That was beautifully filmed. My next door neighbour's son asked if he could come shooting with me. The lad is 16 years old but I thought I'd best check with his mum. Bloody hell she went nuts!! You'd've thought I'd invited him to a pool party at Michael Barrymore's with Gary Glitter and Jimmy Saville as life guards. The poor kid wasn't allowed to come and I was only going target shooting. I think it's time we came out of the gun-safe and proclaim ourselves as proud members of the GSTS&OSS (That's the Game Shooting, Target Shooting and Other Shooting Sports) community.
I used to shoot Clay's or go beating for my uncle on slow work days before I broke my neck and back then, I saw beating as a chore and didn't fully appreciate the experience around it. I've been watching your videos repetitively and am currently selling my motorbikes to pay for the license and of course, gear. I love the tweed. It's not just tradition, it's a theme and a standard. It's the fine armour and pride in uniform that makes game shooting stand out above the other disciplines.
Honestly, this video and many like it are the best form of marketing. It's not the shooting, the suiting or booting that makes it so appealing. It's the emotion and clear satisfaction you show when you do it.
Ooh, this sounds familiar. I had to sell my bike after breaking by back (pressure from the wife etc) so I took up shooting, that was about 5 years ago. It's a good substitute and lots safer! Good luck with your recovery, come and join the fray!
I think that the future for game shooting will be a good one . Channels such as yours appeal to a younger audience and have huge coverage . Where else can one get info on shooting sports so easily ? In the dark distant past of my youth , the only place was the local library and inside "Gough Thomas' Gun Book " . The whole scene was a mystery . Syndicates were for rich farmers and businessmen , gamekeepers were miserable unwelcoming individuals whose sole purpose in life was to exterminate vermin and any also exterminate any enthusiasm amongst the youth of the area for shooting . The tweed was a uniform and a message " keep away you are not one of us , no oiks allowed !" Thank heavens for clay shooting grounds , but that is an expensive game and hard to afford if you are just a young fellow who has to pay his own way in the world . Keep up the good work guys , you can only be doing good by making more videos . PS , I see vehicles and shotguns , is it really a good idea to be drinking ?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this video and agree wholeheartedly with your message, and the desire to preserve this amazing sport of shooting and hunting. Here in the US, we have similar attacks against hunting and even gun ownership. Showing these activities in a favorable light is certainly our best chance at winning others over to this beautiful way of life. Well done.
The traditional look is absolutely necessary for the future of the sport. The shooting of birds is only a small part of the sport as a whole. It is the other aspects such as the preparation prior to shooting, social interaction, and of course the uniform of the day that make it what it is.
There are not many pheasants on the Western Canadian prairies, and being more of a rifleman the only game birds I've taken are ruffed grouse and wood grouse and those were with a .22 LR. I do have childhood memories of duck hunting with my father and being carried on his shoulders across a shallow slough because my rubber boots had a hole in them. When I finally got my own shotgun it was used entirely for pest birds especially crows, magpies, pigeons and starlings. This video reminded me that I need to make more effort to expand my circle of hunting buddies as well as mentor some youngsters.
your bird hunting looks wonderful. We used to have such wonderful wild populations of Pheasant and Quail in Ohio, but during our blizzard in '78, the blizzard was so severe that the ground-birds all huddled up in fencerows to stay warm, and the snow drifted up over 8 feet in some places, and smothered a great portion of them... it's been over 40 years, and you really never see quail, and the few pheasants you do see are mostly ones that have been released from game-bird farms. We do still have doves that come through, and pigeon are good sport (and eating). As far as formal attire goes, I can appreciate those who uphold the tradition of the tweed and ties and such, but I also recognize that nice denim (no raggedy holes in the knees and such) and a collared-shirt (no tie), subdued-color coat, with boots (ankle with puttees or gaiters, mid-calf, or rain-boots if it's muddy) is respectable as well. If you start allowing Cut-off t-shirts and booty-shorts, the wrong sort of people will turn out that don't really understand conservation/sport hunting, and are just out there to "kill some stuff" (AKA the US in places lol). Young adults are the best to go after in attracting new people to the sports, children can't do much on their own (if they have questions, do your best to answer them), and parents that are anti-gun/hunting/ect aren't going to let them go, and those parents who are pro-gun/hunting/ect are most likely already doing what needs done to teach their kids about it. Mid-aged Adults are often times, too set in their ways, even if they've never questioned the the ways which they live by lol.
I don't think having to buy an expensive outfit should be a barrier to newcomers. I ride motorcycles around racetracks for fun and the average set of boots, leathers, gloves and helmet is going to be £1200 plus for an outfit that can get written off at any time, as well as the bike itself and consuming hundreds of pounds of tyres per outing. No one looks at a biker and thinks snob, or thinks that it's somehow unattainable due to cost. Wearing your formal kit is a grand tradition, what puts people off is society's drift away from nature. People have become infantalised and are shocked by such simple truths as where the processed meat comes from that they shovel thoughtlessly down their necks. Not an easy problem to solve.
From the USA the number of hunters here are down. True sportsmen and women enjoy shooting plus hunting but the next generation has a lot on their minds ie cel phones and computers so time well tell much the country lifestyle will continue on....Great job on videos 👍👍
The general image of is hunters is blood thirsty killers but little do people that don’t hunt realise the amount of conservation and animal control we do too make the countryside a better place for all animals and people that live there
Great film and some great points made. Any pointers on how to achieve some rough shooting or pigeon shooting? Just getting back in to it after a break. Keep up the good work
Shooting is an education! Whether that be driven to target shooting. The media should document more about the good shooting does and not the ignorance of destruction and killing! As for tweed I like wearing it but don’t have a problem if someone didn’t want to, however I do think it is appropriate to be dressed for the countryside (mainly for the persons own comfort) and in my opinion shirt and tie is a must as this is respect for your quarry! The irony is the people you will meet on a shoot day tend to be the nicest people that are easy to get along with that also know and care about the countryside! (If only mainstream media would give us a chance!)
In the usa there would not be any wildlife trout deer grouse, etc. Or the habitat that sustain them, If it was not for the people who passionately pursue them. people who are anti hunting or shooting never truly give a healthy sustainable environment much thought, if they did the realization that hunting and trapping are useful and necessary tools in the process
Other than inviting people into our circles or way of life we need to proactively try and educate people but to survive I think we will need to start focussing on conservation to almost justify to why we should be allowed to continue and show people what good we actually do and not just blood thirsty like they believe. If we can also do more than the antis when it comes to conservation what leg do they have to stand on. Which I know we already do more but unfortunately we are the minority!
I like the video. I hope things go well with your mission for hunting in I assume England. The dress is a great example of your respect for the sport and your country men!🇺🇸
Jonny - I think the main problem here is the definition between 'killing animals' and 'shooting game for food' - people are far too used to parking their cars in the supermarket car park and buying various meats without even a consideration how it actually got there in the first place - unfortunately this is also then the experience of their children and their childrens children too - so - 'don't kill (shoot) animals' but 'it's perfectly ok to eat meat bought from the supermarkets' is what you're really up against I think ?? - The answer - I really don't know the answer to education re that dilemor 🤔🤔 As to dress code - just make the shoots classified as 'formal dress shoot' or 'non formal dress shoot' and let the paying punters decide which they choose to attend? Interesting video by the way 👍👍
In my opinion, a reasonable dress code is not only respect for the quarry, but also respect for your fellow guns, the beaters and the gamekeeper and anyone else that is involved. I'm not saying everyone should be in tweed, but a shirt and tie with respectable clothing is not difficult to achieve.
I only beat...except maybe a peg on the beaters shoot, however I always wear tweed and a tie. It's all part of the experience...the day is so much better for it...and the sloe Gin!!!!
All adds to the elitism of ‘game’ shooting and that adds to the aspirational element of the average Brit who aspires to move amongst a higher social class. It’s the pigeons that break down all the barriers. Of all the thousands of videos produced by Johnny the number that contain even a reference to pigeon shooting be counted on the fingers of one hand. Every video producer has a target ‘market’ I suppose.
The best way in my humble opinion to keep the shooting sports alive and maybe even one day flourish is for all and I mean all shooting disciplines to stand as one and promote our sport to the wider audience. I am a target rifle shooter and also do practical shotgun and .22 minirifle which could not be more different to game shooting. The thing we have in common is a love of shooting and the outdoors. I like the videos you do finding them interesting and informative. Keep up the good work. Maybe even do one and get a load of different disciplines together to show what variety our sport has. Just a thought.
I've only been on 5 or 6 driven days this year both taking photos and shooting myself, by no means is everyone wearing tweed. There has been a movement to less formality / dress code towards more technical materials from what I have seen. I believe you said on one of your vids, many moons ago, that a pair of moleskin trousers/breeks, a shirt and a tie, can all be bought for just a little more than you tip the keeper, so I don't see it as a barrier to entry into shooting. I would have thought that the cost of the day itself would be more of a barrier, to that end, there are walked up days and I am seeing a few smaller bag, beginners' coming onto the market days. Don't get me wrong, I love a tweed suit and the tradition and feel that it is important to keep it going as much as the next guy/girl but don't see it as a necessity for newcomers. I spend many months a year working in professional golf and the same conversation is being / has been had there for the last decade, if not more. Should jeans and T-shirst be allowed on the course, what about trainers etc etc etc. The external push back against golf from the media/ certain political leanings mirrors that of shooting. I even had an editor for the Telegraph say, "golf is a snobs' sport and I don't really want it in the paper unless Tiger is doing something." Shooting is not alone in being in the sights of those who would seek to destroy parts of our history through some misguided class war. The car park of the golf club I learnt at is full of tradesman's vans on a Saturday and Sunday morning "snobs" all of them I am sure *eyeroll*. It suits a narrative that is easy to write for lazy journalists and it is the same with shooting.. anyway, i am rambling lol... Keep up the great work guys, love the videos, its a way of getting my fix of shooting while out of the country.
I can appreciate that people compare shooting to golf, maybe a better example would be to compare shooting to another sport. If you look at how much an individual would invest in hockey, the cost is going to be very high. Sticks, skates, pads, etc. For the same cost, you could buy a decent gun and gear. I believe a lot of the perception is because of the "Style" of the gear in shooting. Well points made.
