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Jack Pyke clearview hide netting on all my hides and then either a stealth Profesional 2 ply (from site sponsors) over the top, a desert net on stubbles, or natural vegetation where available. I've used the clearview on it's own where I have a dark background. It's great for visibility out and your barrels don't snag on it. I drape my outer nets to create 'windows' in my hide. Apart from the clearview net being useless with light behind it, it can be tricky to attach securely to poles as it is very flighty in the wind. I have lots of plastic spring clamps to get around this. As for poles, I have to use the screw type poles as my permissions are stoney and often hard.

The world needs more Alan Hennings RIP. How are his family going to reconcile this senseless act? Such a good man should have been immune from such hate. I echo the comments about the press using the 'just before death' photos. And their insistence on interviewing and quoting insignificant gobsh*tes like Anjem Choudhary, whose mad views represent virtually nobody.They should be more responsible. As should we. Why on earth would anyone watch, let own share, the beheading videos? I would never watch one, because it is what they want me to do. I'd rather remember him doing what he loved and knew to be right. Didn't "taking the gloves off" get us into this situation in the first place? I don't have the answers, but I have seen some moronic suggestions on the solution. I particularly like comments about nuking Mecca, like it is some sort of mothership for global islamic terrorism. Having said that, I'd have appreciated seeing more muted celebrations of Eid. We've all lost out today, whatever our faith. Time to reflect not celebrate.

I am a Kent member, but live north of the river. The permit system seemed daunting at first, but I've had no issues arranging something, even at short notice. I've shot the Barling saltings a lot. There is a neighbouring fresh marsh site this season too. The online permit system has expanded to most sites this season and I find it excellent. There's no need for a mentor either; help yourself. Potton Island is a fun outing, but does take a little more organisation to go out accompanied with the LOSWA guys. They'll see you right though. Nice chaps. I was a Colchester member for a while and they are good guys with good ground too. It was just a little too far for me to travel regularly. You have a fair few tempting options. Just make sure you make one before 20th Feb. Best of luck.

2 plump drake mallard. I try not to shoot hen birds if there is a choice. A beautiful morning and the promise of more to come. Brilliant to be back out there.

Depends what you want them for. If you want low light performance, I'd consider some secondhand Carl Zeiss Jenoptem 7 X 50 or 10 x 50. They are a bit lumpy, but that might not be an issue if you're driving around on a field recce, or just sitting in a hide. You used to be able to pick these up for about £50, but they seem to have gone up a bit on e-bay. Try looking on other shooting or birding forums.They are not waterproof though. There's a good summary on this thread: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=62683

Basically.... It's the thin end of the wedge. Hardworking people. Bobby Davro.

I'm currently going through the same thing with my Xtrema II. I've never shot as well with it as with my OU, but lately, frankly, I've just been wasting diesel on trips out wildfowling. I had it fitted by the Essex shooting school a couple of years ago, after my shooting started to go off. They changed the shims but there were clear signs that the rear stock had shifted over time. Not sure if the 391 is the same configuration, but maybe take the butt plate off and check the retaining screw? You might see scrape marks on the metalwork indicating movement. As others have said, practice dry mounting, get on a pattern plate, maybe some clays then get out roost shooting. You can get lots of traffic that way and you'll get your confidence back. I'm told that when patterning it's important not to aim it like a rifle, but mount and shoot naturally to get a proper indication of POA. I've found that when I lack confidence, I lift my head to check my shot and I'm then not following through properly. It takes discipline to trust yourself when you are shooting badly. Personally, I'm going back to school again, then roost shooting next Saturday. Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

Actually, I think it is the parcel of land north of that field and used to be a gravel pit. The airstrip and clay ground is still there, but not sure if it is still used. They are planning a lot of works in the close season. I'd heard that the shoot opposite the creek had closed or changed hands, but yes lots of mallard about last season. I was never lucky enough to be on Barling when they shot the ponds opposite. I had a tip off once and waited all day on the marsh, but they didn't shoot it. I've not shot from that spot on the smaller salting, nor seen anyone else. But I did see a couple on bikes dismount on that bend and get down behind the upturned boats one balmy September evening. I hope he had insect repellant liberally applied to his bare ****. The mosquitoes were gnoshing hard that evening. As was she, if I recall...... Could you be tempted to join KWCA?

1. How much of KWCA land is syndicated? Not a lot, but it's there if you want to pay extra. All the bags are published, so you can gauge what's on offer and numbers are limited. 2. Have you used any of the other land other than foreshore? I've been a few times to the Upware site in Cambridgeshire Fens, a wash on the banks of the Cam. I've also been a number of times as a guest of LOSWA on Potton Island, Essex. You can climb over the sea wall and shoot the saltings or shoot the drain systems, but I've had fun on the splashes that appear on the grazing land. They also have a lot of air rifle only woodland sites. 3. Does the permit system work ok or have you ever had any issues with it? I've had problems in the past, but the online permit system works brilliantly and they are expanding it. I've learnt to be a bit more organised now, especially as 1st Sept approaches and it works fine for me. There is also 500+ acres of arable farmland at Hyde Hall near Rettendon Essex. It is a bit open prairie with very little hedgerow, but I've had some fun shooting over peas there. There is a chance of a game bird there too. The club just purchased an inland marsh/grassland adjoining the 20 acre saltings they already own at Barling. I'm going on Friday, but I'm told by those in the know that it's still one for the future, but looks promising.

