoke

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIGGORY HADOKE;
MATTHEW NUTT; GETTY

H ighland stags, the royal family The very nature to 250 yards.A rifle that can deliver a bullet
and the sport of deerstalking of deerstalking with as flat a trajectory as possible is desirable.
have been long intertwined. requires an This allows for minimal hold-over or hold-
An examination of the years accurate rifle under, between 50 and 250 yards.The sport
1840, when Albert and Victoria of stalking, however, is exactly that: the act of
married, to 2020, when Prince brass cases increased performance and the getting close to your quarry in order to shoot
Harry sold his rifles due to wife Meghan’s introduction of smokeless powders such as it, not the art of trying to hit it from as far
disapproval of ‘bloodsports’, shows how the cordite allowed for a significant reduction in away as possible.
rifle of the hill has developed. calibre, while retaining the energy delivery
necessary to kill deer cleanly. Fierce recoil will make the stalker fear his
The essence of a best stalking rifle has rifle and affect his accuracy and consistency.
always been the same and to understand how As rifling improved, so did accuracy However, a stalk should end with a one-shot
rifles have changed over the years, we have to and effective range. Simple leaf sights were kill, so the need to fire repeated shots for long
consider the component parts. surpassed by ladder sights, peep sights and periods is not important.
telescopic sights. Each development increased
In the mid-19th century, both double- the effectiveness of the stalker at longer Simplicity of operation and reliability
and single-barrelled percussion rifles were ranges.A rifle/cartridge combination that are important.The key moment is when the
popular. Double rifle actions gradually can deliver a bullet to a 4in square, 600 yards stalker chambers a round, aims and
changed from fixed, requiring loading from away, consistently is only effective if the fires.Anything making this process at all
the muzzle, to hinged, allowing the gun to be shooter can focus clearly on that target. awkward can ruin the entire day;
loaded from the breech. Single-barrelled rifles opportunity lost.A good stalking rifle
developed several types of breechloading These developments aside, the essence of a should be easy to cycle, aim and fire from a
system, including falling-block, like the good stalking rifle has remained remarkably standing, kneeling or prone position. It
Farquharson, and tipping-block, like the constant. It has to be carried, so it must not must also be strong enough to withstand
Martini. External hammers gradually gave be cumbersome, yet must not be so light as to the occasional knock or bang and cope with
way to internal firing systems before bolt be impossible to hold steady and incapable of inclement weather.
actions took over. taming recoil.The rifle must throw a bullet of
sufficient weight, and deliver it with sufficient
Centrefire force to despatch a 150kg stag cleanly.

From percussion-cap ignition in Prince Many stalking scenarios require a shot be
Albert’s heyday, pinfire made an interim taken across open ground at ranges of up
appearance but by Edward VII’s adulthood,
centrefire cartridges were the norm.

Ammunition also guided rifle
development. Pinfire enabled all necessary
components to be loaded into a cartridge
and inserted into the breech, rather than
rammed down the muzzles. Breechloading
also achieved a tighter fit of bullet to bore.
This, in turn, led to improvements in rifling
and accuracy.The perfection of solid-drawn

60

RIFLES

King Edward VII Typical rifles of their eras
shooting on the royal
estates at Balmoral in 1840s Dickson two-groove
Scotland, circa 1901 1850s percussion
1860s
1870s–1900s Purdey Express percussion
1910s
1920s Henry falling-block
1950s centrefire
1980s
2000s Farquharson falling-block
centrefire

Mannlicher-Schönauer bolt
action

Rigby (Mauser) bolt action

Parker-Hale (Mauser) bolt
action

T T Proctor (Mauser) bolt
action

I S Sweetman (Mauser) bolt
action

weighed about 71⁄2lb. These were popular
and a hammerless version soon followed.

THE CHANGING HILL RIFLE FIRST QUARTER OF THE 20TH
CENTURY
THE 1840S AND 1850S hammers and Jones under-lever screw-grip
actions, often with back-action locks and In the 1900s came the arrival of the Mauser
Rifles of this period were already leaf sights. For deerstalking, a .450 or .500 1898, followed closely by the Mannlicher-
impressively accurate. John Dickson made blackpowder express, weighing 81⁄2lb to 91⁄2lb, Schönauer 1903. British makers began
them with two-groove rifling, firing pear- was popular. selling these because they were affordable,
shaped bullets with ‘wings’ that fitted into multi-shot, robust and reliable.
the grooves. They were effective at ranges Double-barrelled centrefire hammer stalking
up to 200 yards. Remarkably, telescopic rifles continued into the 1890s but the arrival When nitro powders and better rifling
sights were being fitted to these rifles as of very good single-barrel breechloading rifles were added to the package, they took
early as the 1850s. challenged them for supremacy on the hill. over almost completely. Smokeless
Alexander Henry’s falling-block of 1865 was one. powders — with their greater power
The pinnacle of percussion stalking rifle — created a class of stalking rifles of
development was a double rifle of 30-bore, A typical Henry stalking rifle in .450 or .500 smaller calibre than had been the norm.
with leaf sights to 100, 200 and 300 yards. blackpowder express had a 28in barrel and Blackpowder .450s gave way to the Cordite
The external hammer had a safety bolt to .303 and several continental cartridges.
prevent the gun firing inadvertently. The
stock had a cheekpiece and patch box. The 1906 Mannlicher-Schönauer with
These were built to the very best quality by its rotary magazine, in 6.5mm, became
makers such as Purdey and Dickson in the a classic, with several British gunmakers
late 1850s. offering them. Prices ranged from £9 to
£12, depending on quality. Comparable in
It wasn’t until then that we really see the
impact of breechloading rifles in the order
books of our best gunmakers. From the late-
1850s until the mid-1860s, pinfire rifles had a
brief heyday before giving way to centrefire
blackpowder express rifles.

FINAL QUARTER OF THE 19TH A .450 blackpowder express double stalking rifle by Alexander Henry, built around 1878
CENTURY

Pinfire and centrefire doubles of the period

have many similarities, with their external

61

RIFLES

A T T Proctor custom-
built Mauser from the
1990s in 7x57 can do the
job for you on the hill

Typical stalking calibres While bolt-action rifles were gaining
popularity, gunmakers still rated the
1840s 30-bore Farquharson. Jeffery wrote: “We can with Ian Sweetman files up the bottom
1860s .450 black powder confidence recommend these rifles as being the metal on a .308 stalking rifle that he is
express best model obtainable to those sportsmen who building for a client
1900s 6.5 x 54 require a really first-class weapon.” However,
1920s .275 Rigby the advantages of the bolt action were rifle. Glass bedding or titanium chassis
1950s .270 apparent to the public. construction help achieve this.
1990s .308
2020 6.5 Creedmoor POST-WAR Barrels can be made from stainless
steel and Cerakoted, rather than blacked,
price was the Farquharson falling-block rifle, After World War II, the bolt action became providing better weather resistance.
also chambered for the .256 Mannlicher. unquestionably dominant and American A new custom stalking rifle costs
actions, such as the Remington 700, began around £28,000. Rigby offers the
Rigby and W J Jeffery sold Mauser rifles to take some market share. Style became traditional, Mauser-action, Highland
in .275 (7x57), which ranged from £7 to influenced by American builders, such as Stalker, which is very much a modern
£11. The .303 Lee Enfield was available in Weatherby. The Parker-Hale De Luxe, based on version of its 1930s standard. Prices for
sporting guise (Lee-Speed) before World War a Mauser action but with a very modern look, this start from around £7,000.
I, with cordite-packed ammunition, but the was typical of stalking rifles of the era. It had
7x57 had a flatter trajectory. a Monte Carlo stock, palm swell, white spacers, Modern rifle technology has increased
ventilated rubber recoil pad and 24in barrel, capability and durability to the degree
Single-barrel breechloaders, such as the and it was available in .308, 7x57, .30/06 and that accurate, long-range sniping of deer
Farquharson, were popular into the 1920s 6mm Rem as a hill rifle. from the hillside is possible at 600 yards
in skilled hands. However, the sport of
TODAY stalking, with its traditions and demands,
still dictates a rifle very similar to those our
A number of makers will build you a stalking grandfathers used. USH
rifle. Ian Sweetman, formerly of Westley
Richards and Purdey, who now specialises in
custom building, says the average order weighs
8lb and has a 22in barrel. It is based on a new
Mauser action, though modern hybrids are
becoming more common, and is chambered for
30-06, .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor.

Expectations are very, with people
demanding target rifle accuracy from a hunting

62



HIGH SEATS

ON CLOUD NINE WITH THE

PERFECT
HIGH SEAT

High seats are an invaluable part of the deer
management toolkit and Barry Stoffell says
it’s not too hard to knock one up yourself

population of sika were beginning to make a

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA GEARD real nuisance of themselves.

H igh seats feature in some Untamed for some years and spilling
of my most enduring
stalking memories, from the across steeply undulating hillside, the tree
unforgettable sight of fallow
does cautiously emerging on cover contained few easily navigable tracks
to a frost-encrusted paddock
to a pugnacious monster of a sika stag and the clearings and rides were bumpy
strutting combatively from the dense
spruce margin into a misty forest ride. and overgrown. It was clear from the outset

With the safety of a permanent earthen that stalking through this forest would
backstop and the comfort and concealment
that a high seat offers, it’s easy to see why be impractical so I quickly came to the
elevated hunting blinds are enormously
popular both in the UK and throughout conclusion that the only way to get on top
much of continental Europe. But, for some
reason, we don’t see as many here in Ireland of the problem would be from a few
as you might expect.
carefully sited high seats.
I use a number of high seats in the forests
I manage. Initially, these were mostly of the Keen to make the best job of
portable, metal type and, though they did the
job, I learned the hard way that you get what it I could, I called local experts
you pay for.
Niels Nielsen and Dermott
In the damp environs of south Kerry,
models from the lower end of the price Long, of Irish Deer Hunting
spectrum had a depressingly short lifespan
and, some years back, I started replacing many Ltd. Managing huge tracts
of them with home-made timber versions.
While more time-consuming to construct of forestry to the east of the Foliage above the seat
and requiring a little more maintenance, county, they maintain a large level will provide some
they last far longer if properly installed. selection of seats for their stalking additional protection from
clients and I had been impressed
I was handed the deer management of a with what I’d seen of their handiwork. the elements
mixed conifer plantation sprawled across the
hillside above my house, where a healthy Is it necessary? They continued
with more helpful

“Make sure you put it in the right place,” was advice and a few cautionary tales – public

Niels’s first pearl of wisdom, delivered with a access to some of their forests means they

laugh.“It sounds obvious, but there’s a lot to have to remove certain seats each February to

think about. First, make sure that you actually prevent them being misused by non-hunters;

need a high seat. Ground blinds are simpler to they had one vandalised during the season.

build and, in some cases, they’re just as good I felt slightly relieved that my latest forest

and easier to use.” was private and hard enough to access for a

I started making my mental checklist as dedicated stalker, let alone a potential vandal.

