Back to the Beginning 

A lovely, soulful production, thank you! After shooting driven I struggled to reconcile myself with the feeling it just wasn't 'right.' Inately I sensed there was more to game shooting, I was missing it and had to find it. I sold my American and Italian 12 bore target guns, got fitted for a side-by-side, bought a vintage Webley & Scott 6 1/2 lb. boxlock ejector and had the stock adjusted to my dimensions. It was a gun I could carry comfortably for hours for the odd shot at a 'wild' bird, and admire its beauty and craftsmanship in-between shot opportunities. Next I purchased my first English setter puppy from a breeder of dogs intended for field work. I wanted one of the long-forgotten (at least in the UK) two traditional British pointing breeds, and while I love the Pointer, the English setter has the look and hunting style that captures my heart more fully. With time and patience I trained 'Bogey' myself with instruction from a good book, and tips from an experienced trainer. From that point forward, and over the years since, I've come to know the highs and lows of falling in love with one's gun dog, and why they enhance the game shooting experience. I learnt, too, the value of, and supreme satisfaction that accompanies bagging just one, or a brace of wild birds shot over my setter's points. "Less is more." Since that time I've trained four setters over four decades, owned several lightweight side-by-side game guns, and enjoyed more than my fair share of sporting birds shot over my dog's points. I've kept a field journal of my experiences and outings over the years, and today at age seventy, looking back thru their pages and photos, I wouldn't change a thing . . .

So, this is basically walked up shooting as practiced by many "rough shooters" but "poshed" up a bit. I know of a couple of "wild bird" shoots locally and without sounding too cynical, they are "served" by being surrounded by large shoots that put birds down.

Any video with Simon in it is always quality, massive massive fan of Jonny and Simon's friendship and comradery on screen. The production quality always seems to get better and better too.

Great video! I am very glad to see some walk up hunting in England. I was hoping that your channel would show this. I was curious to see how it was done in your country. The best part is always the dog work! Cheers!

Jonny this was a great video. Watching you interacting with Simon, the comradery and the shared enjoyment of the activity is what the sport is really about. Thank you for the truly enjoyable video

Hunting the way it shoot be. Not great numbers but very natural, appreciating the environment. It has everything in it. More of this please!

It's been interesting learning from your channel about the British mind set when it comes to hunting versus the US. The mind set of a sporting shot I fell is analogous to our mind set of fair chase. While I would love to experience a driven shoot, I wonder if it would not be as satisfied to me as chasing wild birds. As mainly a duck/goose hunter nothing brings me as much joy as scouting a spot, setting everything up, and having it all pay off. But I imagine that joy is so great because of all the other times when it doesn't work out and I get skunked.

I love TGS, beautiful production and excellent commentary. You constantly raise the quality bar. The two of you are an inspiration for the work I’m doing on my channel. Really great video, I loved the opener. More like this please!

Hello, my dear friend, there is a question that confuses me. Do all 8G rifles fire from two types of ammunition, the 1250G brass slug ammunition, and the second is paper ammunition, or do the rifles differ from each other?

I really appreciate and enjoy these game orientated videos. 👌

Great video! Never take for granted your heritage and traditions that you have there. It is easier to keep what you have than to get something back once it’s lost. Every generation of hunters have an obligation to make sure it is not lost. We owe it to the wildlife and next generation of hunters.

Jonny, general question. Although we love your videos, how do the rest of us get to know about all the shoots you guys go to? I look online, but apart from the CPSA ones, I can't find them. Any thoughts, please, cheers, Russ

That's what i call "hunting"! A 4 foot friend with passion, beautifull land scape and wild game!

Now you understand why sub gauges are so popular in the states, light guns long miles, also how did you hunt with that crowd of people? 🤣

I wish you could experience willow partridge hunting in Newfoundland. Miles and miles of untouched ground, birds are often wild but if you have a couple of dogs that can cover a lot of ground it can be quite fun.

You create a quality product young man; the content, the production and subsequent editing set the benchmark. You deserve the successes that will continue to come

This is bird hunting in America as I know it. My pointer is the best investment I have ever made. Only difference is the terrain. Our cover is Way thicker and where I am at in SE Ohio it's more vertical than horizontal lol.

