Rupert spots an enticing and unusual sporting opportunity on a nearby farmer’s field, and after a bit of bartering he manages to strike a deal that ends up working for them both
Not long ago, while planting some trees for a local farmer, I spied a small flash pond in the corner of one of his fields. Being a nosy bugger of long standing I decided, instead of having my morning cup of coffee, that I would take a wander down and investigate further.
I was 100 yards or more away when I realised that there was a bunch of ducks feeding merrily at one side. My anticipation heightened dramatically on realising that the ducks in question were none other than a flock of shoveler. As you and I know, meeting a shoveler at any time is a rare occurrence, let alone a flock some 40 strong. Now the only problem I had was to convince the farmer that I was a suitable candidate to be let loose on his non-shooting farm.
He came down at dinnertime to check my progress, which I must admit was extremely brisk given my intent to please. As the conversation rolled back and forth, covering every topic known to man, I waited for an opportunity to drop in my unlikely request. Suddenly, out of the blue, he asked me what type of ducks were down in the bottom paddock, for he had never come across their like before, all the while wearing a knowing smile that was threatening to burst into a grin at any second.
The stalker had become the stalked. He must have spotted me when I hurried down earlier. I had to hold my hands up while proceeding to wax lyrical about my favourite type of duck.
“I suppose you’ll be wanting to go down there some evening for a shot,” he spouted before I had a chance to finish.
Bu hikaye Sporting Shooter dergisinin February 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Sporting Shooter dergisinin February 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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
