A toxic message

Robin Scott tries to look on the bright side but remains to be convinced about the move away from lead shot

- Robin Scott

The comic catchphrase “It’s being so cheerful as keeps me going” could have been written for my pal Michael, an AA-class pessimist whose glass is forever half empty. The other evening he phoned to break the monotony of self-isolation. Most people would’ve opened with the usual pleasantries such as “how are you keeping, managing to get some fresh air, plenty of milk in the fridge?” Not Mike. Instead it was: “You know what, Robin? Life’s never going to be the same again after all this.”

It took some doing but I think I managed to cheer him up and believing things will eventually get back to normal on The stream of anti lead propaganda seems endless shooting front. At least I managed to talk him out of selling his guns.

Plans

He shoots more games than anything and the thing getting him down most was the thought that this coming season will be canceled in its entirety. While some syndicates and estates have decided to give the 2020 season a miss, I told him that there are plenty of others still planning to run days, albeit on a reduced scale. I gave him a few agents’ numbers to try and off he went feeling a little less grumpy.

“One cartridge maker described the steel shot manufacturing method as brutal”

What I do know is, barring another total lockdown, many farms and small syndicate shoots in my neck of the woods plan to carry on as usual. In fact, where the size of the bag is secondary to having fun, I would imagine much the same goes for countless others across the country.