©Jon Runar Gudjonsson 2022
Hunting Sika, Ireland
Hunting for the elusive Sika is a dream for many deer hunters. The Sika is know for being shy and hard to hunt. In Ireland there is a big population of Sika and no big predators, therefor is good management important. I was lucky to be invited by Normal Mulvany from Irish safaris twice to a hunt for Sika. In both trips I have had a great time and have totally fallen in love with the Irish country side and specially people.
Travelling to Ireland is easy and simple. On my first trip I was lucky to have good company of lifelong friends, Jens Ditlev and Ege Heckmann. Ege was going to film the hunt and both me and Jens where there for hunting Sika. We did not take any guns with us, since Norman has a good collection and there was no need for having our own. There are extra regulations on what kind of rifles are allowed when travelling to Ireland, and the rules do change, ask the outfitter what should be done if you want to have your own with you. Expect longer ranges, 200-350meters are not uncommon while hunting Sika in the hills. Therefor a very good rifle scope is needed and preferable with high magnification.
As soon as we landed in Dublin, found our rental car and began driving on the wrong side of the road. Boy it took us few minutes to hit the correct side of the road. But we managed. We landed around lunch and where kind of hungry. Our hunt for something to eat was on. We soon found meat eaters heaven on a normal tank station. Wow we where already in love with this great country.
We drove to Wicklow county and took a short stop with a short hike since we where 2 hours before schedule. There Ege found fall antlers from a eight pointer Sika. Great start.
Norman met us at the hotel we where staying at and we checked in and got our first Guinness. Wow again, such a great taste and well poured. Now the taste of Ireland was implanted in our memories for ever, meat and Guinness. Whats not to like. We made planes with Norman, and he was to pick us up the in the morning, so we could be in the hills at first light.
The fog
Everything changed, as morning broke, it became clear that it was not possible to go hunting because of the dense fog. We where all little frustrated since we wanted to hit the hills, but there was nothing to be done. As the day went by, we constantly checking the weather forecast, but nothing changed. Fog fog fog.
This became the standard for 3 days in a row. All dressed up in hunting gear and ready to run for the hills at anytime, we got to know the hotel quite well.
Finally the fog broke and we could go hunting. Me and Jens made a rock scissor paper on who Ege, the videographer, should follow. I became the movie star on this trip. Jens took with Normans son Oisin. All was good and we drove to the root of the hills.
Now Norman startet ascending and I tried to follow. It wasn´t easy. It felt like he was running, but he wasn´t. I was just in bad shape. If you ever are thinking about hunting for Sika in the hills of Ireland, do yourself a favour be in good shape. As we ascended we saw a group on the top of the hill about 3 km off. After 2-3 hours of hiking we spotted a stag. He was on its move and on its way away from Normans hunting grounds. We came in position and the range was 310m and an angel of about 10-15 degrees. I had trained for such a long shot and felt confident i taking the shot. I aimed just over the shoulder since I thought the bullet would drop and I didn´t want to hit to low. Pulled the trigger and ohhh no it was a clear miss. The animal ran to the neighbouring ground. We now could reflect on what had happened. Norman asked and I told him that I held over the shoulder. Then his face turned a little red and he said that he had used the scope bullet turret and that I should have held straight on the blade of the animal. Dem, we where a little frustrated off this miss communication. But the footage for the film was there and no injured animal and our frustration went away quickly.
SMS from the other hill.
Now we decided to seek for the animals we had seen 3 km away. The weather was good, but no animals in sight on Normans hunting grounds. Then Norman receives an sms from Oisian, Jens had got a very good six pointer. So we decided to decent and go over to Jens and Oisian, for helping out and congratulate the lucky hunter.
We found Jens and Oisian and such a joy seeing into the successful hunters eyes. He was so happy. We took some more footage, made a salute and decided to make few new scenes for the film down by a river. I knew that by accepting that, I would probably not go out hunting again in this trip. But it was better go get a whole film than to go for a second outing risking that I would not see any animal. So we changed the hunting trip into a film trip. Which was very good because I am very happy with the result of the film.
As the sun set, we made fire by a river, and what an sunset. There we enjoyed Sika meat and venison sausages that Norman had with him. Sitting by the fire and talking about what had happened through the day and enjoying good meat is something special. Hunter get a bond in these moments and on hunts like this which are tight for the rest of our lives.
I have to say visiting Norman Mulvany was a great pleasure. The trip is over but our friendship has just started.
Sika in Ireland
Sika deer were introduced to Ireland by the estate Powerscourt park in 1860, later the deer escaped from captivity, and have now increased very much in numbers and are estimated to be about 35.000-40.000.
Hybrids between Sika and Reddeer.
There has become a new breed, where Sika and Red deer have breed. They are a kind of in-between in size, with thin long antlers. They do stick together with both Sikas and Reddeer.