THE PRETEND KEEPER
- Thread starter stavross
- Start date
stavross
Well-Known Member
Hope it all goes to plan for you mate, it’s looking like a good start for us, it’s wild at home now so god knows what it will be like on the top
Cracking first day.
Did first drive and not a single bird came out on the first half. Was panicking a little but the birds flew great at the end of it.
All the other drives produced plenty of birds. With more beaters joining and a dozen kids under fifteen all putting a great shift in.
All the guns had plenty of shooting with a good spread of birds.
Not that it matters but shot the most birds on a first day
Did first drive and not a single bird came out on the first half. Was panicking a little but the birds flew great at the end of it.
All the other drives produced plenty of birds. With more beaters joining and a dozen kids under fifteen all putting a great shift in.
All the guns had plenty of shooting with a good spread of birds.
Not that it matters but shot the most birds on a first day
stavross
Well-Known Member
First day was a cracker, I’d set my sights on between 40/50 and that’s what they got 46 pheasants a jay and a squirrel, everyone went away happy and we managed to give them a good days shooting without going into any big drives, elevenses was ridiculous, game sausage rolls, leek and potato soup, cheese board and enough cake and sweets to wipe out a diabetic clinic, looks like I’ll have to up my game when it’s my turn 
mastertech
Member
Stav, i always enjoy reading your Diary. I had the privilege of Hugo and his Dad beating on the next door shoot to me. He was telling me how much time and effort you put in. My pheasants are still eating Acorns at present and as we rely on wild birds only my backside is nipping a bit in case the boss wants an early day. All the best for the rest of the season and keep up the great work mate.
stavross
Well-Known Member
Yes, my brother from another mother, they were both with me today, Hugo took a couple of cracking birds on the first drive with the little 28 bore, it’s lovely to see him shooting so well at his age, he’s a dab hand with a rifle also
There’s a ridiculous amount of acorns still about, it’s the first time I’ve been praying for woodies to come and clear them up
Fingers crossed they get them acorns cleared up sharpish
O
Glad you had a good day - i ran the beaters today on a smaller shoot - lovely with no pressure on - expected a bag of 25/30 but ended up with close to 60 ! Great crack ! And must have seen close to 100 grey partridge
Oh i know that feeling mate !
Glad you had a good day - i ran the beaters today on a smaller shoot - lovely with no pressure on - expected a bag of 25/30 but ended up with close to 60 ! Great crack ! And must have seen close to 100 grey partridge
stavross
Well-Known Member
Well, I don’t know where to start with today 
my head is fried with this lot, 2nd day and I knew there would be quite a few members not there, including my shoot captain but I didn’t expect to have so many people, beaters and guns that hadn’t been there before, now I can’t explain the drives to these new beaters before we are in them so that was a bit of a problem, instantly missing my members that know the ground. First drive was going well until one of the standing guns decided to let his dog run into the top of the drive where we ( the beaters ) were pushing the birds to, second drive ( oak wood ) went well, even if i had a wild spaniel that is in need of some recall training, third drive, half the guns didn’t see anything the other half had some crackers over them with the wind up their chuff. Fourth drive, just a fill in, but they still manage to get a few, after a quick lunch we finished off around forestry buildings, fifth drive seen another half a dozen, sixth and final drive was to be two forestry blocks, now, how I do this drive is to 
push the first block through, stop on the fire break then push through the second block, by the time we had got through the first block I stopped the drive as they had had more than enough shooting and I seen a couple of the guests shooting at birds I don’t think they would of if they were on their own shoots. Anyway they finished the day with around 40 and they went away happy, I think we made the best of a not ideal situation, and I never shouted at anyone, so well done me 
my head is fried with this lot, 2nd day and I knew there would be quite a few members not there, including my shoot captain but I didn’t expect to have so many people, beaters and guns that hadn’t been there before, now I can’t explain the drives to these new beaters before we are in them so that was a bit of a problem, instantly missing my members that know the ground. First drive was going well until one of the standing guns decided to let his dog run into the top of the drive where we ( the beaters ) were pushing the birds to, second drive ( oak wood ) went well, even if i had a wild spaniel that is in need of some recall training, third drive, half the guns didn’t see anything the other half had some crackers over them with the wind up their chuff. Fourth drive, just a fill in, but they still manage to get a few, after a quick lunch we finished off around forestry buildings, fifth drive seen another half a dozen, sixth and final drive was to be two forestry blocks, now, how I do this drive is to push the first block through, stop on the fire break then push through the second block, by the time we had got through the first block I stopped the drive as they had had more than enough shooting and I seen a couple of the guests shooting at birds I don’t think they would of if they were on their own shoots. Anyway they finished the day with around 40 and they went away happy, I think we made the best of a not ideal situation, and I never shouted at anyone, so well done me 
BenBhoy
Well-Known Member
You feeling alright???
stavross
Well-Known Member
I’m a changed man after my near death experienceYou feeling alright???
