Shooting Times & Country

The window of opportunity

One of the best shooting tips I’ve ever received was from a pot seller at the West of England Hound Show. I’d finished watching the otterhound classes — I think the Dartmoor triumphed — and wandered into the trade aisles in search of a pasty and pint for lunch.

A small crowd had gathered round one stand and I was pulled into the throng as willingly as a young pigeon into decoys. And there was the pot seller, busy flogging sets of six saucepans. With an expert’s eye, he noticed when a potential buyer was hesitant and then gave his memorable cry, “Madam, I’m not one of those here-today, gone-tomorrow blokes. I’m here today and gone today.”

Here today, gone today. That, round

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