At 4am, I've come to think that either dedication or questionable decision-making is involved when the alarm goes off. But I guess it's possibly a mix of both.
So here I am, a Monday morning in August, at a service station car park somewhere in Yorkshire. Coffee in hand, Chris Dalton already there waiting, and this time, it wasn't just another outing. This was my first lead stalk, so no pressure!
If you've read our Field Tested, Field Trusted post, you'll know that we've been building this partnership with Outfitter Tales for a while now. Somewhere along the way, a July barbecue with Chris's Sika venison paired with an enthusiastic conversation led to this: me behind the glass, calling the shots for the first time.
Starting the Stalk with Patience
Once we'd made tracks from the service station and arrived at the location, we headed out into the early light. There were deer, several of them actually, beautiful, but nothing suitable for culling. Chris's call, as always, was made quietly and without hesitation, and that was our morning confirmed.
That's sometimes the bit that surprises people who haven't done this before. Walking away isn't failure, it's discipline. And when you're out there with someone like Chris, you learn very quickly that the deer will always tell you when the time is right. The important part, I've definitely learnt, is being patient enough to listen.
Heading into the woods for our morning stalk.
For a first lead stalk, it was a good early lesson. Even if my coffee from the service station had long since worn off. So, from here, we regrouped, made a plan for the evening, and headed back. Because the day, as it turned out, was far from over.
Two Hollands Are Better Than One
That evening, we went back. But this time with reinforcements in the form of my younger brother and fellow face of Hollands, Rob.
Rob has heard me talk about stalking more times than he can probably count since I started this journey, so when the chance came to bring him out for his first time with Chris, he didn't need much convincing. Whether that was genuine curiosity or just wanting to finally see what all the fuss was about, I couldn't possibly say, but the plan was made!
He came along to observe, to learn, and to film, capturing footage for the latest Outfitter Tales episode. A fresh eye on something I'm still learning myself. But to be honest, as someone who was about to lead a stalk for the very first time, having a familiar face along felt like exactly the right thing.
Chris sharing his camera skills as well as his knowledge with Rob.
He didn't quite know what to expect. Honestly, neither did I… and I'd done this before!
The Evening Stalk
As evening arrived, we headed out again, just as the light started to soften. And this time, the wood had something to offer.
We found Fallow deer laid up in cover, and Chris, with the quiet certainty that only comes from years of doing this, selected a suitable pricket. For anyone unfamiliar, a pricket is a young male deer in his second year, and the decision to select him is exactly the kind of considered herd management that makes deer stalking so much more than just the shot.
Decision made, I took the shot from the sticks. It was clean, and it was successful, and I won't pretend I didn't feel the weight of that moment, because I definitely did. The deer was gralloched in the field- the practical, unglamorous, but entirely necessary part of the process that most people never see. Field to fork doesn't happen by itself, and this is where it really starts.
Rob was right there and watched on for all of it. Quietly, taking it in. But with the light fading fast and September on the horizon, we called it a night. After all, the evening had given us everything we needed- including a delicious, well-earned meal to enjoy.
The evening's reward, worth every early alarm!
Rob's Take
Rob, to his credit, was brilliant about the whole thing.
Much like I had been at the start of my own journey, he came in curious and left with about forty-seven more questions than he arrived with, which felt like exactly the right outcome. I think there’s something genuinely great about watching someone experience this world for the first time, especially when they're not just politely interested but genuinely open to learning.
Like many, he had a lot to say about Chris's knowledge and the way he works, praising the patience, the decision-making, the respect for the animal and the land. All completely deserved, and exactly what we've come to expect from Chris and Outfitter Tales.
Rob taking it all in his stride- quite literally!
Whether this will be his last time out, I very much doubt. So watch this space…
What's on the Horizon
This is far from the end of the Outfitter Tales story. If anything, we're still only just getting started.
In October, we're gearing up and heading back to Scotland, this time with the hope of witnessing the Red deer rut in Argyll. If you know, you know (it's a big deal!)
Chris has also been taking the time to mentor us on our own land, helping monitor the local Roe deer on the farm, including a doe and two fawns born this year, which has genuinely been a brilliant thing to be part of.
And after our trip to The Stalking Show, we're thrilled to say that the partnership will be continuing into next year, bigger and more exciting than ever. We're not quite ready to say more than that just yet, but trust us, it’s worth waiting for.
For the full story of how this partnership started, head over to our Field Tested, Field Trusted blog post, where you can also find the latest on country life and Hollands updates in our Country Files section!
Watch the Full Episode
The full episode is already up on the Outfitter Tales YouTube channel, and if you've ever been curious about what a lead stalk actually looks like from start to finish, this one is worth half an hour of your evening. Chris and Rab have done a brilliant job of capturing the whole day, with a well-earned shoutout to Rob's camera work too. We've even left a sneak peak below....
And if you're interested in the kit we wore on the day, you can find our full Hollands Country Clothing collection on the website.
About the Author
Sarah Holland
With her extensive firsthand experience of farm life and a keen eye for quality, Sarah Holland's advice on country clothing reflects her genuine appreciation for the joys and comfort of rural living. Whether it's a smart tweed jacket for a formal occasion or durable wellies for muddy walks, she knows what works for life in the countryside. Sarah loves sharing her knowledge and insights to help others discover the perfect attire for their outdoor lifestyle.
