A Stalk in the Irish Highlands
Matthias is a hunter through and through. He comes from a long-established hunting family and has been immersed in the world of hunting since childhood. His roots lie in the agricultural lowland hunting grounds of the Cologne Bight – areas known for healthy populations of small game. Anyone familiar with such lowland terrain knows that hare, partridge and pheasant all have very different habitat requirements. Intensive and professional game management is essential here – a core responsibility of the dedicated small-game hunter.
And what would a passionate hunter be without a dog? Having grown up with hunting dogs from an early age, it was only natural for Matthias to handle his own dogs later in life. German Hunting Terriers were soon followed by German Wirehaired Pointers – reliable companions for a wide range of hunting tasks.
Alongside hunting at home, another passion developed early on: hunting abroad in Europe. It is not only unfamiliar terrain and different game species that appeal to him, but above all the exchange with local hunters and the opportunity to experience their hunting traditions first-hand.
This curiosity ultimately led him to Ireland.
Hunting in the Irish Highlands
The green island of Ireland had long fascinated me with its impressive landscapes. Beyond the well-known lush green pastures dotted with grazing cattle, Ireland offers one thing above all else: the Highlands. Vast expanses of barren heathland and extensive peat bogs stretch as far as the eye can see.
These upland areas were once densely forested, but were largely cleared as early as the Middle Ages. For centuries, they were used almost exclusively for peat extraction. Only over the past 50 years have parts of the Highlands been reforested with conifers, resulting in extensive forests of varying age classes.
This newly created cover particularly benefits fallow deer, which have established strong populations here. However, fallow deer in the Irish Highlands are largely diurnal, extremely cautious and possess excellent senses. Simply locating them in the broken terrain, bogs and open uplands is a challenge in itself – getting within shooting distance unnoticed is an entirely different matter.
Demanding Stalking Under Extreme Conditions
Moving through the open, permanently wet terrain of the Highlands is extremely demanding. The ground is uneven and treacherous, and it is easy to sink up to the waist into water-filled holes. It pays to make use of the centuries-old game trails of the fallow deer. To get within shooting distance at all, the hunter often has no choice but to crawl.
All of this makes one thing clear: hunting in the Irish Highlands places the highest demands on the hunter. He must be physically fit, resilient and sure-footed, as long distances are covered during the stalk. After the shot, the hunter must also be capable of recovering the animal independently.
Stalking follows the strict rules of good hunting practice – with constant attention to wind direction and optimal use of the terrain. Equally important is the right equipment: high-quality, windproof and waterproof clothing is indispensable in this climate.
Rifle, Ammunition and Shooting Skills
Particular emphasis must be placed on shooting skills and on the choice of rifle and ammunition. Fallow deer often cannot be approached closer than around 200 metres. As hunting is conducted exclusively by stalking, the hunter must be able to shoot safely at this distance from the prone position or from shooting sticks.
As long-range shots are relatively rare in Germany, many hunters do not own classic long-range calibres. However, this is not a disadvantage if the right load is chosen. I personally hunt with the 8×57 IS – certainly not known as a long-range calibre. In combination with a light bullet, however, it can be used reliably even at extended distances.
For this purpose, I choose the lead-free GECO ZERO. The lightweight bullet offers a flat trajectory and performs exceptionally well in the demanding terrain of the Highlands. Even short escape runs can pose a challenge here. The excellent immediate effect, high likelihood of an exit wound due to the residual shank, and clear game reaction all confirm my choice of the GECO ZERO.
Conclusion
Rarely do so many factors have to come together as when hunting in the rugged Irish Highlands. Wind, weather and game behaviour are beyond the hunter’s control. The hunting setup, however – equipment, ammunition and preparation – lies entirely in his own hands.
All that’s missing is a bit of luck.
Good hunting!
Text: Marlon Santoro
Image: Marlon Santoro & Martina Rohn
