ISSUE 2
the
Lodger THESPORTINGLODGE.CO.UK
2017/2018
TV1
OOD FJA
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READ ALL ABOUT CONSCIOUS HUNTING WITH ICONIC SWEDISH BRAND FJALLRAVEN AND DISCOVER WHY IT’S BETTER TO GO OUT HUNTING WITH A FOX THAN FOR ONE.
WELCOME TO THE SECOND ISSUE OF THE LODGER, THE PUBLICATION WHERE WE INVITE YOU TO SIT DOWN WITH A COPY AND FIND OUT JUST WHAT MAKES THE SPORTING LODGE TICK. FROM SHOWCASING SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE BRANDS TO MEETING SOME OF OUR BIGGEST HEROES, THERE’S PLENTY IN HERE TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED.
GAME FOR ANYTHING
TOUGH AT THE TOP
SHOOTING STARS
One of the world’s greatest chefs talks about one of his favourite times of year, game season
We talk to Alan Hinkes MBE to find out just how it feels to climb the 12 highest peaks in the world (and come back in one piece)
We shoot the breeze whilst getting some handy trigger tips from two of the Sporting Lodge Ambassadors Faye Wills & Brett Davies ,■
helped to make the brand a household name. Inspired
BARBOUR AN ESSENTIAL PART OF COUNTRY LIFE
by equestrian and sporting activities, today they remain
firm favourites in any country wardrobe. Modern takes on these classics such as the Beadnell, a ladies version of the Bedale and the men’s Ashby offer a contemporary
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British weather has to offer. racticality and performance have been at the heart of Barbour’s clothing since 1894 when
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Military inspired country styles are also wardrobe essentials. The men’s four pocket Sapper jacket has a
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a flattering shape and a beautiful Classic Tartan lining. It’s the ideal jacket for weekends relaxing in the country.
that are functional, stylish and fit for purpose. The perfect accompaniment to a country walk or for Designed for outdoor activities, whether working, living or
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THE LODGER INTERVIEWS
MARCO PIERRE WHITE When it comes to the game season there are few people better to talk to than legendary chef Marco Pierre White. A passionate and enthusiastic lover of outdoor pursuits since childhood, his passion for British wildlife both in and out of the kitchen are unrivalled. Though getting an interview with him is as difficult as obtaining a Michelin star these days, The Lodger was lucky enough to sit down for a conversation with the great man to talk about this very special time of year.
2017/2018
The Lodger: What does the arrival of game season
wine is to drink a wine that you enjoy. I’m not one
mean to you?
of those individual chefs who talks about ‘pairing’.
Marco Pierre White: It’s always exciting isn’t it?
If you want to drink a pint of ale with your roast
You have the Glorious Twelfth followed by the
partridge and bread sauce then fantastic if that’s
first of September where you have the partridge
how you enjoy it. I think English food works very
and the duck. Then on the first of October you
well with a good pint of ale, I don’t think game
have the pheasant and the woodcock which is
should always be drunk with wine. I like my game
rather beautiful. Working with game is always
pie, I like my game with a pint of ale. I like my roast
very exciting. We always hang and pluck our own
pheasant cooked in apples with a pint of cider.
game, which I think is very good for the trainees in
the kitchen to work with. Birds which have arrived in the feather are important because otherwise
they come in these polystyrene trays wrapped in clingfilm and it’s just not the same.
You’ve got to know what’s happening and I
think to be taught how to pluck a bird beautifully, with great respect, makes a massive difference
in the cooking. You have to pluck them with the inside of your thumb and you must always remove the wishbone. You must always do it by hand as
I THINK TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO
PLUCK A BIRD
plucking machines have a tendency to rip the skin.
BEAUTIFULLY, WITH TL: In terms of food, what should we all be looking
to eat at the moment in terms of both game and
GREAT RESPECT,
seasonal vegetables?
