Highway_Star
25th Jan 2008, 19:20
I nearly saw an unfortunate incident today, I say nearly because my intervention as an 'old hand' made it no more than a humiliating incident for the individual concerned.
Just served to re-affirm my long held belief that repeating shotguns have no place in the field, and to be honest, no place on the clay ground either. Farmer out twatting rabbits perhaps, but definitely NOT the weapon of a gentleman.
In fact when I have my way, everything except side by side boxlock non-ejectors will be frowned upon in respectable circles.... :p
Anyway, it prompted my memory of Mark Beaufoy's poem, 'A Father's Advice'
If a sportsman true you’d be
Listen carefully to me. . .
Never, never let your gun
Pointed be at anyone.
That it may unloaded be
Matters not the least to me.
When a hedge or fence you cross
Though of time it cause a loss
From your gun the cartridge take
For the greater safety’s sake.
If twixt you and neighbouring gun
Bird shall fly or beast may run
Let this maxim ere be thine
“Follow not across the line.”
Stops and beaters oft unseen
Lurk behind some leafy screen.
Calm and steady always be
“Never shoot where you can’t see.”
You may kill or you may miss
But at all times think this:
“All the pheasants ever bred
Won’t repay for one man dead.”
Just served to re-affirm my long held belief that repeating shotguns have no place in the field, and to be honest, no place on the clay ground either. Farmer out twatting rabbits perhaps, but definitely NOT the weapon of a gentleman.
In fact when I have my way, everything except side by side boxlock non-ejectors will be frowned upon in respectable circles.... :p
Anyway, it prompted my memory of Mark Beaufoy's poem, 'A Father's Advice'
If a sportsman true you’d be
Listen carefully to me. . .
Never, never let your gun
Pointed be at anyone.
That it may unloaded be
Matters not the least to me.
When a hedge or fence you cross
Though of time it cause a loss
From your gun the cartridge take
For the greater safety’s sake.
If twixt you and neighbouring gun
Bird shall fly or beast may run
Let this maxim ere be thine
“Follow not across the line.”
Stops and beaters oft unseen
Lurk behind some leafy screen.
Calm and steady always be
“Never shoot where you can’t see.”
You may kill or you may miss
But at all times think this:
“All the pheasants ever bred
Won’t repay for one man dead.”