@@MrSiestaFiesta I think a lot of the problem also comes from the current disassociation of food from animals. I remember bringing some ducks that a friend had shot and given to me, to my parents in law to see if they wanted them, as i was travelling away the next day. The look on my sister in law's face, was picture." Eewww, what are you doing with dead ducks, that's disgusting" I said it is the same as the peking duck that you had last night in your take away...."Yes but that is like a real duck you have there" It is typical of quite a lot of people, they will pick up a "Chicken" from the supermarket but don't ever really think about what they are eating. When I tell people I shoot, there is often the initial kick back, but, once you explain that these creatures are living in the wild, have a pretty good life, i.e. have a lot more room that any farmed bird, protected from predators to a large extent, and that I would far rather eat something that has been in the wild and lived like a bird should, than some chicken living 10 to the square meter etc they kind of get it. Shooting is not for everyone, and you will never convert the rabid vegans that tell you you are murdering animals and raping the earth, those sorts,... well they say u should not argue with an idiot......... but calm and rational discussion at least allows people to look at the sport in a different light. I don't know much about Hockey though, what is the initial set up cost? The reason I used golf as an example, is the perceived "expense" and "Rich Man's sport" etc I mean u can get some cheap clubs and join a club for under £1000, or you can spend £15k on some clubs and £500k a year on club membership.
As someone who's currently looking to get into shooting game, both birds and deer, i'll give you my take on this. I'm 30 years old, so i'm not a kid looking to get ahold of something that goes bang because i saw it in Call of Duty, but there's a healthy medium between that and the ultra-traditional image that you're met with in the UK when looking into these sports that will encourage young people and first-timers to take up and ultimately care about shooting sports and rights in the UK. My interest in hunting has been growing for a good few years now. It's always been something that's been in the back of my mind, but because it's so non-mainstream in the UK, it never occurred to me that i could actually do it here. After watching Joe Rogan get into the sport some years ago, and subsequently watching Steve Rinella's MeatEater show, i decided that this was genuinely something i wanted to get involved in. I know there will be guys reading this and already be scoffing about 'the Yanks', but there's a reason their hunting culture is absolutely thriving - even their most extreme anti-gun politicians wouldn't dream about going after hunters. They have their battles with politically motivated conservationists, sure, but they win plenty enough of those battles. Accessibility to vast wilderness has a lot to do with it, of course, and that's never something we're going to be able to match in the UK purely due to geography, but the welcoming nature of their hunting community is incredible. Nobody cares what you wear as long as it's sensible. Nobody cares what gun you bring as long as it's used safely and is appropriate for what you're trying to hunt. Snobbishness is actively frowned upon and called out by the community at large. What this means is that new hunters aren't given any cultural hurdles to jump over to get into the sport, and, perhaps more importantly, young people see it and think it's actually cool. That's easily dismissable, but i promise you that if you showed the average, young, non-shooter in the UK a picture of blokes in brown tweed and flat caps carrying wooden guns, they'd be immediately put off, regardless of how great a bunch of people they are or how great a time they'd have if they got involved. Now, obviously there is an argument that keeping the tradition is worth being off-putting to newcomers and people who aren't particularly interested in the traditional aspect of the sport (me), and that's absolutely understandable - it's nice to have your own space. The drawback, however, is that eventually you'll have nobody left to fight for your sport and your interest, and any semblence of that tradition will eventually disappear anyway. The animal rights activists will outnumber the shooters. The over-protective busybodies will scream loud enough about firearms that the restrictions will increase even further, and nobody will be left to say no. The whole "keep your heads down" idea absolutely will not work. If you pay any attention at all to politics at the moment, you'll know how powerful the voices of a few extremist activists can be, and these people are always on the look out for the next traditional institution they can tear down because the inhabitants are too few or too meek to defend it. As for trying to get 'uber liberal' people into the sport: don't waste your effort. Not a single bit of it. There are thousands upon thousands of people who you could recruit to this sport who will take but a small push and a bit of encouragement (as you say, better marketing would help immensely) and who will wholeheartedly defend it and the culture once they've got a taste. We see organisations making this mistake as we speak: stop trying to win over people who will always hate what you do, and win over the people who just don't know how much they'll love it yet. I'll be going clay shooting for the first time soon. Haven't shot a gun since i was in the Air Cadets at 15 years old. Only one thing to decide after that: do i want to be low-profile and buy a nice 525, or do what i really want and buy a Benelli semi like the uncouth yob that i am? Hard decisions to be made.
" Nobody cares what you wear as long as it's sensible. Nobody cares what gun you bring as long as it's used safely and is appropriate for what you're trying to hunt." This is exactly the problem with shooting in the UK as a whole. To much you shouldn't shoot this, or that's uncouth or if you don't shoot this its unsporting. It's all just bollocks really. Take semi-autos for example, the four most common reasons given for why they are completely unacceptable for game shooting are: 1) three shells instead of two is unsporting, 2) they shoot cartages all over and cause litter 3) safety, you can't tell if ones loaded or not 4) it's disrespectful to the game Non of these excuses hold any water to me. 1) how is 3 shells unsporting but 2 is absolutely fine? why not limit it to one shell? It's just arbitrary. Also I don't view driving birds towards a line of shooters to be very sporting to begin with. 2) In this very video (07:06) Johnny is picking up the spent cartages his under/over has shot all around him. Pick up after yourself and I don't see the problem. 3) Treat every gun as if it's loaded and don't point it at people, maintain good trigger discipline. That's far safer in my mind than stopping for an afternoon gin and then continue shooting. If you're comfortable with mixing guns and alcohol then you should be comfortable with guns that don't break open. 4) The birds don't give a damn what you shoot them with, they'd rather you didn't shoot them to begin with. The most respect you can show to the quarry is a quick clean kill and a semi-auto or a pump will kill just as well as a double barrel.
I think your videos are a great advert for the sport (I am 100% new to shooting having just started on clay's) the production quality and the editing really sell the lifestyle aspect. I am not sure I will move to game shooting as I am not confident I would hit anything just yet but your videos (along with dave carrie's) certainly make me want to. Your gun reviews and tech stuff also piques my engineering nerd side....... I think the exposure you are creating and the style and production qualities you are putting into the films is doing sterling work.... keep on keepin on...
Coarse fishing went a different route. By gone days of wax , sometimes tweed with traditional gear (technology obviously overtook) came to a grinding halt in the mid 90s. All of a sudden, more appealing "work wear" piled up high in shops and younger people felt less the target of negative opinions on the bank, especially fly fishing. Ultimately, the quarry don't care what you're wearing. Keep it functional, bugger to tradition to an extent because traditions will always be kept by the purists. If the future of shooting is positive, those traditions will go full circle. The sport needs to move with the times.
A move towards informality may pay short term dividends, but will have long term disastrous effects on your sport and will remove a key aspect of what makes it unique. Count me as another huge American fan of your videos. Please keep them coming!
I think that urban areas have too much say in laws regarding countryside conservation, In my school I'd say the majority of people wouldn't appose shooting (possibly because its quite rural) however the further into the urban areas you go peoples opinions change and this doesn't seem right, most people in cities have never actually seen what happens in a shoot or a hunt but somehow think they should morally appose it, which is a shame really because it ruining the fun for us, not even mentioning how much better conservation shooting is for our environments.
As someone who grew up hunting and shooting in Irrland, I never understood the need to wear tweed and ties to show respect? Respect to who surely not the game , in my opinion respect is shown to the game by not taking more than needed and dispatching of all game cleanly and quickly, having your dog trained well and kept under control , not taking shots that are not safe and by just enjoying the day safely what you wear is secondary to all of this. I do believe shooting is in serious trouble in the UK as it is too privatised and expensive, while I understand the need for commercial shoots , there is a class attached to shooting in the UK and guys paying to stand on a peg for the privilege of birds to be flushed over them so they can shoot them while never having a hand in pen making bird rearing or vermin control these guys are not shooting men or hunters by any stretch of the imagination. That's just my opinion
It's a life style. From the people owning a day. To the kids beating getting paid with some pigeon shooting. Getting people into shooting there needs to be more hate ways from clay shooting into game. Also to dispel the myth it's only for rich people. The dress code is in every sport. From football to rugby. However some leeway for new shooter with shaming.
I had my first driven day in ten years on a shoot near Marlborough last week beaters day walk one stand one and it's a day I'll never forget all friends some good shots some not so good but all in all it cost me a box and a half of cartridges and we all thoroughly enjoyed the day.
During the season I could regularly stand and watch one or two drives a week from the tracks and trails I walk the dog every day. I’ve relentlessly tried to find a contact from the shoot to offer beating next season and hopefully a day or two on peg, but nobody knows anyone to speak to! Very closed off it seems, those dead men’s spots are all too real! As a relatively new shooter in my late thirties I’m extremely keen to get out on game, hopefully find a place on a small syndicate and do my bit- it’s just not that easy!
What about using a nice automatic for driven. Nothing like a tac black thing, but a nice walnut and blue steel Benelli or fabarm it’s worth thinking about as they are the most popular upland (walled up) shotgun here in Canada.
Even a fine grade auto is not an attractive gun. But from a hunting perspective even here in the states I don't like walking with people carrying semis. They're always fiddling to load, birds flush and they don't have a shell in etc. Doesn't make me comfortable - in a duck blind have fun.
You are the future of game shooting. You and Ant and all of your friends. You guys are what it looks like. And you and your friends are living proof that it continues to grow into next generations. Keeping your heads down and hiding the sport is not the answer. Be proud of it. Promote it. Here in Wiltshire there is a thriving country/shooting community. Many, many counties who base their economies on the countryside are still thriving, still moving forward. Modern lifestyles are not sustainable. I believe that everything will always rotate back to the countryside. Many people are turning away from the vile factory meat trade and recognising that game is the way forward.
As someone who started hunting Pheasants, Grouse, Quail, Rabbits and Deer when I was 12 years old here in the states it's sad to see the hunting and shooting traditions fading away. Being replaced by video games and anti gun single mothers.
John I certainly think these 200 bird plus days (of which I have shot on many occasions) will have to stop, preferably voluntarily . I personally believe if we don't do this off our own backs those men in grey suits will certainly do it for us ,sooner than later I think .
I certainly hope the tweed and tradition never fades, never experienced the British shooting experience and probably never will but JMO I feel that is one of things that stands the British game scene apart and it never hurts to be different. Experiencing it is on the bucket list among other things.
I don’t see game shooting as that inaccessible to new comers, I have noticed more youngsters shooting this year than ever they come beating every weekend and earn their beaters days and the knowledge of the sport which in my opinion is the only way to learn respect for the countryside and the game and a great social side. There are days , syndicates, clothing ,guns and accessories to suit different budgets but agree that it is not cheep. I spend about £2000 on seven days and get four beaters days. These days were made available to me because I found them for myself. Thanks guys enjoy the channel👍🏻
I’m an American who will, most likely, never shoot a driven bird. But, the tradition, clothing, and guns of driven shooting are very interesting and understandable. I’ll never show up to hunt locally in plus 2s, but a tweed jacket might be in my future. Thanks for the great video.
keep traditions alive and well young man. l would love to be on a shoot with you wearing tweed! lm in the USA in New York state and partridge are few anymore but they are here. side note; are there any ways for me to bid on Hoyts auctions and are there any shipping fees/customs . thank you for the videos, well done!
