However, every year, good, bad or indifferent, there are a few cases which buck the general trend. Westley Richards’ managing director, 'Trigger' found himself in the thick of the shooting in late August and these photographs record the day.
Organised beautifully by the William Powell Sporting Agency, the two-day shoot was hosted by the Bransdale Estate in Yorkshire; a 15,000 acre moor which had escaped the worst depredations of beetle and worm and where the chicks had benefited from the dry spring and long, hot summer.
The uninitiated rarely appreciate the need to shoot surplus grouse every season in order to reduce numbers to levels at which the parasitic worm infestation no longer becomes catastrophic during the wetter months, causing a population crash.
Shooting keeps grouse numbers at sensible levels and promotes healthy, sustainable stock. Grouse are also the most sporting of game birds, especially with a stiff wind behind them.
Trigger packed one of his pair of vintage Westley Richards ‘drop-lock’ 12-bores, along with his regular pair of over & unders. The birds were challenging and provided memorable sport throughout the trip, despite the warm, late summer weather.
The beauty of these estates and the warmer days is the participation of local families who turn-out for the beating team, where numbers are essential to get the tight-sitting birds on the wing. Wives, children, teenagers and pensioners combine in a jovial gaggle at the end of each drive in a scene as old as the moors have been providing sport.
A team of six Guns shot two hundred and four brace over two days of memorable shots, great conversations, the odd bit of leg pulling and all-round healthy sport.
Few this year will have the good fortune to shoot driven grouse and every bird engaged is a privilege.
In the face of increasing opposition to the traditional management of the grouse moors on which we have sustained this unique to Britain bird for centuries, days like these highlight the success and value of our wonderful sporting landscape and its inhabitants.
Trigger would like to say on behalf of the shooting line:
"A genuine thank you to all of the people involved in the shoot, from keepers, picker-ups, beaters, hosts and photographer, all of whom made the 2 days very special. A lot of fun was had by us all and I hope that our shooting did all of your hard work justice!"
Whether for the discerning collector or the avid sportsman, Westley Richards firearms represent the epitome of excellence in the world of bespoke gunmaking. Known for the droplock shotgun, over and under shotgun, double barrel rifle and bolt action rifle, the company has achieved an illustrious 200 year history of innovation, craftmanship and artistry. As part of our best gun build, clients can choose from three levels of gun engraving: the house scroll; signature game scenes; and exhibition grade masterpieces. All Westley Richards sporting arms are built at their factory in Birmingham, England. Discover more about the gunmaking journey at our custom rifles and bespoke guns pages.
