Shooting - Hampshire

As ever the day started early. I set off at about 6am to pick up Nick and drive down to Hampshire for a day of walked up shooting. I had booked in to meet Mark at 9:30 and after a hot coffee we drove to the centre of the wood which was the shoot. It is a driven shoot 6 times per year but we had the whole place to ourselves.

We were introduced to the dogs and then headed off to the first wooded area. We walked quietly through the wood with only the sound of the dogs scampering through the thicket...oh and the odd broadcast over the radio to keep us all in line.

The walking was tough at times but the dogs did a good job in showing us a number of birds. We also saw a number of good wood pigeon.....all of which we missed.

We got back to the car and gave the Christmas hip flask and little cups a first outing. The port tasted good and we were ready to go. Mark kept reminding us of the shot to bird ratio of the worst shooting party he had ever had........we were getting very close to this!!!

Nick was looking good and ready for action!

The shooters for the day. I know why people by a small game gun now as by 5 hours in arms were getting stiff! The good news was a few birds were now in the bag and with the rain holding off we were covering ground well and seeing some very challenging birds.

This was Nick ready for action. One bird was missed due him talking on the radio too much! Give a man a toy!!

After flushing a bird which cam right over me, and I decided to miss for sporting reasons (yeah right) I rejoined the group for some careful banter from  Steve and Mark and a very big ribbing from Nick. How could you miss was mentioned more than once.

With a few birds in the bag Nick was still to see some action. Mark and Steve were raking their brains to figure out how to present us with some more good birds but light was running out...fast!

Eventually Nick took a great left to right cock bird (the biggest bird in the woods) and was decorated in the age old way.

All in it was a great day with wonderful company and lots of fresh air and stunning scenery. Walked up shooting has a huge amount excitement and a jolly good way to spend a winters day. Will be back next year without a shadow of a doubt.

Shooting - Wiltshire

Was lucky enough to be invited by a friend, I met through work, for a days driven shooting in Wiltshire. The day started with me getting dressed up in my various bits of shooting attire I had been collecting over the past weeks. It was an early start as it was a long drive down. Started the day meeting the other guns and tucking into some bacon sarnies, hot coffee and pink champagne and port (mixed to make a great morning drink). A steady stream of beaters, pickers and dogs arrived to join the guns. It seemed that the guys shoot together lots with tales of great shooting and missed birds (many from the day before!!!)

We selected pegs with a glass of port and headed to the first drive.

First drive was on a lane. The birds were flying fast, in fact they were way faster than I imagined they could be. I managed to shoot at 6 birds but hit nothing. This was pointed out to me by my picker and her dog (Golly).....she seemed very surprised. My excuse is that the window of opportunity to shoot at the birds was small to say the least!!! I took a photo to prove my point!

The second drive was a similar affair despite me moving up two pegs and being assured by Mick the game keeper that I was in the hot spot!! This is harder than I thought!!

The third drive saw me move up to the end of the line. I was placed in the field to shoot birds who did not want to get up over the top of the trees! Mick was beating down the edge of the field which was great as he was around to see me take a hen bird well as it flew over the top of me. 

After stopping to refuel on a mountain of roast sausage and some more port we headed for the the next drive. This saw a little bit more action with a few birds flying high, and still as fast as before. This adds a whole new dimension to lead!!!

 Getting ready for action...

Need to load some shot.....serious stuff!!

Keep calm..............pick up the line and swing the gun.......

Bum......beak.......bang.......miss!!!!

 Look skyward and wonder if you are going to get another chance to shoot into thin air.

 It was a great day and a fantastic introduction to the driven pheasant shooting. the guns, beaters and pickers were all very hospitable as was my host Mark Hempleman-Adams. I learned a huge amount about the way a day like this works and the etiquette which is needed. Had 18 shots for two pheasants which is really bad statistics but who cares when you have such a great day.