Most people know I am mainly a Clay Shooter - but last year, I decided to learn about some of the origins of our sport - and went on my first game day. This season I decided to try some more days - and today was the last day of three I managed to take in.
Morning meeting was at a pub near Corby - breakfast at 8am - and a chance to meet my fellow guns. Apart from Jem0911 and Ian99 from this forum, I didn't know anyone else and there was a mixed bunch of what seemed to be fairly experienced shooters. After a decent breakfast and chat, we headed off for the farm, only a couple of miles away.
The ten guns, and various keepers, beaters and pickers up assembled for a quick briefing and the peg draw - then it was into vehicles and off for the first drive.
The recent snow was still pretty thick around the area - probably 3 or 4 inches underfoot - most of the drives were in woodland, with guns strung out either along cleared 'rises' in the woods, or along the edge of the woodland - with a couple over cover crops. We had a decent tramp up to first drive, which was in one of the narrow cleared paths. We saw rabbits and deer whilst waiting for the first birds of the day - a constant theme across all the drives, the snow making it easier to see loads of wildlife. On the final drive of the day a herd of deer - I counted seven, bolted from inside the spinney we were lined up around - lovely to see!
Bird wise - we shot an even number of pheasant and partridge - with a few pigeons in the mix - bag was 131 for the day.
Elevenses was taken in the field, with lunch around the farmhouse table. We had a great group of guns, some decent good natured raillery all day to make things fun.
As someone who sees Game shooting as a complete learning experience - it was a lovely day out, the snow made everything look marvellous and the shooting was excellent. Thanks Jem for organising!
Already starting to think if I will do more days next year.
Just a few photos from today -
http://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-72654500-1359062332.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-89540800-1359062333.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-65339300-1359062335.jpg
http://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-62678700-1359062337.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-34633800-1359062339.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-88808600-1359062340.jpg
http://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-53165000-1359062342.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-88664300-1359062343.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-21501600-1359062345.jpg
http://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-79687200-1359062346.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-30666700-1359062366.jpg
Morning meeting was at a pub near Corby - breakfast at 8am - and a chance to meet my fellow guns. Apart from Jem0911 and Ian99 from this forum, I didn't know anyone else and there was a mixed bunch of what seemed to be fairly experienced shooters. After a decent breakfast and chat, we headed off for the farm, only a couple of miles away.
The ten guns, and various keepers, beaters and pickers up assembled for a quick briefing and the peg draw - then it was into vehicles and off for the first drive.
The recent snow was still pretty thick around the area - probably 3 or 4 inches underfoot - most of the drives were in woodland, with guns strung out either along cleared 'rises' in the woods, or along the edge of the woodland - with a couple over cover crops. We had a decent tramp up to first drive, which was in one of the narrow cleared paths. We saw rabbits and deer whilst waiting for the first birds of the day - a constant theme across all the drives, the snow making it easier to see loads of wildlife. On the final drive of the day a herd of deer - I counted seven, bolted from inside the spinney we were lined up around - lovely to see!
Bird wise - we shot an even number of pheasant and partridge - with a few pigeons in the mix - bag was 131 for the day.
Elevenses was taken in the field, with lunch around the farmhouse table. We had a great group of guns, some decent good natured raillery all day to make things fun.
As someone who sees Game shooting as a complete learning experience - it was a lovely day out, the snow made everything look marvellous and the shooting was excellent. Thanks Jem for organising!
Already starting to think if I will do more days next year.
Just a few photos from today -
http://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-72654500-1359062332.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-89540800-1359062333.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-65339300-1359062335.jpg
http://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-62678700-1359062337.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-34633800-1359062339.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-88808600-1359062340.jpg
http://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-53165000-1359062342.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-88664300-1359062343.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-21501600-1359062345.jpg
http://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-79687200-1359062346.jpghttp://www.shootclayforum.com/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-10-0-30666700-1359062366.jpg
