I'm Ian Harford and today we're going to have a look at the equipment that I use
for pheasant shooting. Now, of course I know everybody is different and
everybody has their own preferences but this is just the equipment that I've
used over the past few years and it's a system that works for me but of course
one man's meat is another man's poison and I fully understand that all of you
have your own personal choices but, this is what I use. So, first things first guns
I can't go on a pheasant shoot unless you have a gun and the two that I use
are these, it's my AYA Number One Deluxe it's a pair in 12-bore. Now, even though
most of the days I do our single gun days I'll still take both guns with me.
Firstly, for the unthinkable if it's to happen I'm maybe break a firing pin or
something I've got a spare gun there's also from time to time you go on a shoot
and somebody hasn't bought a gun with them or as neat shooting and there may
need to borrow a gun so it's always good to have two. Also, I like to spread the
wear between guns during one day I'll shoot number one and then the other day
I'll shoot number two and it just means that the the wear is consistent and also
they develop the same patina look a little bit strange in the cabinet if
number one gun was all worn out and then number two gun that was nice and shiny,
so getting on really well with them they are side by sides they're a slightly
different style of shooting to over and unders. I shot over and under for a long
period of time before coming to side by sides, they're a lot more lightweight
they're a lot more maneuverable but you have to be a lot more focused and
concentrated on the bird there's less room for manoeuvre however the side by
side so really enjoy those. In terms of ammunition I will always take my
cartridge bag, this one here which is fallow skin holds seventy-five
cartridges so I'll typically take between fifty and sixty cartridges to a
drive which is enough for me I tend to shoot 150 to 250 bird days so if you're
shooting more than fifty sixty cartridges you're probably shooting more
than your fair share on those of course if you shoot a bigger day three four
hundred bird day then of course you'll need to take more cartridges with you.
Back at the truck I'll always have my magazine, this is a leather magazine
holds 225 shells as you can see I shoot Imperial Game from Hull Cartridge,
typically I'll shoot 30 gram fives although for partridge earlier on in the
season I might shoot a 30 gram 6 or 28 grams 6 and for higher birds I'll
shoot a 28 grand 4. Slightly smaller load in
terms of weight a little bit faster, but those number 4 size pellets they have
a lot more kinetic energy when they reach the target and of course for high
birds you want to be shooting them with as much power as you can. Then it comes
down to cases, I have two different cases that are use this is my motor case from
Ray Pavan. It's a beautiful handcrafted wooden and
leather case which allows me to break down my guns put them into this nice
sturdy case. This is quite helpful if I'm going away
and I need to keep the guns with me at all times it's a lot less unwieldy than
a pair of gun slips it's also good for traveling enough and getting on a flight
but typically I'll use my my gun slips and I have a pair here also from Ray
Pavan which have been made specifically for this pair of guns and as you can see
they're strapped together so if you're shooting a double gun day you can carry
both to the peg at the same time if I'm not shooting a double gun day I'll take
both guns in these slips leaving the truck and then take a single slip with
me but always handy to have these there now these are still pretty new but over
the years they'll develop their own patina on the match the rest of my
leather wear. So, that there is a shooting equipment now in addition to that I have
this, which is my walking stick. Very important part of the day I spend a lot
of time talking and leaning on it which is one thing but I also have a system
when I get to my peg that this is a very important part of as I walk up to my peg
I'll bury the stick in the ground open my cartridge bag fill my pockets put the
cartridge bag on the ground open the slip remove the gun and I'll hang the
slip on this stick it saves it from lying around in the mud and in the
wet on the ground of course a lot of the equipment we have here looks better as
it ages there's also that balance of having the right care and attention. All
of this equipment here certainly the cartridge bag on the magazine I've shot
with for over 15 years, so while they look worn they're still in pretty good
condition. So, the stick not only helps me keep myself steady throughout the day
but also looks after my equipment when I get to my peg. So, there's my shooting
equipment next up is me and they say that clothing maketh the man
I think when it comes to pheasant shooting that's exactly right.
I'm a tweed guy I think that dressing appropriately and showing effort when
you go to a shoot shows respect, respect for your quarry, respect for your
fellow guns, respect for the venue and respect for the sport itself even though
you may have paid for the day or have been invited a huge amount of work goes
in behind the scenes to make the day work to deliver you the day sport that
you're looking for I always wear a shirt and tie typically I wear breeks tweed
breeks socks and a waistcoat and of course a field coach come on to in a
second not only do I feel part of the day but I think it also shows to the
shoot that you're ready you're experienced and that they can trust you
to make the right decision when it comes to birds, so clothing is very very
important. Now, I am a tweed guy and I have a few tailored custom suits but as
I get a little bit closer to Christmas they all get a little bit tighter and
they're not quite so flexible, so I was like she started to moving to you off
the peg shooting suits. Now, they make some very good off the peg tweed suits
nowadays this one from Deerhunter, the Deerhunter Woodland, lovely modern tweed
but it also has all of those technological aspects you'd expect from
modern garments, so waterproof, breathable membrane, insulation, stretch panels all
of the features and functionality you need to look good in the field but also
to perform well you don't want to be restricted by your clothing and
certainly don't want to be uncomfortable and affected by the elements so
certainly a good modern technological tweed jacket and suit is must when. It
comes to my feet there's two stages of the day, first off I'll arrive in a pair
of brogues I just like them and I think they offset the tweed very nicely but it
seems to go out into the field I always wear welly boots. Now my go to welly
boots Le Chameau, I've used these for a couple of years now, but I have had pairs
that have lasted me five, six, seven years before in the past. Some people prefer to
shoot in lace-up long boots with gaiters which is fine you know if that's what
they want to do but for me this is the most flexible and comfortable option and
it also deals with all terrain and all weather conditions.
