September 1st was ,and still is ,the first day of the season for shooting partridge , wild duck and geese.

The order of shooting seasons for birds( I think I have them all) is as follows;

12 August - 10 December Grouse
12 August - 10 December Ptarmigan
20 August - 10 December Black Game
1 September - 1 February Partridge
1 October - 1 February Pheasant
1 October - 31 January Capercaillie
12 August - 31 January Snipe
1 October - 31 January Woodcock
(England & Wales)
1 September - 31 January Wild Duck and Geese
(Inland)
1 September - 20 February Wild Duck & Geese
(Below high water mark)

As to Mr Stone.Well, we know that Lydia attends to only one word in ten ;-), and we know that a "Mr Haggerstone" is the lawyer who was employed by Mr Gardiner to draw up the marriage settlement between Lydia and Wickham;

"I will immediately give directions to

Haggerstone for preparing a proper settlement..."