[Music]
Fed up with the kids hogging the sofa and emptying the fridge?
Here's a great way to get them out in the fresh air doing something worthwhile.
Send them game shooting.
These under-21s have come to the Oxford Gun Company for the Schools Challenge two-day
introduction to driven game.
There are fifteen youngsters in all.
Some of them are already old hands at game shooting.
But for others, there's a lot to learn.
I have shot with air rifles and stuff just at targets.
I have done rabbit hunting a couple of times, but haven't been able to shoot anything because
I haven't had a gun when there have been any rabbits around.
That is basically all I have done.
I shot a squirrel once with a shot gun and that is about it.
And I am basically learning to shoot for the first time properly with a shot gun on this
course.
You have been banned from using mobile phones is that a problem.
I was just wondering why you can't use them, but they made it clear that it is a bit of
danger hazard I guess.
No that is fine.
I will just turn it off.
Tattie is getting the hang of the shooting, and she's worked out there's more than one
way to smash a clay pigeon.
Let's hope the instructors explain that's not how we do it with pheasants.
The standard of shooting is coming on in leaps and bounds and, of course our aspiring guns
can't resist a bit of competition.
They are all good really you can't really .....
We have all got our competition mind on in the back of our heads.
At the end of the day we are all doing it for a bit of a laugh.
It is really good fun.
Obviously there are only two girls, so it is sort of girls versus boys, which is quite
fun to see.
Who is winning at the moment.
I think it is the girls.
As well as marksmanship, the youngsters learn about safety, etiquette, and how a game shoot
works.
There's even a demonstration of dog-training so they can appreciate the important work
of the pickers-up.
By the end of day one, everyone has had loads of fun and smashed plenty of clays, but do
they feel confident enough to tackle the real thing tomorrow?
They are all good shots they will have a good day.
Because we had Robert teaching us.
It's day two, before dawn, and our eager pheasant shooters are on parade, kitted out in full
waterproofs.
The forecast isn't good - it's supposed to rain for most of the day.
We gather in front of the big house for a briefing and photo opportunity.
Then we load up and set off - courtesy of sponsors Express Cartridges and Land Rover.
For the first drive the guns are in a ploughed field, in front of a cover strip.
Each of the young shots is accompanied by an instructor to give them advice and make
sure the safety rules are followed.
Looking after Laura is David Florent from The Oxford Gun Company, who's in charge of
organising the day.
It is going to be good.
It is my first shoot so hopefully it will go well.
There are three of us who haven't shot before so it will be really good.
The experience to do all three things....yes, it is exciting.
Laura is excited about the possibility of shooting her first ever pheasant - but nervous
about actually handling a dead one.
She is going to carry it in a minute.
No I am not.
Yes you are.
You shot it so you are carrying it.
Can I just go and get my gloves.
I have to wear my gloves.
No.
God.....ooh.
With the 15 youngsters split into three teams, they take it in turns to shoot, beat and pick-up.
Eventually it's Tattie's turn to shoot - and she really wants to get her first pheasant
before her brothers.
Those two weren't easy were they?
No they were really fast.
By now everyone's worked up an appetite, and the youngsters pounce on the soup and hot
sausages.
As for the fudge fingers, we still don't know where the box ended up.
Anyway, back to work, and the rain has arrived, which is going to put those waterproofs to
the test.
Still, we're too busy trying to keep in line to notice.
A couple of drives later, Tattie gets her second chance - will she manage to bag her
first bird?
Concentrate.....concentrate......
No.....no...
My hands are freezing.
Ha I got two.
Concentrate.....
Shall I get that.....
Yes......go on, in front, in front.
He's got it.
Break the gun, break the gun.
Shut the gun, shut it.
That guy took my bird.
Well she's achieved her ambition, and learnt something about the neighbouring gun poaching
your birds too.
Meanwhile, Laura's shooting is going from strength to strength - she's had another pheasant
and even shared a woodcock with her brother.
But she's still struggling with actually picking up a dead bird.
Still, at least everyone is being sensitive and understanding about it.
No, I can't do it....oh......
You can't shoot them if you can't hold them.
Slip it through your arm.
I can't put it on my arm.
Don't be a wimp, just hold it.
It is just feathers.
Can you hold it with me?
Hold it......ok?
Right, time for lunch, form an orderly queue...
With storm clouds gathering, darkness is coming early, so there's no time to lose - we've
one last drive to fit in.
The keeper is showing huge confidence in our young guns by driving the birds right over
the roof of his house.
Let's hope they were paying attention in the safety briefing.
No need to worry, these youngster are shooting like pro's.
By the time the drive is over, the bag for the day is 51 plus the woodcock - and it looks
like Laura has conquered her fear.
We're finished just in time to hop into the vehicles before the rain really starts.
Then it's back to The Oxford Gun Company for a debrief before the parents arrive and the
youngsters head home bubbling with memories.
So has their experience converted them into dedicated game shooters of tomorrow?
You are a hero.
Oh thanks Birdie.