The Old Swede: August 20th, 2025
Gentleman in the Field: A Life Measured in Miles Walked, Dogs Led, and Meals Earned
Upland Hunting
Blixt & Co. and the Art of American Driven Shooting
Set against the backdrop of the Teton Valley, Blixt & Co. brings the full grandeur of British driven shooting to American soil. Modeled after the finest English traditions, Blixt orchestrates days that include loaders, beaters, elevenses, and full pegs with bespoke placement. Here, the pheasant rise fast and high, while the scenery stuns: golden aspens, elk-touched ridgelines, and snow-dusted peaks.
Each shoot is carefully curated—birds are flown with pace, beaters are expertly trained, and the entire experience, from hospitality to field etiquette, is managed with grace. Guns often travel from both coasts to partake in this rare opportunity for true high bird shooting west of the Mississippi.
What makes Blixt extraordinary is its devotion to authenticity. Shooting tweeds are encouraged, loaders are seasoned professionals, and every drive is preceded by a horn call. There is even a dedicated shoot lunch that rivals anything across the Atlantic.
In short: it’s the Downton Abbey of western wingshooting, and a pilgrimage for the American sporting gentleman.
Manners Maketh Man
The Handwritten Note
In the age of fleeting texts and inbox deletions, the handwritten thank-you note remains the hallmark of a true sportsman. It is personal, deliberate, and steeped in tradition—a gesture that speaks louder than any digital message ever could.
To write a note after a shoot, a hosted weekend, or an outfitted adventure is to honor not just hospitality, but memory. Mention the dog you admired. Recall the high crossing bird your neighbor folded. Compliment the sausage rolls. These details prove you were present, not merely attending.
Quality stationery matters. So does ink that doesn’t smudge and language that doesn’t grovel. Be sincere, be brief, and be timely. A posted envelope within 48 hours says you value the moment enough to mark it.
In the words of Sir Joseph Nickerson: "Those who write well are asked again. Those who do not, aren’t remembered."
Recommended Reading:
The Shooting Man’s Creed by Sir Joseph Nickerson; Purdey Post archives.
Kit Review
Classic Wellingtons by Le Chameau
The Le Chameau Vierzonord boot has earned its place as the gentleman’s field boot across both sides of the Atlantic. Crafted in Normandy since 1927, these hand-made rubber boots are lined with 3mm neoprene for warmth and comfort, and include a gusseted calf for adjustable fit.
Their real genius lies in the balance: they’re tough enough for bogs and burns, yet refined enough for the breakfast room at the lodge. In the grouse butts of Scotland or along the muddy bottoms of Arkansas timber, they keep your feet dry, your step quiet, and your appearance unmistakably competent.
The soles are grippy without being aggressive, making them ideal for driven shoots or long upland treks. And they clean up well with nothing more than a brush and a rinse—a practical touch that doesn’t go unnoticed.
A pair of Le Chameau boots signals that you understand the terrain, the climate, and the code. They are not an accessory. They are a tool, born of necessity and worn with pride.
Shop the Le Chameau Vierzonord boot
Bourbon & Cigars
The Case for Wood Ashtrays
While cut crystal and silver ashtrays have long held court in smoking rooms, the wooden ashtray is a more honest companion to the cigar. Handcrafted from walnut, oak, or mesquite, these ashtrays carry the patina of fire and story—aged not just by smoke, but by memory.
In the field lodge or on the back porch, a carved wood ashtray feels right. It doesn't clang or glare. It warms the hand like a stock. And when the bourbon comes out, the pairing is seamless: charred oak on the palate, charred oak on the table.
Some are outfitted with brass rests, others are hand-lathed and simple. The best are made by small artisans—the kind who sign their work with a woodburned monogram.
Place one between friends, and it becomes more than functional. It is the hearth of the conversation. And if the cigar goes cold, the memory of its smoke lingers longer in wood than in silver.
Recommended Makers:
Peter Nappi
Saddleback Leather Co.
Lone Tree Forge (custom orders)
Pub Spotlight
Willow Creek Cafe & Saloon, Three Forks, Montana
In a town where the Missouri, Gallatin, and Jefferson Rivers braid into history, Willow Creek Cafe & Saloon offers the kind of bar where bird hunters, ranch hands, and fly fishermen swap stories over steaks and pints. It is both humble and magnetic.
The decor blends antler chandeliers with barbed wire art, and the tap list leans local: Moose Drool Brown Ale, Lewis & Clark IPA, and Montana-made spirits. Burgers are thick, the prime rib is famous, and the huckleberry pie is spoken of like legend.
What makes Willow Creek special isn’t polish—it’s soul. Dogs are welcome on the porch. Bartenders remember your drink. Locals will ask about your gun.
If you show up in a waxed jacket with feathers on your cuff, you’ll be met with a nod, not a stare. And if your boots are muddy, just knock them off and find a stool. You’re among friends.
Reference:
Willow Creek Cafe & Saloon; Big Sky Journal, Autumn 2023.
Outfitter Spotlight
High Steppe Dogs
In the shortgrass prairies of Montana, High Steppe Bird Dogs is building a reputation for producing some of the most elegant and capable bird dogs in the West. Their focus: classy, hard working pointing breeds bred for big runs, short covers, hot days, and style on the rise.
English pointers are the foundation here. High Steppe lines emphasize natural backing, soft mouths, and a calm temperament in the truck. These dogs aren’t fire-breathers; they’re workhorses with posture—easy to handle, hard to forget.
The emphasis is on developing elite bird dogs that excel on wild birds in rugged, wide open ground. Days begin with pre-dawn coffee and rig checks, followed by miles of prairie walking, water breaks and the occasional thunderous flush of sharp-tailed grouse.
If you believe a good dog makes the gun better—and the hunt meaningful—High Steppe is a name to know.
Reference:
High Steppe Dogs; Pointing Dog Journal, Winter 2024
“Pants”
Quote from the GunPlow Library
“The pleasures of the chase—of waking up early, of walking for hours, of standing perfectly still—are as enduring as the hunt itself. The reward is not the game bag, but the moment.”
— Guy de la Valdène, The Fragrance of Grass
GunPlow Classic Library Coming Soon
