06/03/2007 - End of UK Season

We mentioned in the winter issue of our Sporting Review, written in early autumn, that we were hopeful for a good season as, despite a late spring, a long, record-breaking summer was a huge bonus to game, game-rearing and cover-crop establishment. This did indeed seem to be the case with virtually all our shoots and we sailed through the five months of the lowland season with very few hiccups.
The partridge shooting months of September and October were blessed with many dry days with light winds and it was only towards the end of October that we started to see rain in any great quantity. However, once the rain arrived, it was fairly persistent throughout the season and, particularly in the south-west where the dry summer was balanced by a particularly wet winter. However, much of the rain fell during the night and the dull overcast days suited our shoots and ensured that the birds were reluctant to stray too far from the coverts. As a result, shoots up and down the country reported excellent return and it would seem that it was, indeed, the vintage season that we forecasted.
We had some excellent days at some shoots that are new to us - Halesend in Worcestershire, Bowhill in the Borders and a superb day was enjoyed by a team of Guns at Up Waltham, near Midhurst.
It would seem that shooting is enjoying a booming period and the level of interest for next season is extremely strong - probably one of the strongest markets we have ever seen. As a result, by the time the end of March arrives we will have placed a large proportion of our days, but we have some interesting developments in store and if you have not reserved your dates for next season, then please do call us without delay.