Hunting Equipment Blog Post #3 – Essential Deer Stalking Equipment – Part 1

Posted by Derek Townsend on November 25, 2009 under Hunting Equipment | Be the First to Comment

Being an avid sportsman, I look forward with great relish to the opening of the season. I especially relish August 1 every year, when the season of fallow, sika and red deer opens in the UK. In the off season, I brush up on my technique, maintain my equipment and add any new equipment I might need. If you’re thinking about trying deer stalking, here are my recommendations for clothing and firearms, which are based on years of hunting experience.

Hunting Equipment – Clothing

Wear camouflage to render your outline against the background indistinct. Be sure your camo has the correct seasonal tones. Choose a hat with a wide brim to protect you from excessive sun exposure and shield you if it rains. You also should cover your hands and face in some manner, since the light colour of exposed skin warns deer that humans are about. Choose boots that will help you move stealthily. You should be able to feel the terrain through the soles so you can adjust your movements quickly and quietly. Finally, remember that even the best clothing won’t conceal you unless you minimise your motion and scent. Deer have very acute eyesight and can see even the smallest movement. Likewise, their sense of smell alerts them to every possible danger, so make sure your scent is neutral. Don’t wear deodorant or cologne and wash with unscented soap. When stalking, you also should use a scent inhibitor on the bottom of your boots and on your clothing and exposed skin.

Hunting Equipment -Firearms

Choosing a firearm for deer stalking means that you must ascertain that the gun is legal for the type of deer you’re hunting. Be sure you understand any laws pertaining to the type of firearm that’s allowed. For example, in England and Wales, hunters must use a gun with a minimum muzzle energy of 1700 foot pounds and a minimum calibre of .240 inches. The requirements are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland. If you’re hunting outside the UK, be aware that many countries have a ban on semi and automatic firearms. It’s always advisable to be well aware of your firearm’s bullet trajectory. You also must be able to shoot accurately at distances as far as 300 yards away, so plenty of practice before the season opens is a good idea.

That’s it for now. In my next post, I’ll discuss rifle scopes, binoculars, knives, stalking sticks, bipods and tripods.