A season like no other
As the pheasant season gets underway, BASC’s chairman Eoghan Cameron highlights the positive impact gathering with friends and family on a shoot day has on us all.
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Boxing Day shoot
Boxing Day can be celebrated in many ways. Some people relax on the sofa, recovering from Christmas dinner. Others hunt for bargains at the local shopping centre. For children, it’s often about playing with new gifts received on Christmas Day.
Boxing Day shoot: fresh air and festive fun
In the shooting community, Boxing Day is a chance to enjoy the fresh air and walk off the previous day’s indulgence. It’s a highlight in the calendar, sometimes even more anticipated than the first day of the season or the well-deserved beater’s day at its close.
Boxing Day shoot is a great opportunity to catch up with family and friends. You might even get to shoot with people you don’t usually spend time with. The day is typically relaxed and informal, unlike the traditional driven days of the season.Â
This setting allows others, who don’t often get the chance, to try shooting. The younger generation loves to help out, learn about game shooting, and maybe even get their first bird.
Boxing Day shoot: gear up and enjoy family fun
Many of us use Christmas to stock up on shooting supplies, whether it’s new socks or, if we’ve been good, perhaps a new gun!
Boxing Day shoot is perfect for testing any new gear you receive. It’s also a day for the whole family, including the four-legged members, to burn off energy from staying home the day before. The informal setup allows you to shoot birds flushed by your dog and have them retrieved afterwards – if you didn’t miss, of course!
Tailgate gatherings
And when the shoot day ends, gathering around the tailgate of a truck to reminisce about its highs and lows creates a great atmosphere.Â
It’s a good time to enjoy more festive food, too. Christmas Day leftovers make a great spread for elevenses, and it’s a chance to open those inevitable boxes of biscuits or tubs of chocolate found under the Christmas tree.
Festive game recipes
It’s important to ensure all birds shot during a Boxing Day shoot are taken home. The time between Christmas and New Year is perfect for experimenting with game recipes. Game can be used in many festive-themed dishes. Check out the Eat Game website for ideas.
Happy Boxing Day to you all!
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Julia Newman
Julia is BASC’s game and wildlife advisor. She enjoys game shooting, beating, clay shooting and being outdoors exploring the countryside with her dog.
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