From the Editor

As I write this, bird season is almost upon us. Time to tune up the dogs and finish getting them in shape. Time to get ourselves in shape. Time to check the guns and the shells and the gear, to make the repairs we said we'd get to last winter, to replenish the supplies we ran out of last fall. It's an exciting time of anticipation and renewed hope that this season is going to be the best one ever.

So what will you hunt this year? Doves come September? Grouse in October? Pheasants in November? I have an exciting trip planned for October grouse and woodcock in New Brunswick and then a waterfowl hunt in early December in Missouri. The rest of the season I'll be haunting local coverts in New England, seeing if my Drahthaar, Gunnar, has learned anything since last fall.

One thing I did this spring was draw a coveted Maine moose permit. In 2000 I was lucky to be the "trigger man" on a similar hunt, so this time I've elected to let my sub-permittee, my uncle, do the shooting. The hunt will take place the second week in October, so if we're able to find a suitable bull early, we'll round out the trip chasing birds.

A ttending this year's Vintage Cup (September 27 to 30) should be an item on every wingshooter's calendar. As you've heard, the Cup has moved from the Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds, in New York, to Pintail Point, in Queenstown, Maryland. Having shot at Pintail several falls ago, I can vouch for the club being a first-class facility.

Located on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Pintail is within easy driving distance of New York City (three-plus hours), Raleigh (51/2 hours) and everything in between. It's just across the Bay Bridge from Washington, D.C., and just up the road from the waterfowling mecca of Easton, Maryland (which you definitely should check out while there).

The 1,800-acre property boasts a 20-station sporting clays course as well as a 5 Stand setup and wobble trap. It also has two championship golf courses, including a 72-par Scottish links-style course and a nine-hole parkland-style course that will play host to a new event called the Charity Put & Pull (for details, see the Vintage Cup preview, p. 16).

I spoke with event organizer Ray Poudrier, president of the Order of Edwardian Gunners (aka Vintagers), about the change in venues. "We had a great eight-year run at Sandanona," Poudrier said, "but the original intent was to stay at a place for a few years and then move on. We felt that it was time to try something different.

"Pintail Point turned out to be the ideal location. It's near a major airport, it has a lot of hotels and restaurants nearby, and it's close to large population centers to draw attendee interest. The facility is also of sufficient size to host an event like ours, and it has the quality necessary to maintain the standards that have been set.

"It's a great deal of work to pick up and move to a new venue, as you're basically starting over from scratch. We just hope that people will support us by turning out. After all, without attendees and exhibitors, there is no Vintage Cup."

Shooting Sportsman will be there, as we have from the beginning, supporting this premier double-gun gathering. We look forward to seeing you there as well.

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to Shooting Sportsman»