MPW: At this time of year you’ve got venison,
you’ve got the roe deer which in my opinion is the finest deer of all. Savoy cabbage always works very
well with pheasant or with partridge as do lentils. All the root vegetables available throughout the winter work very well. Sprouts with chestnuts are
MAKES A MASSIVE
DIFFERENCE IN THE COOKING.
delicious, you’ve got braised cabbage, there’s so
much to work with. The best way of eating a pheasant, partridge or a woodcock is the traditional way that the English
eat it, which is with bread sauce, breadcrumbs and
TL: Do you have a favourite type of game to eat?
roasting juices. Roast teal with oranges is delicious,
MPW: My favourite two birds, well my favourite
I love roast mallard with apple sauce and roasting
three... I’ve got four actually, I’ve got loads of them.
juices and in September we start to use the wood
I do like golden plover, I like woodcock, I like grey
pigeon with elderberries. I’m a great believer in
partridge, teal’s my favourite duck and I love hare
keeping game very simple, I like my woodcock
as well, hare is my favourite meat.
served on toast, where you remove the gizzards
but roast it with all the intestines inside then chop
TL: Do you think cooking with game is overlooked
it all up with some foie gras and serve it on toast,
in this country compared to other places such as
it’s delicious. You can also split the head and eat
Italy and France?
the brain.
MPW: No because if you look at the people who
eat game, they tend to be of a certain demographic, TL: Which wines would you recommend to
they tend to be from the countryside or if they’re
accompany game dishes?
from the city then they tend to shoot. They don’t
MPW: One thing I always say when it comes to
eat game in Italy and France like we do, they really
2017/2018
don’t. I know people say we should eat more game
but I think we eat more game than anyone else because we produce more of it.
TL: Are there any of your restaurant dishes that
our readers could replicate back at home? MPW: I’ve never understood people who want to
take pheasant off the bone and pan fry it. The best way is always to roast it, and the only type you should roast is a hen pheasant, not a cock bird (use
that for something else). So roast a hen pheasant and just have it with bread sauce, bread crumbs and the roasting juices, served with delicious seasonal vegetables. TL: Do your menus reflect your passion for shooting
especially coming into the winter season? MPW: They do in the season though I’m not really
into driven shooting any more as I’m more into
fishing and roe stalking. Though the one thing I do
believe in is that if you shoot, you must eat what you shoot.
TL: Are you a traditionalist when it comes to shooting, in terms of what you wear and what you
shoot with? MPW: Yes of course, I think it’s correct, you have
to show the shoot respect, I have a Beretta SO6. TL: We heard that you love deer stalking and have a
trophy head that you shot, where did you shoot it? MPW: I’ve got a lot of them, I’ve been very lucky
in my life actually in the sense of where I’ve been allowed to stalk but there’s no science to roe stalking really. The secret is just allow them to grow old,
it’s as simple as that. I think most people shoot
them too young, I don’t shoot roe deer now until after the rut. Firstly a head’s always heavier after
the rut, when you shoot them early season they’re
almost like coral, by fraying they absorb sap which colours them and they become heavier. Secondly
kids. A big doe produces big kids, there’s no science
to it, I know people write about ‘the science of roe stalking’ but there’s no real science to it really. TL: What type of clothing do you use when outdoors?
MPW: I’m just always in green though I suppose the one that brand we always have in the hotel is
Barbour. So if you come to the hotel and you want
to go for a walk round the grounds there are always
Barbour wellies and coats available to use.
by shooting them after the rut you’ve allowed those
TL: Are you a highland or lowland stalker?
dominant bucks to pass on their genes. That’s what
MPW: As a roe stalker I only stalk in the home
I believe and I never, ever, ever shoot big does or
counties, Wiltshire, Somerset, Hampshire, West
ones with two kids.
Sussex. I like places that aren’t commercial, where
I’d always prefer to shoot a barren doe when it
they’ve got thick hedgerows,they’ve got woodland,
comes to the doe cull. I suppose I’m completely the
they’ve got grass meadows where the roe deer can
opposite to what the purists say as I don’t shoot
browse. Small fields, that’s what I like.
yearling bucks and don’t shoot dominant bucks until after the rut. When it comes to shooting the
TL: Do you have a favourite shooting companion?
does I always look at the size of the doe and their
MPW: No, myself. I like stalking by myself
TL: Do you have a gun dog?
TL: How often do you go fishing?
MPW: I’ve got a lurcher, I didn’t train him myself as
MPW: I used to do ‘a lot’ of fishing but now maybe
he’s a hotel dog, I just like lurchers, they’re gentle.
I’ll go half a dozen times a year. I used to do a lot
of dry-fly on the chalk streams, salmon fishing on TL: What do you like to eat when you’re out shooting? MPW: Never. Remember I’m stalking either early
morning or in the evening, so I’ll come back and have dinner or breakfast afterwards. TL: Where’s the best place that you have shot at?
