Great British Game Week: A celebration of wild meat and rural life

There’s nothing quite like a cold, sunny winter’s day out with your friends and 4-legged faithfuls.

Game shooting isn’t for everyone, I really get that. But when it’s a big part of your community, it’s best to embrace it. And I truly believe that there is no better source of protein than wild meat harvested on your doorstep.

Last week I joined the beating line with my 1 year old strapped in the Ergobaby carrier. He had a ball, and I loved being back in the team, having missed the whole of last season (pregnancy and a torn meniscus didn’t bode well for climbing these hills)

Working our dogs is always the highlight of the day. Never a dull moment with working cocker spaniels, but there’s always a ‘retrieve of the day’ story to share. I’ve made so many friends through working my dogs over the years, and it’s always bittersweet when the season ends on 1 February. On the one hand, you won’t be drenched through to your knickers on a regular basis. And, by this point, the already half-trained cockers are completely self-employed. But realistically, it will be 6.5 months before you see the majority of your ‘shooting friends’ again.

Community and Economy

Beyond the social side, shooting supports the rural economy in countless ways, for example:

• Accommodation providers filling rooms at a time of year when other forms of tourism are dying down. I saw this first-hand when my family owned a country house hotel in rural Perthshire.

• Beating, Picking Up, Loading and other shoot day jobs provide an income for people who have ‘seasonal’ jobs. I have benefited from this myself over the years.

• Lots of work for Chefs, Housekeepers, Mechanics, Butchers and Game Dealers.

• Gamekeeping, Stalking and Ghillieing jobs that bring families to rural areas, using the schools, local shops and other facilities that might not be viable without them.

Great British Game Week is a fantastic celebration of wild meat, as well as a chance to encourage others to try it.

Why eat wild game?

Did you know that pheasant, partridge, and venison are all higher in protein than chicken? They are such healthy and versatile meats. Pheasant and partridge both make great alternatives to chicken in curries, fajitas, casseroles and stir-fries. Venison bolognese, chilli and burgers are a healthy and tasty alternative to beef.

This Great British Game Week, give game a go. It’s local, sustainable, and tastes great.