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GreaterUpperValley.com

Devon, England Travel & Hunting Tips

Sep 08, 2017 09:00PM ● By Melanie Heisinger
If you’re planning a hunting trip to England, you’ll find the advice below valuable indeed.
 
  • The shooting season opens September 1 for partridge and October 1 for pheasants. Both seasons remain open until February 1. That said, October is prime time. Reserve early. The same groups go year after year to the same estates.
  • To reach Devon from the Upper Valley. Fly from Boston to London, then rent a car to drive to Devon (about 3 hours). You won't need the car for shooting, but it's handy for sightseeing.
  • Bring raingear! After all, it's England. English shooters prefer a khaki green weather-proof wool jacket made by Schoffel. Barbour-style waxed cotton jackets are also popular.
  • Dress in layers. There's often a heavy frost at night, but day time temperatures can reach into the 60's.
  • Wear rubber boots or Gore-tex hiking or hunting boots. The footing can be wet, especially during the mornings.
  • Leave your blaze orange and game vest at home. Blaze orange is a fashion faux pas in Great Britain. Your loader carries the shotguns and shells. The picker-uppers collect and transport the birds to the truck.
  • Most estates rent shotguns so you do not need to transport your own from the United States, which is a hassle travel-wise and which requires a special firearms license in the United Kingdom.
  • If you're staying at a shooting estate, dinners can be jacket-and-tie affairs. Ask your host before you leave home.
  • Plan to tip both the gamekeeper and your loader. (The gamekeeper should receive 30% to 50% more than the loader.)

What are your go-to travel tips? Let us know in the comments! 

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