Jonny - in LLoyd's video (posted today November 12th), you spoke about "cultural mindset" as an underpinning of shotgun design (and I would fully assume many other dimensions of British shotgunning and shotgun hunting culture) vs French, vs American. As a new-to-shotgunning Canadian hunter (and potential clay shooter), I would certainly appreciate a (or better yet, a series of video(s)) on these important cultural and historical differences between countries and their underpinnings. Thank you!

For me, hunting is all about the walk through the countryside/forest wondering what is just beyond! Love your channel, now if we in the US could just get back to hunting with a little more style and class! 👍🏼

Have to say, another great video. It is sad that you guys don't have the amount of wild birds available to hunt. Grew up hunting and have hunted nothing but wild birds, except once for a charity pheasant shoot (not my thing). You need to come back to the States, especially the West coast to chase some mountain quail and chukar. You'll learn to appreciate the hard work for a few birds.

i am so proud of you and your maturation in the sport. To often, I am put off by presenters who are so sure their niche in the sport is the best and only way to properly experience hunting. Walked up, over dogs or driven are all "traditional" and have their place in this great sport. My personal favorite is to hunt over dogs but the experiences and memories I have made exploring all types of shooting have made me feel the same way you do right now. I am looking forward to ypur next adventures and hope to see you back in the US soon. Thank you!

On the 25th of august this year, I walked 28 000 steps on a day in the swedish mountains, shot the first bird for my german wirehair pointer, and thats the only bird I shot that day. One whole day, one grouse, 28 000 steps, still one of the best hunting days of my life, life with a pointing dog!

Just one question, how do Birds get USED to being KILLED??? Do they often get killed more than once like when playing cowboys and Indians!!!! Sorry I just had to ask.

Brilliant film with two great gentlemen, thank you for sharing

Superb video with excellent production, such a positive portrayal of the true essence of fieldsports

More Side by Side video's please. I have reallenjoyed all of the vidoes you guys have produced.

I am sorry to say I feel so much better when you miss, as I don't see myself as such a poor shot when on rough shoots! Although I do take missing to extreme on some occasions. Great video as always, Thanks for the entertainment.

I really enjoyed this and it so reinforced my feeling that shooting in the UK has rather lost its way. Commercial shoots are probably going to lead to the loss of our sport. As a lifelong shooting man I find it quite hard to defend big days with guns who often have little understanding or knowledge of wildlife. Give me a day with a good friend or two, dogs and a handful of birds that have been worked hard for and I'll be much happier than I have been after a big commercial day where numbers are the main consideration and you don't need to walk more than 150 yards to your peg. One thing I found odd was you resting the muzzle of your gun on your boot, something I've never seen in the shooting field before. I'm guessing one reason is if you have been walking through mud there is a chance of plugging your barrels. Lovely to see and I hope to see more videos about this kind of shooting.

My self and Dan Hill talked about these sort of days when we shot together a few weeks ago on a walked up day the key selling points with walked up shooting is it’s suitable seen as acceptable and also affordable but most of all the bit that makes it sporting is it’s unpredictable I can remember nearly every shot I had from that day still clearly.

Great video Jonny. Always good but this was fascinating to see the origins of game shooting. I'll never be able to justify the cost of a driven day on a top estate but 'walked up' would definitely be within my and many other peoples grasp. Looking forward to see what you find when you make those phone calls. Keep up the great work.

Does anyone know what brand Simon’s cap is? I’m looking for a cap with a peak like that. Thanks

I am a rough shooter,beat but don't shoot game through choice,i was brought up that it's unsportsmanlike to shoot a game bird up the arse flying away from you (assuming it safe)as you're more likely to wound,cripple rather than kill outright This is less likely in driven game Im not a fan of big bag shoots either but understand that the investment in habitat and local economy is an important trade off Just my opinion, not saying that im right

Kinda funny. you have to protect the game birds from predators, so they will survive and breed, so you can shoot them. This is the reality of game management and I love it.

Very reflective, enjoyed watching it.

As a pointer man, that was 'on point'. Come to Africa, I'll get you behind some great birds and dogs...

Fore the purist form of shooting next to wildfowling I've had a couple of walked days this season you can not switch off it's pressure plus you want to produce for the dog!

