samboy Posted Wednesday at 20:30 Report Share Posted Wednesday at 20:30 Hi gang. Well after 44 years of clay shooting i am packing it all in this week. Why ?. I don't enjoy it anymore, i'm not in the best of health and it's a struggle now to get round the grounds. I will continue my rabbit and squirrel shooting until Dec 2025 when my Sgc\fac expires. I will keep my air rifle to use on a small permission i have got. So my Sunday mornings will be spent down by the river side with my dog, a flask of coffee a sandwich and the trusty old binoculars. Happy days 👍. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted Wednesday at 21:19 Report Share Posted Wednesday at 21:19 In some shape and form it will come to most people who have spent a lifetime into shooting , we all reach a peak sooner or later and some will maintain that for a long time while others will start going downhill more or less straightaway , age and health are amongst the main reasons but time and family commitments can also come into play , I still like to take part in game shooting although not on a peg , that no longer appeal to me and I cannot justified the cost now I am only on a state pension and a small estate pension . I still like a little bit of Pigeon shooting and wildfowling although you can never get that magic back when you are drifting about on the estuary late at night under a full moon , same with Pigeon shooting , the more you went the more you wanted to go and the P B was getting the ton , then the day will come when you get it and the work involved you just took it for granted and thought nothing of it , now when you reach old age your body is just not up to it in all the work a big day can bring , so I now set myself a limit , two hours decoying , 20 birds shot , or getting through a box or box and a half of cartridges , so I still do as much for the enjoyment only, once the enjoyment go out of it then I will know the end of the shooting wouldn't be far away . MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobiasthedog Posted Wednesday at 22:20 Report Share Posted Wednesday at 22:20 Enjoy the Sunday mornings. Who knows you may change your mind after a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted Thursday at 07:08 Report Share Posted Thursday at 07:08 Well I am at the 41 year point and don't see myself giving up any time soon. Still enjoy all of my shooting and while I can keep my average rising slightly and using old Berettas and RED cartridges to good effect I shall continue. Good luck and enjoy the riverside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted Thursday at 09:07 Report Share Posted Thursday at 09:07 1 hour ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Well I am at the 41 year point and don't see myself giving up any time soon. Don’t even think about it for another 25 years! 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted Thursday at 09:13 Report Share Posted Thursday at 09:13 (edited) I'm at the 60 + year stage and still enjoy my weekly clay shoot. I meet a similar group of like minded people, so it is also a social event. Shoot a few clays, enjoy a sausage or bacon butty, a short debate about shooting and putting the world to rights, then home. Clean the gun, put everything away ready for next week. I also have a couple of driven game days in the season. I have just had my stock altered to suit, so I do not intend to give up any time soon. I also spend quite a bit of time introducing others to our sport. Edited Thursday at 09:13 by Westley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted Thursday at 09:13 Report Share Posted Thursday at 09:13 5 minutes ago, London Best said: Don’t even think about it for another 25 years! 😉 That would put me at 85, so I will start to consider it then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted Thursday at 10:09 Report Share Posted Thursday at 10:09 Im coming at this from the opposite direction, 72 this year [good god that looks old in print] but planning on starting clay shooting this year, I havnt been to a clay ground since the early 80's..😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samboy Posted Thursday at 10:37 Author Report Share Posted Thursday at 10:37 Well old samboy is 77 and 6 years ago had a triple heart bypass and at the same time was diagnosed with Parkinsons. Whilst i passed the medical for my Sgc\Fac i just feel now enough is enough. Mentally i'm still 20 but the old body is feeling the strain. I've had a good run so can't grumble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted Thursday at 10:40 Report Share Posted Thursday at 10:40 I think the vast majority of Members would understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted Thursday at 10:50 Report Share Posted Thursday at 10:50 33 minutes ago, islandgun said: Im coming at this from the opposite direction, 72 this year [good god that looks old in print] but planning on starting clay shooting this year, I havnt been to a clay ground since the early 80's..😄 Hello, That is same as me in the 1980s 1990s when we had the original Oxford club, Good luck with your new challenge this year, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocette Posted Thursday at 11:17 Report Share Posted Thursday at 11:17 Still shooting as much thanks to the Jimny getting me to distant corners but starting to get interested in fishing again. LXXIII this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted Thursday at 12:02 Report Share Posted Thursday at 12:02 44 minutes ago, Velocette said: Still shooting as much thanks to the Jimny getting me to distant corners but starting to get interested in fishing again. LXXIII this year. Do they let you drive around the clay shoot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agriv8 Posted Thursday at 13:13 Report Share Posted Thursday at 13:13 2 hours ago, samboy said: Well old samboy is 77 and 6 years ago had a triple heart bypass and at the same time was diagnosed with Parkinsons. Whilst i passed the medical for my Sgc\Fac i just feel now enough is enough. Mentally i'm still 20 but the old body is feeling the strain. I've had a good run so can't grumble. Samboy it’s a hard decision and one my dad took a few years ago . He still beats with ( Chief tapper in and shot counter these days ) and would have been out on the keepers day . Well done for the 60+ years and making this hard decision those that still can will try and keep our sport that you have enjoyed going but I am not sure we will have it for another 60 years! like yourself and Tightchoke I enjoy clay shooting and yes it keeps the eye in for the pest control I and