26. Grouse Counting And Gundogs

You may have heard of the grouse count, but have you ever wondered what it is? The grouse count is an annual event carried out by moorland keepers in the UK. It helps to determine whether grouse shooting will take place on an estate during a particular year or not. LWDG Featured Expert Lucy Hall explains to LWDG Founder Jo Perrott how the grouse count is done and how important these times of year are for the shooting season. Lucy explains what grouse counting is, how important it is for moorland keepers, and how it is done. We also look at some of the dogs commonly used for this task and explore why they have been traditionally used for this job. More about Lucy: Passionate and creative with a personal touch, Lucy Claire Events specialises in bespoke event and party planning. With meticulous attention to detail, a classic style with a contemporary twist and a bursting little black book of contacts and trusted suppliers, we create memorable and magical experiences, always with the client at heart. I've been blessed with a wonderful country upbringing, with shooting and working dogs playing a huge part of my life. I've grown up with my father working pointers (English) and setters, and both parents having a springer each for the shooting season. I now have 2 English setters and 2 x springers of my own, all of which I work. Working setters and pointers is a huge passion of my father's, which he has passed on to me. So I've been shooting over pointers and setters - mainly grouse - for the last ten years, and have been trialling, grouse counting and running my own English setter for shooting parties on the grouse moors for the past five years. I've also a young ten month old English setter who is showing great promise with his fabulous pace and style that I'm really excited about! I am also a 'makey learny' judge (lol) for the pointer and setter trials, so far having carried out two appointments. I have two further ones this spring, one on the moors and one on the partridge, which I'm very excited about. Links: Insta: @lucyclaireevents Website: www.lucyclaireevents.com Facebook: Lucy Claire Events If this episode inspired you, take a screenshot of you listening & post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag us, @ladiesworkingdogs Plan a month of effective 10-minute dog training sessions in just 1 hour! The LWDG is bringing you a free webinar to help you train! After this webinar, you will know exactly how to train using short sharp sessions. Register here for  free accessThanks for being here. If this episode gave you something, a laugh, a lightbulb, or just the feeling that someone gets it, that's exactly why we make it.📚 Not sure where to start with your gundog training? Grab the LWDG Gundog Progress Gap Map. Work out where you exactly where you are and what to work on next, no more guessing needed.