bruno22rf

Cannot think of a single grumble about our postie but the PO in general is a different matter - sent an item last year, tracked, and it got lost - asking them to locate it as it was tracked I received the reply "we cant track it because it's been lost" - words fail me.

Feeders tucked away in the woods is probably the most effective means of killing these blighters in numbers - you need them in position now as the Squirrels need to be aware of them before the natural food dries up. Build a hide nearby and make sure you have a clear shot thru any undergrowth - if there's a branch within 20 feet of the feeder then Sod's Law says your going to hit it sooner or later. However, IMHO shooting them is not really having much effect on their numbers as far as I can tell. In a small copse of about 30 trees last year I shot 17 but this year it's alive with youngsters again and over our 5k acres, where 6 guns took over 250 last year, they seem as plentiful as ever. Much like Walker570 I have a chap locally that owns a wood and he feeds them everyday - when I spoke to him about the damage they cause he simply shrugged his shoulders and said that it's just nature. Still, at least it gives us an opportunity to get out and do some good - each one shot must take the pressure off local songbirds although increased numbers on feeders is most likely also due to the season. Shot 8 over the weekend with 6 from one feeder - but came close enough to a Fox to almost touch it and had a young Squirrel nearly climb down my arm - all added bonuses of being out in the countryside.

Mike Tyson

I would imagine that they are "switched on" to the Pheasant food and simply don't need to look elsewhere - you could try different bait in the Squirrel feeder i.e Peanuts or Walnuts (cheap enough from Lidl) in an attempt to pry them from the feeders or you might simply have to wait till the season is over and the Pheasant feeders are no longer being used. How long has the Squizzer feeder been up?

Rarely used the clutch on my GSXR apart from pulling away and maybe 2-3rd - if you drop the revs then are gentle with your foot then the gear just slips in-takes a millisecond.

Finally managed to get a decent couple of hours on the Grey Rats today. This weeks TXT reported 3 "playing" around a feeder in one of the tiny woods and I had noticed on my last visit that there were a few there - but they scarpered as soon as they realised I was there and the only chance I had of a shot was unsupported and not a viable option (wont bore you with why ) so I gave up. Today I stopped about 20 yards shorter where a small Sapling stood and , once my heart had steadied a little, took 2 from the feeder in a matter of seconds. I had planned to spend the afternoon here but after the 2 quick kills I decided that the disturbance was likely to scare anymore potential customers away so, after a quick call to the police to let them know, I moved to another wood about 1/2 mile away. 1st feeder was still full but I decided to try anyway - nothing for about 1/2 an hour then I was startled as a Fox almost walked into me!! I scared him off then moved to the other end of the wood - not had much luck at this one before as it is about the busiest part of the wood for visitors of the 2 legged kind but I gave it a go anyway. 1st kill was scratching around the floor near the (empty) feeder so I was off to a great start. Over the next 45 minutes 3 more ventured onto the feeder ( I had put a handful of peanuts on it) and gone the same way as their initial companion so I left with a grand score of 6 - well happy .

Don't bother anymore - since Tesco started selling Barry Norman Pickled Onions at Christmas I think I would be wasting my time.

Cannot think of anything that comes close to taking Game with a ML Shotgun - I think it's the challenge right from pouring the powder down all the way to pulling the trigger and the feeling of relief as you feel the gentle push into your shoulder - simply magic. Had a few in my time but only a repro remains (pedersoli) but I have my eye on a couple quite local to me made in the 1850's and look very shootable.

In my younger days the 4x40 was pretty much the standard scope and they served us well - times have changed and I would guess that a 50mm lens is about the norm nowadays as scopes have become cheaper and more versatile. I can still remember using a 4x15 scope where the adjusting screws actually moved the cross hairs so you often found the centre of the aiming point way off centre - weird.

How strange that Aldi should use the Carrot as an advertising tool when most of the ones in their stores appear to be quite ill.

Now I know why our house is so cold - next door neighbour lives on chips.

I bought the Halfords Pro set about 10 years back and used them while I worked at a vehicle dismantlers - everyone used to laugh at my set as they lined up every week at the Snap On van and paid a fortune for their tools - none of my set ever let me down till years later the small Ratchet broke when removing a rusted bolt (I was using a metal tube to extend the length and increase the force) - Halfords replaced it without even asking for the original receipt.

Both my scopes are 3-9 x 50's but the vast majority of the time they're set at 5x - cannot remember the last time I altered them.

IMHO 4x40 will take care of 99.9% of shooting situations.

Next time I go hunting Melons I'll know what to take then. And I don't mind calling you an Ambulance US - or I could help you do it just as soon as we find your arm - Stinger will make a lovely hole right up to the moment it hits bone - then it will just keep going.

PEARL - cos she's a Springer.

I'm up for this - you shoot me in the arm with your 35 ft/lb .177 then I get to put a .22lr CCI Stinger (1550 fps and 170 ft/lb) in yours?

So it would be more dangerous to be hit by a .177 leaving the barrel at 1200 fps than a .22lr if , just say, you were 150 yards away?

We used to wipe washing up liquid over our Motorbike Helmet Visors, then wipe it off to leave a tiny film to stop them steaming up in winter - don't know if that would work or maybe damage the lens coating?

AULD YIN - my comment was aimed at the Officer who believes that people buying Christmas Trinkets should take precedence over those who want to pay their respects.

Our Spaniel does the normal Sit, Wait and Down but also goes mad if we ask "where's Hartly?"- Hartly was one of his puppies that constantly harassed him while he was here. We used to hide treats about our person and now if we say "find it" he virtually mugs us.

Remembrance Day busiest day of the year for Shoppers......shame on you.

Stop now - you're killing me......zzzzzzzzz.

"but you described customers a "Leaches"-it's actually AS Leaches - a freebie by return. I used the term to describe people who make false claims as you well know.

Got one sitting here gathering dust if you want it - ACME CROW CALL...MADE IN ENGLAND - pm me you address and I can post it Monday.