others do Agriv8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted Thursday at 13:32 Report Share Posted Thursday at 13:32 (edited) If it helps there are things that can help your rabbiting and squirrel activities. I too have health issues that prevent me from walking about loaded down with rifle and NV gear. This video might help, if there's any detail I don't cover enough in the video feel free to ask either on or off the page. I call this headlight lamping but it can also be done with a lamp or night vision on the scope with no worries about the weight because that's carried by the car. Edited Thursday at 13:37 by Dave-G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted Thursday at 13:44 Report Share Posted Thursday at 13:44 Been shooting clays since 1980. From the mid 1980s to late 1990s, I was a decent shot. I still enjoy clays but my shooting is inconsistent. I miss clays which I would previously hit with my eyes closed. I find it very frustrating, but I have introduced quite a few to clays, including my grandson. Going with a mate at weekend to pick up a 410 for his 7 year old lad. Grandson has followed in the family tradition of me paying for the guns, shells, entry fees, food and fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocette Posted Thursday at 13:48 Report Share Posted Thursday at 13:48 1 hour ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Do they let you drive around the clay shoot? I only shoot a straw bale shoot up on the moors occasionally and they don't mind what you do. I meant shooting overall where sometimes a long walk with all the decoying gear wouldn't be too pleasant but with a gentleman's shooting carriage most locations are possible ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted Thursday at 14:21 Report Share Posted Thursday at 14:21 17 hours ago, samboy said: Hi gang. Well after 44 years of clay shooting i am packing it all in this week. Why ?. I don't enjoy it anymore, i'm not in the best of health and it's a struggle now to get round the grounds. I will continue my rabbit and squirrel shooting until Dec 2025 when my Sgc\fac expires. I will keep my air rifle to use on a small permission i have got. So my Sunday mornings will be spent down by the river side with my dog, a flask of coffee a sandwich and the trusty old binoculars. Happy days 👍. Hello, Yes these things will come to us all at some stage in life, I do not shoot much these days, Shotgun and Air Rifle, Where once i would be out Pigeon shooting often and ratting at night with Night Vision through the winter months the appeal has gone with age and health, I still like to get over the Farms when weather permits , Going to off load my 12 Bore gear and Cartridges this year as i bought a nice 20 to keep me going till the Licence expires but i might try another few years, Even Pike fishing has dwindled even though i have a free permit, I still get pleasure if weather permits with a walk to the river, taking a flask of coffe and sitting by the weir pool watching time go by oh and people buy alas no dog, cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted Thursday at 14:47 Report Share Posted Thursday at 14:47 5 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: That would put me at 85, so I will start to consider it then. Er ......that would put me in my box 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted Thursday at 15:52 Report Share Posted Thursday at 15:52 4 hours ago, Velocette said: Still shooting as much thanks to the Jimny getting me to distant corners but starting to get interested in fishing again. LXXIII this year. 2 hours ago, Velocette said: I only shoot a straw bale shoot up on the moors occasionally and they don't mind what you do. I meant shooting overall where sometimes a long walk with all the decoying gear wouldn't be too pleasant but with a gentleman's shooting carriage most locations are possible ! Well this was after all posted in the Clay Pigeon section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted Thursday at 16:44 Report Share Posted Thursday at 16:44 2 hours ago, Gordon R said: Grandson has followed in the family tradition of me paying for the guns, shells, entry fees, food and fuel. Last week I gave my grandson a present of an introductory clay lesson at Barbury Castle after which we did 50 cartridges each. Having paid for lunch, the lesson, cartridges, clays, petrol from Bristol, we were driving home and when he gave a big thank you followed by “we’ll have to do that again sometime” Thank goodness he’s studying in Leeds !!! A narrow escape. That said, a memorable day with my grandson was worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted Thursday at 17:39 Report Share Posted Thursday at 17:39 4 hours ago, Dave-G said: If it helps there are things that can help your rabbiting and squirrel activities. I too have health issues that prevent me from walking about loaded down with rifle and NV gear. This video might help, if there's any detail I don't cover enough in the video feel free to ask either on or off the page. I call this headlight lamping but it can also be done with a lamp or night vision on the scope with no worries about the weight because that's carried by the car. Good for you. Nifty little set up. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarepeg Posted Thursday at 18:35 Report Share Posted Thursday at 18:35 Coming up 90in 2 weeks and just getting my second wind ( i wish) still enjoy a round of clays, mainly 410 and 28 guage. still enjoy shooting the rats/ rabbits out of car window, reloading and keeping as busy as body allows, not chucking towel in yet, looking forward to some warm weather. onwards and upwards 😊👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted Thursday at 19:30 Report Share Posted Thursday at 19:30 I sincerely hope I can follow your example, good luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agriv8 Posted Friday at 21:54 Report Share Posted Friday at 21:54 On 23/01/2025 at 16:44, Bobba said: Last week I gave my grandson a present of an introductory clay lesson at Barbury Castle after which we did 50 cartridges each. Having paid for lunch, the lesson, cartridges, clays, petrol from Bristol, we were driving home and when he gave a big thank you followed by “we’ll have to do that again sometime” Thank goodness he’s studying in Leeds !!! A narrow escape. That said, a memorable day with my grandson was worth it. Bobba just down the road from Leeds I can take him let me know here to send the invoice 😜 Agriv8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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