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.
Denne historien er fra October 2016-utgaven av Sporting Shooter.
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Denne historien er fra October 2016-utgaven av Sporting Shooter.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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