I came here to find out more about shooting as recently getting into gundog training with my year old GSP. Your videos are really helping me to put the training into context. I'm not a country person, it's all new to me and it can feel intimidating when you don't have the sporting background, don't know the lingo, the traditions and are just starting out. Thank you for making such well produced videos where I feel I can start to see how shooting works and how I might be able to fit in, in the future.
Jonny....before you tackle game shooting, you need to tackle shooting period....we have more and more ppl, especially women, getting into shooting and some on to game shooting....Why? We dont have rigid licensing or police, you can carry a gun now at 18, basic right...we have many large gun and ammo stores with kiddie rides therein, so barriers to shooting are decreasing as is cost, hence more ppl shoot and hunt, more ranges built.....yea it competes with video games but most of those are shootem up.....i never saw a kid who shot balloons with pellet gun or 22 not ask for more....hence i bought some land and built a small range for 22s and clay....no charge i just have to open up and supervise....i also teach women pistol shooting....always start with 22 and suppressor, low noise, low recoil....then gas operated 28ga....dont chase them away with big blasts....like it or not my friend the youth of your country are the future of the sport, not the gray suits.....you do a great job there, fun to see you on cam in Tx and SC. WAK.PHD
Well Said Jonny! Sadly in Northern Ireland, It seems to be a Very Secretive society who shoots, it isn’t made public where you can shoot game etc unless you mix in the right circles , maybe because of the Troubled past we’ve had to endure for 30 years hopefully things will change, Ive only recently got into the sport myself and been practicing lots at the clay ground doing sporting and hoping to do some driven shoots next season! I hope in the future it becomes more recognised by the general public and more people take up the sport!
My main barrier to tweed is the cost. To get anything semi decent you could easily blow £500 and upwards on breeks, jacket, waistcoat, cap etc. I can easily chuck on a cheap shooting jacket and a cap to shoot some clays but it's just not cricket at game shoots.
@@tgsoutdoors thanks for reply. I use ebay a lot. Unfortunately finding that extra few hundred pounds around the regular monthly costs isn't always the easiest, especially with the rising cost of petrol and such, bismuth shot etc
The clothing we wear has evolved over the years.In the 80`s a Barbour Gamefair,flat cap,Hunter wellies and a an old pair of cords was more than acceptable.You`d be cold,wet and uncomforatble but didn`t care.Now we have fleeces,Goretex,lined wellies or better boots.The colours we wear are designed to make us less noticeable to a bird,mind you some of the suits my mates wear make a circus clown look restrained.
Beautifully filmed, and solid questions being asked at the end. I don't think I have the immediate answers, but perhaps can lend some perspective to some of the dimensions of the problems you identify around public fears and government perceptions of firearms, firearms owners and game shooting. As a Canadian, I grew up target shooting (with my parent's permission and transportation to/from, but not much direct involvement on their part as non gun-owners and non-hunters), then went off to university, then joined the Navy for a few years, got out, went back to grad school (in Public Administration) and joined the public service, where a liberal (and sometimes Liberal) mindset has largely dominated the corporate culture for a long, long time. I myself got fully into this way of thinking for quite a few years until I've seen, as I approach retirement, just how far it has gone and I've realized that my politics and desire for the way this country need to be governed have shifted back to "boring old" middle-of-the-road (though I remain an unflinching champion of staunch environmental/conservation politics and policies). Government policies and laws around bans of certain guns while others remain perfectly legal are simply not rooted in logical, sound or consistent analysis. They are instead rooted in public perceptions, and media-promulgated misperceptions, and political agendas. An AR platform was used in a mass shooting in the US?" "Then we need to ban ARs", goes the immediate media rhetoric, the (understandable) public outcry and the resulting political reaction from the government of the day. And so AR platforms are prohibited in Canada. I'm not necessarily opposed to any of that. As a former military officer, I'm not necessarily convinced there is a legitimate need for assault rifles being owned by ordinary citizens. Are they fun to shoot? Hell yes! But the policy thinking and law-making needs to be sound, premised on valid data, and it needs to be consistent. What do I mean by that? Well, as a clear example, Chinese Type 81 assault rifles are still perfectly legal to be sold here, to anyone with a valid non-restricted firearms license, even. However, longer range accuracy considerations aside, the two firearms are otherwise essentially identical in terms of their deadliness in a mass shooting context. So how does that make any sense? Here's another one: how many .50-cal. Barrett rifles have been used in a mass shooting in Canada? Answer: not one. Reason: how many would-be mass shooters who decide to go on a rampage can afford to plunk down the $12,000 to $20,000 entry pricetag to get one? Not one. To say nothing of the fact they are bolt-action. But they are prohibited weapons in Canada nonetheless. How does that square with Type 81s still being completely legal in Canada? So this is what we are up against, and while I am emphatically NOT a denier that mass shootings are far too common, and should not ever happen, what I find unacceptable is when governments misuse, or use false statistics to predicate flawed policy and law-making to their own ends, often with (ignorant) majority public support. So these are just a few of the matters we need to tackle head-on if we are to educate the public responsibly about responsible firearms ownership and responsible, ethical hunting and its positive role in conservation and land management. And unfortunately at least in North America, there are far too many rednecks pushing an ultra-right agenda (predicated on utter lunacy) who just to tend to contribute enough of that insanity to the public discourse that it immediately toxifies and polarizes the whole discussion. In my estimation, they are actually the bigger problem, because they are lending the greatest source of fear into the discourse.
While as an American this seems very stoic/elitist; I appreciate the English stance and traditions on hunting in general. I think you are correct in questing its future as we are in all nation/states. Tying in history, responsibility, gamesmanship, etc while ‘maybe’ moving in a more technical/modern may help attract more new entrants but I sense we’re all still up against the same obstacles.
Привет. Я русский охотник, приятно смотреть за вашими поездками на охоту, за вашей стрельбой по фазанам и по тарелкам, в России фазана в стадии разведения, но в некоторых регионах его уже много и на него можно охотиться, но только на петухов. Большой привет Джонни-kill everything, клюквенный джин это прекрасная традиция. Завидую вашим возможностям по покупке ружей, Вильям Пауэл и Лонгторн очень хороши и изящны, в России такого нет и никто не может привезти, особенно сейчас. У меня 3 ружья, я их очень люблю, это иж-12, тоз-34ер и Байкал (мр-155), это прекрасные ружья с прекрасными стволами, они позволяют быть всегда с добычей. Так смотрю ваши обучающие видео с Эдом, smooth slowly drive это превосходно. Как у нас говорят ни пуха, ни пера!
Dont know about in your part of the world, but in mine in the U.S., we're just happy to have someone to hunt with and introduce to the sport. We share blaze orange jackets, vests, hats, etc. Clothing itself, at least in my hunting and shooting circles, is not a status thing nor is it a barrier to entry. We have lots of gear, you bring yourself, and we'll hook you up for the day.
The reason this Yankie has your shooting on his bucket list is all the tradition and comradery , yes the shooting and the bounty is also great . But for me it more about the experience and the day and making new friends. Thanks
Like the work Sascha puts into getting the shots angles etc. Once again culture, much of what’s displayed is foreign here in Australia. Is it good or bad ? It’s what you’re used too. Films you show to different groups would have a different focus, but as this is TH-cam it’s going to be seen by a variety of groups, some you will never convert, maybe some you will. Here’s a point for consideration. My wife is not a shooter, and has watched some hunting videos, the ones she likes have a far less focus on the actual killing, but tell more of the story to the lead up of the hunt, the planning the journey and yes the hunt aspect, followed up by consuming the days take. Although it’s a fishing video series try looking up “A river somewhere” and you will see what I mean. There’s another series here, is the “Beyond the divide” more gun orientated, somewhat less polished in its presentation but again less focus on the bang bang aspect..... Non hunters, tend to find the bang you’re dead, bang your dead, bang your dead, non appealing. Do you care about that potential market, perhaps not, but they are voters who it would be better to have on your side than not. Not to mention they could be shooters wives, who need to be convinced its good to let Mr enjoy his time away. On a politically correct point of view.... sorry.... as pointed elsewhere alcohol and guns can be frowned upon as a combination, particularly the suggestion of drinking straight from a LARGE bottle directly. The have a go anyway suggestion when a bird is miles away..... the question of ethical responsibility arises The question of where did the game taken go at the end of the day remains unanswered. Hope I’m not coming across as negative as I don’t want to be, but you did ask for comments, and hopefully there’s something there that might be useful.
I take my son on as many days as I can. I am of the firm belief that it will end in the not to distant future. The steel shot debacle is just the start of the downward trend. One shoot I partake on has already had anti's on there. The gamekeeper blew the whistle and shouted, "Guns in slips, everyone!!" Which was duly observed. However, insults were cast, ("bloodthirsty, overdressed toffee nosed snobs!) but not exchanged; every shoot member behaved impeccably, remaining silent. The gamekeeper did calmly point out that they were trespassing, and dogs should be kept on leads at all times in the countyside. Then politely asked them to leave, or the police would be called. Amazingly, they all went on their way. It did put a bit of a downer on the day and left everyone wondering if they would reappear on the next drive. In the Grand scheme of things for me, it's not too bad, I suppose in 45 years of game shooting.
The tie and tweed question is interesting. I don't think modernization should mean dispensing with traditions that are intrinsically part of the sport. A British shoot is a part of our cultural heritage. Shine light on it - as you do excellently - and people will see the attraction. I work for an Ivy League college in the States and wear tweed and a tie most days in season. If the cap fits, wear it. Fashions change. You're making shooting, and all the trimmings, fashionable again. Bravo and encore.
I think you made a could point about what you wear when shooting. It’s about respecting the sport. In the United States I think our hunting culture is different, but I think the next generation of hunters have a different attitude towards the sport, and how we respect it.
im 23, really want to get into shooting unfortunately i need my own gaff beofre i can even think of applying for my SGC. my mum would go nuts. IMO the outfits are boss and the history of British shooting interests me loads. the thing that may be a bit intimidating is that i am just working class lad and not sure how i would get on within the current shooting culture.
Traditions are important to hunting, but its also important to cater to those who can’t afford the barriers. I spend thousands a year on hunting gear, clothes, and weapons,. I spend weeks in the backcountry with bows hunting elk and mule deer. Spend days on the river fly fishing. So to say that there are barriers some can’t overcome would be a lie. But there are definitely types of hunting everyone can do. I also think you’re wrong about children (and women), there are no more important demographics to get involved. I did my first pheasant shoot here in Canada last year, and some day i will make it across the pond for some proper british shoot. Tweed and all.
Wear that country tweed at a disco and you will look like a prick. Wear your disco clothes in the country and you will look like a prick. Horses for courses. The clothing you are wearing in this video is practical and when you watch it you blend into the countryside, you look like you belong there. Never sell tradition short. And that is from someone who now does all his shooting with a camera. Also, never try to justify your sport by saying people's jobs depend on it. Carry out your sport in an honourable fashion, never support any illegal activity by the odd rogue keeper, keep your house in order and promote the conservation aspects. That is the best you can do.
