You Can't Do Enough for a Good Shoot

[webber]

You Can’t Do Enough for a Good Shoot

Or

You Can Do Too Much You Know

 

 

Many PW members will be aware that in April last year I was seriously injured in an explosion. The road to recovery has been long and hard, and although it still continues, it has been made a little easier thanks to the help and support of friends, several PW members, and professionals.

 

Within a few hours of arriving in the burns unit, I had press ganged one of the sisters into getting the internet working on the Patient line system, and was soon reconnected with my mates on PW. I admit that with the benefit of hindsight the posts were rather poor, but the circumstances were to say the least exceptional.

 

As I lay there for days, I had time to contemplate many issues, but shooting and the shoot were always in my thoughts. It is therefore doubly distressing when I now sit and contemplate the occurrences and outcomes a little over a year later.

 

As soon as I could walk, Ian my mate and shoot keeper assisted by other PW members started to collect me, and take me onto the shoot. At that time I was little use to the shoot, but the experience of the shoot, the fresh air, and friends were a fantastic tonic that I soon learned to crave. As time elapsed, I started to drive again, and was able to assist Ian in his duties most days. Assisted by other PW members we started to make the shoot a safer place, and make the process of keepering a little easier. We built and repaired stiles, built bridges, repaired fences, made Larsen traps, tunnels for traps, marker pegs, repaired virtually every feeder on the shoot, made a game cart, and carried out major repairs to the shoot Vitara. You could say that we got stuck in; but those who really know webber, would explain that they would have expected nothing less, for “you can’t do enough for a good shotâ€

 

You will therefore appreciate my upset in early January, when I was taken aside by the syndicate chairman for an official chat. The gist of his message was that he had received complaints from 3 members, who had formed the opinion that I was getting too friendly with the lady (75) who owns the land. That my efforts, not our efforts, were being perceived as my attempting to take over the shoot. He advised me that my continued associate membership would be discussed at the AGM, and advised me to take a step back; which I did, much to the dismay of Ian, and disgust of the other PW members who had assisted.

 

During the last week of April the syndicate held its meeting, and I received a telephone call from the chairman a day later. He advised me that my associate membership had been agreed, but that there were a number of conditions that he wished to explain to me face to face, I therefore attended his home that evening. As I had deduced it was to be membership with strings attached, I was to some degree prepared for the list of diatribe that followed. Basically they did not have the balls to rescind my membership and therefore set about making my position untenable, resulting in my resignation. In industrial relations terms, it would be classed as constructive dismissal.

 

 

I wrote my letter of resignation a day later, and wrote a subsequent document a few days following.

 

Thanks to PW, a few vacancies were advertised for a shoot in Cheshire. Whilst I was sat in the chairman’s conservatory receiving the gospel according to the Moss Bank Bigoted Muppet Musketeers, I received a call on my mobile from McF, advising me that he had spotted the post, and requesting that I get my backside into gear. This I duly did, and a little over a week later we met with the Cheshire shoots chairman, and at the time of writing I / we are anxiously awaiting letters. I do hope that we are not disappointed.

 

I shall in due course publish my letter of resignation, and a subsequent report. I’m afraid that this may well culminate in this being the longest ever PW post. I trust that you will find it entertaining, informative, and educational, but take note as “you can do too much you knowâ€

 

webber

[Baldrick]

I deal with the politics of let shooting on managed farms and estates on a very regular basis, and it is an element of the job that I detest. I have no time for in-fighting, ridiculous agendas and jumped-up tossers, and it sounds very much like you were ousted for those same petty reasons that infect a lot of syndicates.

 

I hope that this new shoot pans out well, Webber, and that your efforts and abilities are appreciated by the syndicate that welcomes you.

[Llanshooter]

I've not been shooting that long but in the time that I have I think I've seen the best and the worst of behaviour from shooting folk.

 

Some peopple go out of their way to help and offer guidance and will put you in thebest pegs to ensureyou get a good day as a beginner. On guy took my ad under his wing and helped him to shoot his first pheasants using his gun.

 

Other people on a bigger "more formal" shoot have objected to him having a few shots, done the "with all due respect " line that usually precedes a shedload of disrepecting.

 

Its funny but most are really pleaseant and better than the average member of the public, but the thankfully very few odd ones are the real extreme at the other end of the spectrum.

 

Hope you get sorted with your new shoot and as for the old ones: they will miss you and your contribution more than you will miss them.

[Ozzy Fudd]

im sorry to hear that mate, i wouldnt be surprised if the ones who complained were the type that could never be found if there was work to be done. all the best with the new shoot

[flytie]

Webber, that is a very sad tale indeed. Shooting seems to bring out the best in some and the worst in others.

 

Having suffered a devastating injury in the past myself, I was helped to get out and about by some very good friends who even got me to a flight pond while I was still in a wheelchair. I am pleased that your friends rallied round you in your time of need. There are other shoots mate, ones where they will appreciate you more too!

 

Atb, ft

[Suffolk shooter]

Webber,

 

Having had a few PM's with you over the subject, I know only too well what you mean. Hopefully things will work out for you in due course along the lines that we've discussed.

 

You have my number and feel free to ring anytime to discuss further.

 

SS

[Mungler]

All things considered, it's a pretty shoddy way to treat you.

 

I am glad you told them to poke it - I hope you used lots of profanity.

 

Some people love the badge of shoot captain - I think it makes up for other short comings in their professional or private lives. Much like traffic warden syndrome; give them a rank or a uniform and......