MPW: My favourite shoot in the entire country is
Ashcombe, it’s a very well run shoot, Tommy Speke
the keeper is a genius and the birds are killable but they’re of quality and they don’t do large bags.
the river Test and on the Avon but now I tend to go back to my childhood favourite which is pike
fishing. It’s interesting how I’ve done this full 360
with stalking, with shooting and with fishing. I’m just much happier stalking after the rut, I’m much happier pike fishing on the Test than I am
salmon fishing or dry-flying up stream. It takes me back to my childhood and on the Test very few
people pike fish so there’s something rather nice in the winter months when there’s no one else fishing
and you’ve got the whole river to yourself. TL: What’s your opinion of driven stalking? MPW: I don’t approve of it, I think the emphasis
And with that idyllic image cfman and countryside
is on how close you can get to the deer not how far
together in perfect harmony our conversation with
you can shoot it from.
Marco, like a cosy winter evening drew to an end.
2017
THE BRADY BRANCH The concept of seasonal collections need not apply to a brand as evergreen as Brady Bags. Founded in 1887 in Birmingham, the company which began life making leather gun cases proudly maintains the traditions on which it was founded - timeless utilitarian luggage for an outdoor lifestyle. Their latest collection is the Nature Range. Taking a cue from the great outdoors, each item is named after trees found predominantly in the United Kingdom. Though the designs remain somewhat faithful to the reliable shapes and styles, they’re quite literally branching out by linking the colour palette to trees. Continuing the connection with its Midlands DNA, Brady still hand makes its bags in Walsall, West Midlands using the best quality canvas, brass components and English bridle leather. In keeping with the timeless characteristics their bags display, many of Brady’s most popular styles were first introduced more than 70 years ago.
J ~ 'AWWWW
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2017/2018
A WEST SIDE STORY Dubarry’s latest collection showcases the best in luxurious outdoor clothing and footwear. The Dubarry design team find their inspiration for new products from the rugged and dramatic landscapes of Ireland to create hard-wearing, comfortable pieces to take you through winter and beyond in style. As an Irish heritage brand Dubarry wanted to reflect their unique heritage in their latest winter campaign which was shot in County Clare, on the West coast of Ireland. The locations were chosen because of the natural beauty and the world famous dramatic landscapes of the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.
The rugged landscapes reflect the performance and durability of Dubarry footwear and clothing, protecting against the elements while looking good and staying dry.
dubarru® Ireland of
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Q&A WITH THE SPORTING LODGE BRAND AMBASSADOR
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FOR THE SECOND ISSUE OF THE LODGER WE DECIDED TO ASK SPORTING LODGE AMBASSADOR AND RISING STAR OF THE CLAY SHOOTING SCENE FAYE WILLS SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HER CHOSEN SPORT. TAKING TIME OUT FROM HER BUSY SCHEDULE FAYE TALKED TO US ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM SNAPCHAT TO SKEET SHOOTING. So Faye, can you tell us all about yourself and how and when you became involved in clay shooting?
and hope to start shooting home and maybe even European competitions within the next year.
I started shooting English Sporting when I was 16 and working part time at my local gun club. I don’t come from a shooting family so it really was just a case of learning because of the job. From the moment I shot my first clay, I was completely hooked!
How often do you have to train to be in tip top condition and what does your training regime consist of?
We hear you've also been aiming for a place on the Olympic Skeet team, how’s that Going? I only started Olympic Skeet this year after being invited to join the British Shooting Talent Programme, so while I am very ambitious and have a few years of shooting behind me, it is very different to what I have done before and there is a long road to being good enough to compete for the GB Team. Sadly I think that Tokyo is a little too close as I still have a lot of work to do, but I have set my sights on competing for a place on the team for the 2024 Olympics,
Unfortunately Olympic Skeet isn’t very well catered for in my county, and the two nearest grounds that offer it are an hour and 45 minutes or 2 hours from where I live respectively, so at the moment I am only able to train four or five times a month, usually twice with my British Shooting coaches and twice at a ground locally to me which doesn’t have an Olympic layout but does wind the springs up on their English Skeet targets so I do have something a bit closer to the Olympic speeds. Ideally, to keep my muscle-memory and stop myself falling back into bad habits, I should be training twice a week on an Olympic Skeet layout, but I am not sponsored and am selfemployed so it’s difficult to get that sort of time on the targets that I need to shoot.
2017/2018
How many guns do you own?
