JDog Posted November 3, 2021 Report Share Posted November 3, 2021 The dogs have been out twice already, I have had my flu jab this morning, it is raining heavily so I thought I would join what Mellors memorably describes as the 'housebound tappers'. Since my teens I have been interested in field sports, whether it be rough shooting, stalking, game shooting and vermin control and I have taken every opportunity to get out and partake. I have never considered myself to be anything other than an average shot at the best of times. Even some of the experts on this forum who have never fired a gun in their lives would probably be better shots than I. However I do have memories and I recount two instances below. My annual trip to the Lammermuirs has been going on for many years thanks to the generosity of a friend of mine who I have known for forty years. He has a shoot at the back of beyond which entails a lot of walking to get to the pegs but which is immensely enjoyable nevertheless. The next to last drive consists of a small spruce plantation at the top of a hill, grassland to stand in and a long wood behind. The pen is in the long wood but at the far end about 400m away. A few birds find the feed which the keeper puts out in the spruce wood. There were four standing guns. The first pheasant came over the end of the line 60m up and was missed by the end gun. Two others came out and were shot by my neighbours. I had four cocks over me in quick succession and I shot them all first barrel. The last bird was hit by my right hand neighbour and I killed it behind him. By some standards five shots on a drive would not be a big deal but they were to me. The day has a * alongside the entry in my game book. When I lived in Cumbria I had acquaintances who had Grouse moors, surely the very best sort to have? They were not friends and if I was invited to shoot I had to pay. Fair enough. One evening I had a call from one of them saying that he had a team of Irishmen shooting the following day and two of them hadn't made the crossing of the Irish Sea. Could I make it? You bet. The day was just the most perfect October day for shooting, overcast with a breeze and no rain. The team was keen but not experienced on driven Grouse and on the first drive it was obvious that they were leaving their shots too late. The owner noticed that and had a word and their shooting improved. On the third drive I was end gun, a position I love as it gives a lot of freedom to shoot (flankers permitting). The birds slipped across the beat in an unexpected way and gave me more shooting than the others in the line and I shot them in front and behind my butt. I had eight birds down and was determined to find every last one which I did with the aid of a picker up who came forward to help as I was dogless. The bag was fifty brace. Those Irishmen will never forget the experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 3, 2021 Report Share Posted November 3, 2021 Sounds very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted November 3, 2021 Report Share Posted November 3, 2021 Well remembered, we all have shots that will stay with us for ever, thanks for posting. I hope you are feeling better after all your inoculation experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted November 3, 2021 Report Share Posted November 3, 2021 6 hours ago, JDog said: The dogs have been out twice already, I have had my flu jab this morning, it is raining heavily so I thought I would join what Mellors memorably describes as the 'housebound tappers'. Since my teens I have been interested in field sports, whether it be rough shooting, stalking, game shooting and vermin control and I have taken every opportunity to get out and partake. I have never considered myself to be anything other than an average shot at the best of times. Even some of the experts on this forum who have never fired a gun in their lives would probably be better shots than I. However I do have memories and I recount two instances below. My annual trip to the Lammermuirs has been going on for many years thanks to the generosity of a friend of mine who I have known for forty years. He has a shoot at the back of beyond which entails a lot of walking to get to the pegs but which is immensely enjoyable nevertheless. The next to last drive consists of a small spruce plantation at the top of a hill, grassland to stand in and a long wood behind. The pen is in the long wood but at the far end about 400m away. A few birds find the feed which the keeper puts out in the spruce wood. There were four standing guns. The first pheasant came over the end of the line 60m up and was missed by the end gun. Two others came out and were shot by my neighbours. I had four cocks over me in quick succession and I shot them all first barrel. The last bird was hit by my right hand neighbour and I killed it behind him. By some standards five shots on a drive would not be a big deal but they were to me. The day has a * alongside the entry in my game book. When I lived in Cumbria I had acquaintances who had Grouse moors, surely the very best sort to have? They were not friends and if I was invited to shoot I had to pay. Fair enough. One evening I had a call from one of them saying that he had a team of Irishmen shooting the following day and two of them hadn't made the crossing of the Irish Sea. Could I make it? You bet. The day was just the most perfect October day for shooting, overcast with a breeze and no rain. The team was keen but not experienced on driven Grouse and on the first drive it was obvious that they were leaving their shots too late. The owner noticed that and had a word and their shooting improved. On the third drive I was end gun, a position I love as it gives a lot of freedom to shoot (flankers permitting). The birds slipped across the beat in an unexpected way and gave me more shooting than the others in the line and I shot them in front and behind my butt. I had eight birds down and was determined to find every last one which I did with the aid of a picker up who came forward to help as I was dogless. The bag was fifty brace. Those Irishmen will never forget the experience. 😂 Well done a good read. The high jackers will be along soon. Wrong cartridges (hope they were red ones) need glasses etc. Nothing to do with your post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 3, 2021 Report Share Posted November 3, 2021 A good read. Methinks you’re a better shot than you like to admit really, as modesty forbids. I have a couple of friends who keep’ and beat those Cumbrian grouse moors. It’s good to have friends and acquaintances, and I have a friend who has asked me to stand in for him on a 150 bird day in early December at the foot of those same Cumbrian Fells in December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted November 3, 2021 Report Share Posted November 3, 2021 Sound like two memorable days that have stuck in your mind and THANKS for relating them . As the years roll by , do you shoot as well now as you did in what you would class as your peak ? Do you shoot better now than you did in the past ? I know two very good clay and game shots who had once shot for their country who are still good shots but nowhere as good as they once were , so as you are getting near, or qualify for a bus pass , are you shooting as well , better or is age taking effect of your shooting reactions ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted November 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2021 7 hours ago, pigeon controller said: Well remembered, we all have shots that will stay with us for ever, thanks for posting. I hope you are feeling better after all your inoculation experiences. I also remember your first ever pheasant. You were my left hand neighbour on that railway embankment on the Gloucestershire shoot for PW members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spr1985 Posted November 3, 2021 Report Share Posted November 3, 2021 Some great memories you’ve shared jdog the grouse day just sounds like an awesome time was had, thank you for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted November 4, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 13 hours ago, marsh man said: Sound like two memorable days that have stuck in your mind and THANKS for relating them . As the years roll by , do you shoot as well now as you did in what you would class as your peak ? Do you shoot better now than you did in the past ? I know two very good clay and game shots who had once shot for their country who are still good shots but nowhere as good as they once were , so as you are getting near, or qualify for a bus pass , are you shooting as well , better or is age taking effect of your shooting reactions ? Sadly I qualified for a bus pass several years ago. As for my shooting, I have always been a natural shot and just put the gun up and pulled the trigger. Recently I seem to have lost my confidence. I put it down to reading too many threads on this forum about shot size, pattern plates, distances, penetration.... bla, bla, bla ad infinitum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 Excellent, I can picture the drives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 2 hours ago, JDog said: Sadly I qualified for a bus pass several years ago. As for my shooting, I have always been a natural shot and just put the gun up and pulled the trigger. Recently I seem to have lost my confidence. I put it down to reading too many threads on this forum about shot size, pattern plates, distances, penetration.... bla, bla, bla ad infinitum. 🙂 Indeed. Once good basics are ingrained, there’s much to be said for not overthinking things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 8 minutes ago, Scully said: 🙂 Indeed. Once good basics are ingrained, there’s much to be said for not overthinking things. Amen to that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 On 03/11/2021 at 19:27, JDog said: I also remember your first ever pheasant. You were my left hand neighbour on that railway embankment on the Gloucestershire shoot for PW members. “ Pillow Cased” if I Remember!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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