Winston Churchill Venison Winston Churchill Stalking offers the chance to explore the wildlife in one of the most beautiful parts of the Scottish Highlands with the benefit of experienced local guides.
We can accommodate the sportsman who is interested in Red deer or Roe deer stalking or the naturalist with his or her camera for a general nature ramble throughout this wonderful landscape and habitat.
The Cowal peninsular is at the southern most part of the Scottish Highlands, the land is steep and rugged and ranges from sea level up to 3000tt +. Most of the slopes are afforested with commercial Spruce forests but some ancient broadleaf woodland remains intact and are now preserved and protected. All forests and woodlands are on the lower slopes going from sea level up to approx 1200 ft. The land above that is open hill.
Our forests and hill ground is the natural habitat for the only two species of deer that are native to Britain - the Red deer and the Roe deer. As a general rule the deer spend the daylight hours in the relative safety of the dense cover of the spruce forests and feed out onto the open hills during the hours of darkness. As a result of this behaviour we have to be active at sunrise and sunset and most of our stalking is on the upper edge of the forest where we intercept the deer, either coming out or going into the forest. Given the rugged, steep nature of the land, access is poor and the sport is very physically demanding but very rewarding - better suited to the young and fit!!
We have two full time stalkers, Paul and Angus (our eldest son), they are both extremely fit and competent (both have successfully completed Deer Management Qualification level 1 and level 2) as well as being two very nice people. Paul has been with us for twenty years and Angus has only just joined the team to replace Willie who has recently moved on after being with us for 16 years. Over the years Paul has gained an intimate knowledge of both the terrain and the animals, this knowledge is being passed on to Angus who has stalked with his dad since he was strong enough to climb the hills! Winston is also available for "action" when necessary; he also has passed DMQ level 1 & 2 and has nearly thirty years experience on the ground. Two local Gamekeepers Anton and Richard, can be called in as required to support the full time team, this allows us to put out up to 5 stalking parties. Both Anton and Richard have 20 years stalking experience each. Both Paul & Angus help out in the larder to assist the butchers when needed if available.
We offer stalking all year round, the seasons are;-
Roe Buck Stalking - 1st April until 20th October
Roe Doe Stalking - 21st Oct until 31st March
Red Stag Stalking - 1st July until 20th October
Red Hind Stalking - 21st Oct until 15th Feb
There is a full range of local accommodation with luxury hotels, comfortable pubs and Inns and an extensive choice of self-catering premises. For the sportsman who wants to be more involved, the Churchill’s have a detached bungalow, known as "The Cottage" on their premises at Balagowan which is fully equipped for self-catering. Staying in the Cottage, truly gives the full flavour of all that is going on given all activities revolve around Balagowan Deer Larder!