Christmas Stalking


As we are thinking about a few days off in front of the log burner and eating too many mince pies, I find myself working up an appetite on the hills above Aberfeldy in the second week of December chasing hinds about as we work on the cull and at the same time filming for The Shooting Show.  One of my most valued bits of kit here is the Napier Apex predator. Now I accept that its quite tricky fitting a Hind with larder weight of around 65 kilo  into the opened out predator ! However,  neatly  contained inside is  all the kit  that I need – conveniently wrapped around my waist . I do not have to think, have I got this or the other, it’s just there . In and amongst the drag rope, bone saw, tracking harness disposal gloves etc is another essential item in the hill, the apex air glow wind checker. With a red hind able to  smell me at around  2 miles in certain conditions, even more with the old spice or brut ! ( I will likely be getting re supplied on the 25 th)  and now I am really showing my age;  it’s fairly important I know which way I am blowing or else I am wasting my time up here. Zosia is clearly not impressed either with my chosen perfume !

Have a good one !

Chris Dalton

Napier Field Master

Apex Airglo Trail Marker & Wind Indicator


New for 2015/16 season, the Airglo hunters pack is now available from all Napier Dealers.

All hunters know how quickly a stalk can go horribly wrong if the wind changes direction part way through an approach, so successful stalkers use skill, and appropriate kit to maximise their performance.

It is well known that Deer rely on their 3 senses to survive, and that some species have better eyesight than others, but what is common to all is their primary defence is scent.

Airglo -Napier

The consencus from leading stalkers and pro hunters is that on average Deer rely on 65% Scent 15% Eysight, 20% Hearing

Over the years many attempts have been made to overcome this, deodorant sprays, pine flavoured chewing gum, scent treated garments etc.

BUT the basic fact remains, a Hunter exhales 10,000 litres of HUMAN scent every day, & no amount of kit and skill will produce results if a deer catches your scent. Its game over and often you never even saw them!

Some folks check wind occasionally, especially at the beginning of a stalk, with powders, cigarettes, or just observing the trees.

Rarely is the ground level air moving in the same way as the tree tops, and it can change instantly as you walk, affected by hedges, terrain & turbulence, sufficient to wreck an approach.

It is therefore important to check and re check often.

Airglo was developed by Napier to be easy and convenient to use.

First we looked at the alternatives and found that most use quite large particles & just pack in squat bottles, very difficult to grip and never easy to find in the pocket just when required.

Worse still one major brand states clearly on the pack.

“WARNING this product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the state of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm. Wash hands after use”

So Airglo is Made in England, by Napier of London & is completely NON TOXIC and non staining.

ULTRA FINE PARTICLE powder is packed in a special ergonomically designed BATON dispenser with sufficient air space that when used vertically it dispenses a tiny amount each puff. & it’s is easy to grip and use even with wet cold or gloved hands.

Even the slightest air movement will be detected with AIRGLO.

Supplied with a Realtree AP Neoprene sleeve

It can be attached by its lanyard or belt clip, and is always ready to use.

The SILENT one handed dispenser cap can even be used with gloved hands, whilst in its protective Realtree sleeve it can be worn around the neck.

Airglo is also an effective TRAIL MARKER, just invert the bottle to mark a shot position or to re trace travel, being insoluble in water, AIRGLO will maintain trail capability for some time but will disperse naturally and is non staining to skin and clothing.