The British Grouse Economy

[Patrick Butler]

'How to Spend it" is a magazine that is included in the Sunday edition of the London Financial Times. Yes, that is quite a title. The Financial Times stands out with its salmon-colored paper that is passed out by the airlines.

Anyway, I thought that our 'General Parker Discussions" readers might find this Times article regarding the economy of hunting in GB of interest:

http://howtospendit.ft.com/sport/91633-shooting-in-britain

Patrick
Palo Alto, CA

[chris dawe]

Enjoyed that ,thanks !

[Kevin McCormack]

Thank you, Patrick - several interesting and noteworthy points in this article, especially the reference to "Guns On Pegs" (GOP), the wildly successful online booking service that allows one to book a day, week, or month (infrequent due to established syndicate leases) on the moors for driven grouse. I referred one of my case-repair clients who had just received back his matched pair of "between the war" Purdeys and was wondering when he'd ever have a chance to use them (as a true pair) to the GOP website, which he had never heard of. He started in 2013 with a single full day (at the end of which he was invited to fill a complimentary peg cancelled by another client). He went back in 2014 for 3 full days and just last month made his third trip for 4 full days. When I asked him if the grouse really were that fast, he said, "you have no idea!" His comment about the experience, "breathtaking!"

Another point is the relative cost - as the USD gains against the British pound (albeit slowly!) more and more shooters from the US 'find a way' to experience this mesmerizing type of shooting. Utilizing the GOP website for booking individual days (and locations as well) combined with selecting smaller, B&B or local inns, some very nice accomodations and shooting experiences may be had. Complicating factors include the constant 'juking and jiving' by the airlines in structuring fares and service schedules, the ever-annoying value-added taxes (VAT), and the bar bill for those fond of fine single-malt Scotch!

[Bill Murphy]

I read three of the sub articles related to shooting. "The Glorious Twelfth" was a classic.

[Patrick Butler]

I read three of the sub articles related to shooting. "The Glorious Twelfth" was a classic.

Thanks for the heads-up. I just read the article at the bottom of the last page and is a well-written Brit compliment to Texas women.

Patrick