Those last few days of August will be gone before we know it… Despite a not-quite-healed shoulder, Alan is determined to get out for the first day of the season
Even if it seems that the close season is endless, the last few weeks leading up to 1 September rush by; suddenly, before we know it, the last day of August has arrived and we’ll be chasing wildfowl tomorrow!
Here, I make two bold assumptions: firstly, that you actually have somewhere to shoot come the new season; secondly, that all your wildfowling gear was stowed away in a fit state for reuse the following season! If either of those details has not been attended to then look sharp!
My position is a fortunate one in that l have plenty of shooting opportunities via my membership of the Kent Wildfowlers, so that box is ticked. Putting away my gear at the end of the season is often more problematic.
However, my spring trip abroad provided a bonus, as all my wildfowling gear came back grubby and is now clean again and ready for the fray. Coats, waders and decoys hang from garage rafters and are ready to go.
Other more complex matters remain to be dealt with, and l was reminded of that when my youngest son recently came home with a brand-new rubber dinghy and a shiny outboard engine to go with it; not for wildfowling purposes, but essentially to play with.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 2017 de Sporting Shooter.
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RSPB gives mixed message on shooting
Having recently attended the RSPB’s virtual AGM, Conor O’Gorman discusses the outcome of the charity’s year-long review of game bird shooting
Causeway for concern
Alan Jarrett’s renewed interest in reading takes him down memory lane to an offshore island duck flight that very nearly ended in disaster
Through a purple patch
The Garrows Estate is taking a conservation-focused approach to restoring the wildlife populations and biodiversity on the Scottish heather moorland.
When the wheels fall off
Losing form on a day’s shooting can be infuriating, especially if you’ve been shooting like a god up to that point. Simon O’Leary looks at some common causes and how to remedy them
Beaches, books & bad behaviour!
The annual Kay family vacation to Northumberland offers a chance to give the cockers a blast on the beach – although they don’t always shower themselves in glory, as Ryan Kay recalls...
Using the Stop whistle
Now you’ve instilled the basics, it’s time to up the ante with some more tricky distance work. Howard Kirby explains how to take the core Stop whistle command to the next level
The humble teal
They may be tiny, but as far as Rupert Butler is concerned, the appeal of this little duck is huge. He recalls some of his most memorable nights in pursuit of these aerial acrobats
Fab all-rounder
Mike is impressed with the Fabarm Elos B2 Field Notte, which offers great value for money, is suited to fieldwork or clays and is future-proofed for use with steel in all choke constrictions
CALL OF THE WILD
Dom Holtam reconnects with one of the purest forms of shotgun shooting as he walks-up woodcock over pointing dogs in the Scottish Highlands
A yen for the Fens
Tony Jackson recounts a memorable duck flight over an area of Fenland in Norfolk with his friend and author, the late Alan Savory
