You’re dealing with deer damage. You’ve looked at fencing costs (eye-watering). You’ve tried repellents (waste of money). You’re wondering if there’s a better option.

There is. And it won’t cost you a penny.

The Stalker-Landowner Arrangement

Here’s how it works:

You have deer causing problems. Stalkers want land to stalk.

Match the two, and both parties benefit.

A qualified deer stalker provides free deer management on your land. In exchange, they get access for stalking—a valuable commodity they’d otherwise have to pay for or struggle to find.

You get professional deer control. They get to pursue their passion. No money changes hands.

This arrangement has been standard practice in British deer management for decades. It’s not a scam, a catch, or too good to be true. It’s simply how things work.

What You Get

Professional Management

A good stalker brings:

  • Qualifications: DSC1 certification demonstrating competence
  • Insurance: Public liability cover (typically £10 million through BASC)
  • Equipment: Deer-legal rifles, optics, everything needed
  • Experience: Knowledge of deer behaviour, species ID, humane dispatch
  • Consistency: Regular visits, not one-off intervention

Effective Results

Because stalkers want to maintain access to good land, they’re motivated to:

  • Actually reduce your deer problem (so you keep them on)
  • Manage sustainably (so there are always deer to stalk)
  • Behave professionally (so you don’t revoke access)

Their incentives align with your interests.

No Hassle

  • They bring all equipment
  • They handle carcasses
  • They operate at unsociable hours (dawn, dusk) when you’re not around
  • They liaise with you on access
  • You continue with your normal life

A qualified stalker ensures:

  • Correct seasons observed
  • Legal methods used
  • Proper carcass handling
  • All regulatory requirements met

You don’t need to understand deer law—they do.

What You Provide

Land Access

The fundamental exchange. You grant permission for the stalker to:

  • Enter your land at agreed times
  • Stalk and cull deer
  • Retrieve carcasses

This is typically managed through a written permission letter covering boundaries, times, species, and conditions.

Reasonable Cooperation

  • Letting them know about activities that might conflict (events, shoots, forestry work)
  • Not scheduling conflicting access during agreed stalking times
  • Reasonable communication about changes

Nothing Else

You don’t pay anything. You don’t provide equipment, accommodation, or meals. You don’t need to be present. The stalker handles everything.

Finding a Stalker

Where to Look

British Deer Society (BDS) The BDS maintains lists of qualified stalkers and can help match landowners with stalkers in their area.

  • Website: bds.org.uk

BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) BASC members include many experienced stalkers. Contact them for recommendations.

  • Website: basc.org.uk

Local Shoot Contacts If you know anyone involved in shooting locally (gamekeepers, shoot managers, farmers who shoot), they often know stalkers looking for ground.

Word of Mouth Ask neighbouring landowners who manages deer on their land. Good stalkers build reputations locally.

Direct Approach Some stalkers actively advertise their services to landowners. I do—that’s why you’re reading this.

What to Look For

DSC1 Certification The Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 is the industry standard. Ask to see it.

BASC Membership Provides £10 million public liability insurance. Essential protection for both parties.

Local Experience Someone who knows your area, understands local deer populations, and has existing permissions nearby is valuable.

References A good stalker should be happy to provide contacts with other landowners they work with.

Professionalism Do they communicate clearly? Arrive when they say? Respect your property? These basics matter.

Red Flags

  • No qualifications or reluctant to show them
  • No insurance
  • Pressure to sign agreements quickly
  • Vague about methods or experience
  • Bad reputation locally
  • Unprofessional communication

Take your time. A good stalker is worth finding; a bad one can cause problems.

The Agreement

What to Include

A written permission (doesn’t need to be complex) should cover:

  • Boundaries: Exactly where the stalker can and cannot go
  • Species: Which deer they can cull (usually “all species” in Sussex)
  • Methods: Rifle only, no shotguns, etc.
  • Times: When they can access (e.g., dawn to mid-morning, late afternoon to dusk)
  • Duration: Start date and end date (I recommend 12 months initially)
  • Termination: Either party can end with reasonable notice
  • Carcass rights: Who keeps the venison (usually the stalker)
  • Contact details: How to reach each other

What Not to Agree To

  • Exclusive multi-year agreements: Keep your options open initially
  • Paying the stalker: The whole point is it’s free
  • Unlimited access: You need to retain control of your land
  • No termination clause: Always keep the ability to end the arrangement

Sample Permission Wording

I, [Landowner Name], owner/occupier of [Property Name/Address], grant permission to [Stalker Name], holder of Firearms Certificate number [XXX], to stalk and cull deer of all species on the above-named land.

This permission is valid from [Date] to [Date] and may be terminated by either party with 7 days’ written notice.

The stalker agrees to operate only during legal hours, use only legal methods, and comply with all relevant legislation.

Signed: _________________ Date: _________

A solicitor isn’t necessary, but the stalker may have their own standard form.

Common Concerns

“What if they shoot the place out?”

A legitimate concern—some stalkers take everything they can and move on. Mitigate this by:

  • Starting with a short agreement (6-12 months)
  • Asking for references from other landowners
  • Checking local reputation
  • Monitoring deer sightings yourself

A good stalker wants sustainable management, not short-term gain.

“What about safety?”

Qualified stalkers are trained in safe shooting. They:

  • Never take shots without safe backstops
  • Use sound moderators (suppressors) to reduce noise
  • Operate at times when people aren’t about
  • Carry insurance for any incidents

You’re statistically safer with a professional than with deer on the road.

“Will it disturb my neighbours?”

Good stalkers are discreet:

  • No visible signage or kit left about
  • Vehicles parked out of sight
  • Moderated rifles significantly reduce noise
  • Operations timed to avoid disturbance

Many landowners’ neighbours never know stalking is happening.

“What if I change my mind?”

A proper agreement includes termination clauses. You can end the arrangement with reasonable notice (typically 7-14 days). Your land, your call.

“Don’t I need to be present?”

No. Once access arrangements are agreed, most stalkers operate independently. Some landowners want updates; others prefer to know nothing. Both approaches work.

My Offer

I provide free deer management for landowners across East Sussex, particularly the Ashdown Forest area.

What I bring:

  • DSC1 certified
  • BASC insured (£10 million liability)
  • 15+ years local experience
  • GB international-level shooting background
  • Professional, discreet service

What I ask:

  • Permission to stalk on your land
  • Reasonable cooperation on access
  • Nothing else

If you’re experiencing deer damage in Sussex, I’d be happy to visit, assess your situation, and discuss whether I can help.

Contact me to arrange a free assessment.

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