From The Shooting Gazette, June 2001
The Stalker's Treat

Written by: Amy Willcock

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How cool is this? Recently I had to ring Stringfellow’s (the London nightclub), to speak to my ‘NBF’ Roger Howe. One of my husband’s ‘OBFs’ (old best friends) is Mr Taittinger - he knows everyone who is anyone in the glamorous world of showbiz and shooting. One wouldn’t normally associate the two but I can confirm celebrities like nothing more than to don all the kit, pack a ‘piece’ and blast away. Getting down and dirty with Madonna has a whole new meaning since she was recently spotted in Scotland. 

“Stalking is definitely not sexy; getting up at 3am and being in position before daybreak is not really most people’s idea of sexy, but getting a house party together is great fun and very social,” said Roger. He has stalked everything from roe deer in Scotland to coyotes in Colorado. The best stalking in Roger’s opinion is in May, the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August when the activity levels are really high and the weather is usually at its best. I must admit a 3am wake-up call does not appeal. 

But if stalking is going to be your new ‘thing’, and you are stuck in a ‘rut’ (sorry, I couldn’t resist!), then visit a good gunshop. John Wraith at Ray Ward Gunsmith Ltd, Knightsbridge was incedibly helpful. 

Two bits of advice that my new exotic friend Roger gave me are a) don’t stalk until you drop, and b) don’t eat salty bacon before going out or you will drink the ‘burn’ dry! 

This month’s recipe is best if made the night before and is even better when a bit squashed, ideal for stalking! It is equally at home on the beach or up a mountain, sorry, hill.