You are spot on,we as a shooting community need to tell the general public about what fires our passion. Weather its clays,game, targets. Or just a love of holding something that fire a projectile . Myself and a few friends run a small airgun club and the best thing we see is the faces of new and young shots starting out .someone who will carry on and talk to there mates and let them know its not all elitist and there's down to earth people who like shoot and have a laugh at the same time . Keep up the great work 👍 👏
Yes to tweed, though you can also find other fibers but you cant degenerate to shorts and t shirts. Respect and tradition. As for kids, yes, start shooting education early and often. Kids and families. Many like myself arent lucky enough to start with family and therefore come late to the game.
I think what really stops people doing this is really the shooters attitude. It's not an overly friendly environment to be honest. I found i had to push through that in spite of, just so i could shoot because i was always passionate about it even before i could own guns. but the attitude of gun people is pretty off putting. You're right, the dress code does add to it but I don't think its the main thing.
Get rid of tweed, a shirt and tie? I would not want that for you guys. I associate UK game shooting as a formal shoot. If you get rid of that culture and tradition to bend way for the masses to enter the sport, mind as well bring in pump and semiautomatic shot guns. In the States, we don’t put in a shirt and tie to shoot, but it would be a bad idea.
I recently got into clay pigeon shooting and have been invited to club shoots here and there. I live in the countryside but hunting and game shooting isn’t in my remit atm. How would I go about getting into it ?
Like many of your viewers, I live on the western side of the pond. Here, standing relatively still while birds are chased toward you is most unusual. The fun is walking with friends, behind good dogs and over great cover. If we're going to be traveling miles, I carry a light, fast double. Some of my friends do, too. Most of their guns have some sentimental value attached. We take turns shooting. If a bird is missed by the one shooter, it lives. A back-up shoots only a bird that has been wounded but not brought down. Shooting AT birds is frowned upon. Don't take shots that you aren't confident you'll make. When there are enough birds for the table until the next day out, we stop. The evenings are treasured times. With regard to your video, here alcohol and loaded guns sure don't mix.
A difference is that in the states a hunting preserve has essentially no endemic population of birds. They raise in pens and place the am of the hunt and a good dog will put them up 10 for 10. This form of game shooting is more of a private estate where a gameskeeper is maintaining terrain controlling predators and the birds are living in the woods. What's more striking to me is we never rest our muzzles on the ground. My grandpa would have whooped me for that.
@@pbgd3 The "states" covers a very large area. This is a huge country and we have many states with large native game bird populations. Of course, their habitat is preserved by humans. I don't like the idea or the reality of pheasant farms either but people do things that are much worse in life. It's not quite like shooting chickens in a coop and it's not like a British firing squad either.
@@wholeNwon it does but this is a specific type of preserve hunting they do. He may comment but there is not the concept of vast public federal and state lands that you can hunt on. So either you know a farmer who may only lease his land and not be able to let you hunt it. Or maybe you go on a hunt.
@@pbgd3 Yup. I'd like the social interaction (without the combination of alcohol and loaded guns) but that's about it. Don't need the food. Of course, I don't need the food when I shot wild birds but I would still kill one or 2 cocks for the table (shots I was certain that I would make with clean kills) and let others live. Being out and walking through cover, sometimes with friends, was my reward.
@@wholeNwon yaaaa the drink to be fair they have literal posts where each gun stands, they aren't 20 yards apart walking ditches jumping birds. Because of the formal structure I feel the booze might not matter so much. Sort of the difference between beers at a driving range and beers in the golf carts.
Whilst some brands of shooting clothing can be ludicrously expensive and like to maintain their exclusivity, others are quite affordable. Suppliers such as Jack Pyke or Samuel Windsor make quality gear very accessible. If wearing a Schoffel logo is important to you then you'll be prepared to spend the bucks but you can get perfectly function kit at a fraction of the price.
Johnny another great video tweed shows respect for your quarry and looks great in the shooting field if you organiseing day or days for like minded people this season let's us know how to get involved
The barrier to entry looks to be so high in the UK compared to US in the States but I think I am going to go out and buy a tweed suit and get a lot of weird looks over here. Looks nice.
I have always loved the idea of shooting and wanted to take that step on getting involved I now have a young family and would love to do it any tips of how to make the step forward?
Best to go and have a lesson or Have a go session. See us you like it - after that a few more lessons, apply for a licence and away you go. Plenty of shooting opportunities on guns on pegs and the CPSA website
Great video! I’m in the U.S.A. As a first-generation gun owner, (no one in my family owns guns or hunts) I felt out of place walking in to buy my first gun. Some year's later, I am expanding my love for the outdoors and firearms. I want to try a new discipline (clay shooting) I feel that to grow as a community we have to better accept people’s financial limitations and not shame them for their choice of firearms. I posted on a forum about getting my first O/U and inquired about a Turkish-made one. I was berated with comments about only buying a Beretta or Browning. Or to save up for a Beretta or Browning. Because I am already a gun owner, I brushed it off. But I can see how this scenario could keep new gun owners from joining the community and it's because some people come off as elitists or shame our choice of firearms. We need to do better in this regard along with inviting people out to shoot. (especially if they are curious about the sport) and please don't start them on a big caliber!
Really thought provoking film. I've long since felt the same way of always hiding in the shadows, making it appear that we're ashamed of what we do. This is a very deep rooted issue, perpetrated even by the Royal Family who clearly love to shoot and could do a huge amount for the good of the sport, but will go out of their way to distance themselves from being seen participating on a shoot day. I grew up as the son of a farm manager who ran a shoot for local working men, rough old characters mostly, farm labourers, contractors, old poachers even. Shooting game isn't just about toffs on grand estates, it's about the countryside community, coming together on a cold winter's day, bagging a few for the pot, working the dogs and meeting up. It's about having a good day out together in the countryside. We should be proud of that and proud of all the good work done to improve the countryside and its biodiversity. The ties and the tweed? A touch of tradition, showing some respect for the quarry maybe, but certainly no barrier to entry on your everyday rough shoot. Just get out there, enjoy your sport and be proud.
I live in the country, love shooting, we have horses too. So I should be well into tweed, but i cant stand it. So i dont go places where its a dress. Whats wrong with just normal trousers & a hoodie 🤷🏼♂️ Love the videos Jonny Keep it up
I'm just 6 months into the shooting community and my opinion is that the community is it's own worst enemy. Secretive, snobbery and communications methods of pre-internet proportions. Costs are too high to get wider participation and while once you start getting known it becomes very friendly, it certainly doesn't start out like that and you have to work very hard to get remembered. Far too much gun mystique instead of viewing it as a tool. If someone turns up with a Hatsan Escort should be treated the same as a Holland and Holland pair. I shoot my much loved Benelli Supernova been told I need a proper gun by lots of people. Luckily I have a thick skin and not intimidated by wealth and status and that is the only reason I'm still there.
Great video, well done! It’s important to promote the culture of various aspects of game shooting. It’s not easy to wander into. I spent 20 years as a sporting clays shooter before my path brought me into it. Really prizes and friends turned me onto it. I now look forward to fall with great anticipation for a brisk morning in the fields with my friends.
Ant’s summary is an accurate one. There has been a gap in the public awareness of shooting. (Grouse numbers used to be reported in provincial newspapers across the nation) The attention has been selected by vested interests, for driven game. This is the easiest form to appeal to the prejudices of the reservoir of potential antis; in particular grouse shooting. The point is that shooting is a very normal thing, because pretty normal people shoot. More people need to realise that. Next week, and not for the first time, I am taking someone who has never shot for a clay shooting lesson. A gamekeeper friend tries to visit a school or scout group a year . We should be doing this.
Tweeds area great part of the shooting culture, but few of us are born in tweeds. I was a newby, once upon a time, and had no trouble turning up in a respectable outfit. Everyone owns a tattersall and a tie. Moleskin trousers and a fleece gilet will get one by. It’s more important that people grow to love shooting, and as they do, no doubt they’ll soon be in tweeds. That’s what happened to me.
As a current non shooter and commoner 🤣that would love to become a shooter, it is off putting knowing (or atleast it comes across) that its a very expensive sport, as for the whole tweed thing, i think its very important to dress smart, as a kind of respect for the game or animal you are hunting, you wouldnt attend a funeral in tracksuit bottoms so tweed itself may not be necessary but dressing relitively smart should be.
would love to try game shooting or clay shooting just need to find the right connect to try it out (West Midlands) at the moment I just stick to target rifle and trying mini rifle in the coming days.
I've watched several of your vids now, and I think if you keep reiterating the conservation work that good shoots undertake, the improvements in song bird numbers, habitat for hedgehogs etc. that are a welcome side effect of increased mid height ground cover you can slowly nibble away at the detractors.The biggest problem shooting has is not just the Journalists with spare space and few ideas its the muppets in the shooting community, or more likely on the edge of it, posting inflammatory BS about the Packhams of the world.He is a chap with a point of view, but reasoned argument with proper verifiable data to back it up is what you need to counter him.Dare I suggest you take him to a well run estate and ask him where else has the variety of wild life, point out what it costs and ask where else would funding to that level come from?I might add that I have never fired a shotgun, but I grew up in a village not a town, and my part of Leicestershire is being murdered by over development. Such a shame.
That was beautifully filmed. My next door neighbour's son asked if he could come shooting with me. The lad is 16 years old but I thought I'd best check with his mum. Bloody hell she went nuts!! You'd've thought I'd invited him to a pool party at Michael Barrymore's with Gary Glitter and Jimmy Saville as life guards. The poor kid wasn't allowed to come and I was only going target shooting. I think it's time we came out of the gun-safe and proclaim ourselves as proud members of the GSTS&OSS (That's the Game Shooting, Target Shooting and Other Shooting Sports) community.
I used to shoot Clay's or go beating for my uncle on slow work days before I broke my neck and back then, I saw beating as a chore and didn't fully appreciate the experience around it.
I've been watching your videos repetitively and am currently selling my motorbikes to pay for the license and of course, gear.
I love the tweed. It's not just tradition, it's a theme and a standard. It's the fine armour and pride in uniform that makes game shooting stand out above the other disciplines.
Honestly, this video and many like it are the best form of marketing. It's not the shooting, the suiting or booting that makes it so appealing. It's the emotion and clear satisfaction you show when you do it.
Ooh, this sounds familiar. I had to sell my bike after breaking by back (pressure from the wife etc) so I took up shooting, that was about 5 years ago. It's a good substitute and lots safer! Good luck with your recovery, come and join the fray!
