Excellent two days of action packed stalking.
From the original communications to the farewell, Oliver was a professional guide, superb host and great company. I booked two days with Tusk and Antler as the location and price looked ideal: as someone who is new to hunting this year (a few stalks, just done DSC1) I wanted to gain some experience on a few stalks over two days.
This trip delivered everything I hoped for and some things I hadn’t even considered. The woodland location was beautiful; seeing the sunrise on the second day as we stalked across the lightly frosted ground, listening to the barks of muntjac was an incredible experience. Since zero’ing the rifle on the first morning we’d seen plenty of deer – roe and muntjac with some wonderful roe bucks (out of season of course) within 50 yards. We had many encounters with deer which was what I was hoping for; the chance to watch them through binoculars, by eye, to hear them, and observe their behaviour. Oliver was superb at getting us to the deer, and just as importantly for me, explaining the process behind it. As the second day was drawing to a close I had yet to connect with a deer but after my excitement on day one I was already reflecting on the great experiences I’d had so far, and that if I went home without a deer I was already happy to have had the chance to see and hear so much, and to practise stalking up to deer on several occasions.
The learning outcome was already invaluable. However, as the sun was preparing to slip behind the hills Oliver suggested one more stake out in the woods. We set up in a promising looking ride to patiently wait for a roe doe that might come out before sunset. Twenty minutes later, nothing. Then some movement, and a lovey doe stepped out into the ride. Broadside on, maybe just 60-70 yards out, I made the shot and was delighted to see her drop right away. I really liked the efficient field graloch demonstrated by Oliver, which lead to an interesting chat about keeping it simple. I now had a fantastic conditioned deer for the freezer which I had hoped for but of course you can’t guarantee; so yes you could say I was over the moon! This was an action packed couple of days. The location was ideal – plenty of deer, but Oliver’s knowledge and fieldcraft, and professional approach but with plenty of good chatter really made this a special experience.
There wasn’t one moment of this experience when I wasn’t having a good time.
Many thanks – DOM (original review at https://www.bookyourhunt.com/reviews/tusk-and-antler#/2318)
Memories that will last a lifetime
This hunt was a present for my husband’s birthday as it was his dream for a while to go hunting. It was the best present he could have wished for. He was over the moon especially after meeting Oliver. Oliver is extremely knowledgeable about hunting and on the first day he was teaching my husband how and where to shoot, on the second day they went in the woods hunting. My husband managed to hunt a doe with Oliver’s support. My husband said it was the best weekend that he will remember for the rest of his life, Oliver is an amazing, experienced, professional, kind and funny hunter and I will buy this experience for my husband again. Thank you Oliver for making this so special – Anna
(link to original review: www.bookyourhunt.com/en/reviews/tusk-and-antler#/4635)
“Loved the service and the quality of the hunt, Oliver knows the train and the animal. Despite the unpredictability of the weather he made it happened, my family and travel and hunt all over and if you looking for a fantastic area to visit with hospitable people and great guide this the one, looking for the next one with Oliver” – Faris Alnaser
“I have hunted with Tusk and Antler on many occasions. The host knows the ground well and knows how the deer behave throughout the year and in varying weather conditions. On every occasion my host has found trophy grade animals during the hunt and often more than one during a morning and evening” – Angus
“I’ve twice hunted with Oliver Power at Tusk and Antler and truly enjoyed each foray into the English countryside. My last trip delivered an outstanding roe deer! I also appreciate Oliver bringing me to places outside the hunting agenda — from ancient ruins to the Mary Rose museum at Portsmouth shipyard. Wonderful memories!” – Wayne van Zwoll (Internationally renowned U.S. Hunting Journalist)
“Dear Oliver, Thank you very much for looking after my son and I so well on your two day introduction course, it was great getting the practical experiences to get us started, you are an excellent instructor and very patient, we really enjoyed the outdoor range and the afternoon stalking, we looking forward to stalking again in the spring” – Simon & James, Hampshire
“I have hunted with Tusk & Antler on many occasions. The host, Oliver Power, knows the ground well and knows how the deer behave throughout the year and in varying weather conditions. On every occasion my host, Oliver found good trophy grade animals on the hunt and often more than one in a morning and evening, strongly recommend – 10/10” – Simon Renshaw, Devon
“Excellent Hunting Experience – 10/10” – Sam, Australia
“As an inexperienced novice female hunter, the owner of Tusk and Antler, Oliver Power, is always very patient and amenable. Prior to my stalks, he always spends time in preparing me with excellent and practical rifle tutuion, which I have found invaluable. Oliver has also given me advice on excellent stalking clothing, footwear and equipment. During my stalks I have always seen a large number of various deer species, next season, I hope to go after some of their amazing trophy specimens, Amazing hunting and host” – Marrina Valentine, Exeter
“Thank you very much Tusk and Antler, for great trophy hunting. My wife also loved the shopping and luxury spa that you recommended. Great all rounder, 10/10” – Nick Charalambos
“Great Countryside, good deer population, great guide, excellent hunting, thank you very much Oliver Power at Tusk and Antler, 10/10” – Baltsar Nilsson, Sweden