Deerstalking - The Highland Hunting Tradition

[@la_old_salt2241]

Oh, I'd love it! Thanks Eric.

[@walterscogginsakathesilver6246]

This is my favorite show

[@reynardthefox]

Very interesting ....as a hunter who morphed into a conservationist I'd love to go deerstalking . In my last real hunts , it became more about the 'deep Nature' experience than the kill . Such a beautiful environment to put yourself in

[@rickmoore3730]

I am not a hunter although my father and brother were . I do understand the thrill of the chase however . Gotta love the clothing shown in the vid as well . cheers .

[@outpostraven]

Love both ideas

[@ichabod0391]

I love to hunt and have already booked a Highland Red Stag Hunt for 2024. I'm also starting to plan my outfit. Especially, my jacket and vest. An overcheck tweed would be excellent for a hunt.

[@lklingin5329]

Although the art of deer stalking is truly a skill and an impressive way of hunting, there are many game species that are hunted similarly in North America, the elk comes to mind (which is more closely related to the red deer than whitetail deer are). As a wildlife manager in North America I firmly believe Scotland would benefit from adopting the North American model of wildlife conservation, which happens to be the most successful conservation model in the world. It relies heavily upon the regular sportsman to fund habitat improvements and for population management. Red deer in Scotland are absolutely overpopulated due to lack of hunter involvement and natural predators, and endemic flora bears the brunt of this overpopulation.

[@spudeleven5124]

It would be outstanding to bowhunt in Scotland. Having been to Scotland several times, I fell totally in love with the environment of the wild rugged country, and with the domestic parts of it too, such as the "Heeland Coo". Thank you for publishing this. SCOTLAND ROCKS!

[@jonathanhicks140]

Unfortunately bow hunting isn’t permitted in the UK. In fact neither are pistols or shotguns for deer stalking (although they may be permitted to kill a deer involved in say a vehicle collision in order to end its’ suffering & some vets & stalkers registered for dealing with deer in road collisions may be permitted a pistol for such humane dispatch, otherwise they are not permitted for private ownership in the UK). The rifles for shooting red deer in Scotland have the following minimum requirements: a minimum calibre of .24 inches (so effectively either a .243 or other 6mm round), this must have a minimum muzzle velocity of 2,450 fps & a minimum muzzle energy of over 1,750 foot/pounds & fire an expanding bullet of at least 100 grains in weight. This last requirement may change in future as the shift to lead free bullets is underway & consequently it may be that bullet weight is reduced in future to allow for the lighter copper bullets being driven faster instead - but don’t hold your’ breath waiting as legislation is rarely that well thought through before being enacted I’m afraid.

[@nickmartin5087]

Hi Fellas, I love your channel, I grew up wearing the kilt from a young age and I really respect your efforts to promote highland dress and (particularly) its appropriate use. I also appreciate the respect that you show to Highland culture in general. However, for me this video and its content falls a bit short and, in truth something inside me bristles a little at the promotion of deer stalking in the Highlands (don't get me wrong here I enjoy hunting). You mention that 'huge hunting estates were mapped out across the Highlands, many owned by wealthy Englishmen' . Perhaps it is implicit in this statement, but where is the mention of the human cost of this enterprise? The hills and glens in which this sportsman's paradise was created were full of families prior to the clearances. Whilst the hunting of deer and the fishing of salmon were necessities for native Gaels the advent of professional/sport hunting in the Highlands was a social catastrophe - the effects of which reverberate in local communities today. I understand that your business is apparel and that there is a hunger in America for authentic tartans and tweeds and "Gaelicky' experiences and that you must balance the content of your channel with cultural education and your commercial imperatives and that this entails a need to 'keep things light'. However may I suggest that you balance this with some deeper cultural engagement. For an Gaelic indigenous perspective on stalking and its social impact you could have a look at ' 'S gann gu 'n dìrich mi chaoidh' a song by Norman Nicholson (Tormaid mac Neacal) of Skorrybreck who was a great hunter. He was banned from hunting the deer and in around 1825 was forced to leave Skye for Canada eventually heading to Australia where he drowned. Here you have a contemporary Gaelic source lamenting the passing of his traditional way of life to make way for rich sportsmen. He was sadly not one of your 'local hunters (who) found work as guides and gamekeepers. BBC Alba produced a program some years ago about 'Moladh Beinn Dòbhrain' in which Domhnall Uilleam Stiùbhart references Donnchadh Bàn Mac an s-taoir's eponymous poem in praise of the hunt. Nothing could be more heartbreakingly ironic than watching Domhnall Uilleam being shown how to kill a stag by an English gamekeeper. Breac à linne, slat à coille 's fiadh à fìreach - mèirle às nach do ghabh Gàidheal riamh nàire. (A trout from the pool, a stave from the woods and a deer from the moor - for these thefts no Gael was ashamed) Mòran taing 's beannachd leibh.

[@breakfastsewingclub1170]

Question from my friend "My husband use to wear kilts and I loved seeing him in a kilt. But when we moved to our new rural town this old man mocked him and he has not worn a kilt since. How can I as a wife help him gain his confidence back and not care what others think. It's been 6years."

[@r3liability]

While Scotland is a bucket list location, and it'd make for good first hunting trip, at the very least it's sparking the inspiration for a D&D Ranger.

[@iand5369]

In your opening narrative you give the impression that a Gamekeeper and Ghillie are one of the same thing. A ghillie will rarely be involved in deer stalking. His role is to manage the rivers and lochs on the estate and to guide clients to the best stretches of the river ( beats ) and pools where the salmon and trout are located. Highland Ponies are still used to this day. Most estates have a string of ponies that are used to remove the kill off of the hill. During the summer months, they are used for pony trekking groups up into the Glen and provide additional income to the estate. Do not expect to bag a " Royal " " Imperial " or " Monarch " stag, for that you will need a very deep sporran. My Son who lives in the Cairngorms, paid 500 Pounds last year for a day hunt for a Pricket or Brocket stag. By the time you pay for staying at the Lodge, Stalkers,Gamekeeper,Ponies,leasing the rifle, you will end up paying a very hefty sum of money.

[@traildogisla]

Not a bad introduction, although a shame much of it seems to be in the past tense. Check out 'Fieldsports Britains' KZbin channel and their series called 'A year in the life of the red deer'.

[@johnnyjet3.1412]

So"…….what about stealing sheep from the Campbells?

[@ichabod0391]

Then you might be hunted down by the MacDonalds.

[@rickmoore3730]

hahaha...A follow up video perhaps ?

[@johnnyjet3.1412]

@@ichabod0391 I’m a McBride, I wear MacDonald - and MacLintock, and MacNaughton, and US Army , and California.

[@hislairdship8961]

Ne Obliviscaris 🐗

[@BrianTheGreenMan]

apparently you've never hunted with a camera. Same skill set, greater danger, bigger rush.