At the moment I only own one, my fitted Zoli Kronos with fixed skeet chokes. As Olympic Skeet is quite a tough discipline and is very different from the others, there are many shooters who will only shoot that and not compete in other disciplines. I sold my sporting gun, a Blaser F3 Pro, to fund my skeet gun, and haven’t shot sporting since! I am looking to maybe buy a game gun at some stage for the beaters’ days I attend, but that might be a while yet!
What are your personalfavourite brands that the Sporting Lodge stocks?
Dubarry is a firm favourite of mine as I own a pair of their boots and know already how good they are for what I do outdoors; they are warm, well-fitted (I have quite narrow calves!) and very durable, so even though they are quite pricey they are well worth the money because they last a long time. Percussion is an emerging French brand which I really like too, as their clothing is well-suited for any type of shooting or outdoor activity; I know some local gamekeepers who swear by their Percussion trousers because they are waterproof but breathable at the same time.
SHOOTING IS A SPORT THAT IS HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON
YOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING AND IF YOU START TO
DOUBT YOURSELF, IT WILL REFLECT IN YOUR SCORES
How did you get involved with the Sporting Lodge and what does your role as one of their ambassadors involve? I enjoy using social media and through this, the Sporting Lodge got in touch and asked me if I’d like to road test some of their products. My role is to wear the gear the Sporting Lodge provide me with while shooting, loading or beating and really put it to the test in the environment it’s made for.
Once I’m happy with the capability of the clothing and equipment, I’ll take to Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat to spread the word as well as giving feedback on it to the Sporting Lodge. Anyone who shops online can use the discount code FAYE15 at checkout to get 15% off their full price items.
How important is wearing the right clothing when shooting? For me, being dressed properly for shooting is a huge thing. When shooting clays I find I shoot better in some clothes than others; I don’t shoot in jeans anymore, for example, because I feel that the tight material restricts my body when I’m moving my gun. It’s vital that you feel comfortable with how you are dressed to keep focused on the targets - whether they are clay or game. It’s a very personal thing a lot of the time, but the Sporting Lodge offers a great variety of clothing to choose from so there are lots of options available!
Which places either UK or abroad have been your favourite to shoot at so far?
Sadly, I have neverbeen able to shoot abroad, but I have been to a variety of grounds across the UK when I shot for the county team and in the Kent and Sussex Clubman Classic. My favourite so far has definitely been the National Clay Shooting Centre at Bisley, but I will always have a sentimental attachment to my local sporting ground, Willow Farm.
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Do you have any tips for those of us hoping to improve our shooting skills? I think my main one would be to not worry about what other people think. When I shot my first registered Olympic Skeet earlier this year, I was really put off by how poorly I performed in comparison to the other people on my squad; I was embarrassed at how low my scores were and I think I was more focused on that and making a good impression than I was on the actual clays themselves. I lost a lot of confidence that day because I was worried that people would be sniggering behind my back about how badly I had shot. I was reminded recently that the only person who cares about your scores is you, so don’t ever be too nervous to try something new, or go out with a group of people who have been shooting longer than you have, or ask for
help when things are going wrong. Shooting is a sport that is heavily dependent on your psychological well-being and if you start to doubt yourself, it will reflect in your scores - so just do whatever it is you feel you need to do in order to achieve what you want to achieve. What are plans do you have for the future? The rest of this year I will just be dedicating to improving my skill, and hopefully attending some more registered shoots so that I am ready at the start of next year’s competition season to maybe start attending higher profile shoots. I really want to start putting some good scores in soon and try to get some sponsorship too!
Keep up with Faye’s movements on the Sporting Lodge site as well as on her own blog atfayewillsclayshooting.com
2017/2018
LOYALTY FROM
ROYALTY
Regarded in the shooting and hunting world as a genuine icon, James Purdey and Sons have been around for more than 200 years. Founded in 1814, the brand possesses generations of knowledge and expertise as well as a keen sense of the rich sporting style in which they are steeped. This position as a trusted gunmaker has led to them holding three Royal Warrants, indeed as early as 1838 it is said Queen Victoria purchased a pair of Purdey pistols.
With such a rich heritage and pivotal role in
their field, it’s no surprise that Purdey clothing Is manufactured with a similar eye on precision
detailing and stylish function.
For this season, Purdey has added a number of
new styles along with sympathetically evolved old favourites. Providing you with a fitting ensemble for each and every occasion of the season, Purdey
use only the finest materials in production. This
means their technical gear performs exceptionally well, while the social aspect of shooting is similarly
well served.
