Chris Dalton – Stalker of the Year 2023


We’re thrilled to announce that Chris Dalton has been awarded the prestigious title of UK Pro Stalker of the year 2023, following a public nomination and voting process. The award was presented at the renowned British Shooting Show held at the NEC, Birmingham.

We’re proud to have Chris as a long-standing partner, having worked with him for several years now to rigorously test and develop our innovative hunting products. As an experienced stalker, Chris’s expertise and field knowledge have been invaluable in refining our product range to meet the demands of the modern hunter.

When you choose Napier Apex hunting products, you can rest assured that they have been rigorously tested and approved by Chris Dalton himself. His vast experience and hands-on approach ensure that every product meets the high standards required for success in the field. So, whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just starting out, you can trust Napier’s Apex range to deliver the performance and reliability you need to achieve your goals.

Visit: www.napieruk.com to browse the Apex range.

Ice, Blood and Fire – My first Deer Hunt


It was my first time deer hunting, and I was nervous as Steve led me to our high seat. The morning was cold and icy, but the scenery was breathtaking. The dense woodland surrounded us on all sides, and in front of us, vast fields stretched out as far as the eye could see.

We sat in silence, waiting for something to happen. Then suddenly, a Muntjac appeared from the woods on the left and walked across to the center of the first field. It was about 80 yards away from us.

Steve handed me the gun, and my nerves kicked in. I had never used one other than on the range before, and I froze. The Muntjac started walking away, and I thought I had lost my chance. But Steve whistled, and it stopped in its tracks.

I pulled the trigger, and it was a clean heart shot. I felt an adrenaline rush like never before. It was an exhilarating experience, and I couldn’t wait to do it again.

If you’re looking to take your hunting skills to the next level, I have just the thing for you. Since my first deer hunt with my father-in-law, Steve, CEO Napier of London, I have gained a lot of experience and worked with numerous professional hunters to perfect my craft. With their feedback and expertise, we have helped design the Apex range of professional hunting equipment. These products are designed to give you an edge in the field and help you hunt like a pro. So, if you’re ready to take advantage of some of the leading hunters’ secrets, check out the Apex range now and elevate your hunting game.

P. Sim – Managing Director | Napier of London.

HAT TRICK for Chris Dalton


Napier Fieldmasters is proud and delighted to announce that one of our founder members and key contributors CHRIS DALTON has for the third year running, and by public vote, been awarded the prestigious title of Professional Stalker of the year.  UK 2020

Chris has been renowned for his skill and mentoring for many years and has been a long term user of Napier’s products.

Chris regularly writes for the Fieldmasters site and has been influential in the development of some Key Apex hunting accessories.

Well Done Chris,   from all at Napier Field Masters.

Goat Fail…


Well strange times indeed for everyone in the world including our staff and Fieldmasters contributors.

Napier MD Steve Rowe was supposed to be visiting Napier’s offices in  NZ and working there for a few weeks back in March then just a few hours before departure the world and the rules changed, no one is going anywhere. Usually Steve manages to catch up with Jim Jackson and Bob Spain on these trips and was due to meet Gibbo in Australia on the way home too. But as we all know lockdown everywhere has prevented that, it was planned that we would record the outings planned in NZ and Australia for this Fieldmasters post.  But to the rescue Jim has kindly recounted the last visit and although there is no photograph to attach, ( for reasons you will read) he has recalled that moment from his vivid and somewhat strange memory, by pen and paper, I hope you enjoy this read, we are all living off memories of past hunts for the moment.

Steve

So , having St Eve Rowe back over from the UK for another visit , a day goat culling was called for . Being super hot and dry most forestry blocks were out of bounds due to fire risk . After much wheedling , pleading and outright grovelling to the then forestry manager of the pulp mill a permit was gained for the goat infested Waipatiki block on the way to the popular surfing beach . Great ! Guaranteed goats , can’t miss. What could go wrong?

Having followed the sound of bleating through dense pine on steep terrain for quite a while and no clear shot we decided to head for “goat gully”, this is a very deep ravine too steep to plant pine and so full of dense grass and weeds and a favourite grazing spot for the smelly target critters. Getting there means driving the trusty HiLux to the start of about a kilometre of forestry access road and walking quietly to the end before descending through pine forest to the edge of the gully itself with a panoramic view of any goats unfortunate enough to be munching on all the nice green stuff. Halfway down we could hear much bleating coming up from below .Great , can’t miss much slaughter will be done. Steve has the trusty old sport converted Lee Enfield so lines up on a very large nanny and starts shooting .Down goes the nanny, the biggest Billy we’ve seen in years gets two of the last three rounds as we only have the five shot mag, my first oversight -meant to bring the ten . Never mind , still plenty of targets whizzing about all over the place so Steve sticks his hand out for five more. He then sees me standing there wearing a sick grin and patting all my pockets in the manner of the smoker who is about to ask for a match. Second and biggest oversight – ammo box still in HiLux over a kilometre away!

