It has been a long and busy season, after twenty-five days on the moor Isla had a short rest before she joined my Labs as part of the picking-up team, starting with duck and partridges and then fully into the busy time when pheasants are added to the list in late October. Not many snipe about this season but we did have a great day shooting over the pointers on the moss at Strocherie when the Charrington boys performed brilliantly (as did Strudel Charrington their GWP bitch) managing to down a few of these sporting little birds. Later in the season, just before Christmas, we had a wonderful trip to Skye where four guns were shooting woodcock over the pointers. This, my first visit to Skye, coincided with a period of hard frosts and wonderful blue skies. What perfect weather for shooting woodcock and the sound of the bells on the dogs collars added to the festive feeling. Isla just adores working woodcock and the dogs did us proud having point after point. It is not always easy to find the dog on point in such thick cover but the bells certainly help. It means that you can relax a bit if the dog is out of sight as long as you keep listening! The guns said it was a great "adrenaline rush" when that bell stops tinkling and all eyes are peeled to spot the dog standing like a statue in the trees. The birds are so knowing, nearly always choosing to fly away low through the trees - very testing shooting and essential to have, as we did, experienced safe guns.
A new dog has joined the team to give poor Isla's legs a rest. Dipper, a male Wirehaired pointer is now nine months old and has been doing the rounds of all the shoots socializing with the guns and their dogs and getting used to a shooting atmosphere. He has been too young to work of course but has trotted back nicely with the odd missed bird and pointed the occasional pheasant during the lunch break. The training starts in earnest now and the youngest Lab is being "tidied-up" ready for working tests and maybe a trial if I get time!
Some of the seasons highlights:
Isla pointing a covey of grouse in glorious scenery at Brae Roy
At Brae roy the lunch comes out on the pony which really adds to the atmosphere of the day as well as making walking easier.
We had a brilliant day at Drummochter - Andrew the young keeper took us out along Loch Ericht in the boat which I loved including the bits when we bobbed about on the lock the engine having decided to play up!
Isla at Drummochter saying " heck I nearly missed that one"
Isla actually lets Dram have a retrieve!
Sunrise from my hotel room on Skye - and the food was as good as the scenery!
The morning view of the Cullins - what a place to shoot woodcock! Plans are in place to book for the coming season already
Three wise monkeys! The picking up team at Cairnfield with our "Mule" transport and the dog trailer containing six Labradors and one German Wirehaired Pointer
Dipper, the latest member of the team at just eight months pointing a pheasant at Cairnfield during the lunch break.
We had two fantastic days with the Charrington family - one at Strocherie where the "boys" excelled themselves with some impressive snipe shooting and one at Auchindoon in glorious October sunshine
Here is "Strudel" Richards wonderful GWP bitch on point ready to produce a pheasant for her master to shoot. What a delightful temperament and character this bitch has - she fitted in perfectly with the team.
October sunshine and stunning countryside at Auchindoon. We were lucky to be allowed to work this productive game strip so early in the season.
The Charrington "boys," Strudel and Isla, with the bag at the end of the day at Auchindoon
Isla at Drummuir.Sometimes it can be so difficult to find Isla on point in the heather but she is totally trusting and will wait for ever for me to find her and bring the guns up for a shot.
Grouse my passion and addiction. It is a privilege to shoot these beautiful birds in magnificent countryside and sometimes just the camera is enough!
Anne Johnson
Tel: 01542 860380
anne@paintingsandpointers.co.uk
