BASC helped 80 guns celebrate the ‘Glorious Twelfth’ miles from the heather moorland of northern England and Scotland to raise money for conservation initiatives and the Young Shots scheme.
The shooters gathered at Barbury Shooting School, near Swindon, for a sell-out event organised by BASC’s Wiltshire social committee to mark the start of the grouse season.
Shooters of all ages and abilities competed in a 50-bird clay pigeon shoot to simulate walked-up, crossing and driven grouse. Less experienced shooters were given advice and coaching and even the most practiced shots found some of the targets a challenge in a brisk wind.
With the lowland game season approaching, teams of four Guns also honed their skills by competing in a fast and furious 100-bird high pheasant flush.
Robin Marshall-Ball, a member of BASC council and chairman of BASC’s Wiltshire social committee, said: “The event was an outstanding success. We drew together a wide cross-section of our local shooting community and it really shows the popularity of game shooting in Wiltshire. The money raised will go towards projects within the county.”
James Green, BASC regional officer in the southwest said: “It was a fun event that was enjoyed by all. Its success would not have been possible without the hard work of the committee, their volunteer scorers, and the shooting school staff. We now plan to run similar events in the future.”
Top scorer was Carl Wieczorek, with an amazing 50 / 50 – and his prizes included a brace of oven-ready red grouse. Top lady Gun was Joanne Barnes and top junior was Dan Carpenter.