Oddman

A scruffy gold head damselfly nymph Not your usual bass fly

So chuffed

This series from Hywel Morgan http://www.horseandcountry.tv/episode/hywel-morgan-fishing-episode-1 is entertaining and informative

Sabs disrupting beagling several times last season. Pretty unpleasant tactics - abusing elderly followers & filming despite children being present. Clearly a lot of them were itching to have a ruck. Police have been very sympathetic and helpful to hunt staff but can do little on public access land. If we had sabs on the shoot it would be guns put away and call to police - better chance of getting them ejected from private land I suppose. Suggest we limit discussion to sensible lawful ideas to limit difficulties rather than invite unwanted attention or disclose tactics on a public forum

Westerby Bassets look to be your local pack. Details here http://www.bailyshuntingdirectory.com/directory/Westerby_Bassets.htm Also two beagle packs nearby http://www.bailyshuntingdirectory.com/directory/Warwickshire_Beagles.htm http://www.bailyshuntingdirectory.com/directory/North_Warwickshire_Beagles.htm In my experience hunting folk are somewhat cautious about newcomers but fieldsports interest such as shooting should establish your credentials. Best not to disclose a passion for lurchers at your first meet but I'm sure you'll get a warm welcome

It helps to know what we are up against. It's not enough to rage against the antis That said - These people are puritans, roundheads. Some would like to ban all animal killing but their hypocrisy prevents this. They know that they could never ban eating meat for pleasure. They know that the meat, produced on an industrial scale and mindlessly troughed by their intended audience, involves cruelty and killing which far out weighs any crimes alleged against the shooting community. Instead they pursue their thinly disguised class warfare against 'killing for pleasure' The evidence presented is very poor. Lots of hearsay but no mention of convictions. I think a neutral would see the 'pet murdering' allegations for the desperate propaganda that it is. The arguments presented although flawed could be very persuasive to the majority (urban) audience and need to be addressed and properly countered. Demonstrate how the british rearing industry has nothing to hide. I don't think Marco Pierre White was far wrong when he said that pheasant rearing is a form of farming. There is nothing to be ashamed of in this or the manner of the 'harvest' Promote the health benefits of game meat. Explain how the proper countryside management supports the whole ecosystem rather than the sentimental focus on mammals with pretty faces. Rational explanation of predator control Explain the economic benefits of shooting. Vigorously support the continuing involvement of young people in fieldsports. One of the most insidious propaganda tools is the equivalence drawn between introducing young people to shooting and paedophile grooming or gun crime. Ensure that our behaviour in the field is courteous sportsmanlike and responsible. If you don't eat all that you shoot take an interest in where it goes.

Depends on what you mean by kids. I was looking into this for my 10 year old for beating in winter. Hunter do kids neoprene wellies in very small (kids sizes) but I wasn't really struck by the quality. Some manufacturers do adult boots into quite small sizes. I ended up with some Seeland boots from John Norris. Needed an extra insole to reduce sloppiness. She's done really well with them and no complaints of cold feet. Norris has some very small size adult boots from some of the better Hunter styles. Might be worth checking out depending on budget

Took a mate shooting today at Coniston. He's not shot since he was a kid popping all sorts with a .410 20+ years ago My first time there. Unbelievably quiet and what a great set up He did really well. Thankfully there were a few he couldn't hit that I could. Importantly he was safe. I learnt something today - it's as much fun bringing someone to the sport as is doing it yourself

Bought my Arc'teryx Jacket in '97 and still going strong. At the time they were way ahead of the game making the mainstream brands like Berghaus and North Face look like trash. I've used it (and other AT bits and pieces)for fairly hardcore activities like ski touring and mountaineering. They are beautifully fitted and engineered. They tend to be very 'pure' like shell garments, mid layers. This suits my purpose for mountaineering as you are very aerobically active and you need a very wide range of movement, room in the hood for a helmet inside a hood and ventilation. However I wouldn't consider it for shooting (apart from being red) I think the Scandinavian brands are much more suitable for fieldsports. My Harkila paclite goretex jacket is easily the equal of the equivalent Arcteryx - if the logos were swapped you wouldn't know and although he RRP is around the same, shooting gear always seems to be more deeply discounted than the mountaineering brands

GWCT have a project at Loddington http://www.gwct.org.uk/research__surveys/the_allerton_project/default.asp There was a feature in Autumn issue of Fieldsports. The impact of withdrawing predator control and feeding on game, hare and songbird was clearly demonstrated by graphs.

Thanks Gents I've found that 525 Nordic Hunter which has auto safe. Presumably because Swedes are more sensible than Americans Checking one out this weekend.

