Back up at the shoot

[Stavross 16,142]

2 minutes ago, FOXHUNTER said:

Whys that then, I have always been on shoots on Boxing day ,can't imagine doing anything else.

We used to, a long time ago, but we always struggled for numbers, so we knocked it on the head 

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

4 minutes ago, Stavross said:

We used to, a long time ago, but we always struggled for numbers, so we knocked it on the head 

Could well be knocked on the head for this season shortly with the way things are developing

[Stavross 16,142]

6 minutes ago, FOXHUNTER said:

Could well be knocked on the head for this season shortly with the way things are developing

Yeah, I don’t think we’ll be shooting into January, the infection rate is higher around here than it is in tier 4 areas, I hope I’m wrong

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

I think Tier 4 will be rolled out nationally soon

[shovel leaner 7,650]

We always have a Boxing Day shoot . 10.00 am meet in the fisherman’s car park. It’s a boundary day/morning. The only difference this year is the bun fight / meal afterwards , that is usually a venison stew  with a French stick and wine is not going to happen. But the shooting will , and it will be followed by a socially distanced flask of tea after . I absolutely love this day , all the youngsters are out with new boots and coats or guns . Their enthusiasm is infectious , and I get a real kick out of seeing the next generation turn a pheasant inside out , or “ pillow case” one , and then carry it around and jealously guard it , to make sure they take their own pheasant home to eat . 
            If the shoot I look after is a litmus test for the rest of the country, then shooting is in good health. All the lads who started their shooting lives under our wing are still keen shots . They are all working and responsible young men . And Katie , the one girl who used to be my number one beater is now training to be midwife . Is game shooting responsible for helping to form decent adults, or does it just attract decent people, who see the benefits of healthy outdoor pursuits ? Whatever the answer , all of us who take part in game shoots enjoy a great way of life that we value and wish to pass down to the youngsters.
           

[BenBhoy 4,706]

1 hour ago, shovel leaner said:

Whatever the answer , all of us who take part in game shoots enjoy a great way of life that we value and wish to pass down to the youngsters.

I think that is a key part of it, and I don't have an answer as to why but you see it time and again that people who shoot want to introduce it to the lives of youngsters. I guess its because we simply know the good it feeds our souls on so many levels. The joys of success, importance of self belief with dignity. The chance to really learn how our countryside works & how each species interacts with the other.

I think you can learn lessons that see you through life by being a shooter (driven, rough, pigeon, fox, wildfowl).  And that is why I want my daughter to follow me & I'm also taking a 20yr old Nottingham city centre lad out with me in New year.

[Dervburner 2,549]

11 hours ago, BenBhoy said:

I think that is a key part of it, and I don't have an answer as to why but you see it time and again that people who shoot want to introduce it to the lives of youngsters. I guess its because we simply know the good it feeds our souls on so many levels. The joys of success, importance of self belief with dignity. The chance to really learn how our countryside works & how each species interacts with the other.

I think you can learn lessons that see you through life by being a shooter (driven, rough, pigeon, fox, wildfowl).  And that is why I want my daughter to follow me & I'm also taking a 20yr old Nottingham city centre lad out with me in New year.

Will he be bringing his bow?

[Stavross 16,142]

Proper starting to snow here, the first thing I thought was I want to be out in that for a walk round with the shotgun, but there’s loads to do in the house, do I risk the ear bashing and slip out the back door for an hour

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

Not worth the ear bashing mate , just walked  the dog in a blizzard ??

[Stavross 16,142]

I’m not interested in shotguns, but as soon as I see snow it’s the first thing that comes into my head, flushing a pheasant from a hedge back  or a duck off a stream in a winter’s scene, magical you always get a bit more of the white stuff than we do up your way, is it the first time the puppy has seen snow

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

Yep the pup was thinking what's this and running about daft , we always get the most up here

[Stavross 16,142]

In my raving days I remember been snowed in a couple of times around annfield plain and dipton, 6 of us in a Citroen AX trying to get back to Stockton on Boxing Day to go to a all night rave happy days

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

Aye happy days , Consett and Tow Law always bad.

[shovel leaner 7,650]

I’m envious of the snow , looks very festive. We’ve got floods here in Gloucestershire. Roads closed and a house in the village flooded out . Not very nice just before Christmas. The road into the village was flooded , and I went to feed this morning and there was a car in the middle of the flood water up to the engine. Why do some people look at a large area of water in the road and think , “ I’m driving a James Bond car , I can sail across that “ ?

[BenBhoy 4,706]

1 hour ago, Stavross said:

In my raving days I remember been snowed in a couple of times around annfield plain and dipton, 6 of us in a Citroen AX trying to get back to Stockton on Boxing Day to go to a all night rave happy days

So getting the .223 wasn't the start of chavness!!