Dermott added:“Don’t point it east or west Time spent in reconnaissance is never

if you can help it — you’ll be stalking with wasted and, over the next month, I decided

low sun in the early morning or evening. on two locations where deer were moving

And try to set it downwind of the deer.” regularly through clearings in the plantation.

64

HIGH SEATS

a good bit of manual labour, but I was it solidly against the trunk. Fortunately, the
confident that the effort would be worth it. tree in question was more or less vertical
A seat put in the easy place rather than the where it mattered and provided a decent
right place invariably ends up being moved canopy above the seat, which I was certain
or abandoned rather quickly. I would be grateful for come October.

Cutting the tracks into the sites I’d chosen, After fixing the frame in place with some
I was careful not to come too close to where large galvanised timber-framing screws and a
I thought the deer would be, taking a slightly ratchet-strap, I ascended for the first time and
circuitous route to approach the seats from did a little light pruning, being careful only
an upwind direction to leave less chance of to remove enough foliage for a clear sight.
bumping the deer when getting into position.
Fidget
Some years ago, my earliest forays into
high seat construction resulted in the much- I gave both seats a quick splash of wood
loved ‘plank on a branch’ model and the preserver before pausing to survey my
deluxe ‘two planks on a branch’ variant.A few handiwork. Both were front-entry, meaning
of them are still in service today and, in the there was little camouflage in front of the
right places, are still getting fine results. stalker. I generally find this to be fine, as long
as the stalker doesn’t fidget too much – or
This time round, assisted by a design wear particularly brightly coloured trousers.
generously shared by Niels, both seats were
made entirely from treated 2x4 and a couple That said, in locations where circumstances
of planks of decking.This proved economical, force the seat to be within 50 yards of the
with the materials for the pair costing less anticipated deer, I would always try to
than £150, making them significantly enclose the lower part of the seat to conceal
cheaper than their metal counterparts. my movement.This is usually some olive drab

“IT’S EASY TO SEE WHY ELEVATED
HUNTING BLINDS ARE ENORMOUSLY

POPULAR IN THE UK”

The height of cover and rough topography Construction took place over a couple of netting from army surplus, draped in front
didn’t allow for a ground blind, but there sunny afternoons in the back garden, allowing after you’re installed.
were some good sites for high seats. me to fully assemble both seats to check the
dimensions were right. I surveyed my handiwork critically.The
One clearing offered a north-east corner tree stand blended in nicely with the large
of mature spruce, overlooking what appeared The height of the seat and the shooting spruce, vertical lines merging with the trunks
to be a well-used deer track downwind to rail are the critical ones to check. I set these of the mature trees.To my eye, the free-
the south-west.A second promising spot was at 55cm and 110cm, but both will depend on standing seat seemed a bit more obvious
at the back of a boggy ride amid younger the size of the stalker. If the seat will be used against the greenery of the younger forest
timber facing another deer track.The trees by different people, it’s best to err on the low and I made a note to return and try to nestle
would not be stout enough to bear a seat, but side for the rail.The long uprights were all it in a bit more at a later date.
a free-standing one could be set back on the 3m in length, which is plenty for most terrain
northern margin. without giving anyone a case of vertigo. As the sun dipped and the shadows
inched across the clearing, I sat in the tree
Both locations were, of course, a long Field of view stand and tipped the last of the coffee from
way from the main track and would require my thermos flask, taking the weight off my
Once I was satisfied, I dismantled the seats tired feet before contemplating the trek
into portable sections, labelling each part as back down the hill.The warmth of the April
I went, ready for the big haul up the hill. By sun still lingered and the gentlest of breezes
lunchtime the following day, both seats were tickled the top of the pines.
in pieces at their sites. I assembled the free-
standing seat first, fiddling with the position As I sat wondering for the umpteenth
a little to get the best field of view, having time if I’d chosen the right spot, a small
cut myself a 3ft hazel stick on the way up movement drew my gaze to the far corner
to serve as a proxy for the rifle. of the clearing.A sika pricket had stepped out
from beneath the tress and was grazing lazily
The tree stand seat took a little longer on young heather tips a little more than 100
because I trimmed back the lower branches yards away.
before putting the seat together and setting
Roll on September, I thought. USH

65

RABBIT

66

RABBIT

CONEY CURRY

Bagging a young rabbit gives Cai ap Bryn the perfect excuse to cook

I love a good curry, especially a nice PHOTOGRAPHY BY to get within 60m of the group and rested my
aromatic coconut one. I have written ANDREW SYDENHAM; GETTY IMAGES rifle on a post at the bottom of the paddock,
a handful of rabbit recipes over the past which gave me enough cover to take a shot.
year, but this one is a particular favourite. To harvest this rabbit, I used my Ruger With a .17 HMR, as most of you will know,
As we head into the autumn, it makes for American .17 HMR from Viking Arms. you really need to aim for a head shot as the
really hearty soul food and is absolutely I have a little paddock that I often wander ballistic tip can cause a lot of meat damage.
packed full of flavour. For this recipe, I use over to keep tabs on the rabbit population. As soon as I squeezed the trigger, I knew it
a three-quarter-sized rabbit. Do try to avoid Numbers have increased recently, so I have was a solid shot.The rabbit dropped without
anything too old or tough, as the meat can been lucky enough to be able to take one a flinch and I went over to pick up the most
be a little bit drier. or two for the pot. important ingredient for my curry.

Being a big fan of spicy foods, I often There is something really satisfying about This recipe is based on a jointed rabbit, but
experiment with different types of curries. going for a nice walk with a rifle in hand. the meat can be boned first. Most of the meat
I particularly like an aromatic Indonesian-style On a recent evening stroll, it didn’t take me will be situated on the back legs and loins, so
curry, which is where I got my inspiration for long to spot a group of three rabbits in the take some time to remove it all before cutting
this dish.The peanut butter works really well bottom corner of the paddock. I managed it into inch-sized pieces for poaching in the
with the rabbit and slightly thickens the sauce. curry sauce.

COCONUT RABBIT CURRY

INGREDIENTS METHOD 6 Place on the hob on a slow simmer and
cook for 1½ hours.Again, if it needs more liquid,
• 1 THREE-QUARTER- 1 Fry the onions, garlic and chillies in the add water until it is the desired consistency.Add
SIZED RABBIT, oil for two minutes in a wok or frying pan salt and pepper to taste before serving. Serve the
ABOUT 1.5KG on a medium to high heat until curry with a wedge of lime, some sticky rice and
they become soft.Then add a cold beer. USH
• 4 TBSP OIL the curry powder, turmeric
and chilli powder. Keep stirring
• 1 MEDIUM ONION, DICED for another four minutes.
2 Add the ginger paste, peanut butter, soy
• 4 GARLIC CLOVES, sauce, lime juice and zest and continue to cook for
SLICED another two minutes on a medium heat.A splash
of water may need to be added at this point to
• 2 BIRD’S EYE CHILLIES prevent sticking.
3 Gently bash the lemongrass stalk with a rolling
• 1 TBSP CURRY POWDER pin to release the flavour and place it in the pot.
Next, sprinkle over the cornflour so that it mixes
• 1 1⁄2 TSP TURMERIC with all of the ingredients in the pan.
4 Add the chicken stock, then the coconut milk
• 1⁄2 TSP CHILLI POWDER and stir slowly so it gently starts to thicken.
5 Stir in the brown sugar, then add the jointed
• 2 TSP GINGER PASTE rabbit pieces to the curry.
(AVAILABLE FROM
MOST SUPERMARKETS) “THE RABBIT DROPPED WITHOUT A
FLINCH AND I PICKED UP THE KEY
• 100G PEANUT BUTTER
INGREDIENT FOR MY CURRY”
• 1 TBSP SOY SAUCE

• LIME JUICE AND ZEST

• LEMONGRASS STALK

• 1 TBSP CORNFLOUR

• 600ML CHICKEN
STOCK

• 400ML COCONUT MILK

• 1 TBSP BROWN SUGAR

67



GRALLOCH KIT

Chris Dalton finds the
Apex Predator roe sack

perfect for his needs

VITAL KIT

THAT IS A CUT ABOVE

Every stalker should carry five key pieces of
kit when out on the hill, says Chris Dalton

