IT POURS...

Just got back from Scotland supposedly woodcock and hind shooting. The place is alive with woodcock, however the keeper decided we couildn't shoot too many. Apparently 3 between two of us was enough!!! We could easily have walked up a dozen birds a day, but just got shunted around and steered away from them. As soon as we started shooting, there'd be a reason we had to go home...

Compounded with a broken bolt on my .243 on the first mornings stalk, and a crack in my shotguns stock, the word disaster springs to mind!!!

Righto, I feel better for getting that off my chest. I'm off to my own little bit of Sussex in the morning, to shoot a fallow and a couple of pheasants.

Has anybody else had bad experiences while travelling to go shooting?

FB

Sorry to hear that your trip was less than satisfactory. These things happen, unfortunately.

What exactly do you mean by "broken bolt"??? In what sense broken??

If at all possible, I try to bring 2 rifles whenever I travel to go hunting. At the very minimum I bring 2 scopes if I only bring one rifle, both sighted in and ready to go. I try to travel with my rifle in a break-down case, minimizes the chance of luggage-manglers destroying it. Scopes travel in hand-luggage if the mount allows it. Too many things can happen, an even the feeble attempts above don't always ward off disaster...

Better luck next time - mike

C'est la vie...

As for the bolt, it was out of the rifle for transit, then fell onto the floor while getting ready to go out in the morning. A small peice detached it self from the guide, which stopped the bolt locking down.

FB

So tell us about the deer side of the trip. Did you borrow a rifle? Did you have any success or did your host say.. tough s**t, you sassenach twit??
Was this a commercial or personal invite/trip?

Fallow Buck,

I am sorry to hear your tale of woe, but things can only get better. The next time you get the urge to come North of the border for some shooting let me know, I am sure something better can be worked out.

Was this yot trip to Caithness that you mentioned a few weeks back?

John

Hey trans,

There were plenty of deer about. I stalked 2 mornings and 3 evenings, and saw a few stags and a couple of roe bucks. Having borrowed a rifle, (.243 win), I wasn't too keen to take the longer shot. I had a hind with a calf at about 250 on the last day. That was the only legal shot I saw in those five outings.

Dad went out with the guide, as he has never stalked deerbefore. they saw 3 seperate roe does on the first day at 200yds, and was told they wouldn't even stalk up on them.

The total bag was 2 snipe, 6 duck, and 3 woodcock for 3 days out between the two of us...

The good thing is that the agent who is a good friend, had not paid my full payment, and has cancelled the cheque. At least we'll get a late pheasant day in January.

John,

Yes this was my trip to Caithness I mentioned.

Do you organise stalking up north or just a sportsman like ourselves? Thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind for the next trip. It'll take more than one lousy trip to put me off of such spectacular scenery

Regards,

FB

F.B.

I am in the happy position of being a sportsman who has graduatd to being able to offer reasonably priced woodland stalking with no trophy fees, plus duck flighting and walked up woodcock, we also like you to enjoy yourselves. Even budget stalking is not cheap, but with two outings a day and no trophy fees it becomes reasonable, especially with a shoot between stalks.

I am really sorry you did not get the opportuniy to do better. Sounds as if you would have seen more if you went to the zoo. It can only get better.

John