The Country Sportsman's Record Book and Journal [first edition]

The answer if not to a maiden's prayer then at least to those of a whole generation of country sporting men and women. This flexible sporting diary takes account of hunting, fishing, falconry and coursing as well as shooting, but most of all recognises the fact that the peripheral events of any day in the field are always of more lasting interest than the size of the bag. Game books of previous eras were no more than desiccated e state records, things of no flesh and bone, for 100 pheasants here read much the same as 100 pheasants two months later. We needed to remember who shot well, how was the dog work, what about the amazing sunset and that old cock bird you downed with the last shot of the day as it topped the tallest tree and headed for safety down the valley? Who needs a shooting diary with wasted columns for ptarmigan and capercaillie when so few are shot in the whole country in a year? The columns are simplicity itself, covering the date, the place, your companions and the bag and, on the facing page, most important of all, remarks. These might be a terse two liner or inspiration might run to a full page for something special. There is room to insert photographs, game cards or perhaps to pin a feather. Every spread has a sporting quotation from times past as well as exquisite paintings by John Paley.