69

GRALLOCH KIT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUNCAN IRELAND The deer is now fully eviscerated and A moulded handle on the
effective cooling is starting, as the deer is Field, Moor & Stream bone
T he term ‘gralloch’ is derived suspended with air flow around it. In this saw gives excellent grip
from the Scottish word grealach state, clearly any contact with the floor
and defined as “the process of will expose the carcass to environmental into the food chain one way or another,
removing the entrails of a dead contamination so dragging is not an option so the selected tool must comply with food
deer”.An efficient, timely and – the beast must be carried back to the larder safety requirements – not least of which is
hygienic removal of a deer’s in some way. a fully cleanable blade and handle.
internal organs is required to avoid any risk of
food contamination or damage.The gralloch If you are able to get to the location, it There is a huge range of knives on the
is the process of removal of the stomach and is best to return a clean carcass to the larder market, but for me the Rolls-Royce of
intestines, with the term ‘pluck’ meaning the via vehicle or ATV. However, I am usually knifemakers is Emberleaf. I was introduced
organs on the head side of the diaphragm, unable to do this so I use a form of roe sack. to an Emberleaf while doing some deer
primarily the heart and lungs. The deer is carried inside this, on my back, management training for some guys in
to the truck where I will lay it out in a Ireland and was completely blown away
I oversee training for people who are carcass tray, again allowing cooling while by the surgical sharpness of the knife and
starting out on their stalking journey, along I drive back to the larder. its lines.That was that and I simply had
with those at the other end of the spectrum to have one.
as they work towards the standard required The whole process is simple but absolutely
to negotiate Deer Stalking Certificate Level essential. My gralloching kit consists of My own is a customised Garron, which
2.There are various methods of conducting five key components and, after many years really is a thing of beauty. It holds an edge
a hygienic gralloch and best practice would experimenting with different products, these incredibly well and comes with a 5in blade
recommend doing the minimum in the field, are what I carry on any stalking outing. – longer than many, but to me that is an
with the bulk of the work conducted in a ideal size. It is particularly useful for the
clean larder environment. Roe sack thoracic bleed on a red, when you really
do need to make a deep incision. It’s
It matters not which method you use, It took me a long time to find a roe sack incredibly well balanced and Emberleaf
as long as it is compliant with the relevant I could get on with. In the early days, most offers a lifetime guarantee.
food-handling regulations and you are not were of a similar style to the standard hiker’s
potentially exposing the carcass to any form backpack, which is slung over your shoulders A custom knife is not cheap, but like most
of contamination during the process. In my supported by two carrying straps through the things in life you tend to get what you pay
case, as I am stalking on foot a long way from arms.This is fine when hiking, but it is really
the larder and with little opportunity to get cumbersome when I also have a rifle slung
a vehicle to the shot site, I have to gralloch over my shoulder.
in the field.
It was rarely comfortable and I invariably
Primary factors managed to tangle the rifle and bag straps
when setting up for a shot. Suppliers came
Time is one of the primary factors in up with other forms of waist bags that you
preventing carcass contamination and we could open up to provide a method of
need the beast to cool quickly.As a general transporting your shot deer.
guide, the deer should be bled immediately,
gralloched within 20 minutes and back in After searching through a number
the larder within two hours. I often opt to of different sacks, I have used the Apex
conduct a full evisceration of the deer close Predator for more than 10 years.This
to where I shoot it. product suits me perfectly for three reasons.
First, it fits around the waist, so it is not
I will hang the roe from a tree, around in the way of my rifle while I’m stalking.
head height as a nice working position. It is Secondly, it has lots of handy, well-thought-
hung by the rear legs, upside down, which out zipped pockets, so all my essential kit
allows the blood to drain into the chest cavity, is always ready to go. Finally, it opens up
making the subsequent bleed more effective. when needed to form a good-sized carrying
I remove the gralloch by opening the stomach sack with detachable plastic liner large
wall and cutting through the breastbone all the enough for a mature roebuck – I have had
way down to the bleed hole using a bone saw. two yearlings in it, but that was a bit of
a squeeze.
I will also open the aitchbone in the pelvic
area, allowing me to remove the anus.All that Back at the larder, the liner can be
is holding the deer’s organs and stomach now removed and cleaned. It does come with
is the connective tissue and the diaphragm a spare liner as well.
skirt – once gently cut, gravity will take over
and all the internal organs will fall forward Knife
and to the floor.
Buying a knife is very much like buying
a car; we all have differing views and budgets.
Essentially, any deer you gralloch is going

70

A custom Garron GRALLOCH KIT
from Emberleaf,
the Rolls-Royce “THE GRALLOCH
of knifemakers MUST BE

COMPLIANT WITH
FOOD-HANDLING
REGULATIONS”

Disposable powder-free
surgical-grade gloves are
a godsend for preventing
cross-contamination

for.Additionally, if you are not that good across the pelvic bone as well as a slashing, hands and kit clean. Hot water and soap are
at sharpening, you can send it back to the angled cut to open up the ribcage. not readily available three miles up a hill.
team and it will come back serviced, fully You can buy a box of 100 disposable gloves
resharpened and ready for action for a S-hooks from most outlets, and I use surgical gloves,
small charge. Gammex PF, which are latex and powder free.
You would think these are fairly simple,
Bone saw but I have seen people with S-hooks that They are a good fit and easy to get on,
are inadequate for numerous reasons.They even when you’ve got wet hands.They come
As I open up the pelvic area and ribcage in are not strong enough, not fully cleanable, in a sterile wrap, which is double-sealed in a
the field, a bone saw of some description is pointed at the ends, too small or too large. bag.You can easily tear the bag, put it to one
required.This has to be carried, so I have a side and open up the paper wrap, which
sheath to carry it on my waist, or I can carry If you need to carry them, the pointed I lay my knife and saw out on while I work.
it in the Apex roe sack. type that butchers use as meat hooks are When I’ve finished, the dirty gloves and wrap
potentially dangerous, both when you are go into the paper bag and into my pack for
There is a choice; most seem to be in the carrying them or hanging the deer in a tree. later disposal – all very nice and clean.
form of a serrated blade with an L-shape tip My S-hooks are made by Rolson, are stainless
at the end and a T-shaped handle.This makes steel, 160mm long and 6mm thick.They Light and practical
opening up the aitchbone – where you want come in a pack of two and I always carry
a flat cut – difficult, as the lip at the end of a couple of sets, just in case.This size is ideal There are plenty of options on the market,
the saw sticks and prevents you from making and I have had fallow suspended from them, but these are the five things not to be
the required flat sawing action. I tried one so they are plenty strong enough. without.As I have to carry everything on my
years ago and it went in the bin. person, it has to be light and practical – and
Disposable gloves I only take essentials.After all, I have to carry
I use a saw from Field, Moor & Stream. them and – given a successful day in the field
It has a serrated edge, a tapered blade and Gloves are not only essential for fieldwork to – another 17kg of gralloched deer inside the
is fitted with a plastic moulded handle for prevent cross-contamination – they are also roe sack as well. USH
good grip.This allows me to make a flat cut a sensible and cheap method of keeping your

71



DEER OFFAL

LET’S GET RIGHT TO THE
HEART OF THE MATTER

There is more to venison than steaks, says Rose Prince, who offers
some mouth-watering recipes that showcase the oft-overlooked offal

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW SYDENHAM

Ahealthy diet is not just about eating wonderful extremities is simply a shocking fact. Removing the ducts from a kidney or
a wide variety of ingredients but waste.To be fair, I was afraid to deal with the liver is much easier than jointing a duck, for
preparing every one in many venison heart for the first time. It must be instance. If there is one word of caution, it
different ways. Such a diet has a washed inside and out and the feel is to be ready for offal from different breeds
boring moniker – ‘diversity’ – yet as a habit of fingers inside ventricles took some guts, if and varying ages of deer as it will fluctuate in
it is anything but. Look at a supermarket you will pardon the pun. terms of tenderness.
meat counter, however, and you would never
know that there were any other cuts than the Yet offal is no more tricky to deal with Hence the necessary light acidic marinade
prime loins, fillets and chops, alongside a lot than any other piece of muscle – easier, in for venison heart and the need always to
of mince. cook gently then allow enough resting time
Venison offal kindly supplied by South Downs Venison & in a warm place.As with any deer meat,
When it comes to selling venison, the Game. Contact Jack Smallman on 01798 343245 or visit: make sure to have warmed serving plates and
major retailers are even more unimaginative: southdownsvenison.co.uk dishes. It loses heat quickly.
steaks and mince – perhaps the odd loin.The
fact that these animals have necks, shoulders
or shins seems lost on buyers and shoppers
alike.Yet a deer has a great deal more to it, as
any stalker knows.

One of the greatest privileges after an early
morning’s stalk is a breakfast of sautéed liver,
freshly cut from its natural place. No offal I
have ever eaten tastes cleaner, more subtle and
herby, as if the woodland or moorland itself
has landed on your plate.

But it is rare to have this experience – I
have only known it once.Too often the
deer is gralloched on the spot where it has
fallen and the various offal cut and offered
to an accompanying dog.We never see these
specialities in the butcher’s shop, let alone
the supermarket.

Venison heart, for instance, is a magnificent
piece of meat. Once cleaned and the
ventricles removed from the upper part, the
most extraordinarily fine, lean muscle is left.
Venison kidneys are just as nice as a lamb’s, a
little darker but, again, they evoke the natural
life the beast has led.

Now that we have become better
accustomed to buying meat online direct
from game dealers, it is a matter of asking.
Not to use the whole beast and all its

73

DEER OFFAL

INGREDIENTS DEVILLED VENISON “DEER LIVER
KIDNEYS TASTES SUBTLE
For the mayonnaise: AND HERBY, AS IF
• 4 TO 6 WHOLE METHOD (SERVES 4) THE WOODLAND

VENISON KIDNEYS 1 Cut the kidneys in half then pull off ITSELF HAS
the fine membranes surrounding them, LANDED ON
• SALT AND BLACK if they are still in place. Use kitchen YOUR PLATE”
PEPPER scissors to snip out the star-shaped ducts
at the centre of the kidney halves. If the
• 2 TO 3 TBSP MELTED kidneys are from a large beast, you may
BUTTER want to slice them. Otherwise, leave
them whole.
For the sauce: 2 Put the butter in a pan over a medium
• 2 TO 4 TSP heat.When it foams fry the kidneys quickly,
turning to brown on all sides.When you see
ENGLISH MUSTARD, red droplets on the surface of the kidneys, they
DEPENDING ON HEAT are perfectly cooked. Scoop them out onto a
PREFERENCE warm dish so they can rest.
3 Wipe out the pan, add the mustard and
• 2 TBSP SHERRY sherry then let it bubble to reduce.Add all
the remaining ingredients, simmer for a few
• 1 TSP TABASCO SAUCE seconds then pour the sauce over the kidneys.
Serve with fried bread.
• 2 TBSP LEA &
PERRINS SAUCE

• 4 TBSP CREME
FRAICHE

To serve:
• FRIED BREAD

TRIANGLES

74

DEER OFFAL

MOROCCAN FRIED VENISON LIVER WITH POMEGRANATE

INGREDIENTS

• 400G VENISON LIVER

• 1 TBSP GREEK
YOGHURT

• 1⁄2 TSP GROUND BLACK
PEPPER

• 1 TSP GROUND CUMIN

• 1 TSP GROUND
CORIANDER

• 1⁄2 TSP GROUND
GINGER

• PINCH OF GROUND
CINNAMON

• 2 TBSP BUTTER

• 1 MEDIUM ONION,
CHOPPED

• 3 TBSP FLAT-LEAF
PARSLEY, CHOPPED

• 2 TBSP POMEGRANATE
SEEDS

• POMEGRANATE
MOLASSES

• LEMON JUICE

METHOD (SERVES 2) 2 Melt the butter in a frying pan.Add the onion 3 Scatter the pomegranate seeds
1 Slice the liver into large, bite-sized pieces, and cook until pale gold.Add the liver and fry, over the surface, drizzle over a
removing any visible ducts or blood vessels. Put into stirring, until cooked through.Transfer to a serving little pomegranate molasses then
a bowl with the yoghurt and all the spices and leave dish and rest in a warm place for five minutes. a squeeze of lemon juice.
to marinate for 20 minutes.

