Foyers Sporting – thoughts on High seats.

Notes on high seats:

I thought I would make some remarks on the subject of “high seat” practices as it’s a question that I am often asked about. I guess we all have our own routines when sitting in a high seat and mine I guess is like many others. However, for those who might be interested, this is my routine.

Firstly, I am never in a rush to get into the high seat even if I am dropped off at the base of it. I like to make sure all my kit is secure and in good order, weapon safety is paramount, my rifle is never loaded until I finish my high seat routine. Therefore, I like to walk gently and quietly into the high seat, observing my surroundings from ground level. I also make sure that I am happy with the clothes that I am wearing for the temperature and weather conditions. Adding and removing clothes in the high seat is not recommendable. Remember you will be sitting there for a while and the cold can creep in especially if its wet weather. On that note make sure that you have done your toilette duties beforehand! When it comes to kit and equipment, I feel that for the sake of not boring the reader, I will address that as a topic on its own in another blog post. However, as well as the correct clothing, which should be warm, suitable for the weather conditions, and quiet and free to move. I have a pair of binoculars with built-in range finders, but these can be separate of course. I also always have a small touch, a hunting knife and a pair of shooting sticks. The latter I bring just in case I must take a follow up shot which requires me to leave the seat and have a reliable shooting platform. I have extra ammunition in an old plastic bullet holder (They used to come in the 20 round boxes of ammunition.) I have cut mine down to hold five extra bullets. The beauty of this is that they don’t rattle in your pocket every time you move. A fold up camping cushion for my backside and lastly, I have my trusty thermos flask with a hot brew of tea in it.

Once in a high seat and comfortable, my process is to start ranging distances. From the furthest point and then back to the high seat finding notable reference points as ranging markers. A feeder or a fallen log for example. You don’t need to be obsessive about this, but it’s good to know 50m, 100m and 150m. I also go as far as simulating firing from all the possible areas using my imagination to conjure up targets, placing my crosshairs on a leaf or something to get myself steady and comfortable in that shooting position. I do this slowly and quietly, but it enables me to find comfortable shooting positions so that when the “real deal” occurs I´m not left fumbling around trying to get into a comfortable firing position. I also believe that mentally you are more prepared, if you have shot at many “imagined” targets around the area, I believe that you don’t encounter so much “buck fever” when the moment comes. Once all this is done, I load my gun quietly, check that all is safe and secure, and then start to enjoy the nature around me.

What to look for?

I know this sounds like it should be rather obvious right? Well, it’s a bit more to it than one thinks. Let me explain. You will be amazed at how many opportunities are missed because, for one reason or another. Many times, it’s because you never saw the prey come and go. Secondly, you do see the target, but it’s walked across the road and into the bushes whilst you fumbled around. Well, I guess the latter should not happen if you took any attention to my prologue. But the former is quite normal. You must always stay vigilant, scanning your surroundings, especially if you are in the forest or guarding forest roads. Be aware of the changing contrast around the area, look for abnormalities, shadows that weren’t there a moment ago or any movement in your periphery. I was once hunting in Africa, and I quizzed the tracker on his superhuman ability to see wildlife in a sea of camouflage. He said, don’t look for the animal specifically, look for shapes that don’t fit in. A good lesson I learnt. Use your binoculars to investigate. Any experienced hunter will tell you that this will drive your senses insane, especially as the sun moves and changes everything from one minute to the next. But it’s all about engulfing your surroundings and monitoring the slightest changes. This gives you the edge and why is that important? Because it buys you time when the moment comes. No one wants to be rushed, so being in front allows you to be calm and focused. So, in conclusion, sitting still for a few hours thinking that your backside will go numb, can be insanely active! Who would have known…?