Quercus

Bram, I would recommend Guy Wallace's little book "Training Dogs for Woodland Stalking". Although primarily a pointer man he is an authority on this subject. I think the BDS still sell it. Nttf, I would definately be interested in hearing how you teach your dogs blood trailing. Q

NTTF, a friend keeps Weimaraners which were plagued with ear mites, she tried everything she could lay her hands on over a number of years until she dicovered the powder you speak of. It worked so well, she considers it to be some kind of miracle cure. Ottodex ear drops are available from pet shops for a couple of quid. Q

Thank you all for your advice, it seems that Glucosamine is going to be worth a try. Q

Col Pol, you might also want to try phoning Solway, I deal with them a fair bit and always find them very helpful. They produce their own snare with a "rocking eye" which doesn't appear on the website. I would be surprised if they can't supply you with their "rocking eyes". Q

Cheers sam, I'd have missed it, shooting times said it was on Wednesday Q

Won't go to ground because of his size? Or is he afraid of the dark Cracking little dogs, if you can find a good one. If all you are after is a dog for rats and rabbits then why not get a whippet lurcher? Don't know the circumstances, but if they are any good why are they for sale? Q

I think that PP is right about it hardly being worth making your own. However you can get components here: Solway Feeders rjimmer, I would suggest that in these times of increased scrutiny of all areas of country sports, particularly snaring, that to use anything other than a suitable firearm to dispatch snared foxes is foolhardy. Q

http://www.dog-register.co.uk/ Q :unsure:

Sounds good to me, I'd have one at that price. Q :unsure:

In the park at Woburn they have colony of jet black squirrels. Q

My old Lab has started to be troubled with artritis. The vet has prescribed anti-inflamatory tablets but also suggested that some of the alternative type treatments might offer some relief. Has anybody had any experience, either good or bad, with things like herbal/homeopathic remedies, copper chains etc? Q

Don't worry Cakie, in the real world it doesn't happen. Q

I can remember my father regularly used to sit over large rabbit warrens and lip squeek for ten minutes or so, in the hope of attracting the attention of any stoats in the area. The resident rabbits would often poke their heads out of their holes to see what all the noise was about, and if no stoats showed some of them ended up in Dad's bag. So, yes the caller you mention could be used in a very limited way to shoot rabbits, but as others have said the main use for this type of call is as a fox call. Also bear in mind that any "rabbit" calls of American origin are supposed to replicate a Jack Rabbit, an animal similar to our Hare. Q

BBC News Q

Darren the wam call I spoke of is available from Arthur Carter Field Sports Q

I have the Silhouette and have no complaints. It comes with studs already attatched, so you will not have any problems. While CZ wood seems on the whole to pretty good you are going to be lucky to find anything outstanding on a £200 rifle. Whichever you choose you won't be disappointed. Q

Tiercel, yes I suppose I would support some form of managed cull. Locally, numbers of sparrowhawks and buzzards have rocketed dramatically. Although a couple of years old the information on the BTO site supports my own observations. http://www.bto.org/birdtrends/wcrsparr.htm http://www.bto.org/birdtrends/wcrbuzza.htm The same site shows an equally dramatic decrease in numbers of bullfinch, yellowhammers, starlings, tree sparrows, song thrush and other birds that are preyed upon by sparrowhawks. While there is some debate as to whether birds of prey are in some way partly responsible for this decline, I am of the opinion that they are. Certainly the Langholm Moor project proved beyond any doubt that increased numbers of harriers resulted in massively reduced populations of prey species. I see no reason why this should not apply to other birds of prey in other situations. I agree that habitat loss is responsible for reduced populations of birds, predation is however an equally important factor. This is supported by much of the Game Conservancy Trusts research and forms the basis of modern wild game management. As for the farmers being responsible for the decline in song birds, they were given considerable financial incentives by the government of the day. Also, a lot less was known about the impact of their actions at the time. Many modern farmers are doing a great deal to try to improve the wildlife value of their properties. Fisherman Mike, I think I pretty much agree with everything you have said in your post. LOL Absolutely no comment. I agree, but a covey of wild greys is maybe a diferent story? By the way where are you getting £4.00 a brace for your pheasants? I am at least in part playing devils advocate here, and it certainly is not my intention to fall out with or upset anyone. I am not advocating illegal persecution of birds of prey. Q

But at what cost? Why not apply the same theory to deer, foxes or pigeons for that matter? There are very few places in the British countryside that management by man is not evident or necessary. Why should sparrowhawks not be managed? Q

On the other hand there is an increasingly strong argument for a legalised cull. http://www.songbird-survival.org.uk/tech1.htm http://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/rapto...tor_problem.htm http://www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/pres...000/030200.html http://www.gct.org.uk/press/2000/press83.html While I would not dispute the beauty and grace of all birds of prey the increasing numbers, particularly of sparrowhawks and buzzards is worrying. Q

You might want to take a look at this: Western Rivers free sounds The sample clips are only three seconds long but when you download the full version they last for three minutes. The sound quality is comparable to the Johnny Stewart type tapes that would cost you $8.00 plus postage from the States. Don't be put off by the titles of some of the sounds, have a listen before you right them off, they may still be useful over here. My favourite Johnny Stewart tape is the "Yellowhammer Woodpecker" I haven't got a clue what one is but it draws foxes. Q

Wookie, It doesn't matter what it looks like, so long as it does the business :yp: Mind you if it looks the dog's as well, so much the better Q

This will give you a good comparison between CZ models. Link Q

toka, bipods are a very worthwhile aid. My recommendation would be to go for one of the Harris range. They attatch to the front sling stud and you then fix your sling swivel to the bipod, so there is no need to swap between the two, in fact I never take mine off my rifles at all. Although they are light weight, they do inevitably affect the balance of the rifle, but it's not a major thing and you soon get used to it. Q

My .22 is a CZ 452 Silhouette. I don't think you'll find a better rifle for the money. As clanchief says, the trigger kit is a worthwhile improvement. You don't need to spend a fortune on a moderator, a cheap air rifle silencer does the job just fine. Q

The Wam squealer has to be my favourite. Q