Tendering for a deer stalking lease
Here is some advice to help prepare you for the process of applying for a deer stalking lease.
East of England stalking scheme
BASC’s east of England stalking scheme offers accompanied or high seat outings for fallow, roe, muntjac and Chinese water deer.Â
Available for DSC1 and DSC2 holders, it is also open to those new to deer stalking, providing the necessary skills development whatever your level of competence.
The scheme is run by Deer Game and Vermin Management (DGVM) on behalf of BASC and operates on several estates around their headquarters at Chippenham near Newmarket. The locations have a good population of fallow, roe, muntjac and Chinese water deer.
Who is the scheme for and how does it work?
The stalking scheme is open to all BASC members and is designed to provide practical experience under expert supervision for anyone looking to improve their stalking abilities. It is ideal for newcomers to deer stalking without any qualifications, kit or experience; a suitable estate rifle is available to use by those who do not have their own.Â
The scheme is also suitable for more experienced stalkers, including those looking for the opportunity to gain the skills necessary for assessment for DSC Level 2. Approved witnessing will be available by arrangement.
Each stalking outing will last three hours. The first will always be an afternoon session, as this allows time to be spent on the range to undertake the initial safety briefing and to check zero of the rifle.Â
Before being allowed out, stalkers will be required to demonstrate that their rifle is zeroed by putting three shots into a 100mm diameter circle at 100 metres. Hearing protection is required for the range session. Subsequent bookings made will not require a shooting test, but participants must ensure their rifles are zeroed.
For the first outing, you will be accompanied by one of the estate stalking guides. If you have been deemed competent by the guide and have your own rifle, you may sit alone in a high seat for subsequent outings. All scheme participants will be briefed by the stalking guides on safety and procedure before heading out on to the ground.
Stalking fees
An accompanied stalk may be made up of a foot stalk, high seat or a combination of the two. For an accompanied stalk a fee of £175 is charged for each outing.Â
For a solo high seat session, the fee is £120. Each outing includes one cull animal and its carcass. Fees are not refundable if no deer are shot. All financial arrangements are made directly with DGVM directly at the time of booking.
Fallow deer carcasses will be charged at current game dealer prices. There are no additional fees for roe, muntjac and CWD. An additional fee will be payable if you require your deer to be butchered and vacuum-packed. Please ask your guide for more information.
More about BASC stalking schemes
The BASC stalking schemes provide a great way to learn the practical skills required to manage deer. Experienced guides will help you find a deer, make sure that it is safely and humanely shot, and then show you how to deal with the carcass.Â
Many of our guides are also approved witnesses for DSC2 so, once you are at the required standard, they will let you know and you can then register to be assessed.
The new scheme adds to BASC’s other three stalking schemes open to members holding a minimum of DSC1. These provide accompanied stalking for either roe (Hampshire) or sika (Baronscourt in Northern Ireland and Bowland in Lancashire). All schemes are taking bookings now. You’ll find links for each location off our main stalking schemes page here, plus details of how to book your place.
Alternatively, contact our teams in each area for more information:Â
Baronscourt, Northern Ireland – nire@basc.org.uk
Bowland, Lancashire –Â northern@basc.org.uk
East of England – easterndeer@basc.org.uk
Hampshire – deer@basc.org.uk
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Shooting seasons
It is your responsibility to know what you can and can’t shoot, and when, so make sure you bookmark this quarry season page.
Baronscourt stalking scheme
BASC NI, is working in partnership with the prestigious Baronscourt Estate, to run a stalking scheme exclusive to BASC members.
