Outside Days » wild birds

Norfolk In Chance For Woodcock

Howard — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:03:56 +0000

My passion for wild birds in wild places has led many of you astray. While it’s a stretch to call parts of Norfolk wild, the woodcock that flock there to avoid the winter cold had me dragging out my windproofs and the guinea pigs for a couple of walked up days earlier this month.

Two groups tested their metal against the wily woodcock, wading through Norfolk in search of that illusive left and right. Over the two days, two of us achieved the challenge, but even more impressively, Martin Broad shot ten woodcock with ten consecutive shots leaving him in a league all his own.

With next year’s woodcock opportunities disappearing rapidly, don’t dilly dally when it comes to getting in touch about the 2011-2012 shooting season. We’ve got some stunning wild bird opportunities close to home and across the globe. And of course, if you are willing to take the rough with the smooth as long as its a bargain and have a considered opinion and constructive criticism to share, we’re always looking for a guinea pig or two to try out new sporting opportunities.

Lining the Ducks Up for Winter Wild Sport

Howard — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:57:52 +0000

The Outside Days Easter Egg Hunt took us a little further afield than normal this year: three intrepid guinea pigs and I spent Easter weekend in Norfolk (much to No.2′s disgust). Keeping an ear to the ground may have left me with a bad back, but it did mean I heard about some fantastic wild bird shooting available near Great Yarmouth.

The jungle drums report huge numbers of woodcock, snipe and wildfowl in abundance. Make sure you are on the mailing list and keep one eye peeled at all times for the announcement in the newsletter…this will go fast.

Summer Lovin’

Howard — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:44:57 +0000

Ascot week has been patchy to say the least, and not just when it comes to the horses I backed. Traditionally the week when wild partridge hatch, the weather for Ascot was considered to be an indicator of the success of the rearing season and therefore the shooting season. Better than the two previous years, Ascot 2009 produced downpours in some areas, the kind of heavy rain that chills and kills chicks. The use of Ascot weather as a harbinger of the season ahead is fading into memory as few people are relying on wild birds for their season’s sport.

And the heavy summer rains were welcomed by the salmon and sea trout fishermen, who would probably like to see a bit more as our lovely sunny spring has left the spate rivers on the bones of their arses. I can report that the first few salmon have been caught on the Itchen and Test, and even I’ve managed a sea trout off the Avon. We have a few spots on sea trout evenings on Itchen remaining, and are considering concocting another excursion to Devon if the guinea pigs are successful in July.

The roe rut will be in full swing by Game Fair week, with the fallow season following on its heels. My wife encourages you all to get in touch and come stalking to reduce the deer who are grazing on her peonies.