INGREDIENTS MARINATED, SAUTEED VENISON HEART
WITH CARAMELISED CHICORY
• 1 VENISON HEART
METHOD (SERVES 2)
• 1 TBSP BALSAMIC 1 Wash the heart thoroughly to remove any blood.
VINEGAR Cut the tubes from the top of the heart, removing
any connective tissue. Cut the heart into ½cm
• 1 TSP FINELY CHOPPED slices. Marinate with the vinegar, herbs, lemon
ROSEMARY juice and a tablespoon of oil for an hour.
2 Meanwhile, heat the butter in a shallow pan
• 1 TSP THYME LEAVES and fry the chicory bulbs (cut side down) gently
until gold brown – about five minutes.Turn them,
• 1 CLOVE GARLIC, cover the pan with a lid and cook for another five
CRUSHED minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
3 To cook the heart slices, heat a little olive oil
• 1 TSP LEMON JUICE in a heavy-based pan until beginning to show a
little white smoke. Stir fry the meat, allowing it
• 1 TBSP OLIVE OIL, to catch on the heat – it will caramelise
PLUS MORE FOR slightly. Remove from the pan and allow to
FRYING rest in a warm place. Serve with mashed potato
and the chicory. USH
• 2 CHICORY BULBS,
CUT LENGTHWAYS

• 2 TBSP BUTTER

• SMOOTH CREAMY
MASHED POTATO TO
SERVE

75

ROE STALKING

CROSSING
THE LINE

Chris Dalton gets to try the Haenel Jaeger 10 in
6.5 Creedmoor when roe invade a plantation

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CREATIVENATURE_NL / GETTY IMAGES

We were still in lockdown Jaeger 10 Sporter in 6.5 Creedmoor fitted, set
during the early part of up and zeroed in.
May 2020 and whilst
things were starting to I am a huge fan of the 6.5x55 ‘Swedish’,
ease south of the Border, as it is commonly referred to, and this has
here in Scotland there been my go-to calibre for many years. It’s
was no change.We had hoped that we might flat shooting and comfortable to use, so it
be able to recommence training and taking suits me perfectly. However, my curiosity
some clients out by mid-May but it was and interest had been raised somewhat by
not to be. the comments I had been hearing about the
6.5 Creedmoor and how effective it was. I
This was particularly frustrating as there had been keen to get my hands on one for a
were good bucks appearing all over the place, long time.
so I needed to redress the balance and I had
had some clients booked to come for more Viking’s offer
than a year. However, the enforced downtime
did allow me get the scope on the Haenel I work closely with Viking UK as a field team
member, and had been using a Haenel Jaeger

Spook a roe and it’ll alert
the herd, your chance for
that day disappearing

76

ROE STALKING

10 in .243 Win for all my stalking for well
over a year.The rifle had been in the hands
of many clients, too, and always performed
brilliantly. So when the offer came from those
awfully nice folk at Viking to get my hands
on a Haenel in 6.5 Creedmoor, I did not
have to be asked twice.

If I am honest, I had taken delivery of the
rifle quite a while earlier but as we had been
busy with stalking clients I had not had a
chance to set it up and get out into the field
with it. Lockdown actually meant I had time
to do that and its performance on the range
was certainly all that I expected, confirming
the rave reviews the calibre had been getting.

So the time had come to see how it
performed on live quarry.Again, compliance
with the restrictions in operation at the time
was achieved, and I set about removing some

“TO SHOOT
WHERE YOU ARE

SQUEEZING A
SHOT DOWN A
NARROW TUNNEL

BETWEEN
BRANCHES
REQUIRES
ABSOLUTE
CONFIDENCE”

roe that had got into a deer-fenced, grant-
funded plantation.

Over the winter, telephone poles and a
power line had been erected to connect a
new wind farm to the grid. Shall we just say
that the contractors had not been particularly
diligent in closing deer gates or repairing
fences damaged by heavy plant.These
breaches were not easily seen from the road
or tracks and had remained undiscovered for
some time.

Essential action

The roe had exploited this newfound access
and were thoroughly enjoying the delicacies
on offer and, not surprisingly, were taking full
advantage of the situation – remedial action
was required.

77

ROE STALKING

I’d had to do this a few times before, for a The Haenel Jaeger 10 in 6.5 Creedmoor performed with pinpoint accuracy on the day
variety of reasons. It is a real problem as it’s a
large area and the deer seemed to know they the bottom of the next ridgeline, which to anticipate his next move. I was shooting
were fenced in.They were so much more eventually led to the top left-hand corner of downhill slightly and between the tree trunks,
jumpy than the roe in the adjoining open the plantation. It was also a bit more open so I needed a clear shot underneath the
woodland.The ground was deeply ploughed as the planting included the smaller hedging canopy.As the buck meandered along the
prior to planting, so if the roe crouched you species of hawthorn and blackthorn, before line of blackthorn – stopping every now and
simply could not see them as they lay under going back to the alder and birch species. again to sniff or thrash at a convenient branch
the saplings. – I had to keep easing my point of aim to the
Sure enough, from my vantage point I left, following him as he worked down the far
To get in undetected, you need luck on could see a roe doe with a yearling in tow edge of the ride.
your side and the deer to be moving or – most likely her kid from last year – but
browsing in the right areas.The ground rose initially there was no buck to be seen.We Patience paid off in the end and he
up from the access point, with two small waited and movement behind the birch trees made the mistake of pausing where I had
glens. It did not matter which way the wind gave away a third deer.The swaying of the the briefest of gaps to his chest.The shot
blew, it always seemed to suck up from below branches strongly suggested a buck and, as it dropped him on the spot and after a few
and behind, essentially winding the place. If emerged onto the ride, it proved to be so. kicks he lay still.To shoot where you are
you spook a roe, it invariably runs through literally squeezing a shot down a narrow
the trees alerting any others, which then Confident shot tunnel between branches requires absolute
don’t settle for ages. So it really is a ‘one strike confidence in your set-up, and whilst I had
and you are out’ scenario. None of the deer were aware of us so I had not had the Haenel Jaeger 10 in Creedmoor
plenty of time to set up the bipod and try long I already knew it performed with
In the right light pinpoint accuracy.

The morning I got in undetected, I made A very nice buck in velvet was removed
for the far side of the plantation and was from the plantation that morning, which was
consequently able to work up the fence a job well done. However, I do feel a sense of
line from that side with the wind blowing regret as he would have made a fine roebuck.
in my face for a change.This allowed me to Big in body with a lot of muscle and in
progress very slowly out of sight, checking really superb condition; it was a deer that, in
and glassing the dead ground as I inched different circumstances, I would have left to
forward. Because I was working up a hill I spread his genes, but I was afforded no such
could effectively look underneath the canopy, luxury.The owners of the plantation had
specifically searching for legs, movement or invested heavily in expensive deer fencing
the white patch of a roe backside. and tree planting, and he was on the wrong
side of the wire, so on the hit list .USH
The deer had not yet changed coat and the
white caudal patches were bright, not having The young buck in velvet FOR STALKING OPPORTUNITIES, CALL
taken on that yellowy tinge of full summer might normally have been CHRIS ON 07710871190, EMAIL HIM AT
pelage.As such, they stood out, particularly in left to improve the stock [email protected] OR VISIT:
sunlight.The other advantage of this approach AYRSTALK.CO.UK
was the sun rising over my left shoulder, so
when glassing to my right everything lit up
– but any deer looking back in my direction
were looking into the sun and unlikely to see
either me or the hound.

Zosia had the wind in her face and so
I was watching for a reaction from her as
well. In thick cover she gives me an edge
and I would know instantly if she scented
deer in front. I started to get a reaction from
her when we were roughly halfway up the
plantation.The indication was strong so I
stopped and waited. I picked nothing up after
scanning with the binoculars for 10 minutes,
but she was keen and experience told me
they were not far away.

I was hoping that they were on a ride
that dissected the plantation in front of us.
Moving forward a few yards brought me to
a small rise, allowing sight of this. From here
the ride was slightly below me, following

78



MUNTJAC

REACHING THE
HEIGHTS IN A
PLUM JOB

With damage by munties apparent in the woodland,
a spring morning stalk fails to find the culprit but an
orchard in blossom yields the perfect opportunity

WRITTEN BY SIMON GARNHAM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CALLUM
MCINERNEY-RILEY

80

Simon Garnham in the high MUNTJAC
seat, which affords a superb
s a newly trained commando
view over the fruit trees soldier, you want to stand
out. I was known to be quick.
81 Regrettably, my reputation

A for speed was only on a
computer keyboard. I’d have
preferred a good name for swiftness in
something macho, but no. I tended to
be called upon for the moments when
touch-typing was required and no clerks
were available. One such occasion took
place at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.

We had helped secure the base and
were establishing forward operations into
the Hindu Kush mountains, playing a
game of hide-and-seek with Osama bin
Laden. It quickly became clear that we
needed an awful lot of kit that was in the
UK. Urgent Operational Requirements
needed writing at the rush.Who was the
finest British touch-typist on camp? Step
forward Captain Garnham.

Wish lists included everything from
quad bikes to underslung grenade
launchers.The creative juices flowed,
writing exaggerated reasons for their
essential urgent despatch. I stopped
short of the assault engineers’ request
for Silly String of the sort found at
children’s parties.Actually, it was useful
for spraying into narrow cave entrances
where tripwires might be stretched.We
needed something extremely lightweight
and colourful to rest gently upon them
and reveal their taut presence. My mother
came up trumps for that one via British
Forces Post.We tried not to trouble
Whitehall for party accessories as a rule.

Listening watch

I mention the military wish lists because
they sprang to mind during a recent stalk.
The trail had gone cold on a muntjac.
My son,William, and I were on listening
watch in a spring woodland.We were
wondering how the munty had given
us the slip. Everywhere, a thick curtain
of green shoots, green stems, green leaf
bud and green branches offered the most
marvellous concealment for our evasive
and diminutive quarry.

We crept on through the wild garlic,
hoping that a little movement might
betray the beast.

