Snipe and woodcock shooting in Wales

[JDog]

I was lucky enough to join a shooting party to shoot snipe and woodcock on the Lleyn peninsular in north west Wales earlier this week. The two days were organized by Highbird70 from this forum, the Pigeon Watch handle of Marco Vaccarezza.

 

There were lots of beaters and beater's dogs at the meeting point which was an excellent sign. I later found out that none of them were paid to beat but that they had shooting in kind from the syndicate which shot the ground we were to shoot over. Five guns shot on the Monday in bright sunshine, conditions described as unusual for that part of the world and this time of year.

 

The beaters drove a number of bogs for snipe and woodcock, both of which were there in some numbers. The erratic flight of the snipe was amazing to see and it is fair to say that the snipe won hands down as there were some, but not a lot, in the bag at the end of the day. The excuses were numerous, but the sun seemed to get most of the blame. My best excuse was that a snipe flying towards me flew in line with the only telephone cable for miles rendering a shot very difficult.

 

On the second day three new guns replaced two who had gone home so the shooting party consisted of six guns. The day was to be spent looking for woodcock rather than snipe and the plan was to shoot a number of small woods with standing or walking guns. It has to be said that the beaters and their dogs worked exceptionally hard at this stage. The woods were dilapidated with lots of fallen branches which took some getting through but which of course provided the perfect habitat for woodcock. There were lots of woodcock and I was pleased that three guns accounted for their first ever of this species. The day ended with a drive out of a bog which produced four woodcock and two snipe in the bag and a never to be forgotten sight of a 'wisp' of maybe 20 snipe going over three guns at 25m high at great speed - none of which were accounted for.

 

Thank you gentlemen for your excellent company on the foray.

Edited December 14, 2012 by JDog

[Highbird70]

Mr. Hatch,

 

I'm really glad that you enjoyed what I would describe, 2 fantastic days of woodcock and snipe shooting.

All the guns had lots of sporting chances and fun.

Thank you for your very unique moral lifting jokes and great company and very well done for your snipe shooting.

I'm organizing another 2 days in January if you interested and we will meet up for some pigeoning soon.

 

Mark