Diamond In The Rough

Diamond in the rough Tony Jackson reminisces about a wonderful little rough shoot he used to rent, and hails the merits of the wild, varied and exciting sport these hidden gems can provide

- Tony Jackson

I have to confess that it’s a good many years, no, decades, since I last enjoyed a genuine day’s walked-up rough shooting. Yes, there have been driven days, mostly with modest bags, and more recently I have often preferred to leave the gun in its cabinet, choosing instead to pick-up with my yellow Labrador, to watch the shooting and enjoy the dog work. But I confess that though driven bird days have provided a kaleidoscope of memories, some of the most memorable days were those spent working a rough shoot in West Sussex. Poised under the north side of the looming South Downs, fringed on one flank by the Adur river and on the other by a disused railway track, the 400 acres of coarse grass, reeds, watery ditches and a modest flooded marsh was, to my mind, the epitome of the ideal rough shoot. It provided a day’s sport and the prospect of a mixed bag for two or three Guns, and was worth every penny of the £200 annual rent.

Now, the secret of a successful rough shoot is the element of surprise, something the marsh shoot had in spades! There were three of us sharing the cost and sport: myself, Dick, his son Rod and their two spaniels, while I worked my Labrador. During the winter months, we spent a good many Saturdays tramping the shoot. Then, with our side-bags heavier than when we set out, we would repair to an ancient local inn for a glass or two and a game of shove ha’penny while we discussed the day’s sport.