We disturbed a hen pheasant that
clattered away noisily.The rough scrape
among the nettles that she revealed was
a captivating sight. Her precious cache
of 17 eggs was perfectly concealed, the

MUNTJAC

Simon stalks
carefully through
the plum orchard

matt olive shells blending naturally into the “THERE WAS ONLY ONE SHOT
dust and the undergrowth. ON OFFER – STRAIGHT BETWEEN

“Muntjac are omnivores you know. THOSE SHARP DARK EYES”
We need to protect those,” I observed.
Poor William continued to suffer whispered see the beast slipping through a hawthorn I concurred, sensing our hunt coming to
lessons as we admired the carefully concealed hedge and into woodland.We followed. It an end.“Let’s just see if there’s anything in
nest.“Munties are known to eat eggs.” moved without urgency further into the the plums,” I said.“There often is.We can
trees and was lost. make Mum a cup of tea and ourselves some
This galvanised him to new levels of toast on the way past the house.”
concentration. Neither of us likes the thought Our stalk continued and we discovered
of wild birds’ eggs being eaten. Spring was a patch of wild watercress in a ditch running By now the sun was casting a pale, gently
in the air and suddenly nests seemed to be through the wood. But no muntjac and no warming glow.The blossom had survived
everywhere.A pair of greylags circled, grunting thermal sight to aid the hunt. On the footpath, another night. Frost had been threatened
in the grey dawn. Shelduck were similarly a dog walker appeared.“It’s been good to see but the mercury had stayed just the right
amorous and vocal. Larks were beginning to everything really early,”William observed.“It side of zero.We made a drink and took
warm up for their morning chorus. all feels different with no one else around.” one to the still-sleeping members of the

On hind legs Simon and William move silently in search of an elusive
muntjac that’s been causing damage to the trees
A muntjac’s eating of eggs is arguably a minor
misdemeanour. I’m more concerned about
the damage they do to coppice, the game
covers and especially to the orchard.We’ve
finally finished pruning the apple trees only
to see them being stripped, nibbled and
frayed by a particularly determined beast.
I watched him the other night when I was
in pursuit of foxes. He even balanced on his
hind legs to get the choicest shoots.

Strategy number one was the high seat
in the pre-dawn gloom. Strapped to one
of the alders that are a windbreak on the
southern edge of the orchard, it affords a
superb view over the fruit trees. It also offers
fields of fire straight down the 150m where
ancient chestnut woodland meets modern
braeburns. I love the view, with the estuary
in the background. It’s enthralling whether
by day or night, summer or winter, rain,
snow or sunshine.

William appeared breathless, clutching
his binoculars.“I’ve seen one. It’s near the
reservoir. Come on.”

I made the firearm safe and clambered
down.Together we arrived just in time to

82

MUNTJAC

Simon lines up for the
shot and the Hornady

.223 thumps home,
dropping the deer

Success at last — but Simon is out of practice
when it comes to gralloching the shot muntjac

household, then set out for the plum trees look over its left shoulder at the intruders on came the thump of a Hornady .223 hitting
as the final leg of our patrol. its patch. Both preorbital glands were visible its mark.The muntjac’s legs buckled and it
below sharp black eyes and fur-covered slumped to the ground where it had stood.
The trees shone white and cloud-like, pedicles. It stood alert, questioning. Its tail was
touched by the first rays of the sun, the dark up, ready for an escape. Its chest was obscured William and I both took deep breaths.
trunks offering a contrast to the billowing in the characteristic hunched position.There Though the previous three hours had
blossom. In its Larsen trap, the magpie was was only one shot on offer – straight between been spent trying to achieve this moment,
similarly contrasting in black and white, those dark eyes. I slipped forward the safety nevertheless it still came as something of
bouncing from perch to dead pigeon and catch and squeezed the trigger. a shock.The deer in the woods had moved
back again. with such assurance and stealth that it seemed
The rifle let out a ringing crack despite somehow unlikely we’d see another.
“We might have something for him the sound moderator.A nanosecond later
in a few minutes with a bit of luck,”Will My observations about lacking the best
suggested optimistically. A healthy young equipment had also given us both the
muntjac buck impression that an encounter with any quarry
Nineteen rows for the table – let alone a healthy young buck like this –
would be improbable.And yet, here it was,
There are 19 rows of plums, each one set warm and still, lying on the grass.There was
out as straight as an aisle in a church. From no exit wound. Only the slightest of blood
the north side of the orchard, we were trickles slipped from its nostrils and ears and
downwind and surveying over our right one eye had been dislodged.All the wine-
shoulders as we crept from row to row, coloured flesh was undamaged – and there
needing to kneel and even lie down as we was enough for several meals.
looked at muntjac height. I prefer this end
of the trees for a stalk.The rifle sits naturally The gralloch
in the left shoulder and I can manipulate it
quickly and easily into the V of the stalking I was out of practice with bleeding and
sticks or any other fire position. gralloching but William’s interest in the
process meant I was able to talk it through
Row one: nothing. Row two: similarly as much for my own benefit as his. He
unoccupied. Row three: a blank. Row four: predicted correctly that a few choice morsels
nil. I had lost count of how many rows we found their way to the magpie.We returned
had crept between when something reddish- home bearing our trophy and telling our
brown moved.The muntjac raised its head to stories of the stalk.

Unfortunately, our Urgent Operational
Requirement request has been rejected by
headquarters. It was felt by higher command
that £2,500 could be better spent on a
number of things rather than a thermal
viewing aid. Some you win, some you lose;
it was the same in Afghanistan.We didn’t
always get what we wanted but we did see
some wonderful countryside and we did
occasionally find our elusive quarry. USH

83

VENISON

A TOUCH OF EXTRAVAGANCE

Yearning for the delicious, fresh flavours of south-east Asian cuisine while in
lockdown, Rose Prince makes venison fillet the knock-out star of this tataki dish

At the beginning of any other year, PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW takeaways seem to shy away from. Pheasant,
I’d be shopping for south-east SYDENHAM; GETTY partridge and wild duck are ideal meats for
Asian foods.With 2021 starting stir-fry and venison is a perfect alternative
in lockdown due to COVID-19, Those last, along with sushi, are not things to beef or fresh tuna in this dish, tataki. Fillet
it was not simply because they have such I make at home. But I have been making is extravagant, but the texture and flavour is
a healthy freshness. broths and adding crab, spices and coconut so clean that I felt energised for hours after
to make laksa, while stir-frying is happening eating this.
Not being able to go out to eat made in my kitchen more than once a week.
me nostalgic for those places where you can The meat should be as rare, if not raw,
enjoy the delicious, sweet-sour piquancy If you add game into the equation you as possible, so keep the cooking time as short
of raw salads and fish, grilled meat and can do something that restaurants and as you can. Medium rare is fine, too, if that
comforting dumplings. is more bearable.

INGREDIENTS VENISON TATAKI WITH BROCCOLI SALAD
For the mayonnaise:
• 2 EGG YOLKS METHOD (SERVES 4) around in the pan for about one minute. It should
be well browned on the outer edge but very rare
• 1 TSP DIJON MUSTARD 1 First make the mayonnaise. Put the egg yolks in a in the centre. Press with a finger — it should feel
bowl and whisk in the mustard.Very slowly add the springy, but not too firm.
• 125ML GROUNDNUT oil, whisking in a few drops at a time to begin with, 5 Lift the meat out of the pan, roll it in the sesame
OIL OR SUNFLOWER beating well so the sauce emulsifies. Continue until seeds on a plate and then put it in the freezer for 10
OIL IF PREFERRED nearly all the oil has been added.The mixture will minutes to cool and firm up.
gradually become thicker.Add the lemon juice, beat 6 To serve the tataki, thinly slice the venison fillet
• 2 TSP LEMON JUICE well, then add the remaining oil with the wasabi (about 2mm). Divide it among the plates, with a
paste.Add salt to taste, then set aside. spoonful of the wasabi mayonnaise beside it. Put a
• 2 TSP TO 4 TSP 2 Cut the broccoli spears across the stems in large handful of the salad on each plate then spoon
WASABI PASTE thin slices.They will be tender enough to eat raw. over the dressing. USH
Slice the radishes very thinly — I use a mandolin,
For the salad: watching my fingers — then slice the green part
• 6 TENDER STEM of the spring onions, omitting the white part.
Grate the carrot — not much is needed — and
BROCCOLI SPEARS mix it with the broccoli, radish, onion, leaves and
coriander on a plate and set aside. It must not
• 10 RADISHES be dressed yet.
3 Combine all the dressing ingredients in a small
• 2 SPRING ONIONS bowl.Taste and add a little more maple syrup if it
is too sharp. Set aside.
• 1 SMALL CARROT 4 Briefly roll the venison fillet in the dark soy
sauce. Heat a heavy-based frying pan over
• 150G MIXED BABY a medium-high flame. Cook the fillet for about 15
LEAF SALAD seconds on each side, until browned. Keep rolling it

• 50G CORIANDER “THE TEXTURE AND FLAVOUR IS SO
CLEAN THAT I FELT ENERGISED FOR
For the dressing:
• 2 TBSP LIGHT HOURS AFTER EATING THIS”

SOY SAUCE

• 1 TBSP FISH SAUCE

• 1 TBSP LIME JUICE

• 1 TBSP MAPLE SYRUP

For the venison:
• 1 TBSP DARK SOY

SAUCE

• 400G VENISON FILLET

• 4 TSP SESAME SEEDS

84

VENISON

85

DEER HEADS

KEEPING A COOL

HEAD There are a number of important
reasons why we keep deer heads, says
Graham Downing, not least because
they are an essential record

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDY HOOK; successful hunt. It helps us recall a day when, When I started stalking muntjac seriously,
CALLUM MCINERNEY-RILEY; ALAMY through our own skill, we took a wild animal more than 20 years ago, I made the rather
from hill or wood. It enables us to bring to rash decision to cut and prepare frontlets of
W hy do we prepare and keep mind precious memories, to celebrate our all the bucks that I shot. I started to mount
the heads of the deer that we quarry and afford it the respect it deserves. them in sequence on a piece of timber,
shoot? Why do we measure marked with the date and place where they
them and treasure them in Each head also lays bare the story of the were taken. I maintain that collection today,
the way that we do? Since deer itself. Its age and status within the each antlered buck I shoot receiving the
the dawn of time, hunters population, the time of year at which it was same treatment.
have retained the antlered heads of the deer taken, or maybe the effects wrought by injury
that they have taken in the chase. Initially, no or disease.At once, it becomes more than a Whether it is a simple first head or a
doubt, it was to demonstrate their prowess mere memento. It becomes part of the record potential medal, each specimen is carefully
and the richness of the hunting grounds over of the species and its management. skinned, cut, boiled out, cleaned and
which they had control, as well as for sheer mounted on a board, with location and date
delight at the beauty of the antlers themselves “MEASUREMENT written underneath. It’s a permanent record
– one of nature’s wonders. OF HEADS DOES of my stalking, an interesting decoration,
initially for the walls of the utility room but
Appreciation and enjoyment of what PROVIDE A which has now spilled out into my office, and
is effectively a piece of natural art is still RECOGNISED a token of respect for the animals I have shot.
with us. One only has to look inside the BASELINE OF But, actually, it’s more than that.
average interior design shop to see that the THE QUALITY OF
artificial representation of an antlered head OUR WILD DEER, I can see certain antler formations
manufactured for hanging on the wall of a A RECORDED recurring on the estates where I stalk
living room or study is still alive and well. regularly. I can follow dates of antler cast and
They may be multicoloured miniatures DATASET” regrowth. I can pick out oddities, such as
sculpted in plastic or resin, but stags’ head malformed antlers and rare multipoint heads,
wall mounts remain popular decorations. and I can cross-reference the heads on my
wall with the entries in my game diary to
For the deerstalker, however, the urge to enable me to relive a particular outing.
retain and display antlered heads is about
more than simply decorating the house or An organised collection of heads is a
workspace. Each head tells the story of a physical record of the management of an
estate or stalking ground. From a muntjac
perspective, on a property where the aim is

86

DEER HEADS

leg injury that alters a buck’s gait during the
crucial annual period of antler development
will result in an antler deformity, very often
on the opposite side of the animal from the
affected leg.

