Laird Lugton Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I read a lot about mentoring which I think is a great idea. However there is no mentoring up here in central Scotland that I know of. I think it would be a great idea for new wildfowlers to shadow or be shadowed for a number of outings. I'm going out alone for the first time this season and it's also the first time wildfowling. Something I have reservations about! Anyone know of any clubs in Scotland that does mentoring? I'm in ESAWC but don't think they do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reabrook Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I'm sure they could if you asked. Don't they have a piece of inland that you can book. Book it and go along and speak to the others sure someone would be willing to assist you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 The club I am in any new member has to be escorted / mentored for the minimum of 6 flights. I think this is a good idea because the marshes are dangerous places to go if you don't know your way around. This gives us who are prepared to assist new members to pass on some experience and show the many places on the marsh. It also gives the chance to pass on many of the unwritten rules. Our club also issues risk assessments to all members but with the crazy world of health and safety I can see all clubs having to do some sort of plan for member to bide by the care of duty act. Personally I enjoy taking out new members and assisting them because I feel it will make better wildfowlers and in essence help to keep our wonderful sport for future generations. I hope you find yourself someone to help you. Ps. I am not a guide and no I don't charge. I do it because I appreciate how much I learned in my early years on the marsh from the ones who helped me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laird Lugton Posted September 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 I think these clubs that have mentoring are very good, to be able to pass the experience on is invaluable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrold Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Hi, as a new wildfowler myself (Just starting my second season) i agree with you, a mentor is a must. I spent many a morning last season sat out just off the sea wall with no luck at all, wondering were the best places to sit are, what tides are best, what time should i be arriving etc etc. however, just from going down to the marsh i met alot of great lads who would give me advice and recently got talking to a chap on here who took me out the other day and told me loads of great information and showed me some new spots. You'll always get the odd person who won't give you the time of day but as ayano3 says most people enjoy taking lads out and will gladly assist. As said above theres so many unwritten rules that us novices can get into trouble/annoy other fowlers with that we would never even consider. Best advice i could give if nobody will take you out is to take it one step at a time, have a walk out onto the marsh in daylight and take notes of access points etc, then just go down and try things and most importantly listen to any advice from the old boys, its amazing the things they know. Good luck, and enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laird Lugton Posted September 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the reply Barrold. Sounds like you're having a good time! Where I have permission to shoot I've yet to see another shooter! However I live in hope..... I've been out twice during the day for a wander and this evening went for an evening flight, sadly the ducks didn't decide to show! Edited September 18, 2012 by Laird Lugton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 We only help if your prepared to listen lol I've met some lovely soaked to the skin people who wasn't needing that little bit of advice and already knew it all ;*) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 I was lucky enough to be mentored by a true wildfowler, he taught me loads and was always prepared to answer any questions i had. He has now moved away, but we are in regular contact and is a friend for life. I now try to take people out and share my (limited compared to some) knowledge, like ayano 3 said some of the time they don't want to listen and these are the people that normally only stick it for a season or 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laird Lugton Posted September 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 We only help if your prepared to listen lol I've met some lovely soaked to the skin people who wasn't needing that little bit of advice and already knew it all ;*) I hope I don't fall into that category! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 I'm sure you would appreciate all the help available, not many genuine learners fall by the wayside, its not a short journey to be good at the sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrold Posted September 20, 2012 Report Share Posted September 20, 2012 Ayano3, do you shoot with a young farmer lad on sheps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Yes I do mate. He was a new member last season and did around 30 trips with me. He hasn't been much this year so far due to the late harvest but should be coming with me more now its all done. I'm guessing you have met me at some point, I'm the good looking one with the fox red lab. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 I'm the one with the good looking fox red lab. Lol :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Did I get it wrong Harry lol. That's what Dale and Steve said last week when they were in water out on the tide lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 I think if someone is truly new to wildfowling then mentoring is pretty much essential. I'm pretty experienced in various kinds of shooting but wildfowling is a whole new ball game and I have never felt more out of my comfort zone. I would highly recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Did I get it wrong Harry lol. That's what Dale and Steve said last week when they were in water out on the tide lol Are you out with the chuckle bro's this weekend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 I'm in Norwich all weekend mate, I think they still asleep down the caravan lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted September 22, 2012 Report Share Posted September 22, 2012 I'm in Norwich all weekend mate, I think they still asleep down the caravan lol Oh they will be well snuggled up in the caravan, I can just imagine them telling their other half's " ayano3 says we have to go every weekend" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic Posted September 23, 2012 Report Share Posted September 23, 2012 I agree that mentoring is very important. i shot around the Kent coast on military land while stationed there and when I moved to Deeside, I had to go out with members before i could go on my own. Now I have moved again, I again have to out with members .... I dont have any issues with that at all. All estuaries and marshes have their own idiosyncrasies and dangers as well as local knowledge of flightlines, bylaws etc. I have also been up to various places in Scotland, often with limited or no success.....until pointed in right direction by other fowlers. the main thing to remember is that on pigeon or pheasant is that if you get it wrong, you don't have to clean your gun, get it wrong on the foreshore and you'll never need to clean it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodylt1 Posted September 23, 2012 Report Share Posted September 23, 2012 Mentoring .... now there's a hot topic! Definatley agree that its absolutley critical to the future of wildfowling, but getting club members to play the game now there's another story?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic Posted September 24, 2012 Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) it is awkward to get people to mentor. I did it last two seasons on the Dee. The problem is the people at the top of the list get hammered and start syaing no then the peopele get cheesed off with the no's before they get lower on the list. In Glos the new club I've joined has 'associate evenings' you go out as a group... not the best enviroment, but you meet people prepared to take others out and a known face is easier to ask. seems to work Edited September 24, 2012 by nic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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