Another game season almost over

[Bear68]

Well, I've got soaked several days this season (my Barbour waxed jacket is now replaced with a Deerhunter Pro Gamekeeper which is more weather proof). I shot some fantastic wind-driven birds during the various storms, and missed plenty of easier ones in normal weather, I've  used a side-by-side exclusively for the first time in 20 years, and enjoyed watching my little lab bitch doing a couple of great retrieves. Above all, the craic with old friends has been a real delight. I feel I've done enough days now, but will miss it all by the end of February. Apologies if this post is a bit over-sentimental but I've been involved in game shooting for over 40 seasons now, and I still love being out with a dog, gun (or a stick) and like-minded people. 

Edited January 28 by Bear68

[London Best]

15 minutes ago, Bear68 said:

Well, I've got soaked several days this season (my Barbour waxed jacket is now replaced with a Deerhunter Pro Gamekeeper which is more weather proof). I shot some fantastic wind-driven birds during the various storms, and missed plenty of easier ones in normal weather, I've  used a side-by-side exclusively for the first time in 20 years, and enjoyed watch my little lab bitch doing a couple of great retrieves. Above all, the craic with old friends has been a real delight. I feel I've done enough days now, but will miss it all by the end of February. Apologies if this post is a bit over-sentimental but I've been involved in game shooting for over 40 seasons now, and I still love being out with a dog, gun (or a stick) and like-minded people. 

I could almost have written that post myself, with a couple of differences. 
I have been lucky to manage to stay dry on every outing this season. 
I’ve used a side-by-side exclusively for over sixty seasons now. 
And, having not been out since the 18th. January, I am missing it already! 
But, this morning a miracle happened when a friend phoned and asked if I was up for a rough kick-about on Saturday? …..Let me think about that!

[udderlyoffroad]

28 minutes ago, Bear68 said:

I feel I've done enough days now, but will miss it all by the end of February.

This. Every season.

Also waxed jackets are great for beating, if you’re pushing your way through thick briars…but are in 2025 frankly the worst choice for anything else.

[Scully]

Not over sentimental by any means. 
September/October comes round and I’m chomping at the bit to get going. No sooner the first day comes around than it’s all over ! Where did that go? 
Have enjoyed some good days this season in our syndicate, roughshoot and as a guest, although I’ve also turned down four days as I’m not too keen on some of the other guns, but that’s another story. 
Had a horrid day on the first day as for whatever reason ( I’m pretty sure I know ) I just couldn’t get to grips with some very good birds, to the extent it was embarrassing, but soon ironed out the issue and last Saturday shot some excellent high driven birds. On one peg I had six birds for seven shots, including a left and right ( first of the season ) and shared another bird. 
Ran out of my favourite cartridge early in the season ( SIPE 30/32 grm 5’s ) but couldn’t be bothered to travel for them so bought a couple of slabs of Hull High Pheasant 30 grm 5’s and am very very impressed. Some really nice birds curled up dead in the air through 3/8ths and 1/2 in my CD 101 trap gun, so I seriously doubt I’ll be travelling for SIPE when I can get these locally. 
Our syndicate is just a small very informal ( you can use any legit shotgun you like….its not unknown to see a pump or a self loader ) get together, and  last day of the season can almost turn into just a dog walk with a gun, but the people are fabulous, the craic is brilliant, nobody minds if your dog runs in ( the dogs even share the bothy and food at lunchtime ) and the food at our usual venue for the shoot dinner following the last day is top notch. 
It’s not all over yet however, as we intend to have a wander around our rough shoot on Saturday. 👍

[marsh man]

We are also drawing to a close , unlike the op we have missed the worst of the weather on every shoot I have been on , done them all bar one when we had two days back to back and two days on the trot would had been to much for my dog and possibly for me as well .

Been a well above average season and the highlight was the amount of wild duck we have got , our boss is not over keen in shooting to many so we have only been gentle with them , we finish on Friday and in the woods the following day for a spot of roost shooting .  MM

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Yes, it's been a good season, plenty of well presented birds, only one day of foul weather and great company from the regulars.

We, my eldest Son and I have shot and given away quite a lot of game this year, all gratefully received.

Looking forward to the next one already.

[Rim Fire]

Its beaters day for my boys on Saturday we got lucky with the weather only caught one of the storms which brought down some big Cedar  trees  which was planted in 1830 but two of them flattened one of the pens so it will be a few weeks off then rebuilding and cutting new rides in the summer 

[London Best]

Well, that’s it all over now then. 
No driven days since my last one on the 18th, but finished with a successful duck/goose flight on the evening of the 31st and a lovely rough shoot on the 1st which produced a dozen pheasants between the four of us. 
A great finish to what has been a great season.

[Bear68]

I thought my season had finished a fortnight ago, but I had an unexpected invite for an afternoon walkabout yesterday. Two of us shot 8 pheasants between us, which was a good way to end it.