The cause is not entirely clear, but is
probably associated with a limp that causes
the head to move unusually with each step.
Deformities that are the result of injury to
the pedicle during antler growth are more
obvious, sometimes producing an amorphous
castellated bony mass in place of the
conventional antler beam.

simply to control numbers, I can see the age Quality control A head lays bare the story of every animal
class alter over time. On one estate where
I have shot for 15 years and where I once Roe management may well produce a I look at the heads that I have shot, maybe
took a regular harvest of mature or even significantly different collection. For the take a tape measure to them myself, and if I
medal-class heads, the proportion of young roe stalker, consistent proportions of young, think they’ll make the grade, I will get them
to old heads has increased significantly, mature and medal-class heads year on year formally measured.
simply because muntjac have less chance of will signal that they have got things about
achieving old age. right, removing a regular cull of younger The result is a smattering of green ribbons
animals while allowing better, more and medals dangling from the rows of muntjac
Today, my more interesting muntjac heads promising ones to mature, assume territories heads on the wall. Once, these would have
tend to come from out-of-the-way places. and improve the quality of the population. been called trophy heads but today’s twisted
Isolated woods and small farms with thick terminology associates such things with ‘trophy
hedgerows that are rarely stalked, where an On an estate where there is commercial hunting’, a now politically incorrect activity
old buck can establish a territory and lurk for interest in stalking, even muntjac may be frowned upon by government.
several years in peace and security until his judiciously managed in order to supply a
presence is finally rumbled. small number of quality antlered bucks. It’s terribly sad and not a little frightening
Field observation of the detail of a muntjac’s how quickly attitudes towards hunting
Curious or uneven heads will often headgear being virtually impossible, such trophies have shifted since the Cecil the
signify the presence of disability or injury. management tends towards culling bucks lion affair. I have no doubt that the change
It is interesting, for example, how often a with closely set pedicles that are unlikely to in popular opinion is a permanent one, but
go on to produce the wide antler span that it underlines the gulf of misunderstanding
will potentially attract medal status. between, on the one hand, the average
consumer of social media and BBC news
While it is fair to say that most stalkers and, on the other, those of us who spend
like to take, once in a while, a really attractive much of our lives outdoors observing,
mature male of the deer species that fascinates studying, hunting and trying to understand
them, the quest for medals is not the be-all the wild creatures with which we share the
and end-all of stalking. countryside. If you preserve and collect the
heads of the bucks that you shoot, does that
Measurement of heads does, however, make you a trophy hunter?
provide an internationally recognised baseline
of the quality of our wild deer, a recorded It all depends upon your personal hunting
dataset against which the performance of philosophy. I hunt to control deer for the
populations can be assessed over time.There landowner on the ground where I am
is no doubt that it also furthers interest in and privileged to stalk. I hunt to produce quality
respect for the various deer species. Each year, wild venison for my family and for sale to
people who want to eat it and I hunt because
A collection of heads is a physical record of the management on an estate, revealing I find hunting fascinating and challenging.
information about the population over time
The antlered head is a by-product of the
hunting process – an important one that
enables me to engage in a rather special way
with the creatures I hunt. Prepare it, mount
it, label it, keep it and admire it or dispose of
it along with the legs and bones.The choice
is yours. USH

87

ROE DEER

STALK OR
STAY PUT?

88

ROE DEER

During a final cull
outing, a roe doe
and her yearling are
perfect candidates,
but they present
the stalker with a
difficult dilemma

WRITTEN BY GRAHAM DOWNING;
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
CALLUM MCINERNEY-RILEY

T he wood was dark and still as
I crept along the ride. Only
the occasional hooting of a
tawny owl broke the silence as
I made my way between two
thickets of young oak trees
to the high seat beyond. It was the last
weekend in March and this would be the
final opportunity to make a significant
contribution to the cull numbers, so I
had already dropped off George, Luke
and Ronnie, and directed them to their
high seats. In a normal year, I would have
had anything up to 10 Rifles out for our
group cull, but in view of COVID-19
restrictions on travelling and overnight
stays, that had simply not been possible.
However, even with just four of us out, I
was pretty confident that at least someone
should score.

Checking the woods carefully as
I walked with the thermal-imaging
binoculars, I could see nothing in the
undergrowth beside me and eventually
my high seat came into view. I had
selected for myself a big, free-standing seat
situated on the crossroads of two rides. It
is a good position and affords lots of

Using the
thermal imager
gives Graham an
excellent picture

89

ROE DEER

visibility – on my left the oak thickets that
I had walked through; behind me a grassy
ride leading to a gate into the park; and to
my front right-hand side a couple of acres of
newly planted ground, surrounded by a rabbit
fence. So, having got myself settled, it was that
open ground that I checked out first.

White shapes Graham crouches to investigate a potential Pulsar to the Swarovskis, I could see a roe,
sign of deer activity moving stealthily through the trees towards
It was still far too dark to see, much less to the ride behind me.What was it: buck or
shoot. But with the thermal imager I got an Belly crawl doe? As it emerged from behind a hazel
excellent picture of the woods around me coppice stool I could see that it was the latter.
and, flickering through the trees on the far If I could make another 20 yards or so
side of the rabbit fence, I could see two white across the open ground, I might be able to My high seat is plenty big enough for me
shapes. Deer certainly.Too big for muntjac get a lean off one of the fence posts, so I to turn to take a shot so, in the space of a few
and too small for fallow. I centred them in the commenced a belly crawl. I got to the nearest moments, I had dismounted and turned in
rangefinder — just a tad under 200, but even fence post just in time to see the two deer, order to get a lean off the backrest.The doe
at a distance I could see the slender body still quite unconcerned, wander around the was now just inside the wood, with a deep
shape and sleek ears. Probably not Chinese far corner of the fence line and disappear into ditch in front of her and beyond it an open
either, then. Roe perhaps? the trees beyond. grassy ride over which I had a perfect view.
Pondering whether to jump the ditch, she
In those magical minutes between night Should I attempt to follow them, or paused for perhaps a second.There was no
and morning, the woods were starting to should I get back to my high seat in the need to wait for her to emerge on to the ride:
wake up to the early grey glimmers of dawn. hope that something better might turn up? her pause was quite long enough for me to
A cock blackbird was singing his first hesitant It was perhaps 40 minutes off sunrise, and settle on her chest and squeeze off a round.
notes and soon others would join in. From other would be out there and on the move. I
somewhere a woodpigeon started cooing headed back to my position.
and from the top branches of a bare ash tree
a mistle thrush added its churring rattle.The Late March is perhaps a little too early in
light was coming up, and those two deer were the season to enjoy the full richness of the
still there, hanging around in some rough dawn chorus, but it is still a glorious time to
ground beyond the rabbit fence.There was be out in the woods, and above the sound of
the ghost of a breeze, but it was in my favour birdsong a greater spotted woodpecker was
and I knew that if I was going to try to get drumming away on a dead oak bough.With
closer to them, I had to make a decision soon primroses and violets bright on the edges of
about whether to set off on foot. the rides and pussy willow catkins hanging
above them, there was a feeling that spring
I dismounted and, under coverof the early was at last about to banish what has been a
morning gloom, I stalked quite quickly to the difficult winter for so many of us.
end of the rabbit fence, dropped to my knees
and crawled the last few yards through a bit Flushed scarlet and gold, the eastern
of rough cover, then raised the Swarovskis. horizon heralded an imminent sunrise as
Roe: two of them.It lookedlike an adult doe I scanned behind me and finally caught a
and her yearling daughter, both of them very movement in the wood. Changing from the
much on the menu.

Using a convenient tree Rattling and rustling
as a rest, Graham readies
Through the scope I saw her lunge forward
himself for the shot towards the ditch, then turn and run back
into the wood, and in a moment or two she
had vanished.All was still once more, though
I fancied that I could hear a rattling and a

90

ROE DEER

After the shot, the real work
begins as Graham begins the
process of extracting the deer

“THERE HAD staggered and ran for the park gate, leaking It had been an excellent start to our
BEEN NO NEED blood into the ruts and puddles as she did so, weekend, with three more deer in the bag
TO STALK THEM before collapsing at the foot of the gatepost. to add to the two roe, two muntjac and
a Chinese that we had shot the previous
FOR THEY An adult doe and her yearling daughter: evening. By Sunday night, the four of us
HAD, ALBEIT these were clearly the same two deer that I would have 20 deer in the larder, as many
UNWITTINGLY, had seen earlier that morning, and I offered as I might normally hope to shoot with my
STALKED ME” a little prayer to the hunting gods that I had regular gang of Rifles. USH
not hurried off in fruitless pursuit after they
rustling in the undergrowth.Was she kicking had departed but had instead gone back to Gralloching the deer in the morning sun
her last as she expired? I guessed so. my high seat to await their return.There had
been no need to stalk them for they had,
But then, moments later, another roe albeit unwittingly, stalked me.
appeared in almost the same place, this time
moving more quickly.A yearling doe, which The adult doe was found quickly, just a
did not pause inside the wood but jumped few yards back in the wood where she had
the ditch straight out on to the grassy ride gone down to a heart shot. I checked our
where, as she hesitated for a moment, I group cull WhatsApp for messages and it
had her plumb at 60 yards.At my shot she seemed that, while George and Ronnie had
blanked, Luke had shot a Chinese doe.