I got myself a mistress. The wife thinks that I'm out with her, and the mistress assumes that I'm at home with the wife and kids. In fact, I'm with neither and I have lots of time free for shooting. Simples.

Yes I am, but I am East London based, so go to Kent rarely and East Kent never. happy to help if I can.

Surely what matters here is the landowner's opinion? If he wants them shot, no matter what, and he wants you not to damage the crop tramping around trying to find shot birds, then that's what should happen. I have my own permissions but, like most on here, I could probably handle some more. However, I might have to turn down a 'pest control only' offer from a landowner and keep looking elsewhere, but that's just my personal stance. I've foregone an offer to help with rabbit control where nothing is collected; I just can't leave good food rotting in the field. Then again, I've shot over peas when the crop was high and tried to take them near the tramlines to avoid trampling the crop. Inevitably, I lost quite a few, but collected most. Is that necessarily an inconsistent position, much like BakerBoy's? If a guest comes out with me, they have to ensure a clean kill as quickly as possible, pick up everything they shoot to go into the food chain and pick up all litter, including empty cases, most feathers and dog ****, or they don't come again. A bit holier than thou, you might say; you might have a point. But were it legal, and a landowner said to me "Shoot my badgers and you can shoot the deer", I'd have his hand off, even though I love watching badgers. Not many would agree with that, but that's my personal morals again. It's a bit like attitudes to safety too. I've not gone back to places, because the accepted practice was a bit slack, in my view. Again, my personal values. I just took my values to places with a better fit and left them to it. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you don't like Roman ways there are plenty of other cities to try. (Don't try Bradford though. Awful place).

95 picked yesterday on spring rape. Total - 6067

...but he has just reassured himself of re-election as MP for Bradford West. He cares about no-one and nothing but himself, but he does that so well. His party is called 'Respect'. How ironic.

I too have found the man to be incredibly rude, but he did give me what I wanted in the end. You cannot argue with the quality of the product though. My advice is to tough it out and wait for the magnet. You won't be disappointed.

Could it have come from a bomber? Didn't crews jettison ammo and guns to lighten the craft if they were struggling to get back home. Or is that just a Hollywood thing?

I enjoyed my day too. I didn't manage to decoy a bird all day, but I was pleased to hear that it wasn't just me. There were loads of birds about, just flying very high and not interested in landing. Do pigeons eat frozen rape leaves? The roost shooting was something else though. Worth the trip alone.

Thanks to Cos, Colin and Terry for all their hard work and not a little bit of skill. A really good night, great value for money and a few quid for charity too. I really enjoyed the food, particularly the nibbles; well done the Forager's, those who provided the meat and Alan for his cheeses. I thought that Biltong was delicious too. I didn't get a sore **** like many complained of before. Did you leave out the Rohypnol this time?

Evening all I had to disassemble the moderator on my Breda 20g folding shotgun today. I am not too sure on the make of mod. Unfortunately, I neglected to note exactly how things came apart. I am pretty confident on most of it, but I just wanted to check that I have reassembled the baffles the correct way around. I have the concave surface facing the direction of shot travel. Looking down the barrel, all baffles are presented convex. Everything has gone back together nicely, but I'd appreciate confirmation from a knowledgeable person on here. Thanks in advance.

I took a one-a-day antihistamine as well, which seemed to help me. A mate said that they work by drying up your sinuses; not sure if that is true. If I have tight sinuses, that's what I do. Wish you a quick recovery.

Brief case Behind kitchen draws Hanging from your Prince Albert?

Add me to the list please. I was sorry to miss the first one.

I have made smoked mackerel before; brined, cold smoked then hot-smoked. Used it in a kedgiree with organic duck eggs. But my own vac-sealed frozen kippers....that's a cracking idea. if anyone knows of any suppliers in Essex that would be ideal. I go wildfowling that way. Even better would be a chance to get out on the boat.

I was watching Valentine Warner pickling his own herring on TV and really fancy having a go. I googled the season for herring and got conflicting information. I got an inkling that they are fished off East Anglia in November/December. Does anyone know where and when I can go to fish for my own herring? I am in East London. I do not own a boat or a mist net, which could be an issue. I did catch one once in August on mackerel feathers in Loch Fyne. I always assumed it was a miraculous foul-hook through the lip. Perhaps they can be fished on smaller feathers and lures? Any advice appreciated gents.

I made Breasola from a couple of small bone-in muntjac haunches that I had. It's a joint that I find slightly difficult to do much with, when they are small other than to cut up for dice. Too small and lean to roast well, and any steaks come up small. I'm not a terribly imaginative chef though. So I tried this with one http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php/37061-Venison-Bresaola and another got the HFW recipe in 'Meat'. They both looked awful, but were very well received. If anything the HFW one went down better, due to the citrus and spice tones. I let it dry out a bit too much and it all went Pete Tong's brother Bil. It looked like that bloke in the British Museum, Pete Marsh. With some of Jonty's ideas, it could have been even better. Next time I'll de-bone it, roll it and stuff it in a salami skin.