Grouse claw pins

[David Thornton]

Todd

I am inclined to believe that indeed it has to do with the tradition of shooting grouse on the moors. I just had not found the connection. And, I only know of one outfitter that shoots kilted. Most guns seem to prefer breeks & wellies.

Not ghillies however, as those are the guides used when stalking game (roe & stag).

If this is the case, and I suspect it is. Then it is done out of respect & admiration of a tremendous bird. I know that is hard for some to comprehend, but it is true. If I were to start wearing a pin, I think I would like one. I still do not like the extra jewel.

David

[Planopiper]

I believe, too, that it's pretty universal in all cultures: When people wear some part of an animal it's as a sign of respect for that animal or the characteritics it represents. Alternatively, it could be as the sign of a person's hunting skills. Even then it generally shows respect for the creature.

[macwilkin]

Todd

I am inclined to believe that indeed it has to do with the tradition of shooting grouse on the moors. I just had not found the connection. And, I only know of one outfitter that shoots kilted. Most guns seem to prefer breeks & wellies.

Not ghillies however, as those are the guides used when stalking game (roe & stag).

If this is the case, and I suspect it is. Then it is done out of respect & admiration of a tremendous bird. I know that is hard for some to comprehend, but it is true. If I were to start wearing a pin, I think I would like one. I still do not like the extra jewel.

David

Agreed, David. It seems to make the most sense, the association with the Red Grouse and the "Glorious 12th".

I must admit that I rather like the pewter version Graham found -- very unique.

T.

[clancelt]

I was always told it was for good luck, much like a rabbit's foot.

Now, why is a rabbit's foot good luck? I think you would have a hard time finding the start of that as well.

[Peter C.]

Todd

I am inclined to believe that indeed it has to do with the tradition of shooting grouse on the moors. I just had not found the connection. And, I only know of one outfitter that shoots kilted. Most guns seem to prefer breeks & wellies.

Not ghillies however, as those are the guides used when stalking game (roe & stag).

If this is the case, and I suspect it is. Then it is done out of respect & admiration of a tremendous bird. I know that is hard for some to comprehend, but it is true. If I were to start wearing a pin, I think I would like one. I still do not like the extra jewel.

David

I have never understood how people can find something they respect and admire and kill it for sport. But that is just me. Then pinning bits of it's body parts to their clothes doesn't help me understand. However if they enjoy it, who can say who's right, I do believe in "to each his own". (I nearly said "Live and let live".)

Peter

[Panache]

... However if they enjoy it, who can say who's right, I do believe in "to each his own". (I nearly said "Live and let live".)

Paul McCartney and Wings (and Ian Flemming) probably had a more appropriate take on that line.

I assume that Grouse is a bit like pheasant, having a lot of flavor but very lean and muscular. Therefore having a tendency to be a bit tough.

Cheers

Jamie

[Woodsheal]

I assume that Grouse is a bit like pheasant, having a lot of flavor but very lean and muscular. Therefore having a tendency to be a bit tough.

A smaller and more maneuverable bird, compared to the pheasant. I used to hunt alot of grouse as a kid, and they're a wily game bird! They usually flush out from right under your feet, practically, and by the time you recover and remember how to shoot your shotgun, they're gone...!
Good eating, though. The breast - the main part you devour - is not tough at all, if cooked properly....

I really like the grouse claw pins, and will get one eventually. And, like saving a rack of antlers, or mounting a head, it is honoring a beautiful and worthy game animal - a sign of respect for a skilled opponent, as it were. I don't expect non-hunters to understand, and that's fine....

[Peter C.]

A smaller and more maneuverable bird, compared to the pheasant. I used to hunt alot of grouse as a kid, and they're a wily game bird! They usually flush out from right under your feet, practically, and by the time you recover and remember how to shoot your shotgun, they're gone...!
Good eating, though. The breast - the main part you devour - is not tough at all, if cooked properly....

I really like the grouse claw pins, and will get one eventually. And, like saving a rack of antlers, or mounting a head, it is honoring a beautiful and worthy game animal - a sign of respect for a skilled opponent, as it were. I don't expect non-hunters to understand, and that's fine....

I guess you are right about non-hunters not understanding, but I have just moved from Montana where all my friends were hunters. I used to have little digs at them but they are still my friends, and still hunters.

Anyway in order to try and understand I am going to go away and try to imagine a pretty little bird with pretty little feet being a skilled opponent for an army of beaters chasing him into a line of guys with shotguns.

[Woodsheal]

Anyway in order to try and understand I am going to go away and try to imagine a pretty little bird with pretty little feet being a skilled opponent for an army of beaters chasing him into a line of guys with shotguns.

Maybe that's how they hunt `em in Scotland, but not in upstate NY! It was alway just me, and maybe one buddy, moving slowly through some upland brush and woodlots - usually without even a dog....

[Hamish]

There is no way that I could wear a real claw as a kilt pin (nor an animal's head as a sporran) but I have two of the pewter claw pins as mentioned by Graham. One has blue 'jewels' which I wear with a predominantly blue tartan, and the other has topaz which I wear on one of my tweed kilts. Here is a hastily taken photo of it:



In this form I see it simply as a decorative kilt pin without any of the 'baggage' that a real claw carries.