- Total Bag – 67
- 56 Pheasant
- 2 Partridge
- 4 Pigeon
- 3 Woodcock
- 2 Mallard
- Drives
- Roadside
- Oliver’s/ Dell
- Frank’s/ Pond
- Sandy’s
- Beeches (Towards Glenalmond)
- Roundels
The day started with the acknowledgement of a weather warning due sometime late morning. Keen to make the most of the reasonable weather, the Saturday guns with guest Rory Kennedy and dog Walter, moved to the Roadside drive to start the day. It worked well with most of the shooting in the field, but some of the flushed pheasants coming out of the end corner of the drive were a little low to comfortably take safely. We had also made the decision that with the recent passing of the full moon that Woodcock were likely to be the non-native type and that they were on the “menu” for the day.
Oliver’s drive continues to be a challenge with most of the shooting concentrated on the small area next to the river. This time we pushed the beating team in from the wooden gate (in effect doing the drive in reverse). Derek took the roll of going up on the bank, but as this was new to him and there were pressures from Abercharny estate he moved off this area quite quickly which meant several pheasants escaped this way. Pushing this drive worked well, but still meant that all the shooting was down in the Dell. I think next time we need to place guns on the opposite bank to make the most of the birds flying in this area.
Frank’s was pushed in from the Weedy field and then down towards the pond. It was not terribly productive.
By now the rain was falling and it was discussed that we might push through, however Jill was discovered in the hut with soup on the boil so we were glad to receive her hospitality.
After lunch, we pushed Sandy’s drive towards Keillor Road. Birds flew out low and swung left but the guns down the road didn’t seem to see this opportunity. The guns at Sandy’s drive then repositioned in the field and along the track as the beaters pushed down Keillor Road and then through the plantation. Some birds flew but it was a long drive for the modest return.
As it was only fringing on 2pm, many of the guns wanted to have a full day and the Saturdays were yet to shoot the Roundels. Off we went, occupying the usual positions. Somone firing before the guns were in spooked 4/5 pheasants out of the old Roundel, but the beaters going in flushed a few more that made a line for the regrowing woodland to the South. Moving the guns round the birds decided to escape Roundel 2 by flying SE and so the guns at the gate didn’t see the usual activity you would have assumed in that position.
A good day and bag size. The weather didn’t seem to impact too badly and opportunities were taken, particularly in the morning.
