***Remastered this is fresh update to the Outdoor Gibbon Podcast ***

Every seasoned stalker dreams of pursuing all six deer species found across the UK. From the indigenous red and roe to the introduced sika, fallow, muntjac, and Chinese water deer, each offers unique challenges and rewards. Having successfully stalked four of these magnificent creatures, I'm eager to share the memorable hunts that have defined my journey.

Venture with me into the frozen woods of Southern Ireland where an unexpected encounter with a massive eight-point sika stag led to one of my most thrilling stalks. Feel the tension as I spotted him in the dawn light, forced to improvise a shooting position from my belly on the frosty ground. The satisfaction of finding this dark-coated beast hidden in a ditch after a challenging tracking job remains unmatched.

My pursuit of a roe buck across a steep valley delivers another unforgettable tale. Picture the scene: a vigilant doe watching my every move while the buck I sought remained oblivious on the opposite hillside. The patience required during that half-hour standoff eventually yielded not just a successful stalk, but what would later be measured as a gold medal head.

The Scottish Highlands provided perhaps the most physically demanding adventure - scaling near-vertical terrain in pursuit of red deer. The adrenaline of watching multiple stags appear at the edge of a corrie, taking the shot just before they crossed onto neighboring land, followed by an extraction so grueling that even the experienced guides acknowledged its difficulty.

Most recently, adding muntjac to my collection in Leicestershire demonstrated how understanding deer behavior can lead to successful stalking. After days of observation, positioning myself perfectly for that brief moment when the small buck presented himself through a window in the silver birch trees felt like the culmination of all my stalking knowledge.

These aren't just hunting stories - they're personal memories etched into my experience as deeply as the antlers mounted on my wall. Each represents not merely a trophy, but a moment in time, a challenge overcome, and a deepening connection to the natural world. With Chinese water deer and fallow remaining on my list, the journey continues.

What's your most memorable stalk? Share your experiences and join me next time for more adventures from the field.

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