MIST OPPORTUNITIES

When the Rough Rovers follow a keeper friend to a new estate that’s in need of some TLC, they are treated to a brilliant walked-up day they didn’t expect

- ROUGH ROVERS

For myself, and I am sure for many others, the memories that a day’s shooting create are an integral part of why we enjoy field sports so much. The opportunity to visit different parts of the country and wander freely on beautiful private estates that are not open to the general public is a wonderful treat. In order to treasure these memories, I diligently maintain my gamebook and include as much detail as possible from the majority of the days we shoot. Naturally, this is a great help when writing articles, but it’s more about recording the smaller details, such as someone shooting incredibly well (or badly), a Gun’s first partridge, grouse or woodcock, losing a couple of the team in the fog or some excellent homemade delicacy that appears at Elevenses.

The most important information for me to make a note of are names. Not blessed with a great memory, I make a point of writing down the name of the keeper and anyone helping out on the day. The keepers these days seem to get younger and younger (or is it me getting older and older) and the majority seem to be ambitious for new challenges and experiences and, as a result, move around a fair bit after a couple of years staying put.