IN AWE OF KENZIE’S CALLING SKILLS

In response to PA Blackman’s letter (14 September) regarding the glorification of the late Kenzie Thorpe, I feel there will be many traditional wildfowlers offended by his comments, although, of course, Mr Blackman is entitled to his own opinions.

Yes, Kenzie was a rogue and landed himself in trouble with the law in his younger days, but paid the penalty for his

misdemeanours. He later became a very successful professional wildfowling guide, leading shooting parties for many years on the foreshore. In later life, Kenzie became involved with Sir Peter Scott, helping with his work on conservation projects and at the same time became an accomplished artist. In fact, many shooting enthusiasts named their working dogs after Kenzie out of respect for him, including Shooting Times contributor the late John Humphreys (Country Gun) and many others, including myself.

Many years ago, the then Prince Charles requested an audience with Kenzie so he could hear first-hand his repertoire of calling skills on geese, ducks, waders, hares and even a cock pheasant going to roost. I too

have memories of Kenzie when, as a young boy attending Game Fairs with my parents, I was in awe of his tiny stand — Kenzie the Wild Goose Man — being 10 deep in country folk, all of us listening to his stories and amazing calling skills.

Kenzie Thorpe was no angel in his youth, but mellowed into a countryman of many talents and skills, admired by all walks of life including our present King. Our migratory wildfowl would be better managed with the Kenzie Thorpes of this world, rather than the overindulgence of some professional commercial goose guides we see nowadays on social media.

Robert Findlay, by email

Driven grey partridges, testing steel on pigeons, muntjac and fallow stalking, how our use

of cover crops has changed, and where to

buy rough shooting.