This is a truly fantastic video and a very important on. I love the direction you are going with your questioning what it means to Shoot why are you do it and how it can continue. I have been a rough shooter in my entire life on ground that my grandfather held permission on before my father than myself, and who knows one day maybe my daughter. But things are changing. I have been on my first ever. Driven day and have joined my local syndicate. I live in the Peak District and I guess the shooting would be called up land shooting. We have always had dogs, English, springer, spaniel, German wirehaired, pointer labradors. They were house, pets, as well as Gun dogs and a huge part of the family and I have to say there is nothing more satisfying than was shooting, having success with your dog and sharing it with others.. after having a taste, I’ve driven shooting, I think it would be nice if more people could try rough shooting, as it is so rewarding as he is owning a gun. dog . I am sad to say that in my area the game is becoming less and I have taken a decision to virtually stop taking any quarry as like you say in your video. I no longer believe there is a surplus. It is becoming more and more difficult as the landowners and friends become old and die. The farms get sold off, or the new generation of farmers are less sympathetic to the rough shooter. I am unsure if I will be able to pass on my rough Shoots to my daughter. And will there be anything for her to shoot I hope so.

What’s the difference between watching these pointers work and foxhounds? Very little but yet the hunts are hung out to dry and have little to no support from other field sports. Hunts are nearly finished and shooting will be next unless there’s more suppose between these field sports

The origins of a shoot- you only need one bird for your supper.

I have slight rusting on my shot gun barrel after shooting in the wet. Any advice on how to fix. Thanks

This is Hunting. That driven crap is harvesting. Fine if you really need to eat but don't call it hunting.

Extremely well produced as always, and informative , brilliant 🤩

Come to Kansas. We have wild birds. South Dakota has more.

True British hunting ??? What about hare coursing ???

my Holly would stink eye me bad if I missed… we had a lot of talks while working but she was my joy

Back with the old gun?

My kind of day! I find myself a little less entertained when on peg. A walked up shoot is so much more of an experience! Great show, thank you.

Hunting with a dog is much more exciting. good job

John how does an American buy a miroku . I have done a little internet research,can’t find anything .

As game shooting should be,it should be difficult and challenging ,having them driven towards you is fine if catching your dinner, for sport i find it a little bit unethical

What waistcoat are you wearing here Jonny?

If you never miss it wouldn't be any fun

Well done! See you again at Nationals next year, need a report on the hot dogs

Appreciate the thoughtful introspection and analysis, Jonny, and the video production quality just keeps going up and up! With the exception of a very few game farms here and there, it's pretty much all wild birds here, and on Crown (public) land in Canada. My first-ever season grouse hunting, and yup, it's difficult. But I will say that Ruffed grouse is a very tasty bird indeed, and the outings are just spectacular. With a lovely older Browning Citori 20-gauge in hand, my hunting outings have been every bit as beautiful and nostalgic as I could ever have imagined, and even better, when I've been accompanied by my son (who is also having his first-ever hunting season). How could I have nostalgia for something I've never before experienced??? No idea whatsoever, but I sure knew it when I saw it!

16000 steps, beautiful countryside, great company and lovely food what more could you what. Hreat film Jonny.

hunting behind a pointer is to me the very apex of hunting and bond my english pointer was an amazing animal and so had so much instinct and was easy to train… never bark collared her we just became best friends and hunting with her was a dream come true here in arizona. we always got our limit then I’d walk with friends and let her work. a pointer is what you make it and she was short fused to flush but I was always right there to see the flush… and yes THEY HATE IT WHEN YOU MISS

As a Rough-shooter by heart with a bunch of well trained spaniels, I know the exact emotions, you are going through during this hunt. This is exactly what we do, and we absolutely love it. Most of our days are +20.000 steps for a handful of wild birds or less. It's such a joy and makes all the thousand of hours spent training the dogs worth every minute. What a good little film here Johnny - keep 'em coming!

My bird dog, "Paolo," IS lying right next to me. I train my dogs myself, and we are no means perfect. But I can't conceive of hunting without a dog. Just no use to it.

I am from a walk-up culture in mid Michigan. In my youth, we had a free day to "sick day" in school on opening day (no hunting until 10am). Good times but big fields and small woodlots have made us a Whitetail deer culture.

Wonderful video, the walked up over pointers really made it for me....can we have a video of the lady with her dog and how she trained it/uses it etc??? Fabulous. Also I have to say I was particularly happy to see the old colour case hardened Miroku MK38 brought out for the event if I'm not much mistaken?

Johnny great film.

I'm really curious as to which of his guns Simon was carrying. I'd appreciate knowing.

Didn't you do some 'walk up' shooting over here in the US? Alabama or Georgia? Were those birds wild or raised? Great video - many thanks again!

