Tarquin Millington-Drake

UK Managing Director
Frontiers Ltd

Tarquin Millington-Drake has run famous sporting travel company Frontiers Ltd since 1993. His advice has seen endless people consistently enjoying fantastic fly fishing and shooting, as well as non-sporting holidays, around the globe. He is a respected field sports photographer, publishing his very successful book A Year on the Moor in 2015 about the life of a grouse moor. To read more and enjoy the photographs of his adventures have a look at blog.milllingtondrake.com. TMD, as he is known, is one of the UK’s real field sports enthusiasts with his greatest passions being salmon fishing and pigeon shooting.

What’s the best – and worst – game dish you’ve ever eaten?

Best is Ant Brown and Neil Anthony‘s grouse – they worked together at the time. Sublime. Worst, for me, is over-hung game. Why we hung our game so long in the old days I will never know. We set the popularity of game back decades!

Is there any game you don’t – or wouldn’t – eat?

Not really unless it is high/smelly.

The best shooting property you’ve stayed in?

East Allenheads in the UK – my second home. Ventosilla in Spain, my Spanish home!

Your favourite chef that cooks game.

Ant Brown, Neil Anthony (Allenheads) and Tristan Prudden of Constable Burton.

Tell us about your most memorable – not necessarily the best – day’s shooting.

My best day is the culmination of days of reconnaissance watching a field being attacked by pigeons. Strategising over Google maps and BBC Weather in terms of wind, what the birds are doing etc and arriving at a plan and hide location. Setting up in plenty of time. Waiting 10 minutes and the birds start right on time and keep coming. In other words, a plan coming together perfectly! All this shared with an equally enthusiastic friend and Five Live!

You are given a day’s shooting absolutely anywhere in the world, all expenses paid for you and seven guests. Where would you choose, with whom, and what would you eat and drink for lunch and dinner?

Grouse in September at Allenheads with people who love to shoot but could never afford to have such a day and would therefore appreciate it the most. I would let Allenheads do their thing on the food and drinks but no tomatoes!

To what lengths should shoots (and guns) go to ensure as much shot game as possible enters the food chain?

Full lengths, it is right that they should. I will take one pigeon to the game dealer if need be. //

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