Total Bag – 25
- Pheasant 24
- Duck 1
Report Supplied by Alistair Montgomery
The cloud was initially low over the hills to the north as we congregated first thing at the Shoot Hut. Sandy was, unfortunately, unable to be with us and had been replaced by Sheila and Neil Armstrong was standing in for James. The beating Team consisted of Frank, Derek, John Mackenzie and a local lady called Mo with their dogs. The peg system had been simplified to a straight 1-12 draw and moving up 2 pegs each drive. The Pegs being numbered from the left-hand side, though guns could arrange private swaps if agility and rough terrain necessitated.
This was the third time this season for pheasants and again numbers of birds showing seemed to be on the low side. However, a significant proportion of Pheasants on the Keillor Road drive opted to fly north parallel to the road and not over the guns. The Potato field drive had the common problem of guns being blinded by the sun and a good proportion of birds had their lives saved by this. The Dell drive contained very few birds and none were shot. It may not be a coincidence that the Glenalmond Estate on the other side of the river has had to cancel several shoots recently due to the coronavirus restrictions. The Dell might in the past have benefitted from their birds being driven over the river to land there and stay.
We then retired to the cars for lunch. It was pleasantly warm in the sunshine which enabled folk to sit outside and safely socially distance, but still enjoy each other’s company. After lunch, Neil had to return home reducing the available numbers.
The first drive after lunch required four walking guns accompanying the beaters from the ponds to the foot of the arm. Not many shots were heard during this time. A better sonic result occurred when the Arm was driven. The final drive of the day was not as productive as a fortnight ago. A solitary hen broke from the East end to be despatched by our Day Captain, Neil M.
Spode’s Law was in evidence as I walked back to Frank’s to collect my car. As I entered the gate at the end of the bottom hedge below the shed drive, I disturbed at least twenty hens which flew off over the rashes to the pond woods.
- Drive 1- Keillor Road.
- Drive 2- Road Side Drive.
- Drive 3- The Dell. No birds shot.
- Drive 4- Ponds to the base of Arm
- Drive 5- The Arm.
- Drive 6- The Boulders.
The enjoyment of the day was tempered by the speculation of when we would next be allowed to shoot again in the light of the current restrictions and whether they would be further tightened. We hope that it will not end in further tiers!