In the mid eighties I was taught to shoot driven birds by my friend Mr Jack Mitchell, who taught at the West London shooting school,Was the Managing director of Coggswell Harrison, and beloved shooting instructor to the people of Cornwall,and the U.S. His advice,which has served me well was " If you know you can hit the bird,don't shoot it! it would not be sporting".I would add " If you know that you can't hit it don't shoot".Understand that paying for a set number of birds if you shoot easy birds, you will get easy birds,and you will soon be done with your days shooting.The challenge is to test yourself,and find the level that tests your skill. It is different for each person.I used to think that open chokes 5-15 thous would suffice.After shooting a couple of extreme drives at " Whitfield " the past 2 years, I have changed my mind. You need to match your equipment to the shooting.Extreme birds 12's, 30 0r 32" barrels, # 4 or 5 shot, full chokes. Why high Birds? I still remember the first high bird that I attempted and killed 25 years ago,and as Jack said if you can remember one bird a trip,It will be a good trip. He was right. sfq
