One of the first hurdles a novice hunter has to overcome is getting somewhere to shoot. My advice for those who don’t know the right people is to find out who they are and get to know them. Country folk aren’t always open to strangers but are generally good judges of character given enough time to make an assessment. Once you’ve been accepted though, things can get a lot easier.
In my opinion, the best way of achieving the above is to go and help out somewhere appropriate. Gamekeepers are great ones to approach as they’re nearly always underpaid and overworked and so are likely to appreciate some extra manpower – especially if it’s free. Don’t bother if you’re unable or unwilling to step up to the plate though, or you’ll quickly find every farmer’s door closed for miles around. Honesty and hard work are key.
Credible
Once you’ve got yourself some permissions, your next job will be to keep them. If the shooting is any good, the odds are there will be lots of other people knocking on the door too. From a farmer’s point of view, you need to be viewed as an asset, not a hindrance. Unless you can establish a good credibility, the moment that someone else offers a better service, you’ll be heading for the exit.
Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av Sporting Gun.
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
Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av Sporting Gun.
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
Thermal spectrum
Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared
Roe, rucks and new ground
Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades
Fox rot about Charlie
Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane
The sniff of success
Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion
Adventures of Nick & Ted
A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Vet's advice
Gundogs Q&A
No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts
Stop-start!
Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice