Blunderbuss Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I've had a busy season beating on a number of shoots, but today I returned to a small family shoot near Wotton under Edge in Gloucestershire, which I found courtesy of a well known beaters website last year. I think most of the other beaters were also found via the same site. They are only shooting 3 dates this year, the first being today. When I turned up this morning I was worried because I was 5 minutes late. The shoot owners wife was waiting in the pub car park RV. I was the only beater there, and we waited for another 15-20 minutes but no one else turned up I'm not sure exactly how many they were expecting but based on last year and the distribution of the e-mails from the shoot, it must have been 6 or 7. Thankfully one of of the guns had brought 2 teenage lads along, so them, me and the shoot owners wife made up a beating team of 4! We managed, just about, but it definitely affected the quality of the shooting. When we stopped after the second drive for drinks, I chatted to the shoot captain who had organised the beaters and whilst he was very thankful and appreciative of my being there, it was clear he felt very let down and embarrassed by the absence of the others. He said he had not received communication from any of them to say they couldn't make it. I have to say it almost made me ashamed of being a beater. Whilst other commitments do sometimes crop up, surely it's no effort to phone or e-mail to let the shoot know in plenty of time? Whilst the unannounced absence of 2 or 3 beaters on a big commercial shoot might not be a major drama, on a small shoot like this it was nearly a show stopper. This is such a pity as this is such a friendly and welcoming shoot with a great atmosphere, set in stunning Cotswold countryside. I hope the beaters who didn't turn up today feel as guilty as ****, but I somehow doubt it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 If you can't do the day, you can't do the day but just giving it the no show with no communication is very bad manners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 its you who is going to get the invite on beaters day though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Yeah, some brownie points well earned there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Unfortunately they don't do a beaters day But..... I think I might wangle some roost shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Thats unfortunate that so many let you down.I guess they looked at the weather night before and decided to stay in bed instead.I find it sad though that none of them could be bothered to phone-shows their all spineless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC45 Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 And I thought all shoots were oversubscribed with beaters? Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 (edited) And I thought all shoots were oversubscribed with beaters? Phil It doesn't seem so round here, I have had to turn down loads. I think the weather may have been a factor today. It was a beautiful winters day with not a cloud in the sky, but about -4 when we started. No excuse though. Edited January 2, 2010 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Unfortunately they don't do a beaters day They probably had a better offer then Seriously, I have never not shown when I said I would be there, our names go down in a book now and they limit the number per day. We have 2 beaters days, one with lunch, roost shooting, vermin days and a summer BBQ with clays - hardly surpising I am there every week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I've had a busy season beating on a number of shoots, but today I returned to a small family shoot near Wotton under Edge in Gloucestershire, which I found courtesy of a well known beaters website last year. I think most of the other beaters were also found via the same site. They are only shooting 3 dates this year, the first being today. When I turned up this morning I was worried because I was 5 minutes late. The shoot owners wife was waiting in the pub car park RV. I was the only beater there, and we waited for another 15-20 minutes but no one else turned up I'm not sure exactly how many they were expecting but based on last year and the distribution of the e-mails from the shoot, it must have been 6 or 7. Thankfully one of of the guns had brought 2 teenage lads along, so them, me and the shoot owners wife made up a beating team of 4! We managed, just about, but it definitely affected the quality of the shooting. When we stopped after the second drive for drinks, I chatted to the shoot captain who had organised the beaters and whilst he was very thankful and appreciative of my being there, it was clear he felt very let down and embarrassed by the absence of the others. He said he had not received communication from any of them to say they couldn't make it. I have to say it almost made me ashamed of being a beater. Whilst other commitments do sometimes crop up, surely it's no effort to phone or e-mail to let the shoot know in plenty of time? Whilst the unannounced absence of 2 or 3 beaters on a big commercial shoot might not be a major drama, on a small shoot like this it was nearly a show stopper. This is such a pity as this is such a friendly and welcoming shoot with a great atmosphere, set in stunning Cotswold countryside. I hope the beaters who didn't turn up today feel as guilty as ****, but I somehow doubt it Did you get paid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC45 Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Did you get paid? Might be worth it if you got paid in birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 (edited) Yep, paid cash, beer and a brace (more if I'd wanted them). They are thinking of running a beaters day next year (fortunately I've got a couple of others to go to this year). I think the only reason they havn't done beaters days before is they shoot so few days themselves as it's such a small shoot. Edited January 2, 2010 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 They probably had a better offer then Seriously, I have never not shown when I said I would be there, our names go down in a book now and they limit the number per day. We have 2 beaters days, one with lunch, roost shooting, vermin days and a summer BBQ with clays - hardly surpising I am there every week Stuart I could be there every week, if they're ever short of beaters next season, got a semi decent dog as well SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I'll keep you in mind fella, but as you can imagine they are normally oversubscribed, especially at weekends - but as you know people come and go.. There are a fair few shoots around (including another big one over by your brother in laws[?]) and quite a few of the old boys flit from one to another, so I will have an ask about for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crouch valley Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 I keeper a shoot my self and im lucky enough that I have never been let down by my beaters. They have turned out to be some very good friends they don't just turn up on shoot days they give up a lot of time for me. This weekend we made 3 new Larson traps and a new ladder trap as well as turn out to build new pen's and other shoot things. Three of them even built an extension onto my house for me free of charge now that's what I call good friends and all I give them is as much shooting we can do One of my beaters has a two hour drive now that's dedication. I did have a post on here a while back where I said do guns appreciate beaters I think this post has proved my point no beaters no driven day they are as important to a shoot as the birds really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 if you need the help again dave then shout me and pup can help out most of the time/ would rather the picking up chances but if stuck then you have my number I hate being let down or being told one thing one day and then something differant another day. ATB Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Cheers Phil, that's good of you, I'll bear that in mind How did you get on on Friday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 If you're ever stuck again then give me a ring too. I'm not in a position to offer help every week because I've got to take care of my pest control permissions, but would happily cover for people at short notice if needed :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crouch valley Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 May be it would be a good idea if pigeon watch could make up a list or page of pigeon watch members who are willing to beat or looking for beating / picking up what area they live distance they are prepared to travel. members could send in there details then shoots could get in touch I no I for one would use it to find beaters if necessary. Just a thought mod's :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 If you're ever stuck again then give me a ring too. I'm not in a position to offer help every week because I've got to take care of my pest control permissions, but would happily cover for people at short notice if needed :blink: Cheers Neil, PM sent May be it would be a good idea if pigeon watch could make up a list or page of pigeon watch members who are willing to beat or looking for beating / picking up what area they live distance they are prepared to travel. members could send in there details then shoots could get in touch I no I for one would use it to find beaters if necessary. Just a thought mod's A good idea, I've now been contacted by 3 PW stalwarts who may be able to help out. PW rocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Cheers Phil, that's good of you, I'll bear that in mind How did you get on on Friday? donts go there. i had a few but farmers got two more people shooting the place as well as the other 5 million. i had enough birds to go on the rotary for Saturday and for the flappers and bouncers but Saturdays cartridges where cold and didnt fire as fast and the sun was in my eyes and the moon was just past full and and... ... OK i was **** and couldn't hit a thing. i had to phone a mate and get him to take over just to put a dent in the population. still i enjoyed a good couple of high birds and watch him hit a stupid high one. i had crows on the sight tip and they just laughed at me. 3/4 choke left in the semi from roost shooting. i forgot to add that to the list.lmao. I will try again soon on the other farm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Blunderbuss, If you are stuck again give me a shout. Obviously work and family come first but if I can help I will. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted January 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Blunderbuss, If you are stuck again give me a shout. Obviously work and family come first but if I can help I will. Harry Cheers Harry I'll bear that in mind and may give you a shout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A bolt 22.250 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 I think some beaters spread there selves to thinnly. I beat at one shoot and one shoot only becouse i know thats all i have time for. Give them the respect they deserve and they give it back and thats the way it should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hendersons Posted January 6, 2010 Report Share Posted January 6, 2010 you can always send me a p.m. can do most mondays and tuesdays but i work most weekends nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.