stavross
Well-Known Member
Feeding for me today, it was very cold and sleety/snow, the birds are looking well, the cocks have court up with the hens now and are looking in tiptop condition, I really don’t like to see fat pheasants, they never fly well. I picked up some more split maize which I think will come in handy if this cold weather persists, it was still -1 around lunchtime today and with the sleet and bitter wind it felt much colder than that, as the rain has stopped with me I’m going for a walk out tonight around my mates farm, first time I’ve been out since I done my wrist, I’ve been climbing the walls stuck in the house and if I wait any longer for someone to ask me if I want to get out I think I’ll crack up, so off out on my own it is 
stavross
Well-Known Member
Back up today, mainly to check on the old girl but had a run round and scattered some wheat, maize and beans under some shelters, it was a lovely bright day, very cold 
with between 5/6” of snow 
️ we got off quite luckily up there, 5 miles further over towards Whitby part of the moor has between 12/14”, the birds are looking well but this snow has drastically changed some of the drives so I’ll be keeping an eye on where they want to be over the next week before we shoot again. There was a lot of deer about today so I’ve put some feed out for them and some fresh water as everywhere is frozen 
with between 5/6” of snow ️ we got off quite luckily up there, 5 miles further over towards Whitby part of the moor has between 12/14”, the birds are looking well but this snow has drastically changed some of the drives so I’ll be keeping an eye on where they want to be over the next week before we shoot again. There was a lot of deer about today so I’ve put some feed out for them and some fresh water as everywhere is frozen 
438 days ago I was asked to get our shoot up and running.
I’ve planned out plans.
I’ve grafted the graft.
I’ve laughed, I’ve sworn and lost a ton of weight.
Tomorrow is our first day and I’m absolutely bricking it
T.
I’ve planned out plans.
I’ve grafted the graft.
I’ve laughed, I’ve sworn and lost a ton of weight.
Tomorrow is our first day and I’m absolutely bricking it
T.
stavross
Well-Known Member
It will be fine, you’ve put the graft in and no matter what I’m sure it will be a cracking day, if it’s anything like our shoot the shooting is the least important part of the day438 days ago I was asked to get our shoot up and running.
I’ve planned out plans.
I’ve grafted the graft.
I’ve laughed, I’ve sworn and lost a ton of weight.
Tomorrow is our first day and I’m absolutely bricking it
T.
BenBhoy
Well-Known Member
Hope you have a great day, above all else enjoy it - it'll only be your first day once.438 days ago I was asked to get our shoot up and running.
I’ve planned out plans.
I’ve grafted the graft.
I’ve laughed, I’ve sworn and lost a ton of weight.
Tomorrow is our first day and I’m absolutely bricking it
T.
BenBhoy
Well-Known Member
Well, no report? Or too pișséď up after all the congratulations??438 days ago I was asked to get our shoot up and running.
I’ve planned out plans.
I’ve grafted the graft.
I’ve laughed, I’ve sworn and lost a ton of weight.
Tomorrow is our first day and I’m absolutely bricking it
T.
Last edited:
Bo Diddley
Well-Known Member
How did you all get on438 days ago I was asked to get our shoot up and running.
I’ve planned out plans.
I’ve grafted the graft.
I’ve laughed, I’ve sworn and lost a ton of weight.
Tomorrow is our first day and I’m absolutely bricking it
T.
, good I hope, but the weather in Norfolk was not ideal for driven game today.
Morning,
Sorry for the lack of an update!
Well I had best to no sleep, 4:30 yesterday am, I gave up got suited and booted and headed for the estate. After two gorgeous cold frosty sunny days it was absolutely lashing it down. Finished getting the beaters room ready and set out the provisions for elevenses.
My decision making is usually very good but in hindsight I made my first mistake of the day…
Still feeling a little rough with a dodgy tum. I selected for breakfast two coffees and two immodiums.
Can’t fault my team they all arrived for the communicated time and no drop outs. I was lucky to have the support of two very good keepers which each brought a very good picker and dogs with them. The rest of us were very green.
We set out, rain stopped thank goodness.
Late starting 1st drive which is 100% my fault as we tried to blank too much ground prior to pushing out the flushing wood. My heart was literally in my mouth until we closed on the little copse and finally from over the ridge reports of gunfire began and intensified, to my relief.
Drive two was a total failure, not for lack off birds as from my position on the ridge above the wood you could see 50+ birds exactly where I wanted them and they flushed like harrier jump jets and 180° back over the wall! One shot had by the gun line.
Break for elevenses, plenty of grub! Mini honey and mustard sausages, bullshot soup. Bacon baps, cakes, sweets, choccies and any beverage you could think of and no one was left wanting.
Drive 3:- Disaster straight away upon loading the beaters back up, the trailers front right tyre blew out…. Decamped went foot mobile but loosing a man to take that back to the yard and switch out the spare. This drive has real promise ( if I’m allowed to peg it where I want to) yesterday I wasn’t….
