Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Unless you have been on remand for the last twelve months, you will know the weather for Farmers (and by extrapolation) Gamekeepers has been dire.
The fields are only fit for growing rice, the cover crops have failed, the Jimny has been AWOL (standard) for most of the pre-season - in short I have dreaded the first day of our wee shoot.
I am 'on plot' from 0600 hours - opening gates, putting up sewelling, and generally trying to give the impression I know what I am doing.
The farmer appears, and gives me the standard briefing for the day...
"I am not here today. You are on your own".
He disappears off over the horizon. He looks tired, and I do not think he has had a day off in seven weeks. I did say they were having a tough time of it.
"What about the radios? Did you charge the radios?" I yell after him.
He is long gone. There are no radios, there will be no comms. and I fear there will be few birds.
Eventually, the Guns start to drift in. One of them has come direct from the airport, and is clearly jet-lagged.
Somehow we stumble though the first couple/three drives, and make it to 11s.
This break from the monotony of the non-shooting goes on a wee bit too long, but the Guns, Guests, Beaters (and I), are enjoying it immensely. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the company of these folk, and it is nice to catch up.
I have a 'spare' "Deerstalker" and I give it to one of the young Beaters who has forgotten his own cap; and 'promote' him to Under-Keeper. He is a Farmer's son and has a knowledge of farms and shoots that belies his youth. He does a fantastic job, and I congratulate myself on the art of delegation.
I tell him what I want, and send him off to make it happen.
One of the joys of this shoot is the diversity of age (and background), and it is nice to see different generations coming through.
The shooting is steady. The birds are scarce. But, we are making a dent.
Back at the farm and I admire the handiwork of one of our Guns. Bought as a 'doer-upper', he has made a good fist of it.
He is remarkably modest about the end results. I am a huge fan of his work.
Anyhoo.
At close of play, the 'bag' is more than I could have hoped for. Our very modest shoot has got into double figures, and done very well on the 'various'. Point of fact; one of the Guns missed a Jay and so we could have excelled on the 'various', but I am delighted.
Truth be told - I am alway anxious pre-shoot.
In spite of myself, I always enjoy the days - I hope that the others enjoy it too.
Back home, I have (actually MrsS62 has) washed, dried, combed and fed the dogs.
I have just poured myself a large Macallan, and am just now reflecting on what a lucky bastard I really am.
The fields are only fit for growing rice, the cover crops have failed, the Jimny has been AWOL (standard) for most of the pre-season - in short I have dreaded the first day of our wee shoot.
I am 'on plot' from 0600 hours - opening gates, putting up sewelling, and generally trying to give the impression I know what I am doing.
The farmer appears, and gives me the standard briefing for the day...
"I am not here today. You are on your own".
He disappears off over the horizon. He looks tired, and I do not think he has had a day off in seven weeks. I did say they were having a tough time of it.
"What about the radios? Did you charge the radios?" I yell after him.
He is long gone. There are no radios, there will be no comms. and I fear there will be few birds.
Eventually, the Guns start to drift in. One of them has come direct from the airport, and is clearly jet-lagged.
Somehow we stumble though the first couple/three drives, and make it to 11s.
This break from the monotony of the non-shooting goes on a wee bit too long, but the Guns, Guests, Beaters (and I), are enjoying it immensely. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the company of these folk, and it is nice to catch up.
I have a 'spare' "Deerstalker" and I give it to one of the young Beaters who has forgotten his own cap; and 'promote' him to Under-Keeper. He is a Farmer's son and has a knowledge of farms and shoots that belies his youth. He does a fantastic job, and I congratulate myself on the art of delegation.
I tell him what I want, and send him off to make it happen.
One of the joys of this shoot is the diversity of age (and background), and it is nice to see different generations coming through.
The shooting is steady. The birds are scarce. But, we are making a dent.
Back at the farm and I admire the handiwork of one of our Guns. Bought as a 'doer-upper', he has made a good fist of it.
He is remarkably modest about the end results. I am a huge fan of his work.
Anyhoo.
At close of play, the 'bag' is more than I could have hoped for. Our very modest shoot has got into double figures, and done very well on the 'various'. Point of fact; one of the Guns missed a Jay and so we could have excelled on the 'various', but I am delighted.
Truth be told - I am alway anxious pre-shoot.
In spite of myself, I always enjoy the days - I hope that the others enjoy it too.
Back home, I have (actually MrsS62 has) washed, dried, combed and fed the dogs.
I have just poured myself a large Macallan, and am just now reflecting on what a lucky bastard I really am.
Sorry
