Outside Days » gun

Standing in for Hugh

Howard — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:19:29 +0000

How do you answer when a shooting friend asks, “What are you doing this weekend?” Is it that long-awaited (okay, fantasy) invitation to take his place in the butts for a double gun day on the grouse? Or a chance to sit next to his mother-in-law for Sunday lunch? In this case, it was a chance to stand in for crack shot and all-around bon viveur Hugh at a charity clay shoot while he supported his wife’s racehorse habit. I joined Farmer David whose ground we’ve shot over for some years and the ringer John Pool, British team clay shot in the Mendips armed to the teeth in the name of charity.

The layout consisted of four 75 bird flushes (high pheasant, vermin, flighted duck, and pigeon that more closely resembled partridge) spread up a narrow valley. I learnt quickly to ignore the hail of greetings followed by jovial derision that follow John like a cape: everyone had clearly set their sights on beating us. Including the trappers. With Dave completing his ensemble with a red rucksack in lieu of a cartridge bag, we were definitely eye-catching.

I’d love to boast that we won, and we did kill more vermin than any other team, but we beat a fashionable retreat pleading lunch at David’s. All I can say is when we left, we were in second place…

Walked up..and Up…and UP Grouse

Howard — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:40:50 +0000

What better way to start the season than three days spent tramping behind the dogs? Grouse over pointers makes you appreciate the beaters on driven days, and the quarry everyday.While the Yorkshire moors are producing record counts and predicting a fabulous season, in the Highlands we were being more selective, taking only old cock birds and leaving the young to fly on.

Unintentionally, the trip turned into a bit of a father and son event, and it was wonderful to bask in the glow of shared experience. With Will holding down the fort for the next generation, his father had to work hard to keep up. By day three, Mike’s prowess was being challenged by a son who shot his first grouse on day one. I look forward to years of shooting in their company. With muscles screaming after months of disuse, we hauled ourselves across the hill after the dogs, and in hot pursuit of the keeper. By day three, the sight of the boat waiting lochside to retrieve us came as a welcome suprise to the guns. And yet no sooner were they speeding away from the hill, than they were discussing their return.

An entirely wild quarry, grouse breeding and rearing success determines the availability each year. We sell shooting on a first come first serve basis, and with grouse that can mean waiting until August to find out if there are grouse for you to shoot. Your patience is well rewarded, but we do advise booking early to avoid disappointment. This is as true of driven grouse as it is of walked up. Any late availability is always posted on our mailing list.

Spey Casting

Howard — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:02:52 +0000

Occasionally a plan comes together, and I pack the right equipment to make it happen. The estate we have been shooting grouse over pointers on happens to have the River Spey running right through it. This means three things: the potential for brownies, salmon, and fabulous whiskey.Although we didn’t fish it in anger, and didn’t expect the big returns being recorded closer to the sea, all the guns took the opportunity to relax by the river each evening. Even better, everyone caught even if the fish were the same size as the flies.

Cabin Fever: In which the Brits meet Texas Largemouth Bass

Howard — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:58:56 +0000

After a hectic few days shopping and pursuing hogs and quail, the pace slowed when we arrived in Golden, TX to stay with our friend Chris Wiesinger of Southern Bulbs at his little red cabin by the lake. The ‘lake’ is a 6 acre pond populated in equal number by turtles and largemouth bass.

We spent two delightful days fly fishing from the shore and boat for bass, tiptoeing through Chris’ narcissus fields, and ‘roughing’ it in the cabin. None of our bass were record-breakers, but they put up a hard, fast fight before surrendering.

Feral Hog Heaven and Bob Whites over Pointers

Howard — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:43:49 +0000

Despite the perception of Texas being populated by longhorn cattle, cowboys and cacti, when we arrived East Texas was just drying out from a flood. Ranch manager cum wildlife biologist Zach Willeford and Mike, a Texas Parks and Wildlife ranger, awaited us with weapons at the ready. In a country where you can buy a rifle at WalMart (read ASDA with prices to match), most ranch guests bring their own. Our borrowed arms were a variety of calibres from 30.06 to 9mm.Having proven our metal on the range, we mounted quads and set out across the 5,500 acre ranch after hogs. Feral pigs, the hogs are a mix of escaped farm stock, wild and Russian boar. Quads may be designed for off-road, but Argo carts they’re not…although with a little persuasion they got us to our highseats. The first night was quiet with the exception of Martin who was ‘treed’ in his high seat by a troupe of raccoons.

The following morning we woke determined to redress our duck. While Martin and I tried our hand at Bob White quail over german shorthaired pointers, Jeremy and David stalked in seriousness. Between them they bagged a pair of hogs and Jeremy took his first whitetailed deer. We swapped quarry, and after determining that it required rounds in the chamber to make any impact, Martin and I finally bagged our hogs.

Contact us

Christopher — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:03:33 +0000

Our peripatetic habits and Blackberry addiction make email (through the form below) the best way to reach us.

Driven Shooting

Christopher — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:29:01 +0000

Between August and January, driven shooting can take the adventurous gun to fabulous locations all over the British Isles.

Walked Up Shooting

Christopher — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:28:05 +0000

The origins of walked-up shooting lie in our prehistory as hunter-gatherers. From quail in Texas to partridge in France, foreign opportunities abound. But some of the best opportunities to pursue a range of winged quarry are to be had in the British Isles.

Stalking

Christopher — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:27:31 +0000

From high seat to belly, the stalker’s view takes in Scottish moors, Home County tree tops, Canadian mountains and New Zealand slopes.

Hebrides

Christopher — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:26:29 +0000

Standing majestically at the northwest edge of Europe, the Outer Hebrides is a 150 mile-long island chain of beaches, moorland and mountain. Lewis, the largest and northernmost of the islands supports thriving populations of grouse, brown trout, red deer, and migratory populations of woodcock, sea trout, and Atlantic salmon.