THE ULTIMATE SHOOTING QUIZ TEAM

BASC’S head of firearms and

global authority on guns

Airgunner and journalist from

the West Country

Shooting Times rifle reviewer

and stalker

Highly regarded writer and

ornithologist

NGO chairman, Shropshire

gamekeeper and keen wildfowler

Shooting consultant and

sporting author

Riverkeeper, with specialist

knowledge of chalkstreams

Veterinary surgeon with a

special interest in gundogs

A game Shot, keen stalker and

former editor of Shooting Times

Professional shooting instructor

and avid pigeon shooter

Runs Fenway Labradors and

a professional gundog trainer

Former head chef at River

Cottage and runs a shoot in Devon

Author, professional ferreter

and rabbit controller

Keen stalker and senior CIC

international trophy judge I am going to be stalking stags in early October on my own for the first time. As this will be in the rut, I am hoping to call up some stags. Can you give any tips on how I might go about calling, and is there a best time of day to do this?

Practice and confidence are key. Your starting point is to make sure you know what a roaring stag sounds like. If you don’t, do some research on Youtube.

If you buy a commercial caller you will have to learn how to use it. I have heard commercial callers used to great effect by some people, while in the hands of others they were awful. Some stalkers can call stags simply by cupping their hands and roaring.

52 • SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRY MAGAZINE One chap I stalked with for years used the cardboard tube from a toilet roll to call animals with awesome results — it was a matter of practice.

As for when to call, it is not so much about time but whether you can see or hear the target of your calling. Is he roaring? Is he moving? Has he got hinds with him? Is he lying down? So first find your stag, check what he is doing and try to match your call to his. See if he reacts. Oh, and remember to check behind you.

My friend with the loo roll once terrified a stalking guest. The stag they were watching was coming on beautifully; meanwhile the one coming from behind, which he hadn’t seen, was making ground rapidly — and it got to within 10 yards of the intrepid stalkers before they smelled him. They didn’t get off a shot at either. IW