Looking for new game gun to do a bit of everything. Walked up duck flighting and driven. Must haves for me a re 3" chamber, steel proof and auto safety I get on with Brownings. Does the new 525 Hunter have auto safety??? Or if not what other guns would you recommend TBH I prefer fixed chokes.

Advice please Family holiday in Pembrokeshire last 2 weeks of July - nearest water I can see is Western Cleddau and Llyn y Fran. As a modest Yorkshire river angler I have zero experience of 1) Sea Trout 2) Reservoir fishing 3) Salt water So what should I do with a sneaky few hours?

http://www.theessentialfly.com/

I spent ages looking for a local supplier but event tyres did the business for me. http://www.event-tyres.co.uk/

Joe I think considering the aggro you've had, you've dealt with the situation well. I don't think I'd have had the maturity not to rise to the bait when I was your age(or now for that matter). It sounds to me like he is trying to provoke you into doing something foolish. You're the one with the SGC to lose - don't give him the satisfaction. As others have said the solution lies with your parents. Hopefully you've been letting them know every time there's been a problem. If it's their land then as others have suggested they need to deal with him - both as landowners and parents. I wouldn't be happy with the idea of one of my children being 'stalked' whilst they're in possession of a gun and ammo. A letter from the landowner explaining where the rights of way are and an invitation to discuss any 'concerns' he may have about your lawful activity will at least put you on the moral high ground. I don't think it would be unreasonable to get the police involved (at least the FEO). Get yourself insured if you're not already. Best Wishes Tim

I've just eaten the best meal I've ever cooked. 1pm start plucking - blimey there's a lot of feathers on a duck 2.30 pm finish plucking with judicious use of blowtorch 3 heads and feet off. drawing and washing 4pm bacon and onions in a casserole. Brown the pheasant (an old cock) in another pan. Pheasant into the casserole, flame with calvados, some cider chicken stoken and a bit of dijon - into the oven at 150 degrees. 4.20pm Mallard goes in on it's side (orange up it's ****) Main oven 220 degrees 4.30 pm G&T 4.40pm Get spuds on. Turn Mallard over pour over some chicken stock and orange juice S&P. Put in Woodcock (wrapped in pancetta) 4.50pm Steam veg over spuds. Make toast 5pm Birds out. Reduce sauces and thicken with beurre manie (paste made of butter and plain flour). Take innards out of Woodcock chop these put in a pan with lemon juice, brandy S&P. 5.10pm Start carving birds and serving Roast Mallard with orange sauce Pheasant with a Dijonish sauce Woodcock on a crouton spread with a 'pate' made of its offal - first time I've eaten it - very good Girardin red Burgundy Applause

They've got a good reputation in Yorkshire!!!

I'm surprised no ones mentioned a vet. RSPCA (I know they're not flavour of any month on here) might offer vetenary opinion free of charge for the (presumed) post mortem. If your dog had killed my chickens I'd be very keen to show you the evidence. Together with the multiple injuries to your dog (sounds like shot and stamped on) it doesn't add up.

Thanks - interesting So if you want insurance against unlawful refusal of SGC then SACS - I guess the market/need for such insurance proves your point.

Dunno but BASC provides free legal advice and BASC officers have suggested they might back test cases where unreasonable refusal of SGC eg. too young.

Thanks I think no police record is better! Hence my advice about joining BASC - people with no good reason to be refused should appeal. In our legal system rights are established in court not asserted on forums.

You're wrong on this. There are special provisions under section 27 (1) b of the Firearms Act which apply to Firearms and not to shotguns 'that he has good reason for having in his possession, or for purchasing or acquiring, the firearm or ammunition in respect of which the application is made' Thus the burden of proof is on the Chief Constable to show that you should not hold a SGC and you to show the Chief Constable that you need a FAC. I don't think it's helpful to talk about the 'right' to have a certificate as most of these threads are read by future applicants. My experience of the FEO and the overwhelming majority of the posts on here show them to be reasonable and helpful. There's no need to get bolshie. For my visit I made sure my cabinet was fixed, had joined BASC, was having a course of instruction and was safety minded. It makes sense to stack the odds in your favour (especially if you're young or live in a town or city). An unfortunate effect of this is that if enough people do what I did, FEOs might regard those who don't prepare less favourably. Read the Police Manuals at BASC The manuals instruct the firearms dept. to first cash the cheque; then check your record on the computer; follow up any medical enquiry,and then send the FEO out. I would urge any applicant to read the manuals they should give you confidence that as long as you've been good nothing to worry about. I won't say good luck with your applications because you don't need it.

West Yorks 5 weeks. 2 weeks wait for visit. FEO said 3 weeks wait for ticket and came 3 weeks plus 2 days. Very friendly and efficient