African interlude

Alan takes a break from his impatient foot tapping – when will it be wildfowling season? – and heads to warmer climes in hunt of some exotic quarry to scratch the itch in the meantime.

Over the years it has been my good fortune to be able to enjoy shooting holidays abroad, with visits to Canada, Iceland, and latterly South Africa. All immensely enjoyable in their own way, but in terms of sheer variety of species, South Africa takes some beating.

The other big plus about shooting in the southern hemisphere is that winter there coincides with our summer, which means no loss of shooting season time at home! With a one-hour time difference there is no jet lag either.

Our first evening east of Bloemfontein found us tucked under an unusually cloudy sky for the time of year. Off to the west, a pinnacle of a mountain stood in stark relief against a blood red sky. Soon a few geese came down from the fields and we both headed home with something to show for our efforts.

Next morning found us under the vast endless starlit canopy of an African sky. With no light pollution to mar the scene, it is impossible not to be amazed by the astral display.

Soon we had dug shallow pits in the near-red soil of the harvested maize field and flung up low hides. With shell goose decoys to the front, it was merely a patient wait for the light to strengthen and for the first geese to move. Egyptians and giant spur-wings sought the burnt offerings below and we soon had geese down.