Howletts Shoot – 12th November 2011

 
As they have re-jigged the pegs on most drives, drawing number 6 meant I was back on the same (hot) spot as last time for the first drive. Slightly shaky start, but after being reminded by Skunk that I have a second barrel I started to hit them and finished with 6 birds.

Moving up 2 took me to the end peg and I must have walked half a mile moving around trying to second guess where an odd bird might fly as the guys walked the wood through to load up the cover strip. Got it right and I dropped the only loose bird, incoming right to left (loverly bird). Two big flushes at the end and I had my first left and right (with an O/U), deciding late to take the second behind so pleased with that. Makes up for missing two on the second big flush.

 
The change around on the drives meant both teams shot the duck pond drive, with our team on the ducks. Definitely missed 2, which Dave got immediately after I’d missed. I MAY have got the third, but Dave shot at the same time, so not sure. Few birds flew over whilst I faffed around with cartridges as we walked up the outside of the cover strip.

Peg 2 on Split Cover drive put another 3 in the bag and helped us break the hundred for the first time this Season with 116 for 323 shots.

Saw my first Woodcock of this year while beating Quarry for Laurie’s Team.

Knacked, but content.

Bag for the day (12 birds for 29 shots)
Pheasant 9
Partridge 3