I think that the future for game shooting will be a good one . Channels such as yours appeal to a younger audience and have huge coverage . Where else can one get info on shooting sports so easily ? In the dark distant past of my youth , the only place was the local library and inside "Gough Thomas' Gun Book " . The whole scene was a mystery .
Syndicates were for rich farmers and businessmen , gamekeepers were miserable unwelcoming individuals whose sole purpose in life was to exterminate vermin and any also exterminate any enthusiasm amongst the youth of the area for shooting .
The tweed was a uniform and a message " keep away you are not one of us , no oiks allowed !"
Thank heavens for clay shooting grounds , but that is an expensive game and hard to afford if you are just a young fellow who has to pay his own way in the world .
Keep up the good work guys , you can only be doing good by making more videos .
PS , I see vehicles and shotguns , is it really a good idea to be drinking ?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this video and agree wholeheartedly with your message, and the desire to preserve this amazing sport of shooting and hunting. Here in the US, we have similar attacks against hunting and even gun ownership. Showing these activities in a favorable light is certainly our best chance at winning others over to this beautiful way of life. Well done.
The traditional look is absolutely necessary for the future of the sport. The shooting of birds is only a small part of the sport as a whole. It is the other aspects such as the preparation prior to shooting, social interaction, and of course the uniform of the day that make it what it is.
Great to see a flatcoat retrieving in this film 😁
Love it! Sasha’s b roll edit is Peaky Blinders level 💪🏼💪🏼
There are not many pheasants on the Western Canadian prairies, and being more of a rifleman the only game birds I've taken are ruffed grouse and wood grouse and those were with a .22 LR. I do have childhood memories of duck hunting with my father and being carried on his shoulders across a shallow slough because my rubber boots had a hole in them. When I finally got my own shotgun it was used entirely for pest birds especially crows, magpies, pigeons and starlings. This video reminded me that I need to make more effort to expand my circle of hunting buddies as well as mentor some youngsters.
your bird hunting looks wonderful. We used to have such wonderful wild populations of Pheasant and Quail in Ohio, but during our blizzard in '78, the blizzard was so severe that the ground-birds all huddled up in fencerows to stay warm, and the snow drifted up over 8 feet in some places, and smothered a great portion of them... it's been over 40 years, and you really never see quail, and the few pheasants you do see are mostly ones that have been released from game-bird farms. We do still have doves that come through, and pigeon are good sport (and eating).
As far as formal attire goes, I can appreciate those who uphold the tradition of the tweed and ties and such, but I also recognize that nice denim (no raggedy holes in the knees and such) and a collared-shirt (no tie), subdued-color coat, with boots (ankle with puttees or gaiters, mid-calf, or rain-boots if it's muddy) is respectable as well. If you start allowing Cut-off t-shirts and booty-shorts, the wrong sort of people will turn out that don't really understand conservation/sport hunting, and are just out there to "kill some stuff" (AKA the US in places lol).
Young adults are the best to go after in attracting new people to the sports, children can't do much on their own (if they have questions, do your best to answer them), and parents that are anti-gun/hunting/ect aren't going to let them go, and those parents who are pro-gun/hunting/ect are most likely already doing what needs done to teach their kids about it. Mid-aged Adults are often times, too set in their ways, even if they've never questioned the the ways which they live by lol.
As 14 year old I love wearing the tweed the tie the breeks on a shoot it only feels right
I don't think having to buy an expensive outfit should be a barrier to newcomers. I ride motorcycles around racetracks for fun and the average set of boots, leathers, gloves and helmet is going to be £1200 plus for an outfit that can get written off at any time, as well as the bike itself and consuming hundreds of pounds of tyres per outing. No one looks at a biker and thinks snob, or thinks that it's somehow unattainable due to cost. Wearing your formal kit is a grand tradition, what puts people off is society's drift away from nature. People have become infantalised and are shocked by such simple truths as where the processed meat comes from that they shovel thoughtlessly down their necks. Not an easy problem to solve.
Love it long may you continue with your lifestyle and traditions in this land of snowflakes
From the USA the number of hunters here are down. True sportsmen and women enjoy shooting plus hunting but the next generation has a lot on their minds ie cel phones and computers so time well tell much the country lifestyle will continue on....Great job on videos 👍👍
Getting game back on the menu will help. Great video, professional quality 👌🏼
The general image of is hunters is blood thirsty killers but little do people that don’t hunt realise the amount of conservation and animal control we do too make the countryside a better place for all animals and people that live there
Great film and some great points made. Any pointers on how to achieve some rough shooting or pigeon shooting? Just getting back in to it after a break. Keep up the good work
Shooting is an education! Whether that be driven to target shooting. The media should document more about the good shooting does and not the ignorance of destruction and killing!
As for tweed I like wearing it but don’t have a problem if someone didn’t want to, however I do think it is appropriate to be dressed for the countryside (mainly for the persons own comfort) and in my opinion shirt and tie is a must as this is respect for your quarry!
The irony is the people you will meet on a shoot day tend to be the nicest people that are easy to get along with that also know and care about the countryside! (If only mainstream media would give us a chance!)
I love watching your shoot days even if it does make me a little envious 😉😂
Tweed is the tradition of driven pheasant shooting. Keep Standards high.
In the usa there would not be any wildlife trout deer grouse, etc. Or the habitat that sustain them, If it was not for the people who passionately pursue them. people who are anti hunting or shooting never truly give a healthy sustainable environment much thought, if they did the realization that hunting and trapping are useful and necessary tools in the process
I think the large commercial shoots will be banned in the next 15 years, and completely banned in 30 years
Other than inviting people into our circles or way of life we need to proactively try and educate people but to survive I think we will need to start focussing on conservation to almost justify to why we should be allowed to continue and show people what good we actually do and not just blood thirsty like they believe. If we can also do more than the antis when it comes to conservation what leg do they have to stand on. Which I know we already do more but unfortunately we are the minority!
Vegan pheasants
Very socialy Conservative =Tory pastime ,
I like the video. I hope things go well with your mission for hunting in I assume England. The dress is a great example of your respect for the sport and your country men!🇺🇸
Jonny - I think the main problem here is the definition between 'killing animals' and 'shooting game for food' - people are far too used to parking their cars in the supermarket car park and buying various meats without even a consideration how it actually got there in the first place - unfortunately this is also then the experience of their children and their childrens children too - so - 'don't kill (shoot) animals' but 'it's perfectly ok to eat meat bought from the supermarkets' is what you're really up against I think ?? - The answer - I really don't know the answer to education re that dilemor 🤔🤔
As to dress code - just make the shoots classified as 'formal dress shoot' or 'non formal dress shoot' and let the paying punters decide which they choose to attend?
Interesting video by the way 👍👍
In my opinion, a reasonable dress code is not only respect for the quarry, but also respect for your fellow guns, the beaters and the gamekeeper and anyone else that is involved. I'm not saying everyone should be in tweed, but a shirt and tie with respectable clothing is not difficult to achieve.
I only beat...except maybe a peg on the beaters shoot, however I always wear tweed and a tie. It's all part of the experience...the day is so much better for it...and the sloe Gin!!!!
I'm fairly certain the birds don't care what you're wearing.
All adds to the elitism of ‘game’ shooting and that adds to the aspirational element of the average Brit who aspires to move amongst a higher social class. It’s the pigeons that break down all the barriers. Of all the thousands of videos produced by Johnny the number that contain even a reference to pigeon shooting be counted on the fingers of one hand. Every video producer has a target ‘market’ I suppose.
I couldn't agree more!
There is an image of snobbery and expense so people need to get into pigeons and rough shooting etc. Your video are great so keep them coming
The best way in my humble opinion to keep the shooting sports alive and maybe even one day flourish is for all and I mean all shooting disciplines to stand as one and promote our sport to the wider audience. I am a target rifle shooter and also do practical shotgun and .22 minirifle which could not be more different to game shooting. The thing we have in common is a love of shooting and the outdoors. I like the videos you do finding them interesting and informative. Keep up the good work. Maybe even do one and get a load of different disciplines together to show what variety our sport has. Just a thought.
I've only been on 5 or 6 driven days this year both taking photos and shooting myself, by no means is everyone wearing tweed. There has been a movement to less formality / dress code towards more technical materials from what I have seen.
I believe you said on one of your vids, many moons ago, that a pair of moleskin trousers/breeks, a shirt and a tie, can all be bought for just a little more than you tip the keeper, so I don't see it as a barrier to entry into shooting. I would have thought that the cost of the day itself would be more of a barrier, to that end, there are walked up days and I am seeing a few smaller bag, beginners' coming onto the market days. Don't get me wrong, I love a tweed suit and the tradition and feel that it is important to keep it going as much as the next guy/girl but don't see it as a necessity for newcomers.
I spend many months a year working in professional golf and the same conversation is being / has been had there for the last decade, if not more. Should jeans and T-shirst be allowed on the course, what about trainers etc etc etc. The external push back against golf from the media/ certain political leanings mirrors that of shooting. I even had an editor for the Telegraph say, "golf is a snobs' sport and I don't really want it in the paper unless Tiger is doing something." Shooting is not alone in being in the sights of those who would seek to destroy parts of our history through some misguided class war. The car park of the golf club I learnt at is full of tradesman's vans on a Saturday and Sunday morning "snobs" all of them I am sure *eyeroll*. It suits a narrative that is easy to write for lazy journalists and it is the same with shooting.. anyway, i am rambling lol...
Keep up the great work guys, love the videos, its a way of getting my fix of shooting while out of the country.
I can appreciate that people compare shooting to golf, maybe a better example would be to compare shooting to another sport. If you look at how much an individual would invest in hockey, the cost is going to be very high. Sticks, skates, pads, etc. For the same cost, you could buy a decent gun and gear.
I believe a lot of the perception is because of the "Style" of the gear in shooting. Well points made.
@@MrSiestaFiesta I think a lot of the problem also comes from the current disassociation of food from animals. I remember bringing some ducks that a friend had shot and given to me, to my parents in law to see if they wanted them, as i was travelling away the next day.
The look on my sister in law's face, was picture." Eewww, what are you doing with dead ducks, that's disgusting" I said it is the same as the peking duck that you had last night in your take away...."Yes but that is like a real duck you have there" It is typical of quite a lot of people, they will pick up a "Chicken" from the supermarket but don't ever really think about what they are eating.
When I tell people I shoot, there is often the initial kick back, but, once you explain that these creatures are living in the wild, have a pretty good life, i.e. have a lot more room that any farmed bird, protected from predators to a large extent, and that I would far rather eat something that has been in the wild and lived like a bird should, than some chicken living 10 to the square meter etc they kind of get it. Shooting is not for everyone, and you will never convert the rabid vegans that tell you you are murdering animals and raping the earth, those sorts,... well they say u should not argue with an idiot......... but calm and rational discussion at least allows people to look at the sport in a different light.
