The Hill Harvest in Progress

All the training of pointers are for a safe and sustainable harvest of the wild grouse on the hills. For those, who are not familiar with the grouse, they are wild birds that live of heather, insects and berries on the Scottish and English moors. To help the birds’ survival, estates spend vast amounts of money on ‘keepers, who control the vermin and help the habitat for the grouse. This also benefits the habitats of many other non-game birds such as Black Cock, Lapwing, Curlews, Sky Lark and many, many other small birds.

My three German Wirehaired Pointers have to hunt the moor, using the wind to smell the birds and then indicate where they think the birds are sitting. They then have to push the birds out of the heather on command and when they are shot, collect the birds tenderly so that the meat is perfectly usable for the table. Many people prefer young grouse, but having eaten this wonderful wild species for many years, I have learned that well prepared older birds are just as enjoyable. Barbecued grouse is simply divine.

Here are some photos of the season so far. We have been blessed with mostly dry weather and there has been time to take photographs. Although I shoot over my dogs from time to time, I mainly use the dogs as a service for people who want to shoot over pointers and who don’t have a well trained dog themselves.

The Glorious 12th of August:

You can JUST see Gollum with his orange collar on point in the heather by the arrow. He has pressed himself down, just sticking his nose up to keep in touch with the bird scent. The guns are walking in and ready.

Dog on point and two guns moving forward

When the guns are ready, the dog moves forward and flushes the grouse out of the heather.

Dog flushes, you can see the grouse flying.

On the shot, it is very important that the dog marks where the bird falls. This is so that the retrieve can be done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Bird is shot and Gollum is paying attention.

A safe and tender retrieve is done by Gollum.

There is always great admiration for the shot quarry. Every bird will be used for the pot.

The guns admire the bird when retrieved.

Hosts and ‘keepers are interested in each bird to check for health and age. All birds are divided in to old and young.

Host examining the retrieved bird.

Here is Gaia, my three year old, on point:

Gaia on point in the purple heather.

On the command, she rushes in to flush.

Gaia leaps in to the heather to flush the birds.

As Gaia flushes, the bird flies out of the heather.

She performs a perfect retrieve:

A tender retrieve for the table.

The Glorious 12th was really hot and humid with very little wind. Enough wind to work the dogs and to keep the midges away, but the FLIES!!!!

Dog with a SWARM of flies on its nose.

Luckily there are water holes and I always bring water in my bag in case we hit parts of the ground where water is scarce.

An halved plastic football works as a water bowl.

A great day was had by all.