Beanwood
Administrator
Today we went off to SWMBO's farm shoot, more of a rough shooting day, small bag (which I like) and very good company. There were 4 very good guns and just Bramble picking up.
It was very cold this morning, and because we were low down, very wet and foggy. The river severn had flooded the area due to the heavy rains, so the going was very hard, at times wading up to my ankles in mud. There was a lot of walking, so my knees and poor ankles are really suffering now, and honestly I am ready for an early night.
We set off for the first drive, and I lined myself up behind the four guns, close to a brook, which then rises up to another field on the other side. Lining the brook on both sides is heavy cover with a few old oak trees. This made any fall in this area difficult to spot. The first retreive was easy, a pheasant landed heavily, well shot just 40 yards in front in good view. I waited a second, then sent Bramble out. As she went out another pheasant landed hard "somewhere" behind me in the deep cover. UGH!!! One of the guns had marked the drop and helpfully drew a line for me. It took a while just to find the tiniest hole to send Bramble through. Then without seeing her, had to send her over the fast flowing brook, not that this is a problem, or dangerous, just makes it more challenging to pick up scent. Equally I had no sight of Bramble. She took awhile but eventually brought back the bird. Good girl! On a shoot it is very important that whatever is shot, is accounted for and added to the bag. A few more birds on this drive, another bird over the brook and we are finished here. We hike up with the guns to the next drive. A drive is simply where the birds are "pushed" into an area where the guns are lined and waiting. When the beaters get to the end of the line, and all birds are "out" or "gone", you simply walk on to the next drive. You do this quietly, especially if you are close to the next drive. You don't want to disturb the game. The is a small shoot with short drives, think more "rough" shooting than the large driven shoots you hear about, with the sky often black with birds. Not much sport there.
Bramble is picking well, she is off lead the whole time, in control and focussed. The guns are also good, nice clean shots and only the odd runner which Bramble deals with quickly and efficently. She hunts a couple of difficult birds, difficult because I didn't see the fall, so rely on the guns guidance on the radio. In real life game doesn't come down neatly one by one, usually a few are flushed at the same time, with just Bramble it was a bit challlenging to keep an eye on each shot, mark where they land approximately, then work out the one to send her out first. The rule is any doubt there is a pricked bird, then you send out for that one first. Always. At the end, you have to "sweep" this is making sure if a few birds have fallen you hunt thoroughly, gather the game and hurry after the guns which are generally heading off to the next drive. Hurrying was a bit of a challenge! The mud in some places was very deep, meaning I was wading ankle deep at times.
Bramble was tenacious in her hunting, focussed and a delight to work with! The guns were also pleased with how she worked, cleanly and quietly. I was simply thrilled!
A quick video if you are interested
Bramble is bringing back game in this short clip
It was very cold this morning, and because we were low down, very wet and foggy. The river severn had flooded the area due to the heavy rains, so the going was very hard, at times wading up to my ankles in mud. There was a lot of walking, so my knees and poor ankles are really suffering now, and honestly I am ready for an early night.
We set off for the first drive, and I lined myself up behind the four guns, close to a brook, which then rises up to another field on the other side. Lining the brook on both sides is heavy cover with a few old oak trees. This made any fall in this area difficult to spot. The first retreive was easy, a pheasant landed heavily, well shot just 40 yards in front in good view. I waited a second, then sent Bramble out. As she went out another pheasant landed hard "somewhere" behind me in the deep cover. UGH!!! One of the guns had marked the drop and helpfully drew a line for me. It took a while just to find the tiniest hole to send Bramble through. Then without seeing her, had to send her over the fast flowing brook, not that this is a problem, or dangerous, just makes it more challenging to pick up scent. Equally I had no sight of Bramble. She took awhile but eventually brought back the bird. Good girl! On a shoot it is very important that whatever is shot, is accounted for and added to the bag. A few more birds on this drive, another bird over the brook and we are finished here. We hike up with the guns to the next drive. A drive is simply where the birds are "pushed" into an area where the guns are lined and waiting. When the beaters get to the end of the line, and all birds are "out" or "gone", you simply walk on to the next drive. You do this quietly, especially if you are close to the next drive. You don't want to disturb the game. The is a small shoot with short drives, think more "rough" shooting than the large driven shoots you hear about, with the sky often black with birds. Not much sport there.
Bramble is picking well, she is off lead the whole time, in control and focussed. The guns are also good, nice clean shots and only the odd runner which Bramble deals with quickly and efficently. She hunts a couple of difficult birds, difficult because I didn't see the fall, so rely on the guns guidance on the radio. In real life game doesn't come down neatly one by one, usually a few are flushed at the same time, with just Bramble it was a bit challlenging to keep an eye on each shot, mark where they land approximately, then work out the one to send her out first. The rule is any doubt there is a pricked bird, then you send out for that one first. Always. At the end, you have to "sweep" this is making sure if a few birds have fallen you hunt thoroughly, gather the game and hurry after the guns which are generally heading off to the next drive. Hurrying was a bit of a challenge! The mud in some places was very deep, meaning I was wading ankle deep at times.
Bramble was tenacious in her hunting, focussed and a delight to work with! The guns were also pleased with how she worked, cleanly and quietly. I was simply thrilled!
A quick video if you are interested
