Species
For big game hunting in Scotland there are three main species, each offering a different experience in terms of terrain, location and structure of the day. The main deer stalking season runs roughly from 1st July to 20th October, though fallow buck are not in season until 1st August.
Red Deer:
Probably the pinnacle of big game hunting in Scotland is the red deer, also known as “The Monarch of the Glen”. Scotland’s largest deer, the stags have large branching antlers which increase in size as they get older.
During the rut, males bellow to proclaim their territory and will fight over the females. This is the best time to stalk red deer and usually falls in early to mid-October.
A stalk lasts a whole day, usually starting at around 09:00 and lasting well into the evening. It is probably one of the most physically challenging forms of big game hunting, involving many hours of steady uphill walking and plenty of crawling to stay out of sight of the deer. The payoff is that it is probably the most memorable of all hunting experiences in Scotland — and the one that every big game hunter needs to experience at least once in their lifetime.
Red deer stag season: 1st July – 20th October
Fallow Deer:
The fallow deer is a beautiful deer with a spotted coat which can vary in colour but is mostly pale gingery-brown, with white spots on the back, a black and white tail and a white rump patch outlined in black. Males (fallow bucks) have broad, palmate antlers.
Unlike red deer, fallow deer are not thought to be native to the UK and were probably brought here by the Normans during their conquest. Geographically, fallow deer are quite limited in Scotland, with our stalking areas in Perthshire — one near Aberfeldy and the other near Dunkeld (only 1 hour 20 minutes from Edinburgh).
A fallow buck stalk is not quite as physically demanding as a red deer stalk as there is less hill walking involved — fallow buck prefer wooded areas rather than open hillside. The stalking varies depending on the estate and time of year: sometimes it follows a full-day format similar to a red deer stalk, but more often it takes the form of separate morning and evening stalks of about three hours each as the sun rises and sets.
Fallow buck season: 1st August – 20th October (technically runs to 30th April but stalking generally finishes in line with red deer and sika on 20th October)
Sika
Sika, like fallow, are a non-native species, having been introduced to Britain from Asia in the 19th century. They are similar in size to fallow deer but much darker in colour — red-brown to yellow-brown with a dark dorsal stripe and white spots in summer, turning dark grey to black in winter when the spots become almost invisible.
Sika offer a unique big game hunting experience. They are secretive animals who will hide at the first sign of danger, living in densely wooded areas. This makes them an exciting and difficult quarry.
Similar to fallow buck, sika stag stalking takes the form of separate morning and evening stalks of about three hours each. River & Green’s main sika hunting area is around 1 hour 15 minutes south-west of Edinburgh near the town of Peebles.
Sika stag season: 1st July – 20th October
Pricing
Prices for big game hunting in Scotland vary depending on the species, accommodation, trip length and number of guests. Below are guide prices for the hunting element alone (excluding accommodation, transport and other arrangements):
Red deer stag: £810 – £1,250 per stag
Roe buck: £340 – £565 per buck
Red deer hinds: £350 – £600 per day
Walked-up wing shooting (1 hunter): £800 – £840 per day
Walked-up wing shooting (2+ hunters): £405 – £605 per day
Driven wing shooting (150 birds, 8 guns): £1,135 – £1,575 per hunter
Shotgun or rifle hire: £50 – £80 per day
Hunting in Scotland is priced on par with or lower than deer hunting in destinations like Argentina or New Zealand, with the added benefit of world-class accommodation, whisky distilleries, golf courses and thousands of years of history all within easy reach.
For a full breakdown of accommodation, transport and other costs, visit our prices page.
Big Game Hunting in Scotland — FAQs
What are the main big game species I can hunt in Scotland? The main big game species in Scotland are red deer, fallow deer and sika deer.
When is the best time of year to hunt? The prime time for stag hunting is early to mid-October during the rut. The season for red deer and sika runs from 1st July to 20th October, and fallow deer from 1st August to 20th October.
Do I need to bring my own rifle or can I borrow one? River & Green can arrange borrowed rifles. We can also assist with the paperwork to allow international hunters to bring their own rifles, but we recommend allowing at least three months’ notice if you’d like to bring your own.
How physically demanding is big game hunting in Scotland? Red deer stalking is probably the most physically challenging format, involving many hours of steady uphill walking and crawling. Fallow and sika hunts tend to be less demanding as they take place in more wooded, lower-lying terrain.
What does a typical day look like? For red deer, the stalk typically lasts a full day from around 09:00 well into the evening. For fallow and sika, the format is usually separate morning and evening stalks of about three hours each.
What is the accommodation like? River & Green tailor every trip to the individual client. We can arrange anything from guest houses and 3-star hotels to 5-star hotels, castles and exclusive-use hunting lodges.
Do I need any special permits or licences? As long as you are accompanied by an expert deer stalker employed by (or with the permission of) the landowner, you do not need any permits — provided you are borrowing a rifle. For hunters wanting to bring their own rifle, see above.
Can you customise the hunting experience? Yes. River & Green can tailor the experience to your specific preferences, whether you want a single-species hunt or a combination of deer stalking, wing shooting, salmon fishing and golf — all in one trip across multiple locations in Scotland.
How does hunting in Scotland compare to other destinations? Hunting in Scotland is priced on par with or lower than destinations like Argentina or New Zealand, and offers a unique experience combining world-class field sports with stunning landscapes, rich history and exceptional hospitality.
