Wanted: Ptarmigan Shooting
- Thread starter Henns
- Start date
NOTSHARP
Well-Known Member
I did go Ptarmigan shooting, many years ago. The name of the estate escapes me, after so many years, but it was north of the Dornoch Firth, and well inland. The Keeper did say that, from where we were shooting, on a clear day it was possible to see both the East and West coasts of Scotland.
My advice - get fit! You will be up around 3000 feet, and it is hard going.
We were lucky, in that we were transported to the start of the high ground.
The going was sticky in places.
After going as far as the vehicles could manage, we started walking in to the tops of the hills that are in the distance, swathed in cloud.
The ground, and conditions made for some challenging shooting. quartz outcrops, made seeing the birds in advance, difficult.
The wind took the birds away at a great rate of knots, following the ground contours. All shots taken were 40 yds.+. Anything closer, would be down to managing to see, or approach the birds, without them seeing you. Usually, if they can not see you, you can not see them. When they burst from behind a rock in front of you, it is very testing shot to take before they are up and away on the wind.
My pal and I both managed to down a couple of birds, and it was a great experience.
The drive out, was long and finished in the dark. We were wet, cold, and tired, and had enjoyed every minute.
Steve.
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
I'd love to do that. That and mountain hare...
sikamalc
Administrator
I did go Ptarmigan shooting, many years ago. The name of the estate escapes me, after so many years, but it was north of the Dornoch Firth, and well inland. The Keeper did say that, from where we were shooting, on a clear day it was possible to see both the East and West coasts of Scotland.
My advice - get fit! You will be up around 3000 feet, and it is hard going.
We were lucky, in that we were transported to the start of the high ground.
The going was sticky in places.
After going as far as the vehicles could manage, we started walking in to the tops of the hills that are in the distance, swathed in cloud.
The ground, and conditions made for some challenging shooting. quartz outcrops, made seeing the birds in advance, difficult.
The wind took the birds away at a great rate of knots, following the ground contours. All shots taken were 40 yds.+. Anything closer, would be down to managing to see, or approach the birds, without them seeing you. Usually, if they can not see you, you can not see them. When they burst from behind a rock in front of you, it is very testing shot to take before they are up and away on the wind.
My pal and I both managed to down a couple of birds, and it was a great experience.
The drive out, was long and finished in the dark. We were wet, cold, and tired, and had enjoyed every minute.
Steve.
Been there and shot Ptarmigan. It was adjacent to my lease. It looks like Alladale and Deanich Estate, near Ardgay. Marcus Munroe was the stalker. I recognise the Norwegian ex military snow cats.
Marcus left some years back and they dont allow any Ptarmigan shooting anymore to my knowledge.
Freeforester
Well-Known Member
They're not all found at 3000 ft. Though this pic was taken outwith the season, I've seen it possible to approach them just as close with gun and intent as with the picnic basket and camera, though I've also seen possibly the best shot I ever witnessed on a high downwind screamer, in very tricky conditions. Later the same day it became extremely dangerous to be there, but all returned safely, though chastened somewhat by the turn of the weather (December)
Most that have them these days don't offer so many if at all, they're a bit pressed by increasing numbers of eagles, or is it 'climate change'?
Mick9abf
Well-Known Member
There’s plenty of mountain hares to go at on pretty much every grouse moor contrary to what the anti’s and ‘celebrities’ would have you believe. They are pretty boring to shoot tbh although once your in about peat hags it gets a bit more challenging.
Not so many places doing ptarmigan nowadays as have looked into it myself.
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