I don't know much about Hockey though, what is the initial set up cost? The reason I used golf as an example, is the perceived "expense" and "Rich Man's sport" etc I mean u can get some cheap clubs and join a club for under £1000, or you can spend £15k on some clubs and £500k a year on club membership.
As someone who's currently looking to get into shooting game, both birds and deer, i'll give you my take on this. I'm 30 years old, so i'm not a kid looking to get ahold of something that goes bang because i saw it in Call of Duty, but there's a healthy medium between that and the ultra-traditional image that you're met with in the UK when looking into these sports that will encourage young people and first-timers to take up and ultimately care about shooting sports and rights in the UK.
My interest in hunting has been growing for a good few years now. It's always been something that's been in the back of my mind, but because it's so non-mainstream in the UK, it never occurred to me that i could actually do it here. After watching Joe Rogan get into the sport some years ago, and subsequently watching Steve Rinella's MeatEater show, i decided that this was genuinely something i wanted to get involved in. I know there will be guys reading this and already be scoffing about 'the Yanks', but there's a reason their hunting culture is absolutely thriving - even their most extreme anti-gun politicians wouldn't dream about going after hunters. They have their battles with politically motivated conservationists, sure, but they win plenty enough of those battles. Accessibility to vast wilderness has a lot to do with it, of course, and that's never something we're going to be able to match in the UK purely due to geography, but the welcoming nature of their hunting community is incredible. Nobody cares what you wear as long as it's sensible. Nobody cares what gun you bring as long as it's used safely and is appropriate for what you're trying to hunt. Snobbishness is actively frowned upon and called out by the community at large. What this means is that new hunters aren't given any cultural hurdles to jump over to get into the sport, and, perhaps more importantly, young people see it and think it's actually cool. That's easily dismissable, but i promise you that if you showed the average, young, non-shooter in the UK a picture of blokes in brown tweed and flat caps carrying wooden guns, they'd be immediately put off, regardless of how great a bunch of people they are or how great a time they'd have if they got involved.
Now, obviously there is an argument that keeping the tradition is worth being off-putting to newcomers and people who aren't particularly interested in the traditional aspect of the sport (me), and that's absolutely understandable - it's nice to have your own space. The drawback, however, is that eventually you'll have nobody left to fight for your sport and your interest, and any semblence of that tradition will eventually disappear anyway. The animal rights activists will outnumber the shooters. The over-protective busybodies will scream loud enough about firearms that the restrictions will increase even further, and nobody will be left to say no. The whole "keep your heads down" idea absolutely will not work. If you pay any attention at all to politics at the moment, you'll know how powerful the voices of a few extremist activists can be, and these people are always on the look out for the next traditional institution they can tear down because the inhabitants are too few or too meek to defend it.
As for trying to get 'uber liberal' people into the sport: don't waste your effort. Not a single bit of it. There are thousands upon thousands of people who you could recruit to this sport who will take but a small push and a bit of encouragement (as you say, better marketing would help immensely) and who will wholeheartedly defend it and the culture once they've got a taste. We see organisations making this mistake as we speak: stop trying to win over people who will always hate what you do, and win over the people who just don't know how much they'll love it yet.
I'll be going clay shooting for the first time soon. Haven't shot a gun since i was in the Air Cadets at 15 years old. Only one thing to decide after that: do i want to be low-profile and buy a nice 525, or do what i really want and buy a Benelli semi like the uncouth yob that i am? Hard decisions to be made.
" Nobody cares what you wear as long as it's sensible. Nobody cares what gun you bring as long as it's used safely and is appropriate for what you're trying to hunt."
This is exactly the problem with shooting in the UK as a whole. To much you shouldn't shoot this, or that's uncouth or if you don't shoot this its unsporting. It's all just bollocks really. Take semi-autos for example, the four most common reasons given for why they are completely unacceptable for game shooting are:
1) three shells instead of two is unsporting,
2) they shoot cartages all over and cause litter
3) safety, you can't tell if ones loaded or not
4) it's disrespectful to the game
Non of these excuses hold any water to me.
1) how is 3 shells unsporting but 2 is absolutely fine? why not limit it to one shell? It's just arbitrary. Also I don't view driving birds towards a line of shooters to be very sporting to begin with.
2) In this very video (07:06) Johnny is picking up the spent cartages his under/over has shot all around him. Pick up after yourself and I don't see the problem.
3) Treat every gun as if it's loaded and don't point it at people, maintain good trigger discipline. That's far safer in my mind than stopping for an afternoon gin and then continue shooting. If you're comfortable with mixing guns and alcohol then you should be comfortable with guns that don't break open.
4) The birds don't give a damn what you shoot them with, they'd rather you didn't shoot them to begin with. The most respect you can show to the quarry is a quick clean kill and a semi-auto or a pump will kill just as well as a double barrel.
I think your videos are a great advert for the sport (I am 100% new to shooting having just started on clay's) the production quality and the editing really sell the lifestyle aspect. I am not sure I will move to game shooting as I am not confident I would hit anything just yet but your videos (along with dave carrie's) certainly make me want to. Your gun reviews and tech stuff also piques my engineering nerd side....... I think the exposure you are creating and the style and production qualities you are putting into the films is doing sterling work.... keep on keepin on...
get rid of Packham imo
And Oddie.
Coarse fishing went a different route. By gone days of wax , sometimes tweed with traditional gear (technology obviously overtook) came to a grinding halt in the mid 90s. All of a sudden, more appealing "work wear" piled up high in shops and younger people felt less the target of negative opinions on the bank, especially fly fishing.
Ultimately, the quarry don't care what you're wearing.
Keep it functional, bugger to tradition to an extent because traditions will always be kept by the purists. If the future of shooting is positive, those traditions will go full circle. The sport needs to move with the times.
A move towards informality may pay short term dividends, but will have long term disastrous effects on your sport and will remove a key aspect of what makes it unique.
Count me as another huge American fan of your videos. Please keep them coming!
I think that urban areas have too much say in laws regarding countryside conservation, In my school I'd say the majority of people wouldn't appose shooting (possibly because its quite rural) however the further into the urban areas you go peoples opinions change and this doesn't seem right, most people in cities have never actually seen what happens in a shoot or a hunt but somehow think they should morally appose it, which is a shame really because it ruining the fun for us, not even mentioning how much better conservation shooting is for our environments.
As someone who grew up hunting and shooting in Irrland, I never understood the need to wear tweed and ties to show respect? Respect to who surely not the game , in my opinion respect is shown to the game by not taking more than needed and dispatching of all game cleanly and quickly, having your dog trained well and kept under control , not taking shots that are not safe and by just enjoying the day safely what you wear is secondary to all of this. I do believe shooting is in serious trouble in the UK as it is too privatised and expensive, while I understand the need for commercial shoots , there is a class attached to shooting in the UK and guys paying to stand on a peg for the privilege of birds to be flushed over them so they can shoot them while never having a hand in pen making bird rearing or vermin control these guys are not shooting men or hunters by any stretch of the imagination. That's just my opinion
It's a life style. From the people owning a day. To the kids beating getting paid with some pigeon shooting. Getting people into shooting there needs to be more hate ways from clay shooting into game. Also to dispel the myth it's only for rich people. The dress code is in every sport. From football to rugby. However some leeway for new shooter with shaming.
I had my first driven day in ten years on a shoot near Marlborough last week beaters day walk one stand one and it's a day I'll never forget all friends some good shots some not so good but all in all it cost me a box and a half of cartridges and we all thoroughly enjoyed the day.
During the season I could regularly stand and watch one or two drives a week from the tracks and trails I walk the dog every day. I’ve relentlessly tried to find a contact from the shoot to offer beating next season and hopefully a day or two on peg, but nobody knows anyone to speak to! Very closed off it seems, those dead men’s spots are all too real! As a relatively new shooter in my late thirties I’m extremely keen to get out on game, hopefully find a place on a small syndicate and do my bit- it’s just not that easy!
Find out where the head keeper lives and formerly introduce yourself expressing your interest in the sport .
Gerald Swain that’s the plan, been the devils own job so far!! All good things take time.
What about using a nice automatic for driven. Nothing like a tac black thing, but a nice walnut and blue steel Benelli or fabarm it’s worth thinking about as they are the most popular upland (walled up) shotgun here in Canada.
Even a fine grade auto is not an attractive gun. But from a hunting perspective even here in the states I don't like walking with people carrying semis. They're always fiddling to load, birds flush and they don't have a shell in etc. Doesn't make me comfortable - in a duck blind have fun.
Support British tweed, stop buying over priced mass produced schoffel.
You are the future of game shooting. You and Ant and all of your friends. You guys are what it looks like. And you and your friends are living proof that it continues to grow into next generations. Keeping your heads down and hiding the sport is not the answer. Be proud of it. Promote it. Here in Wiltshire there is a thriving country/shooting community. Many, many counties who base their economies on the countryside are still thriving, still moving forward. Modern lifestyles are not sustainable. I believe that everything will always rotate back to the countryside. Many people are turning away from the vile factory meat trade and recognising that game is the way forward.
As someone who started hunting Pheasants, Grouse, Quail, Rabbits and Deer when I was 12 years old here in the states it's sad to see the hunting and shooting traditions fading away. Being replaced by video games and anti gun single mothers.
John I certainly think these 200 bird plus days (of which I have shot on many occasions) will have to stop, preferably voluntarily . I personally believe if we don't do this off our own backs those men in grey suits will certainly do it for us ,sooner than later I think .
I certainly hope the tweed and tradition never fades, never experienced the British shooting experience and probably never will but JMO I feel that is one of things that stands the British game scene apart and it never hurts to be different. Experiencing it is on the bucket list among other things.
Been a TGS follower for a while but just found this. Excellent presentation. I've shared it with friends.
Yes, the get up is required! All part of the experience and a fantastic part of the culture.
I don’t see game shooting as that inaccessible to new comers, I have noticed more youngsters shooting this year than ever they come beating every weekend and earn their beaters days and the knowledge of the sport which in my opinion is the only way to learn respect for the countryside and the game and a great social side. There are days , syndicates, clothing ,guns and accessories to suit different budgets but agree that it is not cheep.
I spend about £2000 on seven days and get four beaters days. These days were made available to me because I found them for myself.
Thanks guys enjoy the channel👍🏻
I’m an American who will, most likely, never shoot a driven bird. But, the tradition, clothing, and guns of driven shooting are very interesting and understandable. I’ll never show up to hunt locally in plus 2s, but a tweed jacket might be in my future. Thanks for the great video.
Only a short flight away?
keep traditions alive and well young man. l would love to be on a shoot with you wearing tweed! lm in the USA in New York state and partridge are few anymore but they are here. side note; are there any ways for me to bid on Hoyts auctions and are there any shipping fees/customs . thank you for the videos, well done!
