It is interesting to wonder why we are so fixated on our traditions, particularly when so many of them are relatively new. Germans and Scandinavians observe hunting traditions that have their roots in medieval chivalry, but most of our culture harks back to the Victorian period. There are many modern Guns who would not look out of place standing beside Edward VII.
And despite advances in outdoor clothing, many of us still choose to freeze in crispy old wax jackets that were outdated half a century ago.
In common with many shooting enthusiasts, my father made me learn the poem A Father’s Advice before I was allowed into the field. Slow at school and generally reluctant to learn anything that even resembled poetry, I memorised the verses in record time because I had a clear objective in mind. It was a matter of hours before I was able to recite “never, never let your gun pointed be at anyone / That it may unloaded be, matters not the least to me”. In learning those words I had swallowed a sensible but extremely dated piece of Victorian sporting literature.
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