[Music]
There's plenty of the white stuff in this week's programme.
Here in Hampshire at the Steventon shoot it's 6 inches deep.
We're out to film Roy on a pheasant shoot, something we've never done before.
We're not altogether sure he understands that a shotgun is meant for shooting birds in the
air and not incoming foxes.
Hey-ho - let's see if he gets booted off on the first drive for concentrating on ground
game.
Roy is a guest of Keith Goresuch - they've swapped and shared some stalking outings over
the past few years.
Keith has kindly offered Roy the chance to join his friends and family day, but Roy's
feeling a bit rusty.
Whenever I get out on a stand, especially after being out of the game for so long the
old butterflies are kicking really badly.
I definitely think I will need a bit of luck on this one.
It is just absolutely amazing the feeling you get out and are on the stand and everything
goes live and you are ready to begin.
It doesn't matter how much you have done it, it still gets exciting.
On the next peg down is George with his "caddy".
This dedicated clay shot is having his first pop at game shooting so has a friend to talk
him through it.
More about George later.
On with the show - and the higher numbered pegs and the walking gun get the most of the
shooting on this drive.
Roy gets off the mark.
He can now start to enjoy the day.
Now that was brilliant.
When you think that we are a week away from the end of the season that was phenomenal
the amount of birds that were still showing.
So I think the keeper is going to be very happy with the show that they got here.
I know that they have got a few more days to finish off, but they really can't complain
about that.
As Roy has got his eye in - we try and hinder him by strapping a Go-Pro camera to the end
of his barrel.
It ain't pretty but we get the odd shot.
Ooh.....better.
There are some good shots here today - Alan next door is a gamekeeper and shows us how
it's done.
Drive three is a short walk but the beaters have a way to come.
When they do, Roy picks some nice birds and some that need finishing off.
With that bird there it is not what you would call a sporting bird, but she had been hit
by one of the guns standing in front and so just administered the coup de grace.
Roy also illustrates the most efficient way of using both barrels.
He remains calm refusing to show any emotion - and this is something you notice all across
the country - that cool calm exterior of a gun who's made a great shot.
Inside it's a different story, they feel epic!!!
Time for elevenses and a chance to get to know our fellow guns.
There is a mixed bag of experience here today.
First day out on game today?
It is indeed.
I have been shooting for some 20 odd years clay pigeons and I will say to you it somewhat
different between clay pigeons and the live bird.
Have you found it more tricky getting onto the bird from the clay pigeons or is it?
I shoot down the line which are all going away birds and of course you have got the
incomers in so you have got the crossers.
So yes there is a variety, but what does put you off is that little black eye looking at
you.
They don't do that with clay and when you miss it in clay shooting they say lost.
Nobody calls out here do they?
The actual atmosphere with the people, brilliant.
That is it.
Comradery is part of it.
Absolutely brilliant.
Yes at ten years old had an air rifle shot at a sparrow, winged it, felt quite bad about
that.
I hadn't shot since until today and I was interested to see my reactions once I shot
the first clay, you are right, first bird.
Yes, fine no problem.
Ok so your conscience is fine at the moment.
The adrenaline flows and that is something that surprised me, because yes, you shoot
at clays and if you are in it to get a silver cup then that makes the adrenaline go.
That is just shooting the clay, there is no emotion in that because that is what it is
all about.
But this because it is live.
Roy's next peg requires some fast reactions - the birds aren't low but they scoot over
the ride offering only a small window of opportunity.
There are clearly still plenty of birds about, even at this time of year, and it sounds like
the guns have enjoyed a good season.
So are you happy with the way the shooting has gone this year?
It has been very good.
We have thoroughly enjoyed it and I think most of the teams of guns have as well.
So they have all gone away with a smile on their faces.
Yes, yes.
Given it is January there are plenty of birds and in actual fact in terms of ...we have
got two different strains of bird here.
Oh right.
The Kansas is the bird and we have got a three quarters cross and a pure Kansas.
Believe it or not we have actually tagged them with different coloured tags to see if
we can determine which fly better and which hold better.
Things that game keepers are very interested in.
Because obviously that is your other side, you are on a game farm as well.
Yes, it is the first year we have flown them and three other estates actually bought them
from us this year as well.
The reports we got back from the keepers from all of the other three estates have said they
have held brilliantly and flown brilliantly and in fact they already know that they want
the same for next year.
Excellent.
With darkness always an issue at this time of year we power through the next few drives
looking to have a late lunch.
Talking of food, Roy's convalescence from his op meant he's put on a few pounds which
is why he is not wearing his breeks today - more importantly it does affect the fit
of the gun.
All joking aside I have found that when you put on a few pounds or lose a few pounds,
the fit to the gun can change.
Just because you had a gun that fitted beforehand doesn't necessarily mean it will continue
to do so if you become a little fat porker, like I have.
Even with the extra padding Roy and the rest of the guns shoot well and a good day is had
by all with a bag of 228 - most of which ended up in the back of Roy's truck - best leave
off that gun fitting for a few months yet Mr Lupton.
For more information about the Steventon shoot, go to SportingGameServices.co.uk.