Sent back in disgrace amid much mumbling about useless bloody amateurs etc , etc I trudge all the way back and stuff my pockets full of rounds . Getting to the end of the access road and starting down through the trees , I smell goats .I hear goats ! As I get near the edge of the trees I am treated to the sight of Steve parked on his bum next to a stump right on the lip of the ravine peering through his binoculars trying to spot more goats . He is completely unaware that he is totally surrounded by a herd of about two dozen  curious goats all staring at him with the lead billy looking at him round a stump not more than fifteen feet away. He has the rifle , I have the ammo and all the goats are between the two of us.  I went “Er….Steve” illogically trying to ‘shout quietly’ and got the expected reaction of panic from the goats and frustration from Steve who could only point the gun at point blank range and shout “bang” at them . Despite a frantic reload , no more goats were shot in the gully that day and I had to buy the beer!

One day , possibly, I will hear the end of this .Only wish I’d had the camera with me . It was (ahem) still in the HiLux.

Jum J

Pro Stalker 2019-2020


Napier are delighted that one of our Field Masters has been awarded UK Pro Stalker of the year for the second year running . UK Pro Stalker of the year is selected from Public nominations and votes with the winner revealed at an awards ceremony at the NEC – the announcements were made on the Saturday night of The British Shooting Show in Birmingham. Chris has worked with Napier for a number of years on Product testing and we are delighted to have him at the ‘ Sharp ‘ end of testing our innovative products in the field.

Hawkes Bay – New Zealand


Hawkes Bay NZ has some of the most beautiful terrain on the planet, the Mohaka river winding through the valley with natural meadows, that at first glance look like a man made golf course, perfect ground for this decent Billy goat, on Steve’s recent trip out with Bob Spain one of our Field masters.  Skin will be back in the UK as his rug in August.

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.

APEX PREDATOR Hunters game sack and waist bag


The very latest & unique product from Napier of London. Designed in England specifically for the needs of European shooters.

Much more than a Roe Sack, the Apex Predator is a very comfortable waist bag, which can be worn front or back with easy access pockets for all the kit any hunter, stalker pigeon shooter or airgunner could want.

It sits perfectly and works well with a rifle carried muzzle up or down, Movement is not restricted and the Grip Tab buckle tabs prevent slip when crawling or climbing. The waist bag material is made from waterproof and silent HUSHTEX, while the Game sack fabric is extra strong, light weight & waterproof 420D Nylon Rip Stop. The whole bag with liner weighs just 960 Grams.

Apex Predator is so much more comfortable than a conventional roe sack or back pack, that is carried on the back and often gets in the way, and always virtually impossible to access your kit when being worn.

Apex Predator

But as soon as it is needed the APEX PREDATOR instantly converts into a full sized game sack capable of carrying comfortably all small deer species, including Roe, Chinese Water deer, or even 2 Muntjac.

But the APEX PREDATOR is not just for deerstalkers as it is also the ideal way to carry 15-20 rabbits, 25 -30 pigeons ( or decoys) or a days catch of Trout or Salmon.

The detachable Shoulder straps attach in seconds and the game is placed inside a waterproof and hygienic PVC lined sack, the liners are simply clipped in place and are easily removed to be hosed or washed out. Each APEX PREDATOR is supplied with two liners allowing one to be in use whilst the other is being cleaned and dried. Replacement liners are available if required, as is an EXTRA duty reinforced version for pro hunters and vermin control personnel

The Apex Predator is closed with a tight fitting drawstring and clip fastener, this helps keep the quarry away from you when being carried and helps minimise exposure to blood, ticks, keds and other parasites. It of course also helps keep flies off the carcass.

Carrying deer by a sling against your body is a bio-hazard that can, and should be avoided.

With growing restriction on access routes, ELS margins and corners or just unsuitable terrain, it can be difficult to convey your quarry to a vehicle. The APEX PREDATOR is always ready to deploy and takes just 10 seconds to convert from a handy waist bag to a full sized sack. ( and back again).

APEX PREDATOR Features

  • Rip Stop 420D Nylon and Hushtex silent fabric construction.
  • 2 in 1 design converts in less than 10 seconds.
  • Non-slip and comfortable, easy access waist bag.
  • Two hygienic & washable inner liners, supplied with each bag.
  • Drawstring closer minimises contact with parasites.
  • Light weight just 960 Grams
  • Waist bag capacity of 8.1 litres & game sack capacity 46 Litre TOTAL CAPACITY of 54.1 Litre
  • 12 month warranty
  • Replacement liners and EXTRA duty version readily available