The hounds of heaven
Shooting Times & Country|September 23, 2020
Even after 30 years of pursuing wild geese, the thrill to get under these magical birds remains as strong as ever for Simon Garnham
Simon Garnham
The hounds of heaven

On the first day of the new season, my wildfowling mucker, George Avery, and I watched skein upon skein of greylag and Canada geese flighting off the stubbles. The geese were drawn, seemingly irresistibly, to three huge inland lakes just down the Essex coast from my home.

These gravel pits are still quarried and as such are off-limits for shooters. They cover an area of about 40 acres and are an ideal resting place for the great grey armies that fill the skies like the “hounds of heaven”, as the incomparable Denys Watkins-Pitchford, aka BB, described them.

George and I have permission to wildfowl over a nearby tidal creek, which runs for about a mile and a half parallel to the gravel pits some half a mile to the south. Many of the skeins passed overhead and we estimated that well in excess of 1,000 birds were using the quarry area when we watched, awestruck, on 1 September. Most birds approached the inland lakes from out to sea but some seemed to be using our creek as a waymark and we noted the lines.

Our flight on the first was excellent. Mallard, teal and wigeon all sped along the creek, providing testing sport for us with our 12-bores and light loads. But the real thrill was in seeing the geese. They curled across the sunset and silhouetted themselves against the huge September moon. Goose fever hit hard and we resolved to return with something heavier and befitting of the ultimate wildfowling quarry as soon as we could.

Bu hikaye Shooting Times & Country dergisinin September 23, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Shooting Times & Country dergisinin September 23, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRY DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
United we stand
Shooting Times & Country

United we stand

Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors

time-read
5 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Serious matters
Shooting Times & Country

Serious matters

An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning

time-read
3 dak  |
August 02, 2023
They're not always as easy as they seem
Shooting Times & Country

They're not always as easy as they seem

While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort

time-read
5 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Debutant gundogs
Shooting Times & Country

Debutant gundogs

There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting

time-read
4 dak  |
August 02, 2023
When the going gets rough
Shooting Times & Country

When the going gets rough

Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique

time-read
5 dak  |
August 02, 2023
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
Shooting Times & Country

The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition

In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make

time-read
4 dak  |
August 02, 2023
A step too far?
Shooting Times & Country

A step too far?

Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work

time-read
6 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Two bucks before breakfast
Shooting Times & Country

Two bucks before breakfast

A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem

time-read
6 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Stalking Diary
Shooting Times & Country

Stalking Diary

Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill

time-read
2 dak  |
August 02, 2023
Gamekeeper
Shooting Times & Country

Gamekeeper

Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside

time-read
3 dak  |
August 02, 2023