With such a strong connection to tradition and of course loyalty from royalty, Purdey look set to
remain at the top of the tree for many years to come.
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PURDEY LONDON ISI I
2017/2018
LIFE AT THE TOP The Lodger talks to Alan Hinkes OBE
Alan Hinkes is a legend amongst climbers, having been the first and only Briton to have climbed 14 of the world’s highest peaks. Making him part of an exclusive and elite club of only 12 people on the planet
who have managed to achieve this feat and lived to tell the tale. Which
is pretty astounding when you think that that’s the same amount of people who have stood on the moon.
When not climbing Alan works as an outdoor equipment technical
consultant and writes and lectures about his death defying exploits. He’s also an accomplished cameraman, photographer, author,
motivational speaker, environmentalist and mountain guide. Despite this hectic, globe-spanning lifestyle The Lodger somehow managed to
grab ten minutes of quality time with this ultimate high achiever to ask
him some questions about life at the top.
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The Lodger: How did you first get into climbing? Alan Hinkes: I was introduced to it by the teachers at my grammar school where I grew up in Northallerton and their outdoor activities club which involved lots of climbs up on the North Yorkshire moors and the Lake district.
What part did growing up in Yorkshire have on your climbing achievements?
We had it tough in Yorkshire, it’s grim up North. I was brought up in a cardboard box in the middle of the road and ate a handful of gravel for breakfast (if I was lucky). So by comparison a tent on a mountain is a luxury! What was it that made you decide to climb fourteen cfthe world’s highest mountains? It was something I wanted to do as a challenge because it’s very, very, very difficult and the ultimate test of stamina, resilience and determination
Which of the 14 was the hardest to climb and which was the quickest?
K2 takes the first prize as it is much more difficult to climb than Everest (as is Kangchenjunga) with both being steeper climbs that experience worse weather conditions as well as more avalanches and rock falls. Over 6,000 people have climbed Everest whereas only 300 have made it up K2 and 80 people have died up there. The quickest was Annapurna which took around 17 to 19 days from Kathmandu to the summit and statistically is the most dangerous to climb as it’s very prone to avalanches. I took a new route on the North face and at that point there had only been about 100 ascents and 60 deaths.
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How important would you say is having the right gear for an ascent in relation to being prepared physically and mentally?
Good equipment and attention to detail are equally as essential to being physically and mentally prepared. ‘No mountain is worth a life, coming back is a success, the summit is only a bonus’ is the mantra I use to help keep me alive. Mountain Knowledge and tempering of ambition is key to survival and you have to be just as prepared for the descent as the ascent because most accidents happen on the way down. I get my sense of achievement at base camp once that I know I’m safely back down.
YOU CAN ONLY SPEND
FIVE MINUTES ON THE SUMMIT BECAUSE YOU’RE IN THE ‘DEATH ZONE’
What’s the nearest you’ve come to not making it back down?
You’ll have to read my book as I’ve had lots of close shaves and near death experiences though you don’t have to go as far as the Himalayas to experience these things. I’ve been caught in avalanches in the Lake District. Where is your favourite place to climb in the world? Either Yorkshire or the Lake District.
What is your involvement with the brand Fjallraven? I’m an ambassador for the Swedish brand which means that I get to help them test out their new products and give them feedback. It’s very good equipment that’s durable and spans from lightweight garments to more traditional gear. I also take part in the Fjallraven Classic (a no km hike through Swedish Lapland) which is challenging and tough hike but attracts lots of enthusiastic hikers from all over the world.
Do you have a favourite item ofFjallraven clothing? What’s the one thing that you wouldn’t go up a mountain without?
Bravery pills! (laughs) A torch is useful and a camera. How do people react at the moment when you reach the highest peak on earth? Personally, I take a photo of myself holding a photo of my daughter Fiona as it reminds me that I still need to get back down in one piece. You can only spend five minutes on the summit because you’re in the ‘death zone’ and at the same height that Jumbo jets fly at which isn’t a place that humans can survive in for long.
Their Eco-Shell jacket and Keb trousers What does your next adventure involve? I’m just back from the Fjallraven Polar Challenge in the Arctic and am now currently busy with filming a biopic all about my life. I’m also heading out on the fells in preparation for a trip out to Nepal in October. Alan’s book 8000 Metres Climbing the World’s Highest Mountains is available to buy now and his DVD will be launched with a premiere in Prem Rheged (nr Penrith) this October.
