- Total Bag 44
- 42 Pheasants
- 2 Partridge
- 1 Fox (Not Counted)
The weather forecast had not been that encouraging. Most guns were keen to have a prompt start to the day and shoot though to avoid the worst of the predicted rain. It started reasonably breezy but dry and it was not cold which helped. The rain then came in as the day progressed- lightly at first and then more persistently, whilst the wind eased somewhat. I think there were 8 guns with Shelagh standing in for Kenny Allan; Brain Macnaughton for Bobby Scott whilst Walter had unfortunately succumbed to the prevalent local virus but too late for a substitute. Simon had brought his young daughter and dog to enjoy the day. John McKenzie was beating along with Derek, Frank, Ross and Frank’s grandson. I think also that Brian was a walking gun with his dogs on the third drive. If I have not acknowledged others please forgive me.
The first drive had most guns lined along the Keilor Road with the beaters moving from north to south. We then returned to the center of Tulchan to perform the pincer movement around the bottom of the Arm and weedy filed pond. Thereafter we were lined up along the road to the west of the ponds whilst the beaters came in from the Weedy field. From there the logical move was to go on to the Roundels which proved to be the most productive drive of the day. From there we went on to Olivers/The Dell. Finally, we lined up in the Tattie field and the entrance to Tulchan. This last drive was probably the second most productive one.
During the course of the day’s proceedings, Steve had spotted a fox, which received 32 grams of No5 from him, and was then retrieved by the dogs.
By the time we finished, the rain was well established and our clothes had become twice their weight with the absorbed water. We gratefully retreated to the hut where Jill served up lashings of Pea Soup to the appreciative guns and beaters.
I think all acknowledged that the day and bag had exceeded our expectations with the weather being not as awful as forecast.
By Alistair.