I came here to find out more about shooting as recently getting into gundog training with my year old GSP. Your videos are really helping me to put the training into context. I'm not a country person, it's all new to me and it can feel intimidating when you don't have the sporting background, don't know the lingo, the traditions and are just starting out. Thank you for making such well produced videos where I feel I can start to see how shooting works and how I might be able to fit in, in the future.
Jonny....before you tackle game shooting, you need to tackle shooting period....we have more and more ppl, especially women, getting into shooting and some on to game shooting....Why? We dont have rigid licensing or police, you can carry a gun now at 18, basic right...we have many large gun and ammo stores with kiddie rides therein, so barriers to shooting are decreasing as is cost, hence more ppl shoot and hunt, more ranges built.....yea it competes with video games but most of those are shootem up.....i never saw a kid who shot balloons with pellet gun or 22 not ask for more....hence i bought some land and built a small range for 22s and clay....no charge i just have to open up and supervise....i also teach women pistol shooting....always start with 22 and suppressor, low noise, low recoil....then gas operated 28ga....dont chase them away with big blasts....like it or not my friend the youth of your country are the future of the sport, not the gray suits.....you do a great job there, fun to see you on cam in Tx and SC.
WAK.PHD
Great video but a glimpse of snobbery.
Well Said Jonny!
Sadly in Northern Ireland, It seems to be a Very Secretive society who shoots, it isn’t made public where you can shoot game etc unless you mix in the right circles , maybe because of the Troubled past we’ve had to endure for 30 years hopefully things will change, Ive only recently got into the sport myself and been practicing lots at the clay ground doing sporting and hoping to do some driven shoots next season! I hope in the future it becomes more recognised by the general public and more people take up the sport!
My main barrier to tweed is the cost. To get anything semi decent you could easily blow £500 and upwards on breeks, jacket, waistcoat, cap etc. I can easily chuck on a cheap shooting jacket and a cap to shoot some clays but it's just not cricket at game shoots.
I have bought a heap on eBay over the years, you can get extremely well dressed for a few hundred quid.
@@tgsoutdoors thanks for reply. I use ebay a lot. Unfortunately finding that extra few hundred pounds around the regular monthly costs isn't always the easiest, especially with the rising cost of petrol and such, bismuth shot etc
The clothing we wear has evolved over the years.In the 80`s a Barbour Gamefair,flat cap,Hunter wellies and a an old pair of cords was more than acceptable.You`d be cold,wet and uncomforatble but didn`t care.Now we have fleeces,Goretex,lined wellies or better boots.The colours we wear are designed to make us less noticeable to a bird,mind you some of the suits my mates wear make a circus clown look restrained.
Beautifully filmed, and solid questions being asked at the end.
I don't think I have the immediate answers, but perhaps can lend some perspective to some of the dimensions of the problems you identify around public fears and government perceptions of firearms, firearms owners and game shooting.
As a Canadian, I grew up target shooting (with my parent's permission and transportation to/from, but not much direct involvement on their part as non gun-owners and non-hunters), then went off to university, then joined the Navy for a few years, got out, went back to grad school (in Public Administration) and joined the public service, where a liberal (and sometimes Liberal) mindset has largely dominated the corporate culture for a long, long time.
I myself got fully into this way of thinking for quite a few years until I've seen, as I approach retirement, just how far it has gone and I've realized that my politics and desire for the way this country need to be governed have shifted back to "boring old" middle-of-the-road (though I remain an unflinching champion of staunch environmental/conservation politics and policies).
Government policies and laws around bans of certain guns while others remain perfectly legal are simply not rooted in logical, sound or consistent analysis. They are instead rooted in public perceptions, and media-promulgated misperceptions, and political agendas. An AR platform was used in a mass shooting in the US?" "Then we need to ban ARs", goes the immediate media rhetoric, the (understandable) public outcry and the resulting political reaction from the government of the day. And so AR platforms are prohibited in Canada.
I'm not necessarily opposed to any of that. As a former military officer, I'm not necessarily convinced there is a legitimate need for assault rifles being owned by ordinary citizens. Are they fun to shoot? Hell yes! But the policy thinking and law-making needs to be sound, premised on valid data, and it needs to be consistent.
What do I mean by that? Well, as a clear example, Chinese Type 81 assault rifles are still perfectly legal to be sold here, to anyone with a valid non-restricted firearms license, even. However, longer range accuracy considerations aside, the two firearms are otherwise essentially identical in terms of their deadliness in a mass shooting context. So how does that make any sense? Here's another one: how many .50-cal. Barrett rifles have been used in a mass shooting in Canada? Answer: not one. Reason: how many would-be mass shooters who decide to go on a rampage can afford to plunk down the $12,000 to $20,000 entry pricetag to get one? Not one. To say nothing of the fact they are bolt-action. But they are prohibited weapons in Canada nonetheless. How does that square with Type 81s still being completely legal in Canada?
So this is what we are up against, and while I am emphatically NOT a denier that mass shootings are far too common, and should not ever happen, what I find unacceptable is when governments misuse, or use false statistics to predicate flawed policy and law-making to their own ends, often with (ignorant) majority public support.
So these are just a few of the matters we need to tackle head-on if we are to educate the public responsibly about responsible firearms ownership and responsible, ethical hunting and its positive role in conservation and land management. And unfortunately at least in North America, there are far too many rednecks pushing an ultra-right agenda (predicated on utter lunacy) who just to tend to contribute enough of that insanity to the public discourse that it immediately toxifies and polarizes the whole discussion. In my estimation, they are actually the bigger problem, because they are lending the greatest source of fear into the discourse.
While as an American this seems very stoic/elitist; I appreciate the English stance and traditions on hunting in general. I think you are correct in questing its future as we are in all nation/states. Tying in history, responsibility, gamesmanship, etc while ‘maybe’ moving in a more technical/modern may help attract more new entrants but I sense we’re all still up against the same obstacles.
Привет. Я русский охотник, приятно смотреть за вашими поездками на охоту, за вашей стрельбой по фазанам и по тарелкам, в России фазана в стадии разведения, но в некоторых регионах его уже много и на него можно охотиться, но только на петухов. Большой привет Джонни-kill everything, клюквенный джин это прекрасная традиция. Завидую вашим возможностям по покупке ружей, Вильям Пауэл и Лонгторн очень хороши и изящны, в России такого нет и никто не может привезти, особенно сейчас. У меня 3 ружья, я их очень люблю, это иж-12, тоз-34ер и Байкал (мр-155), это прекрасные ружья с прекрасными стволами, они позволяют быть всегда с добычей. Так смотрю ваши обучающие видео с Эдом, smooth slowly drive это превосходно. Как у нас говорят ни пуха, ни пера!
Dont know about in your part of the world, but in mine in the U.S., we're just happy to have someone to hunt with and introduce to the sport. We share blaze orange jackets, vests, hats, etc. Clothing itself, at least in my hunting and shooting circles, is not a status thing nor is it a barrier to entry.
We have lots of gear, you bring yourself, and we'll hook you up for the day.
The reason this Yankie has your shooting on his bucket list is all the tradition and comradery , yes the shooting and the bounty is also great . But for me it more about the experience and the day and making new friends. Thanks
Like the work Sascha puts into getting the shots angles etc.
Once again culture, much of what’s displayed is foreign here in Australia. Is it good or bad ? It’s what you’re used too.
Films you show to different groups would have a different focus, but as this is TH-cam it’s going to be seen by a variety of groups, some you will never convert, maybe some you will. Here’s a point for consideration.
My wife is not a shooter, and has watched some hunting videos, the ones she likes have a far less focus on the actual killing, but tell more of the story to the lead up of the hunt, the planning the journey and yes the hunt aspect, followed up by consuming the days take. Although it’s a fishing video series try looking up “A river somewhere” and you will see what I mean. There’s another series here, is the “Beyond the divide” more gun orientated, somewhat less polished in its presentation but again less focus on the bang bang aspect.....
Non hunters, tend to find the bang you’re dead, bang your dead, bang your dead, non appealing. Do you care about that potential market, perhaps not, but they are voters who it would be better to have on your side than not. Not to mention they could be shooters wives, who need to be convinced its good to let Mr enjoy his time away.
On a politically correct point of view.... sorry.... as pointed elsewhere alcohol and guns can be frowned upon as a combination, particularly the suggestion of drinking straight from a LARGE bottle directly.
The have a go anyway suggestion when a bird is miles away..... the question of ethical responsibility arises
The question of where did the game taken go at the end of the day remains unanswered.
Hope I’m not coming across as negative as I don’t want to be, but you did ask for comments, and hopefully there’s something there that might be useful.
I take my son on as many days as I can.
I am of the firm belief that it will end in the not to distant future.
The steel shot debacle is just the start of the downward trend.
One shoot I partake on has already had anti's on there. The gamekeeper blew the whistle and shouted, "Guns in slips, everyone!!" Which was duly observed.
However, insults were cast, ("bloodthirsty, overdressed toffee nosed snobs!) but not exchanged; every shoot member behaved impeccably, remaining silent.
The gamekeeper did calmly point out that they were trespassing, and dogs should be kept on leads at all times in the countyside. Then politely asked them to leave, or the police would be called. Amazingly, they all went on their way. It did put a bit of a downer on the day and left everyone wondering if they would reappear on the next drive.
In the Grand scheme of things for me, it's not too bad, I suppose in 45 years of game shooting.
The tie and tweed question is interesting. I don't think modernization should mean dispensing with traditions that are intrinsically part of the sport. A British shoot is a part of our cultural heritage. Shine light on it - as you do excellently - and people will see the attraction. I work for an Ivy League college in the States and wear tweed and a tie most days in season. If the cap fits, wear it. Fashions change. You're making shooting, and all the trimmings, fashionable again. Bravo and encore.
I think you made a could point about what you wear when shooting. It’s about respecting the sport. In the United States I think our hunting culture is different, but I think the next generation of hunters have a different attitude towards the sport, and how we respect it.
im 23, really want to get into shooting unfortunately i need my own gaff beofre i can even think of applying for my SGC. my mum would go nuts. IMO the outfits are boss and the history of British shooting interests me loads. the thing that may be a bit intimidating is that i am just working class lad and not sure how i would get on within the current shooting culture.
Traditions are important to hunting, but its also important to cater to those who can’t afford the barriers.
I spend thousands a year on hunting gear, clothes, and weapons,. I spend weeks in the backcountry with bows hunting elk and mule deer. Spend days on the river fly fishing. So to say that there are barriers some can’t overcome would be a lie. But there are definitely types of hunting everyone can do.
I also think you’re wrong about children (and women), there are no more important demographics to get involved.
I did my first pheasant shoot here in Canada last year, and some day i will make it across the pond for some proper british shoot. Tweed and all.
