Devon County Deer

Unlike some other stalkers, we are very happy to train and instruct novice stalkers / beginners and try to give them a good grounding in basic safety in field craft skills, to locating and identifying deer. To find out more on the services that we offer to novice stalkers, please complete our contact form.

Below are testimonials from novice stalkers who have enjoyed their first outings with us:

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My First Deer with Graham,

I had been target shooting both Small Bore and Full Bore rifle for about 15 years prior to deciding to take my first tentative steps into Deer stalking. After initially approaching a few people who made it difficult for me to try stalking (such as suggesting that I take my DSC1 before taking me out) I contacted Graeme through the Devon County Deer website.

Graeme was both friendly and helpful, giving numerous tips and hints for me to get started in Deer stalking without a huge investment in kit yet ensuring that I had proper insurance. The local Army surplus store is well worth a visit when starting out to get adequate stalking attire very cheaply.

After a trip to Graeme's range to ensure that my shooting skills were up to the required standards with the estate rifle we were prepared for our first stalks.

I did not shoot a deer on my first stalk but we did see some deer, doe's that were out of season.

However on my second stalk on the edge of Dartmoor in some lovely moor land and forest, we were moving back to the truck at the end of the morning along a track at the edge of a hill when I spotted a young buck in the bracken and gorse with a good backstop. In what now seems like ages but in reality was no more than a few seconds I managed after a few false starts a good shot on the Buck and as can be seen from the attached picture I was a very happy novice stalker and have been hooked ever since.

I have continued to stalk Deer with Graeme now for many years and would recommend any novice who is considering taking up stalking to contact him as I found his all round advice, safety conscious and helpful attitude invaluable when I started out.

Regards Mike

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To fellow sportsmen & women,

I have done other types of shooting/hunting before I decided I was going to take up deer stalking. I watched videos and read books but wanted to do the real thing. So I set on my way to trying to find out information on how to start, what I would need by reading etc.... however reading didn't satisfy my questions and I wanted to book a few days deer stalking. This I thought would be easy but I had great difficulty finding a sporting agent that was professional, helpful and friendly. As many I phoned didn't seem to have the patience and manners to go out of their way to help novices, I was about to give up my venture when I found Graeme's advertisement in the BASC magazine. I phoned Graeme up to arrange some sport and to my delight I found someone who was prepared to help with any questions I might have and with such enthusiasm! Graeme informed me of what I would need and not need, what to bring and everything I needed to get me on my way. So I booked my stalking with Graeme and went down to Devon to start my stalking. Graeme was very welcoming and helpful and had lots of patience and advice instead of criticism when I made a mistake. I shot my first Deer with Graeme which was a roe and my second! The stalking was fantastic the company was great!

And for the hospitality what can I say, Fantastic! Jeans cooking had my mouth watering every time I walked through the door and believe me the stalkers breakfast would see you through to the next day! There are not many places where I feel at home and that were one of them! The stalking was great and the company to match! I booked my next stalk before I even left and can't wait to get down there. I'm marking the days off my calendar!

To fellow sportsman/women,

This was my third trip down to Graeme at Devon county deer which I was counting down the days on my calendar. I travelled down in November for the Roe doe season and when arriving at Graeme’s house I was greeted with a warm welcome a hot drink and the smell of good home cooked food as I walked through the door. I already had high hopes for the trip and the hospitality confirmed it would be an enjoyable time regardless of whether or not I managed to shoot a deer. Over the course of the trip we had seen many deer but were not able to take a shot, until an early morning stalk in woodland we were walking quietly along a woodland ride when I and Graeme spotted a Fallow pricket which we were quite surprised as Graeme didn’t think they were in the near vicinity. The beast continued to walk towards us so we stooped and got the gun ready on the sticks and the beast stopped 40 yards away I the released the safety and shot the beast with one clean shot through the heart area and it was nice to see it was a clean kill with the animal dropping were it stood. It was quite a special moment for me as this was the first deer I had shot with my own and first rifle after just obtaining my firearms certificate which Graeme helped me with. I had shot my first deer and others with Graeme previously but used the estate rifle which Graeme kindly lets you use should you be a beginner there’s no need to go spending lots of money to start with. Graeme will advise you on all the right equipment you need to buy. We Gralloched the deer and the dragged it back to the truck and then back to the larder. I celebrated that evening with whiskey and the good company of Graeme and his wife Jean and a fantastic home cooked meal! Unfortunately it was time to pack my bags and head home but like I expected it was a great and successful trip which I will never forget and can’t wait for the following Roe doe season to go again. I highly recommend Graeme for novices like myself and experienced stalkers for some great sport and company. Once again Graeme thank you for a wonderful stalking experience and hope to see you soon.

Yours Ben Winstanley