Two large woods and a ridge separated by a track. Always holds a huge number of birds but they always fly to the right out into set a side. Watched 60 odd birds flush and take that path but still managed to put some over the guns. We had ours late and they were 21 weeks yesterday and this is first time they’ve flown for their lives. Was pleasing to see strong flights and ability to power up and climb as some absolute rockets were extremely high over the guns.
Drive 4
Again massive potential for nice high birds and holds them well. Fkin ruined when his lordship drove the gun bus straight through the drive past the pen to the pegs as was worried about his schedule…. 1 shot taken. ( however a result off it as I bumped out some muntjac that we’ve not seen on the estate before)
5th and final drive,
Again I wanted to shoot this the other way round as the way we did it has little to no cover. Still put birds over the guns but lacked opportunity across the gun line.
And that was that. Baptism of fire in two ways! Now shall be carrying a small trowel at all times and don’t mix your stimulants kids….
Guns then down the house and in fairness to the gaffer we were dispatched to the pub where he’d put on drinks, sandwiches and chips for me and my team which was definitely welcome and we had a laugh around the fire.
My wife turned up unexpectedly to retrieve me as I was wanted at the house ( 4 missed calls) in the carpark when I emerged from the pub. That’s a bugger no reception inside which I’ll have to remember.
Half expecting a bollocking I was greeted by 8 extremely ****ed guns and the gaffer who were all smiles and congratulations. They’d all had a terrific day and I suppose at least I can take away that it’s family and friends shoot for the affluent and it’s much like a trip to the cinema and a meal out for us, as in there just amusing themselves.
After being plied with some very delicious red wines the wife again rescued me and I was away home. Very tired physically and mentally but had the best time. Great to get a result and it not be a total flop and I can see where I can make changes and improvements.
Total bag was 21 birds for 78 cartridges fired.
Sorry for the lack of an update!
Well I had best to no sleep, 4:30 yesterday am, I gave up got suited and booted and headed for the estate. After two gorgeous cold frosty sunny days it was absolutely lashing it down. Finished getting the beaters room ready and set out the provisions for elevenses.
My decision making is usually very good but in hindsight I made my first mistake of the day…
Still feeling a little rough with a dodgy tum. I selected for breakfast two coffees and two immodiums
.Can’t fault my team they all arrived for the communicated time and no drop outs. I was lucky to have the support of two very good keepers which each brought a very good picker and dogs with them. The rest of us were very green.
We set out, rain stopped thank goodness.
Late starting 1st drive which is 100% my fault as we tried to blank too much ground prior to pushing out the flushing wood. My heart was literally in my mouth until we closed on the little copse and finally from over the ridge reports of gunfire began and intensified, to my relief.
Drive two was a total failure, not for lack off birds as from my position on the ridge above the wood you could see 50+ birds exactly where I wanted them and they flushed like harrier jump jets and 180° back over the wall! One shot had by the gun line.
Break for elevenses, plenty of grub! Mini honey and mustard sausages, bullshot soup. Bacon baps, cakes, sweets, choccies and any beverage you could think of and no one was left wanting.
Drive 3:- Disaster straight away upon loading the beaters back up, the trailers front right tyre blew out…. Decamped went foot mobile but loosing a man to take that back to the yard and switch out the spare. This drive has real promise ( if I’m allowed to peg it where I want to) yesterday I wasn’t….
Two large woods and a ridge separated by a track. Always holds a huge number of birds but they always fly to the right out into set a side. Watched 60 odd birds flush and take that path but still managed to put some over the guns. We had ours late and they were 21 weeks yesterday and this is first time they’ve flown for their lives. Was pleasing to see strong flights and ability to power up and climb as some absolute rockets were extremely high over the guns.
Drive 4
Again massive potential for nice high birds and holds them well. Fkin ruined when his lordship drove the gun bus straight through the drive past the pen to the pegs as was worried about his schedule…. 1 shot taken. ( however a result off it as I bumped out some muntjac that we’ve not seen on the estate before)
5th and final drive,
Again I wanted to shoot this the other way round as the way we did it has little to no cover. Still put birds over the guns but lacked opportunity across the gun line.
And that was that. Baptism of fire in two ways! Now shall be carrying a small trowel at all times and don’t mix your stimulants kids….
Guns then down the house and in fairness to the gaffer we were dispatched to the pub where he’d put on drinks, sandwiches and chips for me and my team which was definitely welcome and we had a laugh around the fire.
My wife turned up unexpectedly to retrieve me as I was wanted at the house ( 4 missed calls) in the carpark when I emerged from the pub. That’s a bugger no reception inside which I’ll have to remember.
Half expecting a bollocking I was greeted by 8 extremely ****ed guns and the gaffer who were all smiles and congratulations. They’d all had a terrific day and I suppose at least I can take away that it’s family and friends shoot for the affluent and it’s much like a trip to the cinema and a meal out for us, as in there just amusing themselves.
After being plied with some very delicious red wines the wife again rescued me and I was away home. Very tired physically and mentally but had the best time. Great to get a result and it not be a total flop and I can see where I can make changes and improvements.
Total bag was 21 birds for 78 cartridges fired.
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