GAME SHOOTING DAYS

John King has been involved in most forms of Field and Game Shooting since he was around 8 years old (a long time)!

He began organising Formal Driven Pheasant and Partridge days in 1987 - when discerning clients who had learnt their shotgun shooting with him, wanted to move to, and be involved in Game Shooting.

John was determined that his Novice Game Shooting clients would only experience and enjoy the very best traditional aspects of British game shooting. He wanted them to benefit from being treated to the warmest of traditional countryside hospitality and to only ever be among ‘kindred’ spirits. Kindred, in that their fellow ‘Guns’ would all be safe, sporting, sociable shots and would appreciate all the social pleasures of participating in a traditional British country pastime.

Securing the best venues involved considerable effort because John was intent on his clients experiencing hospitality and sport that could only be provided by private shoots that had only hitherto been host to their own personal guests. John managed to persuade some of his farm/estate owning friends that they should provide days for his Nouveau Game Shooting clients, who would all behave as honoured guests.

So began a long happy relationship and to this date, some of those ‘Nouveau’ Guns are still participating in John’s days. As are in some cases, their children.

These British game shooting days continue to be the ideal starting ground for clients that come to John to be coached in preparation for the best in traditional shooting Field sports. He provides days where the teams of 8 or 9 Guns are made up from discerning individuals. Where these individuals are still at the beginner or novice stage, if he cannot spend the day at their side himself, he provides a professional Field coach that he has personally trained.

John also arranges bespoke Game Shooting Days for private families and special Corporate Shooting Events. All of these Game Shooting Days are hosted on privately owned shoots. John also acts as Field coach to his individual clients who are novices attending shoots as private and/or on Corporate Events.

The photos below offer a snippet of John's Game Shooting sessions, from a team of lady guns in action on partridges (top left), to some of the bright young shots who make up the future of game shooting!

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The End of the 2011/2012 Game Season

It is 1st February, the last day of the game season:

Listen carefully and you will hear the melancholy boom of distant shotguns that for many will be the last chance of warm barrels before they are deposited in the gun safe. Where a great number will remain idle until they are dragged out in a panic just in time for the dash to the shooting school for that last minute warm up prior to the ‘Glorious Twelfth’ Grouse.

It seems only yesterday that I was welcoming a team of Guns to a hearty breakfast on our first day of the season. Yet another fantastic game season comes to a close, with hardly a drop of rain falling on our days out; which of course is a real bonus.

As always the social aspects make the occasion; catching up with old friends and particularly helping ‘first timers’ enjoy their warm welcome from the ‘old hands’ whilst they start to get to grips with the ‘real thing’ on the game pegs. These first timers have all worked hard preparing with me at the shooting school, where they all attain a high level of shooting skills on the clays.

Without exception and despite my warnings; they are all shocked at how much more difficult the shooting becomes when suddenly faced with a covey of partridges or a flush of pheasants. To their great credit they all fare extremely well when their nerves have settled sufficiently. Their success is especially rewarding to me, as all shooting coaches will fully understand. (See Matt Rutherford’s review of his first experience on one of our game days)

In addition to running our game days and enjoying that special pleasure of introducing a few first timers; I have somehow found the time to stand with youngsters experiencing their first game day.

In truth this is a pure indulgence to me. In my mind there is nothing more rewarding than helping a youngster succeed with their first clean shot on a game bird. This is especially pleasurable as generally these youngsters are enjoying these first successes witnessed by proud parents, grandparents/godparents and siblings.

Just a week ago I had the pleasure to stand with George on a family day run by his father on a beautiful crisp day among stunning scenery on the edge of the Cotswolds.

George drew No. 1 for the first drive where we were joined by his big sister Annabel for company and moral support. We had a great view of the drive unfolding, but no action for George.

He was No. 3 on the next drive in a very difficult position with trees close in front of him. Plenty of action and some frustrating misses for George before he pulled off a spectacular shot on a cock pheasant. No family witness but plenty of praise from the picking up team behind him.

No 5 on the next drive. Godfather stood behind, Dad looking on from the next peg. Very fast challenging partridges sliding on the wind, followed by fast high pheasants during the latter part of the drive. George accounts for four partridges and two pheasants in spectacular fashion! Very proud godfather and dad! ( Plus one puffed out chested strutting shooting coach)

One more drive before lunch; difficult peg in a wooded drive, but George accounts for one more cock pheasant which he finds and carries proudly.

First drive after lunch George accounts for two more pheasants. ( Now he has a confident older head)

On to the last drive and dad suggests that he stand with George and I stand with Annabel on peg six.

She has got dad’s 20 bore, much too big for her! She gets a few minutes intense verbal coaching from me ( She has not shot on a game day before)

A cock pheasant breaks over the trees and climbs to her right: Bang! Down it comes. Amazing. Then another. Bang! Same result. Then one to her left. Bang! Her third bird accounted for. She is shaking with excitement! (So am I)

She accounts for three more birds in full view of dad and three brothers. An Unbelievable performance! I suspect I will be seeing her with George prior to next season and will be amazed if I do not see her out in the field.

I cannot think of a better way for me to end another fantastic game season.

We are already putting together the coming 2012/2013 season. Some dates are already provisionally booked.

If you would like to join us next season and/or would like to entertain your family/friends/corporate clients, do get in touch.

If you are just thinking about taking up game shooting, or simply wish to improve your skills; go to the shop and take a look at my latest book “Game Shooting From Scratch”

A note to those of you putting your guns away for the season; do make sure that they have a thorough clean and put away well oiled. Also consider taking your gun to the gunsmith for a check- up and strip clean. If your gun has not been to the gunsmith for three years; it is due now:

Were you happy with your shooting performance at the end of the season? If your answer is no; a visit to your local shooting school might serve you well.

The 1st February marks the end of the season for us game shots; however the very next day marks the start of a very hard working season for the game keepers. They have all been working very hard since September/October providing successful and exciting game shooting days for us. Now their very busy season starts in Ernest in preparation for the coming game season:

If you would like to take a look behind the scenes at the gamekeeper’s year: watch this space.

Enjoy every aspect of your shooting.

2012/2013 GAME SEASON (Provisional dates only, confirmation and details to follow)

No sooner am I describing the end of one season and I am introducing the first dates of the coming one.

The dates below are currently only provisional:

Additions/deletions, prices and full details will be provided during the next few weeks.

Now is a good time to get in touch, if you have your own special game shooting requirements for your family,friends and/or corporate guests.

Already I am looking forward to another fantastic game shooting season.

John King