taptap

Large fall in our woods just west of Harrogate last Saturday, saw 18 myself, plus 4 snipe in fields which are not known for them.

I use autofeeders all the time for wild ducks, have been using Game Country Feeders, but I find these are difficult to programme, lost one in the big freeze, it froze solid and burnt the motor out. Just ordered one from Cabelas £38.74 including postage arrived in less than a week. It is pre-programmed to feed 6 seconds at daybreak and 1 hour before dark, it sets the feed time itself using a photo-cell. 6 Extra feeds times can be added at half hour intervals from the preset times. We fix ours to plastic chloride drums, with screw lids, we get from the local swimming pool, they take one feed bag of barley to fill. These are then fixed to posts driven into the shallows. Last year we continued feeding until the end of March and this year the shooting has greatly improved, ducks even came to iced over ponds to feed.

Terrier men should get there PDQ Rats on one cam Fox on the other being chased by a Badger

Don't rush your dog, keep him/her away from the bangs, and get him/her out regularly on scent of any type, let the dog enjoy itself. It will take time, it happened to my dog (14 month old), spooked whilst up in Scotland shooting, no apparent reason, ran off and hid, could have been the strange surroundings? I stopped shooting over her, but took her beating, no problems, picking up no problems, she was not concerned if the gun shots were more than 50-60mtrs away. After a season away from shooting over her, I went out let her hunt up a pheasant dropped it in front of her and have never looked back, the excitement of the chase, nulifies the bang. Best advise is patience, dont rush it.

Quickest and easiest, cut out breasts, slap in a frying pan and cook like a steak. Don't over cook, and you wont be dissapointed. I have done this with an old gander and it wasn't boot leather. Taptap

I shoot with both, I like the o/u for duck flights and pigeon, the s/s for game and walked-up. I find the s/s comes up quicker for snap shots, as I can shoot it with my head up, but with the o/u I need to get my cheek onto the stock.

Public footpaths, rights of way, these were only introduced recently, and are the postmans routes between farms (look at the maps). The Bridle Ways , Drovers Lanes are the pre 18th century roads, which were all taxed. or were subject to tolls. Re-introduction of these tolls would give our farmers some compensation, and those who want the right to roam, would have to pay for it.

Why did they have the meet on Saturday? Most of the working folk can only do their shooting/hunting on Saturdays. Its a clear case of the Horsey Brigade not giving a ****, if it wasn't for the terrier and ground staff, who are the backbone of the sport, and like myself, a beater, would have been there supporting if it was a Sunday. Look you Hooray Henrys, you have our support, we don't want our sport affected, but your concerted attittudes are going to get our work with terriers banned. JUST A LITTLE THOUGHT WOULD HAVE DOUBLED THE ATTENDANCIES AT ALL REGIONAL MEETS.

There is a crono on the E bay action at the moment, do a search cronogragh-hunting-shooting could be a cheapy.

I have to agree wyth all the previous comments. I had a springer which would not go near water until she was 2 years old, but when she started she turned out to be one of the best dogs I've had for duck flighting and water retrieves. So take your time and don't rush the dog, it will all come in time. Best of luck Taptap