Whizzo

Regarding the correct calls, do any of you have the correct way to call a fox as a soundbite that I could here. I bought one of those blow type calls but I'd like some info on correct pitch etc

I'm considering buying a 2nd dog. Current dog was house dog/pet until he was 4 when I took up shooting again, he's now 6 but struggles. He sleeps outside in the shed but all other times he is indoors (except when we are out) If I get a 2nd dog, this will be a working dog. I would condiser a fenced in run attached to the shed so he wouldn't escape/wreck the garden. Wife maintains that both dogs should be out side or both inside as it would be unfair on the new dog to be out while the Jasper gets allowed in and has all the attention. My intention is to work the dogs seperately as I don't want no 2 to get bad habbits of No 1. I want to keep hound no 1 as a pet. What do you guys and gals think of my predicament?

OUr cocker was taken home at 5 weeks, 1st dog and probably way too early. Reckon he has some seperation disorder as he does not want to be alone ever. When he's out the back he tries to bury thru' the metal / glass back door like an olympic swimmer trying to get in. Any similar probs with young dogs?

Maybe he put some special fertilizer on his tongue and it has now grown too big for his mouth.

My cocker lived outside in a box with opening to the left and a divider to keep the wind off. He has the cat for company and heat. Once they are dry and reasonably draught free they'll be fine. Now he's in luxury as I have a garden shed in which I have put his original kennel. When he was outside and it was particularily cold I put a hot water bottle in.

I've got Hunter Classics, reasonably cheap and comfy

Over here in the Emerald Isle, there has been a sudden increase in Buzzards, as a young lad I never saw onw and only in last 3 yrs have they appeared. During a quite time in my hide, nicely camoflaged, I got 'buzzed' by one swooping twoards my hide, I had to wave my hat at it incase it was coming closer! Fabulous, seem to have wingspand of around 3ft. I've seen a pheasant charge out of a ditch to 'run' a cat that was out hunting. Cat didn't budge and pheasant ran staright back in. :yp: For the grief we sometimes get, how many non shooters get to see this side of nature?

I though my lanber was destroying my shooting - 4 birds 30 cartridges - I felt like getting lessons. Went out this morning with my gear and a big poster of a nissan jeep that came with sporting gun mag. I put the poster on one of those big bails, paced 30 yards and shot in the middle. I was hoping to see was I hitting where I was aiming....and I was! (pattern was slightly up and right of centre but well spread) I shot 11 birds for 25 cartridges - a big improvement. Could it be a confidence or over-thinking problem - believe me I've been there.

A lively debate! I have to agree with Cranfield but this will be an IRISH hedge! Since I shoot on this bit of land I would like to see them put in a hedge row that would give cover etc for pheasants etc. Thanks for the suggestions and links guys.

Who ever is the administrator of this forum, please close this topic / thread as it is going no where and offering nothing to the normally excellent website.

I was hoping some of you with more experience of the land than me could offer some tips. Pals of mine have recently bought a small farm and along a dividing fence want to plant a hedge. They keep a horse in this field so want to use trees/bushes that will not harm him but that will grow quickly. I'd appreciate any tips on plants to use. how to take cuttings, when to plant and anything else you could consider. Thanks

Yep, sounds like it. The gun has that hex shape at the breach and becoming round. I don't know what it was about that gun, maybe because it was so light, but I could hit everything with it at 16. (even downed a goose!) Now at 33, I am considering lessons with my 12g Lanber becasue I feel that I can hit nothing! It will never be sold, but I'd love to learn more about it. Came across a gun last night on the net 'El Chimbo' which had similar features. Thanks for the reply's

My father has a gun that I cut my teeth on 16 yrs ago. It is very unusual and would be interested if any of you have heard of one before. It has following features: Single barrell .410, 28" hammer action, side lever opening folding (ie barrell folds back to stock) Tiny carved front end Tan colured stock Only markings are serial no. (4 digits) and 'Foreign' in capital. My father bought this from my uncle after about 10yrs of asking. I'll try to get a picture. It seems to me to be a poachers gun and I am 90% sure I saw one in a documentary yrs ago about poachers (that gun had the stock cut away internally so that it appearwed to be an elongated triangle). I reckon the gun could be at least 60yrs old - the blu-ing is either non existant or worn off. Any ideas? Whizzo

Very interesting ...but regardless of what did hit the building be it plane or missile, what happened to the 757? Surely 300 families whould have asked that one. That is if there was a flight 77 though.

Just used new floater yesterday. Very interesting the way it affected how the birds apprioached the decoys. Very light wind towards the hide floater 30m away on right hand leg of pattern. Birds were coming L-R across me and tended to swing left to land in same direction as floater and in same line. I actually had to move the floater in towards the pattern due to this happening. Very handy piece of kit + just used new shell decoys made by Sport Plast, very realistic (but a little bit over fed!) Can be positioned feeding or upright either fixed down frimly on stick o r wobbling in wind. Stick has a devise on the end that prevents the wind from lifting the decoy off the top. You have to squeeze it in to rls the decoy.

Hi The wheat in our area has been cut 3 weeks ago, and the numbers of pigeons do seem to be diminishing (ie noot as interested in that field etc). Some of the fields have been scorched by the farmers. What advice do you have regarding setting up camp on the non scorched fields. Will they still come to the decoys, or do I need to find where they are feeding. How do you set up a decoy pattern on uncut wheat fields

Hi, I just bought a pigeon floater, have yet to use it and want a few tips. 1. Should the pigeon be dead....just kidding! 2. How does the head get supported, does it flop or do you insert that spike all the way up? 3. How far back and what position from my pattern should the floater be? 4. What angle from the ground should I have it. Thanks

Hi Mad Springer, He's not the best trained gun dog and goes running in. I have resorted to keeping him on the lead until I want him to go. He just pull the feathers not the flesh and it is only on winged/injured birds he does this, but I don't think its because he can't get a grip on it. He has done this before on game. I haven't much exp. at dog training, but as I said in original post, he was a house dog/pet 'til he was 4yrs. When training him with a dummy he is ok but I wrapped a pheasant wing on it and he would try to eat the feathers off that.

My cocker is as the addage goes, better than no dog. He was a house dog until 2 yrs ago when I began shooting again. He's now 6. He'll flush pheasants and find fallen birds. I've just started pigeon shooting, when I hit a bird dog will charge over and find it but will immediately begin to chew at the feathers of winged birds. I want to encourage him to get the birds and hold onto them, but don't want to appear to scold him for the wrong thing. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to encourage him to puck the bird but not eat it!!

I had no problem training my Cocker...he pretty much learned himself. The trick was that any time the dog ate or drank, the bowels or bladder would be triggered, at this point I would bring him outside and he would then do what he needed. He soon learned to go to the door. At no point did I rub his nose in anything! Its a myth that just humiliates a dog and teaches them nothing.

I've just started shooting pigeons over decoys ...with mixed success. When is the best time to shoot them, i.e. just as they stall about to land or on their approach. Any suggestions welcome Also: What are you're opinions on using clay pigeon cartridges ie 28g 7 1/2's for woodies? PS Great forum, only found it recently