At the end of this past May 2024, I had the privilege of guiding an absolutely wonderful group of discerning gentleman and one talented young lady photographer across some of the beautiful places my dogs and I get to call our offices. There was an air of excitement and expectation as they would also be compiling an article for the longstanding publication ‘Shooting Sportsman’ which has been in publication in the United States since 1987 – basically as long as I have been around! It was truly humbling knowing my dogs and I would grace the pages of such a prestigious magazine that has done so much for wingshooting, dogs and all that comes with this wonderful world of ours!
With any group I host and guide, I always feel some element of pressure to produce good sport and birds, as well as just an all round successful trip in itself – as we pride ourselves on more than the mere trigger pulling experience. This trip was a resounding success and I could breath easier after just the very first mornings success as the dogs were on song, and really stepped up and produced countless Redwing and Greywing Francolin across the beautiful Highlands that we explored. The company was superb, the food excellent, and pursuing wild birds with my team of athletes in our vast, happy places was just the cherry on the top.
I am humbled. Truly humbled. As I keep saying; when you find what works, but doesn’t feel like work, you’ve won.
I believed in myself. I backed myself. I believed in my dogs and all the years and years of hard yards far away from and camera lenses and magazine pages, at a time when no one ever really gave us a chance, and thus when I look back at where we started, and the inroads that we have made in this world of ours I am humbled and proud. Thank you to all that made this possible, and that buy into all that my dogs and I do. I can honestly say that once you truly go all in on your dreams and passion, the world will glow for you in a different way, and unknown friends will come and seek you out along your way.
Always chasing the horizon.