adzyvilla

My father, born into a farming and gamekeeping family, has shot since he was old enough to carry a 9mm garden gun to shoot the sparrows in the barns, is now 73. I had a very similar conversation with him just the other day, when after watching him and others of a similar age shoot on a beaters day, I asked what it is that motivates them to keep doing it. Turns out, the actual killing is so far down the list of reasons to do it, that's its almost an insignificant aspect. The cameraderie of a shared experience with like minded people, the joy of being out in the open air, amongst the wonders of nature, the thrill of the stalk, the field craft, the tension of the wait in the hide or the anticipation of crouching in a gutter on a desolate Marsh. Yes he said, the feeling of being cold and wet on a rubbish day, of failing eyesight, creaking limbs, sore feet, a bad back and not being as quick on the draw all make him question why he still does it, but the fire still burns brightly, and the desire is as strong as it was 60+ years ago when he first lifted a gun and felt the thrill of pulling the trigger. So while he is still able, he will continue to do so. A rabbit for the pot, a brace of pheasants for the neighbours, all a added bonus to everything else that goes with this wonderful pastime of ours. He might not go out as much as he used to, but each occasion is still a precious memory to be treasured, whether he be out on his own or amongst a shooting party. This year he is going to be buying a new gun for the first time in 40 years, trading in some of his tired guns for a new steel proofed gun should the lead ban render his side by sides obsolete. Certificate gets renewed later on in the summer, and he's showing no sign of losing interest. Long may he continue.

Sounds like they were the same as the pigeons I saw yesterday. Excellent sport (for crop protection obviously)

I only have one farm permission other than the (albeit large) estate, but I wouldn't treat it any differently. I am very lucky, but I have put in lots of hard work over the years to get them, and I won't give them up easily. A lot of the shoots I beat on over the season offer feb/March roost shooting to regulars, I guess we are lucky boys and girls.

I fully understand why you and your fellow shooters have these rules. It's not as strict where we are, although out of respect to the landowner and his keeper, and in the interests of safety, I hope we would all be as vigilant. As several public rights of way run through, people and dogs are often found in the strangest of places, so we are all mindful that we might be under surveillance at any time. Luckily for me, the keeper and I are very good friends and he has known me and my father long enough to know we are both safe and responsible shots. My father has known the landowner and his family for decades and we have both worked on and off for him, so we are familiar faces on the estate. All the others who come out on a Saturday afternoon are likewise known and trusted. But that trust was not easily won, and I would never do anything to jeopardise it.

If I'm out on my own, I'll often put out a rope banger at the other end of the wood or belt. I can't do anything about other woods, but that's all part of the fun isn't it?

Made a start this afternoon. No one else out on the estate, being the last day of the pheasant season, but being Billy no mates without an invitation, I just had to get out on the pigeons instead. With the keepers blessing, the old man and I headed out in high South westerly winds but bright conditions just before 3. Our destination was a wood on the far side of the estate, not our usual loitering place, but somewhere that hadn't been disturbed for a few weeks (or so we thought) When we arrived, we were greeted by the farm manager flailing the maize strip that runs away from the wood into the valley, lots of pigeons lifted off as we parked up, and we quickly split up and took position at opposite ends of the long thin wood, father on the windward side in amongst the conifers and closest to the newly flailed maize, me on the sheltered side under some mixed deciduous, mostly poplar and oak. The foresters had been in before the season started last year and removed some timber for the boiler at the big house, leaving a few new gaps in the canopy to exploit. Early on there was a flurry of activity as I downed one with my first shot, and father blamming away kept what was about moving. I missed my next two, and set the dog (on her first pigeon shooting foray) off to find my prize. Quick retrieve accomplished, I settled in for a long wait until firing my next shot. Now, my dog is a good beating hound, steady and obedient, and has been picking up with me on occasion this year, but has not been the happiest when it comes to loud bangs. Patient work over the summer has resulted in a dog that can bear to be around me when I pull the trigger, but I leave her some yards away when I am out, which seems to be working out OK so far. Aside from a silly moment when she slinked up behind me and jumped up nearly knocking me over, I couldn't really complain, and I quickly put her back into her hiding place. Possibly 45 minutes elapsed before dad started firing again, which prompted me to look skywards, seeing a dozen or so bird pass to the south out of range, but they eventually circled and fighting into the wind passed overhead into my shot string and another was in the bag, albeit in a mangled fashion, falling at my feet it didn't even warrant the dogs attention. When there were birds about, they didn't seem to be flying in any particular direction and in this unfamiliar and large wood we were facing an uphill battle to keep the birds moving, particularly with the neighbouring woods all unoccupied. Darkening skies heralded the end to an all to brief foray. I did manage one more, spied resting in a sitty tree, and oblivious to my approach as I made my way back to the car. 3 birds for 7 shots was a relief considering the abysmal show I'd put on at the recent cock day, and I thanked the shooting gods for not abandoning me. Father managed a pair for 8 shots, and he was in the teeth of the gale, so kudos to him. Next week should be better, back in my familiar wood, with hopefully a few more chums out and about to keep the birds stirred up. I will take the dog again and hopefully she will learn to tolerate the banging a bit more.

Long time coming, not the end, only the end of the beginning. Plenty of reason to celebrate though. Cheers to one and all, yes even the remoaners.