It’s so interesting because in North America guy and gals hunt in Ripped T shirts and shorts, funny difference, quite cool actually
Wear that country tweed at a disco and you will look like a prick. Wear your disco clothes in the country and you will look like a prick. Horses for courses.
The clothing you are wearing in this video is practical and when you watch it you blend into the countryside, you look like you belong there. Never sell tradition short. And that is from someone who now does all his shooting with a camera.
Also, never try to justify your sport by saying people's jobs depend on it. Carry out your sport in an honourable fashion, never support any illegal activity by the odd rogue keeper, keep your house in order and promote the conservation aspects. That is the best you can do.
Just keep at it lads, keep what you’re doing. You simply cannot please everyone in these barmy days we live in: So please yourself at least.
You are spot on,we as a shooting community need to tell the general public about what fires our passion. Weather its clays,game, targets. Or just a love of holding something that fire a projectile .
Myself and a few friends run a small airgun club and the best thing we see is the faces of new and young shots starting out .someone who will carry on and talk to there mates and let them know its not all elitist and there's down to earth people who like shoot and have a laugh at the same time .
Keep up the great work 👍 👏
Yes to tweed, though you can also find other fibers but you cant degenerate to shorts and t shirts. Respect and tradition. As for kids, yes, start shooting education early and often. Kids and families. Many like myself arent lucky enough to start with family and therefore come late to the game.
I think what really stops people doing this is really the shooters attitude. It's not an overly friendly environment to be honest. I found i had to push through that in spite of, just so i could shoot because i was always passionate about it even before i could own guns. but the attitude of gun people is pretty off putting. You're right, the dress code does add to it but I don't think its the main thing.
Get rid of tweed, a shirt and tie? I would not want that for you guys. I associate UK game shooting as a formal shoot. If you get rid of that culture and tradition to bend way for the masses to enter the sport, mind as well bring in pump and semiautomatic shot guns. In the States, we don’t put in a shirt and tie to shoot, but it would be a bad idea.
I recently got into clay pigeon shooting and have been invited to club shoots here and there. I live in the countryside but hunting and game shooting isn’t in my remit atm. How would I go about getting into it ?
Like many of your viewers, I live on the western side of the pond. Here, standing relatively still while birds are chased toward you is most unusual. The fun is walking with friends, behind good dogs and over great cover. If we're going to be traveling miles, I carry a light, fast double. Some of my friends do, too. Most of their guns have some sentimental value attached. We take turns shooting. If a bird is missed by the one shooter, it lives.
A back-up shoots only a bird that has been wounded but not brought down. Shooting AT birds is frowned upon. Don't take shots that you aren't confident you'll make. When there are enough birds for the table until the next day out, we stop. The evenings are treasured times. With regard to your video, here alcohol and loaded guns sure don't mix.
A difference is that in the states a hunting preserve has essentially no endemic population of birds. They raise in pens and place the am of the hunt and a good dog will put them up 10 for 10. This form of game shooting is more of a private estate where a gameskeeper is maintaining terrain controlling predators and the birds are living in the woods. What's more striking to me is we never rest our muzzles on the ground. My grandpa would have whooped me for that.
@@pbgd3 The "states" covers a very large area. This is a huge country and we have many states with large native game bird populations. Of course, their habitat is preserved by humans. I don't like the idea or the reality of pheasant farms either but people do things that are much worse in life. It's not quite like shooting chickens in a coop and it's not like a British firing squad either.
@@wholeNwon it does but this is a specific type of preserve hunting they do. He may comment but there is not the concept of vast public federal and state lands that you can hunt on. So either you know a farmer who may only lease his land and not be able to let you hunt it. Or maybe you go on a hunt.
@@pbgd3 Yup. I'd like the social interaction (without the combination of alcohol and loaded guns) but that's about it. Don't need the food. Of course, I don't need the food when I shot wild birds but I would still kill one or 2 cocks for the table (shots I was certain that I would make with clean kills) and let others live. Being out and walking through cover, sometimes with friends, was my reward.
@@wholeNwon yaaaa the drink to be fair they have literal posts where each gun stands, they aren't 20 yards apart walking ditches jumping birds. Because of the formal structure I feel the booze might not matter so much. Sort of the difference between beers at a driving range and beers in the golf carts.
There needs to be a secondhand tweed market and/or a better understanding that you can look smart without dropping major coin.
Poor Ant….😂😂
Excellent production - visuals, conversations, personalities all on point. Thanks TGS crew.
Just advertise shooting as organic, gluten free, and non GMO.
I think a dress code makes it a snob sport like golf, in Maine everyone can hunt wearing anything as long as they have some orange on for safety
Whilst some brands of shooting clothing can be ludicrously expensive and like to maintain their exclusivity, others are quite affordable. Suppliers such as Jack Pyke or Samuel Windsor make quality gear very accessible. If wearing a Schoffel logo is important to you then you'll be prepared to spend the bucks but you can get perfectly function kit at a fraction of the price.
Great watch - dropping a comment to learn more about how I can get get into pheasant shooting
Johnny another great video tweed shows respect for your quarry and looks great in the shooting field if you organiseing day or days for like minded people this season let's us know how to get involved
The barrier to entry looks to be so high in the UK compared to US in the States but I think I am going to go out and buy a tweed suit and get a lot of weird looks over here. Looks nice.
Interesting that the barriers are just different. It’s a lot easier to hunt deer over here than over there.
I have always loved the idea of shooting and wanted to take that step on getting involved I now have a young family and would love to do it any tips of how to make the step forward?
Best to go and have a lesson or Have a go session. See us you like it - after that a few more lessons, apply for a licence and away you go. Plenty of shooting opportunities on guns on pegs and the CPSA website
Great video! I’m in the U.S.A. As a first-generation gun owner, (no one in my family owns guns or hunts) I felt out of place walking in to buy my first gun. Some year's later, I am expanding my love for the outdoors and firearms. I want to try a new discipline (clay shooting) I feel that to grow as a community we have to better accept people’s financial limitations and not shame them for their choice of firearms. I posted on a forum about getting my first O/U and inquired about a Turkish-made one. I was berated with comments about only buying a Beretta or Browning. Or to save up for a Beretta or Browning. Because I am already a gun owner, I brushed it off. But I can see how this scenario could keep new gun owners from joining the community and it's because some people come off as elitists or shame our choice of firearms. We need to do better in this regard along with inviting people out to shoot. (especially if they are curious about the sport) and please don't start them on a big caliber!
Really thought provoking film. I've long since felt the same way of always hiding in the shadows, making it appear that we're ashamed of what we do. This is a very deep rooted issue, perpetrated even by the Royal Family who clearly love to shoot and could do a huge amount for the good of the sport, but will go out of their way to distance themselves from being seen participating on a shoot day. I grew up as the son of a farm manager who ran a shoot for local working men, rough old characters mostly, farm labourers, contractors, old poachers even. Shooting game isn't just about toffs on grand estates, it's about the countryside community, coming together on a cold winter's day, bagging a few for the pot, working the dogs and meeting up. It's about having a good day out together in the countryside. We should be proud of that and proud of all the good work done to improve the countryside and its biodiversity. The ties and the tweed? A touch of tradition, showing some respect for the quarry maybe, but certainly no barrier to entry on your everyday rough shoot. Just get out there, enjoy your sport and be proud.
I live in the country, love shooting, we have horses too. So I should be well into tweed, but i cant stand it. So i dont go places where its a dress. Whats wrong with just normal trousers & a hoodie 🤷🏼♂️
Love the videos Jonny
Keep it up
What gun are you using mate ?
I'm just 6 months into the shooting community and my opinion is that the community is it's own worst enemy. Secretive, snobbery and communications methods of pre-internet proportions. Costs are too high to get wider participation and while once you start getting known it becomes very friendly, it certainly doesn't start out like that and you have to work very hard to get remembered. Far too much gun mystique instead of viewing it as a tool. If someone turns up with a Hatsan Escort should be treated the same as a Holland and Holland pair. I shoot my much loved Benelli Supernova been told I need a proper gun by lots of people. Luckily I have a thick skin and not intimidated by wealth and status and that is the only reason I'm still there.
your game keeper pal, is that a Beretta "Extra Extra Lovely Lovely" 2020 687 EELL Diamond Pigeon classic game seen :)
Great video, well done! It’s important to promote the culture of various aspects of game shooting. It’s not easy to wander into. I spent 20 years as a sporting clays shooter before my path brought me into it. Really prizes and friends turned me onto it. I now look forward to fall with great anticipation for a brisk morning in the fields with my friends.
Ant’s summary is an accurate one. There has been a gap in the public awareness of shooting. (Grouse numbers used to be reported in provincial newspapers across the nation) The attention has been selected by vested interests, for driven game. This is the easiest form to appeal to the prejudices of the reservoir of potential antis; in particular grouse shooting.
The point is that shooting is a very normal thing, because pretty normal people shoot. More people need to realise that. Next week, and not for the first time, I am taking someone who has never shot for a clay shooting lesson. A gamekeeper friend tries to visit a school or scout group a year . We should be doing this.
Tweeds area great part of the shooting culture, but few of us are born in tweeds. I was a newby, once upon a time, and had no trouble turning up in a respectable outfit. Everyone owns a tattersall and a tie. Moleskin trousers and a fleece gilet will get one by. It’s more important that people grow to love shooting, and as they do, no doubt they’ll soon be in tweeds. That’s what happened to me.
As a current non shooter and commoner 🤣that would love to become a shooter, it is off putting knowing (or atleast it comes across) that its a very expensive sport, as for the whole tweed thing, i think its very important to dress smart, as a kind of respect for the game or animal you are hunting, you wouldnt attend a funeral in tracksuit bottoms so tweed itself may not be necessary but dressing relitively smart should be.
would love to try game shooting or clay shooting just need to find the right connect to try it out (West Midlands) at the moment I just stick to target rifle and trying mini rifle in the coming days.
I remember 30 years ago it was frowned upon to use an over and under
Things move on
The hatred of lever actions, semis and pumps is ridiculous. It might be fine to use over unders everywhere but anything without 2 barrels is reviled.
I've watched several of your vids now, and I think if you keep reiterating the conservation work that good shoots undertake, the improvements in song bird numbers, habitat for hedgehogs etc. that are a welcome side effect of increased mid height ground cover you can slowly nibble away at the detractors.The biggest problem shooting has is not just the Journalists with spare space and few ideas its the muppets in the shooting community, or more likely on the edge of it, posting inflammatory BS about the Packhams of the world.He is a chap with a point of view, but reasoned argument with proper verifiable data to back it up is what you need to counter him.Dare I suggest you take him to a well run estate and ask him where else has the variety of wild life, point out what it costs and ask where else would funding to that level come from?I might add that I have never fired a shotgun, but I grew up in a village not a town, and my part of Leicestershire is being murdered by over development. Such a shame.