So, there's clothing and footwear now from time to time it does rain in the UK
and even though these tweed suits are waterproof and breathable sometimes it
gets a little bit heavy and tweed on the outside will pick up water so also use
or take with me a lightweight, breathable, waterproof over jacket. This is the Deerhunter
Track, which I think is the best waterproof they make in their collection.
This is one of the jackets I used over an Alaska where layering underneath for
warmth was important but the waterproof layer on the outside is absolutely
critical so if it does get really heavy rain I'll pop this over the top and my
tweed jacket continue shooting through the day and then that can be taken off
left in the car and in going for for dinner with your tweed suit on still. So,
pretty important then we come to other odds and sods of accessories now at the
front here you'll see a magnet and a little bag there will be some shoots you
go to where you can leave your cartridges on the peg, the shoot host
will say to you leave them there and we'll collect them afterwards. Now, that
could be part of their game management plan, they'd like to see how many shots
have been taken on each drive on each peg so they can work out where the birds
are flushing and who's getting the most shooting, that's helpful for them so that
they can make those changes to how the birds are driven or where they peg the
guns in the future. But typically you'll be asked to collect your cartridges when
you leave your peg. Now, there's two ways of doing that are they using this switch
you can use the magnet to pick them up without having to bend down and put them
into that nice little bag particularly if they're muddy or you can bend down
grab them out of the mud and stick them in your coat pocket, I know which one I
prefer. Very, very simple doesn't take much space and very useful. Behind that
you'll see the absolute essentials peltor electronic ear defenders now for
many, many years I've shot without any air defenders why I have no idea it's
probably one of the most insane things I've ever done and I have tinnitus in my
left ear I can still hear pretty well out to my right but it was unnecessary I
started using a foam ear plug a couple years ago which kind of worked or then
you drop it on the floor and it's uncomfortable and it gets muddy and then
these things came along and I thought well let's give them a go and they're
fantastic not only do they cut out the sound of the loud bangs but you can also
have a conversation with your mates two pegs down and you can hear if they're
criticizing your shooting, so one of the other benefits of using them is you can
hear birds flushing from way in front of you
which means that I can get myself ready even though I can't see the bird I know
they're coming. So, very, very useful things and there's nothing more
important than protecting your hearing and keeping yourself safe. Grips well
gloves because the shoot side by side typically I'm gripping the barrel with
my left hand and it can get pretty warm so using a pair of gloves not only
allows me to protect my left hand but it also gives my right hand better purchase
on the guns I've got straight stocks grip is very important consistency of
grip on that stock otherwise it can slide around and of course then it can
affect your mount. So, I've got used to wearing gloves too the past couple of
years now even using during the someone on clay shooting so they're apps I don't
think I could shoot anymore without the gloves so you know pretty essential
these are specially made for shooting, left hand has a heatproof layer the
right hand has a swell in the palm, so very good gloves but once again
definitely down to personal choice. Just in front of that you'll see a Zippo hand
warmer as we get older certainly my extremities start to get
colder particularly when you stood in the middle of a field at -5 and you're
waiting for the birds to come can be 15-20 minutes before the beaters come
around and the birds start finally start to break and it doesn't hurt to be out
of pop your hand in your pocket grab hold of a hand warmer and keep your
fingers warm but it's not essential but it's just a luxury that I enjoy. The most
important part for the keeper is the tip, if you're hoping to go shooting whether
you're invited or you bought a day as a guest a tip is an essential part of the
day it's such an important part of your recognition with the quality of the
birds that the keepers put over you and also it's important part of their income so
make sure that you're taking 20 pounds per hundred plus 10 pounds so it's 200
bird day 50 pounds if it's the 300 bird day 70 pounds they're on there after. Of
course you may also have had a loader whether that's somebody stuffing for you
or somebody loading for you double gunning that typically is around 80
pounds a day at the moment although I tend to give the guy 100 quid depending
on how well they've performed how much company and they've been certainly not
about my shooting because it tends to be pretty ordinary when I'm double gunning
but but there you go and I take this little leather bag that puts all these
accessories in and the final piece of the puzzle is this, now shooting isn't
just about shooting it's about spending time in the field with like-minded
people it's about enjoying other people stories, building new friends and new
relationships and all coming together to celebrate the day. I always take a basket
with me 12 glasses couple of bottles Champagne, couple bottles of slow Gin if I
think this is Damson Gin from Fox Stenson. Of course you've got to be
very careful and responsible in the way that we approach alcohol when we're
shooting. Glass of wine at lunch is fine and then perhaps leave any other
drinking until after you finish the shoot. Safety is of absolute paramount
importance, enjoying a drink with your friends is one thing but when it gets to
the point where it affects your ability to be able to shoot safely, then of course that's
completely unacceptable. But, also you've got to fully enjoy the day so it's all
about pitching the hospitality with the type of guns you've gotten with the type
of shooting that you're enjoying. But, I've always found that a quick liven
early on during the day helps my swing and it certainly helps to build that
social atmosphere around the shoots hospitality take advantage of it but be
safe and be responsible and there you have it it's pretty much everything I
use now of course it looks a lot but once you've put the clothes on you
packed everything into its various different bags there isn't actually that
much equipment here I've been on shoots before where I've seen the backs of Land
Rovers filled to the brim with coats and dogs and all manner of things and you
know it really doesn't need to be that complicated of course everybody will
find their own system, everybody find the equipment that works for them and a
system and solution of storing it in the back of their truck. But, that's what I
use so I'd love to hear what you guys use out in the field
you never know there might be a few pointers that I can pick up and a few
changes that I can make to my equipment. But in the meantime enjoy your shooting,
be safe and hot barrels.