Pere David's Deer hunting

Pere David’s Deer, as we know it, is the animal of the game park. Once it dwelt in wetlands and river bottoms of China, but human encroachment led to its near extinction. By the late XIX century, the only known Pere David’s Deer lived in the carefully guarded Hunting Park of the Emperors of China. A handful of them were smuggled to Europe, which proved a blessing when the original herd was wiped out during the Boxer Rebellion. The Duke of Bedford created a free-ranging herd in his Woburn estate – another game park - in England, and this saved Pere David’s Deer from extinction. Today Pere David’s Deer are so numerous across Great Britain, that hunting is not only possible, but necessary.

Pere David’s Deer hunting is, of necessity, a guided spot-and-stalk hunt. The hunter must be accompanied by the guide to ensure that proper animal should be taken. Usually, the hunt starts at the break of dawn, with the hunters walking slowly and carefully across the estates, trying to spot feeding deer. Once they locate a good stag, they approach it carefully. Safety is paramount when hunting in heavily populated countries such as Britain, so be prepared that the guide will insist to carry your rifle and hand it to you only when it’s time to shoot.