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2017/2018
WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER FOR FJALL
As the leaves start to take an autumnal tumble, the brand for all seasons once again comes into its own. The phrase conscious hunting is woven into the DNA of Fj allraven, with a lifetime in the outdoors on which to draw inspiration. The concept of Conscious Hunting relates to ensuring every item to bear the arctic fox logo is fit for purpose and lends a hand to its wearer when they most need it. The most serious hunters will take their clothing just as seriously as their gun - everything must be considered. The dedicated range of hunting clothing and equipment from Fj allraven takes into account the need for silent fabrics and unhindered freedom of movement which all give the hunter that perfect platform to excel. In addition to this, acknowledging the needs of different kinds of hunters, Fjallraven have developed a number of items of clothing with a specific purpose in mind.
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READY? NAME, FIRE! In the wild, the animal which lends Fjallraven its name also shares many of its characteristics. The Vulpes lag opus is better known as the arctic fox. A mammal with a natural ability to survive in desperately low temperatures, it has furry soles, short ears, and a short muzzle—all-important adaptations to the inhospitable environment it lives in. As the seasons change, so does the arctic fox, never going into hibernation and always making sure it is ready for the change in temperature. It’s easy to see how this hardy animal inspired its namesake.
A FJALL WRAVEN
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s well as being one of the Sporting Lodge’s ambassadors Brett Davies is also a full time professional shooting instructor and competitive clay shooter. He has proudly represented Team England three times and is the current Cheshire Champion and West Midland Area Champion. Brett works from North Wales Shooting School, providing shooting lessons on a daily basis to game and clay shooters from up and down the country.
A
But he is also a keen Game shooter and has been for all his life, literally. Brett has grown
up shooting, on peg, in the field, in a pigeon hide, rabbiting, pest controlling or anywhere that means a gun is in his hand makes him feel at home.There has been no stopping him. He has spent many game seasons shooting, beating, picking up and has been involved in syndicates where all hands are on deck. Rearing pheasants, partridge and ducks from poults even hatching them out. Nowadays Brett spends his time providing on the peg in field tuition in the game season. With a lifetime of knowledge, here are his top twelve tips for the season ahead.
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SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT. As with all shooting, the number one rule is to be safe. Keep your gun unloaded and the action visibly open whilst moving between pegs, until you’re ready to shoot. Always keep the gun’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Make a note of where the other shooters, beaters and pickers up are around you. But also acknowledge them, it will go a long way to help make them feel safe. Remember to check your barrels are clear of obstructions before loading. Even though eyes and ears are everything to help you spot birds, always wear hearing protection. Electronics ear defenders are highly recommended as they will help you hear birds breaking out of cover, before you can see them. Safety glasses with changeable lenses are good to brighten up a dull day or darken down a bright one. Always remember that an unsafe shooter will be asked to leave the shoot.
ETIQUETTE. Remember when going on a driven shoot that you’re sharing the day with other shooters, who are also paying for their share of birds over that day. Make sure you respect your neighbouring guns. Don’t over shoot or poach other gun’s birds, again you might be asked not to come back to that shoot. Tipping your game keeper is an age-old tradition. Tip accordingly, I would give a general guide of £20 per 100 birds. Listen to the gamekeeper or shoot captain’s safety talk. Especially make a note of what you can and can’t shoot on the day. Sometimes it may vary from shoots so don’t be afraid to ask. No ground game. Woodcocks, Snipe or general pests may not always be on the agenda.
SHOOTING ATTIRE. Make sure you have suitable clothing for the game shoot you are attending, some may be a bit more laid back than others. But the most important thing is, comfort. Try your jackets and coats on to make sure that they are loose enough to give you full swing of the gun. Unfortunately, the game season doesn’t fall in the summer months which means, cold and wet British weather. There is nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of a field, freezing cold. Thermals and waterproofs will be your new best friend.
RANGE JUDGEMENT. Pick your birds carefully. If you shoot a bird that is too low, not only is that a safety risk, you will ‘pillowcase it’ which means the whole line of fellow guns will be spitting feathers from your bird. Not only is that embarrassing, but it means that the bird will not be fit for the table.
Avoid shooting at birds out of range for your ability to kill cleanly, you must be fair to your quarry. STARE IT TO DEATH. Keep your eye on the bird. It is a common fault for shooters to look at the barrels or bead on a gun, more so than the bird or target. If you are guilty, stop aiming and just look. Stare at your bird hard before accelerating confidently through and taking your shot. As I always say, stare it to death. This will help you to become a smoother shot and also means you will be less likely to stop your gun. GET YOUR FEET IN GEAR. That doesn’t mean go and get the latest wellingtons on the market, it means make sure your leading foot is pointing to the area you plan to shoot the bird and your rear foot positioned comfortably so that you are balanced and stable. You may not always get a peg on even ground, so shuffle about until you are comfortable.
