Gillaroo

All I'd add to this is if you are upset by not putting runners in the bag (everyone I hope) then get yourself a dog but don't chase after it as not only is this dangerous but running around looking for it will not only keep it running but also give the dogs less chance of picking up a scent. Nothing winds me up more than seeing a group of guns walking around a pile of feathers with dogs and any non-shooters in ever increasing circles saying "I'm certain that was dead in the air!" Let the dogs do the work. Cheers Mike PS I wouldn't shoot a runner but have taken one that has a leg down and flown again but not on a driven day.

Our new addition... Bess

Out of interest how many shots were fired on the day you went?

Very funny!!

So could it be a case of lets all get black cockers so when one runs in the keeper won't know which one it is? Is this the new "come 'ere you black *******!!!" that labs have had to live with for so long? I'm really talking about pure gundog qualities rather than how much it eats or size of house/family. Cheers for replies. Mike

Down this way there seems to be a real gundog trend at the mo' for cockers and fox red labs. I openly admit I'm a springer man and cannot for the life of me see why these two types in particular command a higher price and almost single-mindedness from potential owners in wanting one compared to the good old black lab and ESS? Is it like this all over the country or a "gotta keep up with the neighbours" south east thing? Best dogs I have EVER seen work are either black labs, springers or a couple of particular collies in the beating line. Just curious really and would like to hear why people chose these when buying a gundog. Surely it can't be because they work better or are easier to train or am I missing something? Some seem to be almost double the price for a pup! Cheers all. Mike

#15 kermitpwee Posted 29 October 2011 - 01:59 AM "Its very hard to understand what you are on about mate, I have never heard anyone talking about a hpr flushing in the manner you do. You would swear it was a spaniel. At the risk of you thinking that I am an ####, you do know that your dog is to point? Is your dog pointing or what? " But then again I've owned several spaniels that will point when they're working. One of them was full on with paw up and rigid through the back and tail until I got him to "get on". Versatility in all gundogs isn't a bad thing surely? Otherwise we'd all need one of each variety depending on what we are doing. Their ancestors were all pretty similar after all. Cheers Mike

3 dogs left - 2 x b/w and 1 x l/w. Located on Kent/Sussex border. Advertised in link below and for more info and contact details... http://www.wealdenad.co.uk/view.php?Category=Pets £300 each I'm having one so they must be good! I know (and have worked) 5 generations back on sire's side.

I have a wildcat 300 for a 7.62 remington on my .243 and the .308. No probs at all.

My springers will have a Mars bar half way through if its been a really hard day. Not enough chocolate in one to cause harm every once in a while. At 10 though she can start to take life a bit easier and I'd be thinking about getting a youngster in her place. Cheers Mike

So sad to read a story like this. Thoughts are with you. Mike

Better bargains in one of Holt's sealed bid auctions. Take a look at realised prices there but remember the commission.

A couple of small syndicate shoots round here (that know each other well) are looking into the idea of swapping each others land for a day sometime this season. Probably around a 50 bird day done on the same day and meeting up in the local afterwards. Just wondered if anyone else has done this and was it a success? Seems in principle a brilliant idea and would give guns the chance to see a few new drives. Cheers Gillaroo

Laying it out on grass and reeling back on will help to get rid of twists as well. If you get someone else to hold the other end give it good shake but don't try to pull out twists. Out of the twenty odd lines I take on the water the only Cortland ones are the good old blue and the ghost tip but tend to use a Lee Wulff Predator more these days. Cheers Gillaroo

Do your sums guys... I have had (on average) 3 dogs for the past 15 years... 3 x £20 a month is £60... x 12 months is £720 per year x 15 years is £10,800 I've never had insurance and there is no way I've paid over 10 grand to the vets in 15 years - not even a third of that even with some pretty nasty injuries, cancer etc etc. Maybe me and my dogs are just lucky? Cheers Gillaroo

Sounds to me like she's eaten something that doesn't agree with her. One of mine is exactly like that if he eats lamb or especially beef. What did you have for sunday dinner? I, like others here, have got used to it and just give water for 24 hours and the next feed (Wafcol chicken) is small with a dose of wormer as well. Hope she's better again soon. Mike

Exactly my point Dunkeld. Believe me guys, either tie your own or buy the best quality you can. Otherwise, be prepared to lose that fish of a lifetime to a straight hook. If someone can prove me wrong by (for example) showing me a nicely tied size 14 skinny diawl on a decent hook for 20p or thereabouts I'll hold my hand up but it ain't gonna happen. Remember many flies are sold to catch fisherman and some of the patterns we use would remain in the shop tray for years as anglers wouldn't believe you'll catch on that. My other point is that by tying your own you can be creative on patterns and some of my best ones a 5 year old could tie. Imagine the pleasure you'd get having other anglers catching using Dazza's nymph. Cheers Gillaroo PS Even the most perfectly presented and dressed fly will on occasions be turned down.

Donegal or Fulling Mill are good if you don't want to start tying your own. Ian and Craig Barr also have decent patterns on their sites. Forget the "FAST-BULK-FLIES-DIRECT.com" etc etc as they're rubbish. Poorly dressed on cheap hooks. There's a reason why they're 5p a fly. Cheers Gillaroo

Double post

Same thing happened at a game fair I was at. The idiots who let it off gave no warning to the countless people standing nearby with young dogs. I had a young springer with me and thankfully put my hands over her ears as I knew what was coming but it was chaos afterwards with dogs running all over the place and if it messed up one dog then keep it on the marsh and not at a fair.

Out lamping with my lad for his first time last night. Not good conditions at all and after bagging a few rabbits we came across a pair of eyes as we walked back to the motor. Tried to squeak it closer but it was having none of it. Then a movement in the grass right in front of us and 3 badger cubs played right at our feet for a couple of minutes. Left my lad speechless all the way home and a sight he'll remember for the rest of his life. Aren't we all lucky to be able to give kids these opportunities? Cheers Gillaroo

Have a look here... http://www.sexyloops.com/movies/flycastingprime.shtml Cheers Gillaroo

Need to speak to them today anyway so will run it past them.

Hi All I've just renewed and while I was at it, asked for .308 for boar and deer alongside the 22 for rabbits and the .243 for fox and deer (had this for 10 years prior to giving it up while the kids were young). Given me the same conditions as before for the .243 but I can't use the .308 for deer without a qualification? Fine for boar though. This suits me to be honest but the thinking behind it is pretty strange. Why would they let me shoot deer with the .243 but I cannot use the .308 to do the same job? It seems to me that interpretation of the law is so varied from county to county and some forum members have a rough time but in my mind Sussex do a pretty good job. Cheers Gillaroo

Hi Dekers Call Gary Marshall, on 01332 518653. He'll be able to give you a valuation. Cheers Gillaroo