Meet the gamekeepers

Tom Cooper (left) and Michael Woolhouse do all the gamekeeping on the shoot, in exchange for a gun each on each day. They invite guests to shoot in their places and can be found placing the Guns and running the beating line.

They aim to have an average of nine 120-bird days throughout the year. They are focusing on developing new drives, looking to improve old ones and trying to bring the wild game levels — particularly the English partridges — to a level where they are content for the Guns to shoot them should they wish.

Four local pubs take a fair amount of game from the shoot, with the rest divided between beaters and Guns. A number of shoot dinners are prepared by Tom’s wife Wendy, usually involving game. maize over hedgerows towards the long line of Guns. The birds came quickly, some of the best partridges that I have witnessed, rising up on the wild gusts and curling over the top of the Guns. Mark Woodall and Rob Wilkinson took their chances superbly and further down the line Tom Woolhouse was busy picking out the downwind birds.

Vermin control

There was little vermin to be seen as it is well controlled on this shoot.

“Throughout the spring we run snares and Larsens and have a large push on the rats come February and March when the feeders are moved to their spring areas,” said Michael. “This year’s figures are 107 magpies and carrions with about a 40:60 split; in addition we’ve got 18 foxes.

“Despite the farms being large arable units, the presence of potatoes and sugar beet in the rotation allows us to keep over-wintered stubbles in the shoot, which benefits not only the game but other wildlife as well,” he added. “A highlight of last year was walking a 30-odd-acre stubble field after the season and lifting 38 snipe.”

The final whistle of the day sounded as the last partridge curled away. What Tom and Michael have achieved at Wilsic in only two years is remarkable and will undoubtedly be special for all those involved for many years to come.