The bird won’t always fly in the same direction, so you will have to move your feet and get those wellingtons muddy. CONNECTION. Get connected to the bird with your barrels, start the gun on its tail feathers so you can get the line and speed of the bird, whilst being ideally placed to overtake and make your shot. Starting further behind the bird will not only make it much harder, but you may find yourself struggling to catch the bird up and take a successful shot.
Remember to take your first shot out in front, leaving you time to take your second shot if needed. This helps give you time to finish the bird off cleanly and giving you a more comfortable shooting position.
2017/2018
MOUNTING AND MOVING. Mounting and moving is a procedure all shooters should practice at home with the curtains drawn of course, as to not worry the neighbours. With an empty gun, practice mounting the gun into your shoulder pocket whilst keeping the barrels moving in a forward direction, avoid dipping the guns muzzles down and scooping up your bird, as you will lose valuable connection with the bird. Use Snap Caps in your gun so you don’t damage the springs and pins when dry firing. SHOTGUN CARTRIDGES, IS BIGGER REALLY BETTER? In my opinion, no. I have used some hefty cartridges in my time and using heavy gram cartridges will not give you much of an advantage. In fact, if anything shooting heavy loads can have the reverse effect. Not only does it make shooting less enjoyable, but the larger pellets travel much slower. What you think you gain in grams you lose in speed. I would recommend a guide of:
- General birds - 30 gram 5s. - High pheasants - 32 gram 4s. - Fibre Only Don’t fall for the bigger better, apart from a bruise you won’t gain much. Don’t forget, make sure that you have some steel shot if you plan on shooting any ducks and other wildfowl.
THE SHOOTERS ARE NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE THERE. Always be respectful to the team running the day you are attending, if it wasn’t for them you wouldn’t be shooting. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to run a shoot, so manners go a long way. Make a mental note of how many birds you have shot and where they have landed on a drive, as you might get asked by a keen picker up, once the drive has finished. EVERYONE MISSES, SO DON’T WORRY. Do not let a miss knock your confidence, it is very hard to shoot a live target so keep yourself calm. Have a little think about what you could be doing wrong, then adjust accordingly. If you feel as though you need some help then seek the aid of an experienced game shooting coach, out
in the field or at a shooting school. Keep in mind that if you give an experienced coach enough time to work with you, you will learn to shoot well. And like riding a bike you won’t forget it and it will help you enjoy your shooting even more. Practice between seasons, don’t just assume that you can go from season to season without practicing. Look out for the ever more popular simulated game days, if you are new to game shooting use them as experience before graduating to the real thing. Find a local shooting ground with a tower so you can practice driven targets.
The most important tip, is to enjoy your day. It isn’t cheap to go game shooting, so don’t put
unnecessary pressure on yourself to hit all the birds. Take some birds home with you so you can
taste them, there are plenty of recipes online.
Follow my tips to be comfortable and confident so that you can enjoy your day to the fullest. Last but not least, SHOOT STRAIGHT. Keep up with what Brett is up to on the
Sporting Lodge blog and on his own site Keep yourself safe and sharp. ENJOY!
brettdaviesshooting.com
FILSON SINCE 1897
UNFAILING GOODS AVAILABLE AT FILSON.COM/UK
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The U.S. Forest Service is divided up into nine specific regions with region 6 being the Pacific Northwest. This is thesame location that Filson have called home since the day they were founded back in 1897. This iconic American brand is aware of the enormous debt of gratitude that it owes to its home territory and the tireless of efforts to protect and preserve it by the Forest Service. 10
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Filsoh’s homeland is filled with mountains, rivers, lakes and streams and includes no less than five volcanoes and nineteen National Forests. The Forest Service ensures that this sliver of the 193 million acres under their charge are available for the public to enjoy - hunters, hikers, campers, loggers, anglers - now and for generations to come. Filson are currently honoring the incredible work done by the Forest Service by a number of projects aimed at contributing to the maintenance and protection of the cherished lands under their watch. From restoring a historic look-out tower to photo shoots and interviews with some of the heroic public defenders who’ve contributed to making this incredible organisation an integral part of American outdoor life for over 100 years. Go to Filson.com for more information on their work with the U.S. Forest Service.
