The weather is far from typical for deerstalking in the Scottish Highlands as outfitter Thomas Heinzel-Kienberger leads visiting hunters Rasmus Andersen and Mathias Nielsen across his family’s estate. The 5,000-acre parcel of land on the edge of Loch Rannoch in central Scotland is vivid with colours picked out by the hot sun. Small groves of trees break up hills tufted with yellowing grass and purple heather.
There are also strong stags with wide, heavy antlers wandering the uplands. These are the type of deer the estate likes to present, and it protects males with these characteristics until their strength begins to wane. Visiting hunters are expected to shoot less favoured specimens — young or old, large or small — singled out by their guide.
Intense pressure
The number of deer culled on the estate varies yearly but averages around 50 red stags, taken from different