[Thumpersniper]

They obviously didn't deserve you mate, good luck with the new shoot

[Dead-Eyed Duck]

Good luck John, and let me know if I can help

 

Don

[Beardo]

what a shoddy way to treat you - stuff 'em and good luck with the new shoot!

[malkiserow]

Jealousy and envy can often lead seemingly normal people to behave in unusual ways. Perhaps you inadvertently showed up their own short-comings. I hope you can take the moral high-ground and move on to enjoy the new shoot. I hope that new one comes good for you.

Edited May 16, 2009 by malkiserow

[mr lee]

Jealousy and envy can often lead seemingly normal people to behave in unusual ways. Perhaps you inadvertently showed up their own short-comings. I hope you can take the moral high-ground and move on to enjoy the new shoot. I hope that new one comes good for you.

Sounds spot on that.

 

Good luck with the new shoot Webber.

[Ferret Master]

I'm sorry to hear that Webber.

 

What did the landowner think about the whole matter?

 

FM

[Blackbart]

Fess up then webber..where you doing the 75 year old landlady ??

 

I have seen both sides of a similar thing including a guy who even got the shooting lease changed into HIS name unbeknown to the rest of the members of the shoot ! He did this by always being around the shoot and seeing the farmer all the time and in the end the farmer would only deal with him about shoot matters.Which is why some people get paranoid at times.

On the other side of the coin,i have been involved in a shoot where they couldnt get anyone to help out with keepering duties like,feeding,pen making,trapping and the like and they were crying out for someone to get stuck in and develope the shoot like it sounds you were.

I wouldnt loose any sleep over it webber as it sounds like your intentions were good and it;s their loss and another shoot's gain.

[Imperfection]

Webber

 

Im glad you quit because that is no way to treat anyone who just being helpful.Its quite sad to know though that there are people out there who feel threatened by someones generosity.

 

Hope you get on well with your new shoot and look forward to your letter too!

[Psyxologos]

Good luck with the new shoot mate. I hope everything works out. I am a newcomer to shooting with no syndicate memberships, so I am in the lookout for a place too. Let us hope that there is a positive side to the credit crunch after all. Who knows, some shoots might decide to open more places up for a bit of extra revenue...

[Mr Potter]

Sorry to hear your fears have been realised Webber but is it all lost? Won't the Landlady see the difference now you've gone and ask the current tennant why the stiles aren't being mended or the feeders repaired. She may not want the hassle involved with changing syndicates but you never know.

 

Anyway, don't let the ******** get you down and like Dead-Eyed Duck said if I can do anything to help (even if it's just listening) give me a pm or a call.

 

Mr Potter

[Blackbart]

Well after a bit more info....I can fully understand why you are hacked off webber.What a bunch of small minded ungratefull [insert any swear word here].I have had a spookily similar experiance with a syndicate even down to the same kind of vehicle involved, so i can sympathise with your position.Like you i walked away and couldnt believe the mentality of some people.

 

Good luck in your new shoot.

[Harnser]

Do you know what Webber , This dos not surprise me at all . Over the years i have been envolved in several syndicates and they have all come to grief because of some **** who knows more about how to run the shoot than the keeper and the land owner . The in fighting and know alls really do spoil a wonderful day out and the ****** who moan because fred shot 2 birds more than he did and freds birds were to low . It seems that to many guns forget the main reason for a days shooting and think that you are there to see how many birds they can shoot and not to have a wonderful day out in the country side with good company . You are best away from them webber .

Best of luck Harnser .

[DOLLSEYES]

Hi Webber,

Your'e better off out of a shoot like that,no good will ever come of it.As one door shuts another one opens.Good luck with the new one.A true Gentleman and one of shooting's good guys.

Dollseyes.

[realtreedave]

best of luck with your new shoot webber.sometimes its time to shut up and put up ,other times its where to stick it,im afraid youve had a where to stick it time,dont worrybecause if you wait long enough what goes around comes around[it will bite them on the a**e soon enough]

[webber]

Thanks for the replies and PMs chaps. I really was hacked off, and many of you have summed the situation up perfectly.

 

It is true that as one door closes, another one opens. The awaited letter from the new shoot hit my door mat this morning. I can't say that I shed a tear, but there's time yet.

 

I've texted McF, who is also waiting, but on holiday, and I've telephoned Micklmuss, who is working away all week, so hopefully they will have something to look forward to on their return home.

 

webber

[al4x]

Its a common story Webber, I've had a comical situation going on for years where I shoot on a mates farm with him we do all the rabbit control etc. I beat for the syndicate on the farm and usually run the beating line etc yet year after year have agro with the "keeper" as he's obsessed that i'll try and take it over. He hates the fact we go out rabbiting and tries anything to make life uncomfortable despite being told in no uncertain terms by the landowner that the syndicate doesn't do the crop predating vermin control. The funny thing is the more he tries to make life uncomfortable the close he is to getting his marching orders as trying to stop the landowners son shooting on his own farm really isn't going to happen. We have the head to heads from the end of one shooting season to the begining of the next which co incides with us respecting the shoot and not lamping round released birds. Its comical really as he then is fine during the season. You just have to accept some people are ******* and in your case wonder whether someone will tip the old bird off about your situation. Theres a lot of back stabbing goes on in syndicates one reason I've always stepped back and watched this one and its comical how the chinese wispers go round.

[webber]

As promised, I received a formal application form and sheet of rules, which I've completed. It's in the post tomorrow, with my cheque.

 

I can't wait to get stuck in.

 

webber