Wonderful video. Very much enjoyed this… captured the essence of everything I love about country sports. Thank you!

At the time this video was released, I'm on my next to last day of hunting wild pheasant in Iowa. Before this morning approximately 30 miles logged with one bird taken by me and four by my friend Craig. If the opportunity presents itself, you need to come over here. Well done on another exceptional video.

Fantastic film Johnny, I see a TGS Sporting Agency on the horizon.... :D

As an American upland bird hunter, this is so weird to see people saying that what they are walking through is tough, is wild. That being said, I’d love to take these guys for a Kansas Prairie hunt for wild birds.

Wild birds are awesome and such a challenge. Here in CA due to farming practices changing like in your country we have lost a lot of wild pheasants. We have Great waterfowling here though. Have you ever considered visiting CA for hunting? I would love to see more waterfowling adventures on your channel.

The joy of walk up hunting is the dogs. Spent the morning working our two GPS, no guns season is closed until Saturday. Great day for a 85 yo hunter. 👍

Fantastic video, thanks

As a canadian who hunts in tight brush without a guide or dog, it warms my heart to see you dip your toe in the world of actual hunting. What you normally do requires skill. What most hunters around the world do requires character. The animals live in this environment 24/7 you should suffer with them to be worthy of taking their lives. Good content.

Excellent film. Speaks volumes when the NSCA has you be the spokesperson for their organization !! Well done on both of these. You should link the NSCA video for those that don’t sub to the NSCA.

Great video.well done!

I would truly enjoy seeing your reaction to hunting roughed grouse and woodcock in America hunting in the woods with pointers is quite fun and challenging

“After being edged for so long” - what have you been watching Jonny?? 😂😂

Great video. Reminded me of when I was hunting swamp rabbits with my uncle when I was in my early teens in Southeast Louisiana down river from New Orleans. Brought back the feel and sound of the beagles baying. I sure miss it but can't hunt there anymore since now its a subdivision and everyone I used to hunt with is gone.

Now you get to see what we in the states deal with when hunting on public lands. Quail plantation hunts are extremely expensive for the common folk as are guided pheasant hunts in the western states. A lot of planning and scouting are needed to just find good hunting prospects. God forbid you go out without a dog! I do occasionally go to hunting preserves; less pressure from other hunters, less or no chance of being shot at, and the knowledge that there will be birds in the fields I walk with my Brittany 'Gunner'. 😀👍

No longthorn on this shoot Jonny

B525 Shadow Jonny?

Great to see & understand a different kind of shooting. Fascinating to watch pointers working. Excellent presenting as always Johnny, thankyou for another great video.

This makes me miss my GSP so much watching him work a wind then stopping solid on point was just magic, got a Lab now and she is great but watching a pointer work is fantastic

🇪🇨🇪🇨👍

Careful hunter 58

Great video! Walk Up is so much fun. Very exciting.

I would love to be able to go on a proper English pheasant hunt. Looks like an amazing experience

Just came back from a forest/field walk with my dog. Yesterday managed to get a few opportunities but not a shot. A pretty big contrast to see how the kind of hunting we do here in Finland is basically this to the times of ten. Superb fun. The more challenge there is the better the experiences and followikg memories are.

By the way as a newbie to the shooting world I find your content informative and brilliant to watch. Keep up the good work

As usual Johnny another splendid video thanks for sharing and taking us along. Best to you from a yank across the pond.

Great video. I love working my setters so much that birds in the bag takes a back seat. But I also fly falcons over said setters, and the heart beat from a dog going on point is very real.

finally enisia at the top level, I can only say well done. you should do hunting shows more often with pointers and setters, you present very few of them and you have the strongest dogs in the world for hunting birds.

Incredible.

How did this hunt compare to the quail hunt you experienced in America?

Great video as usual, I live in Canada and new to the shooting sport world, cane across your channel and absolutely love it! Keep up the great work

Now wild quail…

Smart door 31

You should try grouse in scotland over pointing dogs english setters or pointers and ptarmigan in sweden and woodcock lithuania - i can point you to some italian outfitters that do that

I find that I have a different mindset to a day when I go out to take one or maybe two wild animals to take home for food. Taking loads of shots over a day is fun but it seems to mean more when you may only have a few opportunities. There's more at stake to get each shot right.

Elegante lances de cazerias amigos saludos chebres caza

Love seeing this from the states. This is how I grew up. Fair chase at it's finest!

Fabulous film. Looked a great day.