Bear68

Sorry, just seen that Poontang's has started a thread about this.

I was a Smiths fan back in the '80's, and have seen Morrissey quite a few times since he went solo. Haven't bothered for a few years because a) his recent material is pretty bad and B) his once acerbic comments on life are becoming stale and boring. His latest statement is that the 'blustering jingoism' of the Olympics is reminiscent of the Munich Games in Hitler's Germany. This is from a man who used to wrap himself in a Union flag in front of a backdrop adorned with photo's of skinheads. Don't think he's a fan of Zara Philips either - he accuses the Royals of highjacking the Olympics....big mistake in my view - not really bothered about her winning a silver meadow, but she looks damned good in a pair of jodhpurs. Sad when someone with talent becomes an embarrassing parody of themselves.

Got to be Keith Moon....he was playing his stereo at full blast in his room whilst staying at a hotel in the USA, the manager knocked on the door and complained about the noise. Moon dragged him into the room, blew up the kharzi with a stick of dynamite, and said "that, dear boy is noise, I was listening to The Who!"

I'm with NFU Mutual, might be worth giving your local office a call.

I am a previous member of the CA, but I find its website is a bit lacking in information as to the benefits of membership other than public liability insurance and a pledge to campaign for shooting (they have got off to a good start on lead shot). There is not a list of departments dealing specifically with shooting (BASC has Firearms, Conservation, Gamekeeping, Deer, Wildfowling and Gamekeeping). I do know the CA has a legal helpline, but never had cause to use it when I was a member. Bickering between organisations is counter-productive, and people need to weigh up the pro's and con's of each before parting with their subs. I chose BASC, and have not regretted it. Insurance is only part of the package offered by BASC, CA, SACS, SGA & NGO, and the ability to safeguard the interests of both individuals and the membership as a whole is important.

That must be a very hard question to answer. I have contacted BASC on three occassions; twice regarding legal matters, and once with a gamekeeping issue. In all cases, the members of staff I spoke to dealt with my query quickly and efficiently. Arguably, the salaries paid to those particular employees helped support my own personal involvement in shooting.

I used to be a member of the CA (and the BFSS), but hard times meant I could only afford to belong to one organisation. I don't hunt (but attended the various rallies and marches before the ban), fish rarely but shoot and stalk a great deal. BASC isn't perfect, but it is purely concerned with shooting, so I went with them. I have heard that the CA won't payout if you are covered by any other insurance, but not sure if BASC operate a similar policy. One thing which did stick in my gullet recently was an email from the CA inviting me to a countryside race day, which was signed by 'the Lady Mancroft'....perhaps I am an inverted snob, but I don't think that helps dispell the myth that country sports are for the landed gentry only.

Giving in to nostalgia recently, I bought an HW77 .177 with a Bushnell scope. I did a lot of air rifle shooting when I was a kid, but haven't used one in anger for nearly 30 years. Went out for a walk with it yesterday and bagged a half-grown rabbit (only ever shot 1 before with an air rifle). Really enjoyed being out and about, and am very impressed with the rifle and scope; a lot better than the gear I had when I was younger. The only down side was that I got to within 20 yards of a roe buck standing side-on, that would not have happened if I'd had my 6.5x55 with me.

I collected my Browning on Friday - I can now see straight down the top of the rib (previously looking into the side), and the gun comes into my shoulder without any pushing out or pulling in. Some people might be lucky enough to be able to use guns 'off the peg', but unfortunately I'm not one of them.

Minox - I use a pair of 8.5x43's for stalking, and can't fault them.

I did my first 10k last month; started training a couple of months before, and never ran more than 3 miles in practice. Completed the run in just over an hour. You will find you get buoyed up by the other runners. You shouldn't have any problem with the amount of training you're doing.

BASC seem to be pretty reasonable by giving members 3 months to renew after their membership has expired, particularly if insurance cover is provided throughout this period. No one can argue that BASC isn't the biggest organisation for sporting shooting in the UK. It has the largest membership. CA campaigns across the board for all countrysports, but one of its main arguments against the hunting ban was that shooting foxes was cruel. SACS seems to provide the best insurance cover, and at a lower cost, but how effective will it be at lobbying the Government? It hasn't got the resources of BASC. Will it fight anti-shooting legislation in the UK if the Scots get devolution? My understanding of BDS is that it is a pro-deer organisation, and that isn't always the same as a pro-stalking organisation. Also, I think you have to pay extra for insurance? BASC isn't perfect by any means, but I live in England, most of my shooting is in England, and I want to be a member of an organisation that will actively work to safeguard my sport as well as providing insurance. At the moment, BASC seems to be the most appropriate.

One of my bits of land has a pond which has provided good duck flighting in the past, mainly mallard with the occassional widgeon. I can't get out to feed it as often as it needs, and am thinking about using a hopper; would this work? If so, any advice on the type of hopper would be appreciated. The pond isn't too deep, maybe 2'6", and there is a small island in the middle. Also, should I feed wheat or barley?

I need 3/8ths cast on my guns, and have them altered by a local gunsmith. The cost is usually around £40, although some charge a lot more. I wouldn't do the work myself unless it was a very cheap knockabout gun.

You should be able to get a solid non-ejector in good condition for that sort of money. There isn't too much to go wrong with them. Guntrader is worth a look, as well as the CLA and Midland's game fairs.

I'm in BASC at the moment, but am considering joining the NGO instead next year.

I've had Miroku MK60's in 12 and 20 bore, and currently a Browning B525 12 bore. They are made in the same factory in Japan, and I can't see much difference apart from the engraving. The 525 has extended forcing cones, but I'm not sure that this makes much difference in reality. All mine have been 1/4 and 3/4 fixed choke, although I did have the 20 bore opened out slightly. I'm one of the diminishing number of people who prefer fixed choke guns, although at least with multi-choked guns you should be able to use steel shot if you need.

I've checked the link, and it should be ok. I'll give a few minutes to download. The song is A Country Boy Can Survive by Hank Williams Jnr.

This is up there with my all-time favourites - what do you think? I can't think of any other songs (or videos) which mention skinning a buck, owning a shotgun, a rifle and a 4 wheel drive!

As has been said, your cartridges should be fine but 30 gms of 6 shot would have a bit more clout. Judging the correct amount of lead (as in forward allowance) is one of the hardest things to learn, and you can only do so through practice. Shoot as many clay pigeons as you can, and that will help you imrove.

1. Love Song - The Damned 2. One Drop - Public Image Ltd 3. 999 - Homicide

My wife has got us tickets to the Beautiful Day's festival, with Public Image Limited headlining - should be good, although it might all go by in a bit of a cider induced blur. Last time I saw Morrissey he fainted after the first song never again!

Saw John Lydon with the Sex Pistols in Brixton in 2008 - unfortunately it wasn't the night he came on stage in tweed plus 4's etc. His autobiography is worth reading.

I was a big Smiths fan through the late 80's - I think it was the law if you were a student then (even wore a Meat is Murder t shirt to my summer job in a chicken factory). He's always loved courting controversy, but is getting increasingly desperate to grab headlines whenever possible, even stating that the massacre in Norway was 'nothing' compared to the killing of animals to be sold in takeaways. Very sad when someone who had a talent becomes such an embarressment. John Lydon on the other hand manages to regularly wind people with tongue stuck very firmly in cheek.