So, hooking the adult roe under the chin
with a Jägerschmid dragging hook, and
hocking the yearling, I started the long drag
back to our rendezvous point where we
gralloched all three animals in the morning
sun and stowed them in the Land Rover.

91

VENISON

92

VENISON

BUILD YOUR OWN DINNER

The spicy flavours of Mexican cooking are perfectly suited to game, as
Cai ap Bryn discovers with this juicy pulled venison neck and nachos

INGREDIENTS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW SYDENHAM to use a smoker, but I appreciate that not everyone
has a smoker, so I opted to do this recipe using a
• 1 KG VENISON NECK Most of my recipes tend to be fast food conventional oven.
or snack-style dishes and this one is no
• OLIVE OIL exception. Mexican food is fantastic. It The neck used here was from a decent fallow
is so flavoursome and spicy in just the buck harvested at the beginning of the season. I am
• 1⁄2 LITRE WATER right way.As a child, one of my favourite family lucky to have permission to manage four farms that
meals was fajita night – you get variety and you can are rich with a healthy fallow populations.
• 1 TSP TOMATO PURÉE design your wrap with whatever you like.
On each permission, I find the deer behave
• LARGE BAG OF NACHOS We used to have chicken, beef and often prawns, differently. On one, they are transient. I get deer at
choosing what we wanted to build our own meal. various times of the year, but it is never consistent.
• SOUR CREAM AND It’s sociable, interactive and a fun way of eating. On another, there is an almost resident herd and
JALAPENOS TO SERVE Now, with these chilli nachos, it is kind of the same, I recognise individual deer on a regular basis.The
building up layers of flavour, all of which is shared. latter is far easier to manage, as I can do an accurate
Guacamole You can have it as a snack, starter or even a main. deer census.This particular deer was from one of my
• 1 AVOCADO, 1⁄2 ONION, familiar herds. He was a weaker buck that wouldn’t
1⁄2 GARLIC CLOVE, I started messing about with different types have been strong in the rut and had poorly formed
LIME JUICE, SALT AND of recipes and ways of incorporating game into antlers. He was a good one to take.
PEPPER, BLITZED IN A Mexican food. For these nachos, I decided to try
BLENDER WITH A LITTLE a cheap cut of venison that is full of flavour – the When it comes to deerstalking, the easiest part is
OLIVE OIL neck.The neck is a tough piece of meat, full of small often taking the shot, as long as you are confident
muscles and connective tissue that breaks down to and can stalk into a presentable position.The most
Salsa make the meat extra juicy and moist. difficult part is extraction – taking the deer from
• 4 LARGE TOMATOES, the field, gralloching with precision and keeping the
I found a really good way of doing this recipe was carcass free from contamination.Then comes the
1 GARLIC CLOVE, 1⁄2 to apply a dry rub to the meat and let it marinate processing. I like to hang fallow for up to 10 days
ONION, 1 TBSP LIME for eight hours before placing it in a Dutch oven before butchering. For this recipe, I take the meat
JUICE, ALL FINELY pot for cooking.Another method for this would be off the bone but you can leave it on.
DICED, SPRINKLED
WITH A LITTLE SALT PULLED VENISON NACHOS

Rub: mix together METHOD (SERVES 5-6) 5 Remove the casserole dish from the oven and,
• 1 TSP BLACK PEPPER using two forks, pull the meat apart. If the venison
1 Drizzle olive oil over the venison, then apply is still a little tough, you may need to return it to
• 1⁄2 TSP INSTANT the rub. the oven for another 30 minutes.When it is ready,
COFFEE 2 Wrap it and set it aside in the fridge for a lay out the nachos in an oven dish and cover with
minimum of eight hours. the pulled venison. Sprinkle over the cheese and
• 1 BEEF OXO CUBE 3 Add a splash of olive oil to a casserole dish and place it under the grill until the cheese has melted
heat until hot.Add the neck and brown on all sides. and the nacho chips are catching colour.
• 1⁄2 TSP GROUND 4 Add the water and tomato puree. Cover the dish 6 Spread some sour cream over the top, along with
CORIANDER and place in the oven at 160°C for two-and-a-half jalapenos, guacamole and salsa. USH
hours.Turn after an hour and 15 minutes. Check
• 1⁄2 TSP GROUND SUMAC and add more water if needed.

• ⁄2 TSP GARLIC “NECK IS TOUGH BUT BREAKS DOWN TO
GRANULES BE JUICY AND FULL OF FLAVOUR”

• 1⁄2 TSP CHILLI
POWDER (MILD OR
HOT, DEPENDING ON
PREFERENCE)

• 1⁄2 TSP OREGANO

• 1⁄2 TBSP SMOKED
PAPRIKA

• 1⁄2 TSP CUMIN

• 1⁄2 TSP SUGAR

• 1⁄2 TSP SALT

• 1⁄2 TSP COCOA POWDER

93

TROUSERS

THE BEST BY A LENGTH

A good pair of comfortable and waterproof stalking trousers can
seriously improve your day out in the field, says Chris Dalton

A s we move from season to season, PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUNCAN IRELAND stalking trousers is comfort and to achieve
I have to make some changes to this they must fit well. I don’t want them to
the stalking kit that hangs in my anything damp or wet from the previous be heavy and they should be breathable, along
utility room to make allowances evening will be warm and dry. with having sufficient and sensibly located
for either warmer or cooler pockets.They must be silent and made of
weather here in Scotland.As early It occurs to me that one of the least material strong enough to withstand brambles
morning starts are not conducive to domestic written about, and possibly least thought and thorns.
harmony, especially if I am thudding around about, items of stalking gear are trousers.
at 4am looking through cupboards for my When you think about it that seems strange Waterproofing also helps, as kneeling and
gear, it’s better to be prepared well ahead of – if you head out with the wrong coat or crawling over wet grass – an early morning
my day on the hill. your gloves are a bit thin when you get to the dew or the vagaries of the Scottish weather
ground, most of us have a change or spares in – will feature on most days. Finally, I’m not a
Therefore, a selection of any kit I might the truck. However, who carries a spare pair massive fan of camo and much prefer one of
need is hanging or stored there with the of trousers? Primarily, what I want from my
added bonus that, as it is also the boiler room, the subtle shades of green, but
that is just my choice.

SEELAND HAWKER Features include 9.5
ADVANCE TROUSERS air-vent zippers and
good-sized pockets /10
RRP £169.99 gb.seeland.com

The first thing I liked about these trousers is
the feel of them. The material is comfortable
to the touch, slightly flexible and offered a
good fit. The waistband is in the right place,
with ample and robust belt loops, and the
seat doesn’t sag.

The leg length is slightly longer than my
ideal but a drawstring allows you to secure
them over a boot. On both sides of the legs
are zips, allowing you to open air vents
along the outside of the thigh if needed.

They are breathable, comfortable and
withstood the brambles and willow scrub
that I encounter in south-west Scotland. I
would describe them as medium weight,
with two good-sized front pockets, both
fitted with a zip. There are two further
pockets, again with zips, positioned below
the front pockets that sit on the thigh. They
are a good size for a mobile phone but the
position is not ideal when lying prone.

The trousers have a three-layer Seetex
membrane, which worked well as I remained
dry after crawling in to take a roebuck in
wet grass. Overall, I was most impressed and
I would not hesitate to wear these for most
of my stalking activities.

94

TROUSERS

RIDGELINE DEERHUNTER KUIU ATTACK PANTS
STEALTH PANTS EXPLORE TROUSERS
RRP around £136.23; kuiu.com
RRP £59.99; ridgelineclothing.co.uk RRP £84.99; deerhunter.eu
This is an American company started in 2011 by
This New Zealand-based company has a Deerhunter is a Danish company that branched a former American footballer who is also an
large range of outdoor clothing. The men’s out into hunting clothing in 1985. The Explore avid hunter. The kit oozes quality. It has a nice
Stealth trousers are available in Dirt Camo or trousers were supplied in an attractive shade of feel with a soft, slightly elasticated texture and
Field Olive and are made of polyester/elastic dark green and had the feel and look of suede. the fit was excellent; nice around the waist, no
stretch fabric. The fit was good and they are The feel is good and the fit is perfect, right sagging backside and a robust set of belt loops.
comfortable to wear because the waist is down to the leg length. At medium weight, they The trouser legs fit well and tuck nicely into
slightly elasticated. The waistline was secured are silent with a good fit around the waist and my high-leg boots. There are two hand pockets
with a single button and the belt loops are a good number of strong belt loops. There is and below these two ample thigh pockets, with
strong, though I would prefer a few more. some elasticity in the waistband. zips and a flap. They are slightly angled from
vertical and perfect for the phone. I also found
They have two fairly deep front pockets and There are two front hip pockets, a nice size them better positioned for crawling than some
a single thigh pocket to the side of the right but with no zip, and two lower pockets on the on test. You have two rear pockets, again of a
leg, ideal for the mobile, all with zips. The leg thigh, with zips. Again, I prefer these slightly good size with a zip and flap.
length was perfect for me and the bottom hem to the side. There is an additional single rear
is slightly elasticated, good for either tucking pocket with zip on the right and a handy folding The material is described as 3 DeFX, designed
into high-leg boots or if worn on the outside. knife-sized side pocket on the left. Leg length to give active insulation that allows moisture
is good and the bottom of the trousers has a evaporation during strenuous activity. Do they
They are breathable and quick drying but strap and hook-and-loop fastener allowing you work? Yes they do. They were probably the most
definitely intended for warm-weather stalking. to secure them over the top of your boots. breathable of the medium-weight trousers on
Of all the trousers tested, these were the test. A nice touch is a zip-covered opening with
lightest, ideal for an August foray after rutting They are made of a Deer-Tex performance an internal mesh liner located on the outside
roebuck or a mild day stalking in woodland, but shell, a layered system claimed to provide a of each leg, which you can open to cool down.
not for crawling through heather or wearing in breathable, windproof and water-resistant
cool or wet conditions. They are not expensive finish. On test, I stayed dry and warm while The material is strong and coped well with our
but I wouldn’t choose them as I want trousers crawling in wet grass on chilly April mornings. local thorn thickets and wet weather. It also dries
that can cope with all weather conditions and At under £85, these trousers are ideal for most quickly. These are ideal trousers for the hill and
that I can wear most of the year round. of my stalking activities throughout the year. although fairly pricey, a worthy investment.

