For myself, and I am sure for many others, the memories that a day’s shooting create are an integral part of why we enjoy field sports so much. The opportunity to visit different parts of the country and wander freely on beautiful private estates that are not open to the general public is a wonderful treat. In order to treasure these memories, I diligently maintain my gamebook and include as much detail as possible from the majority of the days we shoot. Naturally, this is a great help when writing articles, but it’s more about recording the smaller details, such as someone shooting incredibly well (or badly), a Gun’s first partridge, grouse or woodcock, losing a couple of the team in the fog or some excellent homemade delicacy that appears at Elevenses.
The most important information for me to make a note of are names. Not blessed with a great memory, I make a point of writing down the name of the keeper and anyone helping out on the day. The keepers these days seem to get younger and younger (or is it me getting older and older) and the majority seem to be ambitious for new challenges and experiences and, as a result, move around a fair bit after a couple of years staying put.
Denne historien er fra October 2020-utgaven av Sporting Shooter.
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Denne historien er fra October 2020-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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
