I wanted to share some thoughts on the changing nature of deer hunting. With the rise of precision ammunition and long-range rifles, the good old style of bush stalking is becoming a bit of a relic. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate long-range shooting and have taken game at extended distances. But something is missing in the thinking of modern hunters, especially us young guys.
Some of the more elderly members of our community can relate to what I’m saying. The art of bush stalking is being lost. I purposefully take my rifle and tiptoe down, ensuring my wind is correct using an old warehouse or dairy lighter. I move exceptionally slowly and quietly through the bush, which can be very difficult depending on the conditions.
There’s nothing more rewarding than outwitting and outplaying an animal whose senses are far superior to ours. Seeing that animal walking along, completely oblivious to your presence, is the essence of bush stalking. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes, it’s a spook and shoot style, and you may need to whistle to get the deer to stop.
I’ve really learned to appreciate bush stalking. The thought of shooting across a basin was completely foreign even 30 to 40 years ago. Guys got really good at bush stalking because that’s what they did. You find things while moving under the canopy that you’d never find on a map. You might be the only one who’s ever come across them.
Sitting up camp can be found in the bush too. Find a nice flat area, find some rocks and make a fire. Get cozy and homely in the bush. Bush stalking also doesn’t rely on absolute precision handloads and a big monstrous long- range scope. You can bush stalk with a glorified walking pole that goes bang, and you’ll do just fine.
I encourage everybody to give bush stalking a try. It’s a skill that’s being lost. We’re doing everything we can with long-range hunting to keep the excitement out of it so that we can focus on recoil management and trigger control. Bush stalking is just good fun.
Admittedly, identifying your target is the number one safety consideration around bush stalking. Most accidents during the roar happen in bush stalking deer, so care does need to be taken. But it’s still the oldest, most traditional way of hunting, and it offers some of the greatest rewards and exciting times.