The Stealth
trousers are
ideal for warmer
weather only

7 The Deerhunter 9 The Kuiu Attack 8.5
trousers tick almost pants are the ideal
/10 all of Chris’s boxes /10 trousers for the hill /10

IN CONCLUSION

All of these medium-weight trousers are on test offer what I demand from my stalking
excellent and I realise it is perhaps slightly trousers: comfort, a good fit, a high degree
unfair to compare the lightweight Ridgeline of waterproofing, breathability and strength
trousers with the others as they are really without being too heavy.
aimed at hunters in warmer climes. Of the
others, I would be happy to have any of I have found it difficult to choose one out of
them in my locker. Crucially, all the trousers these but, if pushed, I think it would have to be
the Seeland Hawker Advanced Trousers. USH

95

TALKING STALKING

ONE TECH
BEYOND

Keen deerstalker Dr Al Gabriel wonders
if thermals are really a good thing,
and whether he could hit his deer
management targets without them.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PROXYMINDER / GETTY IMAGES

T he first time I realised how Thermal scanners are unique in that The latest technology needs
dependent I had become on they’re designed to detect the infrared to be used in a balance with
thermal scanners was over a year signatures rather than light.You would be traditional stalking skill
ago when I accidentally left mine forgiven for thinking thermographic cameras
at home on a cold December – as they are technically known – are a new manager than a recreational stalker – though
evening.The first week I got my invention but they have been in existence I will always remain a recreational stalker.
scanner I had started taking it with me since 1929 – nearly a century ago. My quick
when I walked my dogs at night, where it Wikipedia gander into the archives credits the The ultimate advantage of thermal
was deployed as an expensive poop detection Hungarian physicist Kálmán Tihanyi as the scanners in shooting is that they can spot the
device. So I had left it on the side with inventor of an infrared-sensitive camera for faintest heat source as far as a mile away, if not
their leads. the anti-aircraft defence of Britain. more.While the primary application remains
to scan for deer and vermin, they are an
The minute I realised I didn’t have it on ‘Man points’ invaluable tool in locating shot animals. Even
my neck, a sudden feeling of emptiness set in, a 25-yard dash before collapse following a
as if I had lost my car key or mobile phone. These days they come in different sizes and shot can make it impossible to locate a carcass
I had a capable pairof 10x50 binoculars on shapes, including handheld, rifle mounted, in deep woodland or shrubs.
me but why did I feel so unprepared for my binocular shaped and even as attachments for
stalking session? mobile phones.You would, of course, lose Those who stalk the smaller species are
‘man points’ for bringing these to the field. particularly aware of this issue.While a deer
The fact that I felt so lost without it that Unsurprisingly, the use of thermal scanners dog will make the job easier, in the absence
evening was because it made me a more still has a sense of taboo in some corners. of one a thermal scanner could be invaluable.
efficient stalker. Once you venture into deer I used to find myself in that group for a long
management, with responsibilities for a large time. I distinctly remember banning guests Of course, thermals are not X-rays: they
deer population, it becomes all about the on my ground from using them. It is for the can’t see through dense woods or rocks.
annual cull plan and its progress. I am not best, I think, that I have come full circle on You must be cautious not to suffer from a
ashamed to admit that my cull figures have the idea.
significantly improved since a thermal scanner
became part of my regular kit. The change in mindset came for me
when I started seeing myself more as a deer
But it is much more than that. It is an
absolute game changer; it has completely “THERMOGRAPHIC CAMERAS ARE
changed deerstalking and how aware we are NOT NEW — THEY HAVE BEEN IN
about the numbers and activities of deer as
we have never seen them before.Thermal EXISTENCE SINCE 1929”
imaging has become essential in establishing
deer population counts, particularly in
woodland and lowland habitat where the
summer season brings the most challenge

96

TALKING STALKING

Despite varying price points, a thermal imager
cannot always replace quality glass optics

condition a friend of mine calls ‘thermalitis’. Beware of an attack embarrassing encounters with over-amorous
I am not sure if he coined the term but it has of ‘thermalitis’ when couples in woods, even in idyllically quaint
stuck with me. spotting for quarry villages in Northumberland.

The point he was making is that, in close what type of stalking – terrain, species and Rescue
woodland, often you’re best off looking with the responsibilities you have as a deerstalker.
your eyes, as an opportunity may only present If you’re a recreational stalker who goes Looking ahead, drones that are equipped
itself for a second. out a dozen times a year, it might be more with thermal scanners already exist in the
enjoyable to use binoculars and learn the armed forces and rescue teams. In some
Entry level fieldcraft and the tradition that goes with it. parts of Europe, drones with thermal
If you are an experienced stalker and mostly capabilities are being used to spot kids or
There is a growing trend for thermal scanners focused on population control – with that fawns prior to harvest, which has saved
to become the primary optics during stalking. annual cull figure gnawing at you – it is an countless deer. It won’t be too long before
One reason for this could be that top-end or absolute must. such technologies are deployed in population
professional-grade binoculars cost thousands management exercises.
of pounds, while thermal scanners seem to be Thermal imagers also have an additional
getting cheaper.There are cheaper binoculars benefit in that they can be used as safety In extreme cases, when urgent culling
as well, but the difference in quality is much devices in spotting walkers and livestock programmes need to be implemented
more pronounced than between thermal from a distance.As it turns out, they are also
scanners – some entry-level thermal units an invaluable tool for spotting poachers at under the appropriate legal
are selling for under £500. night, not to mention being able to avoid framework, you can see the
benefit of such devices,
The added benefit of connectivity to particularly in dealing with
mobile phones and other devices is that it herding deer species. It may
helps to document field observations and you sound futuristic, but that future
can share these with other people. is already here.
I have heard stories about
I am often asked by novice stalkers if it’s a how the feeling was similar to
good idea to own a thermal scanner.There is
no right or wrong answer: it all depends on when the first scopes, then variable
scopes, were first introduced. It was
met with the same feeling of giving too
much advantage to the shooter and the idea
of fair game being diminished. I expect the
acceptance of thermals will follow a similar
curve – it won’t be too long before thermals
become the norm.
As much as I love my thermal scanner,
and appreciate the edge it gives me out in
the field, as far as recreational stalking is
concerned, we must not forget that there
is magic to it. It should be enjoyed like you
might appreciate a glass of wine; it is much
more than just pulling a trigger.
I don’t look forward to a future where
drones and technology have diminished
the soul of recreational stalking. But I
am confident that we will strike a balance
between tradition and technology in this
age-old game of predator and prey. USH

97

FALLOW MEAT

LOW AND SLOW FOR FALLOW

Britain’s venison is arguably the best in the world, and cooking shanks slowly
makes them tender and brings out all that rich flavour, says Cai ap Bryn

T his is possibly my favourite venison PHOTOGRAPHY BY to see our supermarkets selling the imported
recipe and one that fits firmly in ANDREW SYDENHAM; ALAMY stuff from New Zealand when we have some
the category of comfort food.The of the best venison in the world right here.
weather can be pretty unpredictable, lucky. Plummeting venison prices and travel
with almost summer conditions one day and restrictions mean that an awful lot of deer Like lamb shanks, fallow shanks are rich,
snow flurries the next.While I love summer aren’t being shot. juicy and tender when you cook them right.
cooking and afternoons standing over the All they need is some love and a bit of time
barbecue, when there’s a chill outside, these Demand and you have something special.This
slow-cooked shanks are ideal. is one of those dishes that impresses guests
Meeting cull quotas while also off-loading but isn’t all that tricky to make.
After a difficult year due to COVID-19, the deer has been a real battle for many.You
the announcement that lockdown restrictions simply cannot carry out management unless Unfortunately, most game dealers and
were going to be lifted on 21 June 2021 you have an outlet for the carcasses. I’m butchers tend to remove the meat from the
resulted in a busy few months for me on the hoping that, post-COVID-19, we’ll see a rise shanks and place them on the trim pile or
stalking front.The wedding industry – which in demand for venison from both the public they dice them up.
had been incredibly quiet – moved into and the restaurant trade.
full-on prep mode and I’d had to stock up on Shanks hold large sinews and connective
venison for clients in the catering industry. Given it is such a delicious and versatile tissue that, with long, slow cooking, become
meat, it is a real shame that venison is not tender.These tissues run through the meat,
I’m fortunate enough to have an outlet for more widely sought after. It’s heartbreaking making it moist and flavoursome. Paired with
all my deer, but some stalkers haven’t been so a delicious red wine jus, you have just the
thing for a special night in.

BRAISED VENISON SHANKS

INGREDIENTS METHOD (SERVES 2) Roe or fallow shanks
1 Drizzle some olive oil over the base of a work well in this dish
• 2TBSP OLIVE OIL casserole and put it on the hob over a medium
to high heat. 8 Place the pot back on the hob and cook
• 2 VENISON SHANKS 2 Place the shanks, onions and garlic into the pot. to reduce slightly. If the gravy is still lacking
(FALLOW, ROE, SIKA OR Cook until the shanks become nice and brown all consistency, add a little cornflour mixed with
RED — MUNTJAC AND over. Sprinkle over ½tsp each of salt and pepper. cold water to thicken it. If the stock is sufficiently
CHINESE WATER DEER 3 Add the carrots and tomato purée. Fry for cooked down, it should thicken naturally without
ARE A LITTLE SMALL) a minute.This will cook out the bitterness and the need to add cornflour.Add in the extra salt
add a deeper flavour. If it sticks to the bottom of and pepper, if needed. I like to serve the shanks
• 1 WHITE ONION, PEELED the pan, add a little wine and keep moving the with buttered potatoes or creamy mash. It is a rich,
AND HALVED ingredients around. indulgent meal that will be a real treat. USH
4 Add the wine and cook down for five minutes.
• 4 CLOVES GARLIC 5 Now pour in the stock and add the rosemary
and thyme. Put the lid on. If you do not have a
• 1 TSP SALT Dutch oven or a lid, all of the steps above can be
completed in a frying pan or saucepan. It can then
• 1 TSP CRACKED be transferred to a deep-sided casserole dish and
BLACK PEPPER covered with foil for the next step.
6 Place in the oven at 150°C/gas mark 2 for about
• 3 CARROTS 2½ hours. Halfway through the cooking time,
check the dish and add more water if required.
• 1 TBSP TOMATO PUREE Take the opportunity to turn over the shanks.
7 Once cooked, remove the shanks, wrap them
• 300ML RED WINE in foil and set them aside.

• 400ML STOCK
(VENISON, BEEF
OR LAMB)

• 3 SPRIGS ROSEMARY

• 2 SPRIGS THYME

98

FALLOW MEAT

“VENISON SHANKS ARE
RICH AND JUICY, ALL THEY

NEED IS A BIT OF LOVE”

99