The truth of the matter

I read Giles Catchpole’s column (Serious Matters, 9 November) with interest. In the main, I strongly agree with Giles about the situation the shooting world finds itself in at the moment.

While some decry the syndicate and corporate shoots that effectively spelt the end of rough shooting for so many, these shoots have given others (with the necessary wedge) the chance to experience a few days’ driven sport. I was one and, although I preferred walked-up shooting, it was better than none at all.

There is also the chance of sport that cascades down from being a regular part of a beating team, even if it’s only a bit of roost shooting or helping out on gundog days. It’s all important to maintain a vibrant shooting community.

I’ll also admit there are a few downsides to the big-bag driven days, as exemplified on ‘shoot visit’ films regularly placed on Youtube. The quality of film is excellent, but watching 300 ultra-high birds taken by Range Rover-driving Guns who expect to eat their lunch in a stately home isn’t really helping shooting’s image. The commentary describing the glory of taking 75- to 85-yard birds doesn’t set a good example, either.

Giles is correct that we should be careful what we wish for; I honestly think it should be the friendly 100-bird days on sensible birds that the ordinary Gun can connect with.

S Thompson, by email

are never as strikingly white as in adults.

Above: Giles Catchpole warns that no one is profiteering from the situation facing shooting