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NEW STYLE
THE ROVER NO. 2950
AMERICAN MADE
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SINCE 1905
CUSHION CREPE SOLES FOR COMFORT
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FROM THE RED WING CATALOG OF 1950
durability and good looks. The Cushion
Crepe shock-absorbing sole, makes the Rover comfortable for hours on your feet
while providing traction on a variety of surfaces. This sole was first introduced
making boots that are at home in the
on our work boots in 1953 and was found
field as much as the factory, it's fitting
on our venerable No. 766 Cush-N-Crepe
that we're calling our latest work boot
All Around Work Shoe up until the 1980s.
the Rover. The Rover has a round toe
The Rover is a worthy addition to this
and Goodyear welt construction for
legacy of versatile Red Wing work boots.
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THE NAME,“ROVER”, MAY CONJURE THE IMAGE OF A FAITHFUL HUNTING DOG, BUT IT WAS ALSO THE NAME GIVEN TO MACHINE OPERATORS IN EARLY TWENTIETH-CENTURY COTTON MILLS. So given our legacy of
2017/2018
WELLINGTONS
A high quality pair of Wellington is essential for both country and city living. We stock a wide range of boots suitable for all terrains and weather conditions.
Barbour Griffon Wellingtons £79-95
Hunter Norris Field Wellingtons £90.00
Le Chameau Vierzon Leather Lined Wellington £210 Both functional & stylish these fine wellingtons are crafted from a natural and durable rubber with a comfortable soft leather lining. Sitting on a bi-density sole, longevity & protection is guaranteed with these wellingtons.
Le Chameau Womens Andalou 2 Tone Wellington £125
Le Chameau Ceres Soufflet Wellington £140.00
Barbour Balmoral Neoprene Wellingtons £150.00
Le Chameau Women’s Kew Neoprene Wellington £140.00
Barbour Women’s Lindisfarne Wellington £79-95
Elegant equestrian boot from Le Chameau designed for use as a stable and riding boot. The boots have a natural rubber upper which makes the Andalou 100% waterproof and features a quick drying jersey lining as well as a waterproof zip.
Barbour Women’s Blyth Wellingtons £79-95
Hunter Women’s Norris Neoprene Field Wellingtons £100.00
Percussion
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KANKEN NO. 2
The Kanken No. 2 Backpack re-envisages the style of the original Fjallraven Kanken in G-1000 Heavy Duty fabric, with tan leather trims, detailing and vintage brass strap adjusters. Are you ready for an adventure?
AVAILABLE NOW AT THE SPORTING LODGE www.thesportinglodge.co.uk
2017/2018
KNIVES
We stock a selection of carefully chosen knives, many limited edition. Offering versatility and collectability, with varying blade lengths and materials.
Boker Magnum Black Spear Knife £25.00
Boker Plus SFB Neck Knife £29.00
James Purdey San Mai Trapper Knife £995 1 of only 8 produced, Purde/s craftsmanship provides an extremely durable knife with an outstanding cutting edge. The detailed trapper star pattern on each knife is totally unique and stunning to look at. The knife comes securely in a hand cut vegetable natural tanned leather sheath.
James Purdey Damascus Steel Folding Knife £210
£39-00
Browning Ignite Bush Craft Knife £75-00
£20.00
Boker Magnum Lil Giant Knife £79-95
This stunning knife combines portability with performance. It features a blade made from Damascus steel, famous for its sharpness, resilience, and beautifully textured pattern. The knife comes in a premium leather sheath for storage and safe-keeping.
James Purdey Deer Hunter Buffalo Horn Knife £215.00
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James Purdey Damascus Knife Giraffe Bone £500.00
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thesportinglodge .co.uk
CROSSWORD Use the cryptic clues below to complete our crossword puzzle which is jam-packed with seasonal quarry for you to hunt out.
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Macfarlaine
With its heritage steeped in the outdoor sports market, the Macfarlaine brand features country clothing and accessories with its provenance in the shooting world. The range features quality polar fleece clothing and shooting accessories, all bearing the Macfarlaine branding.
The Macfarlaine collection sees products sourced locally in the UK through to international, quality factories around the world. Aimed at the discerning, outdoor and country wear clothing enthusiast, the Macfarlaine brand is a great addition to The Sporting Lodge’s brand portfolio and new additions to the collection will be available very soon.