Having used promatic extensively in the past, I would have to say they make the better products, although I prefer the bowman rabbit type traps. I always found promatic easier to fine tune and fettle. We used to hire bowman traps in on occasion and they never let us down. I haven't had much experience with the most recent models of any clay traps, the weak points of promatic always used to be the motor/gearbox which would give trouble if they ever let water or had been improperly serviced. But they were out in all weathers and were used heavily. They may well have gone brushless now which would eliminate a lot of the problems I used to experience. I don't think you can go far wrong with any of the big names, and certainly laporte and autosporter are worth considering. It all comes down to cost I suppose.

My 30" miroku mk38 grade 5 teague sporter. Brilliant gun and worth every penny.

My Spanish sister in law recommended chiruca boots and said she'd bring me a pair back when she next went to visit her folks. I got the ibex, and they have not disappointed so far this season (one of the wettest I can remember) and are very comfortable without being too warm, as a lot of lace up boots seem to be thinsulate lined these days. Not sure where they stock them in the UK though a quick Google search indicates several online stockists who sell in the uk, if you are prepared to risk buying before trying. They cost me just over £120, so very reasonable.

Between Fakenham and Dereham.

Contact the bto, they will be able to put you in contact with someone local to you.

My father has done this for 50+ years, and has been a trainer himself for over 30 years. I was never too interested as i resented all the holidays we went on as a child being a thinly veiled excuse for him to ring in different parts of the country. Hell, he even had a net up in the garden this very morning (no surprises, he caught a Robin). Even so, it is a fascinating hobby for him and through it I have had the pleasure of seeing (and sometimes holding) some really rare and unusual species. He's never had a problem squaring his love of shooting and his love of ringing together. The BTO as an organisation are broadly supportive of shooting, and plenty of ringers shoot. A lot of their recovered rings come from shooters. He's always on the lookout for new trainees if anyone in the Norfolk area is interested.

I have a 2016 petrol manual forester. I can't fault it off road, certainly it will go anywhere a pick up will go, maybe not quite the same league as a Land rover. On road it is fine, it won't set any land speed records, but It keeps up well with traffic and if you drop a cog or two it will easily overtake. Avg about 36-38mpg in mixed driving around 200 miles a week. I also have a subaru XV manual petrol which the wife has the use of. I'd argue it was slightly better off road as it has better approach/departure angles and is around 150kg lighter. Could be worth a look as it is around the same size as the original forester, and I can easily get my two labradors in the boot. I fitted slightly more off road biased tyres to this car and it can go almost anywhere. I would highly recommend a subaru.

I have a 60s Webley & Scott 700 with 28" barrels choked 1/4 & 3/4, which although a box lock is still a lovely thing to own and shoots very well. I would like a sidelock too, chas hellis, gallons or Thomas Turner would be my preference, I keep looking but never see anything in my budget..

Had lib/lab/con leaflets here in mid Norfolk, usual garbage which were cut up and returned to the respective party central office in an unstamped envelope. Safe tory seat, always has been. Luckily for us, there is an independent candidate to protest vote for. None of the establishment shower will ever get my vote again.

Subaru forester or rav4. I've had both and they are both good to drive on road and capable off it. Available in petrol or diesel, reliable and relatively cheap to run.

Yes, never hurts to brush up on the fundamentals. I have a couple of lessons every year in the summer, on top of keeping my hand in at the clay ground every month or so. You'd be amazed at the little quirks and inconsistencies that creep in (I shoot on my own mostly so have no one to keep an eye on me), and an experienced coach can help you iron them out. I don't shoot enough to compete (avg 75=80%), but don't beat yourself up about scores, I'd say you're doing alright.

Mine get an airing at the end of the season on the one or two beaters days I get invited to. Always an occasion to wear them, along with the matching vest and jacket. If I did more driven shooting I would wear them more, but I can't afford it.

Another recommendation for arden grange. Our 5 month old lab is doing really well on it.

Can't find a link off hand but I remember reading the advance for his book was £250k and his London home valued at upwards of £500k. (all sounding a bit daily mail I know) I will do some more research and post what I can find.

Ooooh, treat yourself to a trip up the coast to Hemsby or Little Vegas as I call it. Warning: sights can not be unseen.

Not only all the above, but poor downtrodden Owen is a millionaire. I haven't a problem with people making money and being successful from honest graft. But how has little Owen accrued his vast wealth (top 3% of the country)? Down't pit? Out on a trawler? Invented something useful? No. By being a grievance monger, talking head 'Champion of the Downtrodden Working Class' TM. Something he has no first hand knowledge of whatsoever, and who if he encountered it outside of a carefully stage managed photo op, would probably wet himself and go running home to mummy.

I had to stop feeding the birds as our house is surrounded by cats (3 one side, 4 the other) who are out 24 hours a day, and the cats were using my garden as a hunting practice ground. Shame as I got a lot of pleasure from seeing all sorts come and go. Hardly see anything out there now, which is good for them I suppose.

My wife uses my 20b miroku. It was the gun I learned to shoot with when I was younger and has a shorter lop than I now need so when I have taken it out I just use a slip on extender. It suits her very well, if just slightly low in the comb, but a £15 neoprene comb raiser sorted that. If and when she gets into shooting properly (she is also having lessons independently from me using an ordinary silver pigeon 20b) and wants her own gun we will look into it, but at the moment the set up works. Any gun that your other half likes that fits well or can be altered to suit is the best bet, it doesn't have to be a dedicated ladies gun as these tend to be more expensive than ordinary models.