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Super post Jonty. Well done. You make it sound so easy, and it really is. I agree that everyone should try it. I use a cheap vacuum sealer to package whilst curing, which makes things even easier especially saving space in the fridge. ...and I would encourage anyone to then try cold smoking their own bacon; it is very rewarding.

I have made a couple of 'parma' hams. It is much easier than you think. Do try it. I had some difficulty sourcing pure salt without nitrates initially and I paid nearer £90 for a leg, although it was free range rare breed pork. +1 on following HFW recipes. His stuff is far too salty; It's safe, but not pleasant. Oh for a ham slice Henry D. Venison haunch from the smaller species that I shoot is a bit tricky, but makes good bresaola. Wet cure works better than dry cure IMHO, but I am still a beginner.

Please check elsewhere, but I think that number 2 is an Amethyst Deceiver. If it is, and despite the name, they are good eating. Use them cooked whole. Like I say, please do check in a good mushroom guide.

Scully I didn't find my shooting organisation as helpful as I would have hoped, but they did at least suggest referring to the home office guidance. They were pretty downbeat about my chances. I let them know how it turned out and sent the appeal letter, but they have not responded. But who knows what swung the Met's thinking. In reality, FEOs can often do as they please and there is little consistency. I may well have just got lucky this time. My particular FEO struck me as a decent sort, despite the initial misunderstanding. Raja I'd be tempted to get your variation in as soon as possible. They seem a little busy and maybe they are seeking the path of least resistance. Nice avatar by the way.

Sorry to bump such an old post, but I had my FAC returned from the Met yesterday. All mentoring conditions now removed for rimfire and centrefire. Result. At first my letter and certificate, sent recorded delivery, vanished. I had trouble getting hold of the firearms team on the phone, but once I did, things moved quickly. My original FEO called me that day and I just underlined that, in my view, I had served a significant mentoring period before applying and I'd proved it. He said OK, I thought you'd said you'd accept mentoring and "it's easier to get through." He promised it back within 10 days and he was as good as his word. Time to go shopping. Thanks again to all for their support. I've reproduced my letter below in case it helps anyone in a similar situation. Andrew ******* ***************** ********** LONDON E12 *** 07*** ***** Metropolitan Police CO19 –Specialist Firearms Command FET London North Empress State Building 6th Floor Lillie Road London SW6 1TR 16th August 2012 Dear Sirs I am writing to ask that you correct my Firearms Form 102, certificate number 02/A/******/2012, issued by yourselves on */*/2012. I would like to request that the Additional conditions 5 and 6 on my certificate are changed to better reflect current Home Office guidance as stated in Appendix 3 Page 163 of Firearms Law, Guidance to the Police, 2002. This states: 1. Quarry Shooting (for vermin, fox or deer) The *calibre RIFLE/COMBINATION/ SMOOTH-BORE GUN/SOUND MODERATOR and ammunition shall be used for shooting vermin and ground game/fox/deer (delete as appropriate) and for zeroing on ranges, or land deemed suitable by the chief officer of police for the area where the land is situated and over which the holder has lawful authority to shoot. (The words in italics may be omitted once the certificate holder has demonstrated competence. There is no set time for this and each case should be considered on its individual merits.) I do not feel that the conditions on my certificate are appropriate. The addition of an ‘accompanied’ condition on rimfire calibres is particularly limiting and will effectively curtail my planned vermin control activities. This was not discussed at interview and could be deemed constructive refusal. I provided proof that I have held Deer Stalking Certificate 1 (DSC1) for some time, which demonstrates a suitable level of competence. I also provided a full history of my deer stalking activities, which again proved a suitable level of experience and competence. This was supported by a letter from a further referee describing my stalking history and aptitude. I also showed service records proving my extensive rimfire and centrefire use, again demonstrating suitable competence and experience. I consider that I have provided overwhelming evidence that I am already an ‘experienced shooter.’ I am happy to provide further copies of this evidence for your records. I have also demonstrated that I have already received a significant period of mentoring in firearm use before applying for grant of FAC. I am returning my certificate with this letter. I have signed this certificate, in accordance with the Firearms Act 1968; my signature is not proof of my agreement to these conditions, though I will of course act in complete accordance with them whilst this matter is settled. I am happy to discuss these matters with you by telephone, but I will also require written communication from you on your decisions and reasons. I am sure that this matter can be clarified, corrected and settled to the satisfaction of all parties. I would like you to make the requested amendments and send me a new certificate as soon as possible. I am seeking to acquire the permitted firearms in the very near future and am currently looking at some specific purchases. Kind regards Mr * * ******

Thanks for all your words of support and advice gents. Honestly appreciated. I appreciate talk of offers of mentoring help from the forum, but the scraps of permission that are my own wouldn't be worth the diesel. It is too much to ask of somebody else. Part of my FAC submission was a letter from my stalking mentor, but that covered centrefire only. I have held DSC1 for some time also, just to complete the picture. BASC advice was to not approach the individual FEO again. That does make some sense to me. I could just wear this for 6 months then put in for a variation to have the condition removed. BASC didn't think that was a goer. You can't put in a variation for conditions, only calibres, I think he said. I wasn't sure that I understood the point. However, I do seem to be out of options.

Good afternoon all. I am wondering if anyone has specific experience with the Met Police that might assist me in resolving an issue with my FAC. I have already spoken to BASC firearms team who seemed completely exasperated with the Met, and told me that, basically, I am screwed. Their advice is to send the FAC back and ask for the "error'" to be corrected. They also advise not to hold my breath. The specific condition states (This is an exact reproduction): The .22, .17hmr Rifles(s) & Sound Moderator(s) and Ammunition shall be used for shooting vermin and for zeroing on ranges, or land deemed suitable by the chief officer of police for the area were the land is situated and over which the holder has lawful authority to shoot. Whilst Accompanied by an experienced shooter with an FAC conditioned for the type of shooting being conducted. I have a similar condition on the 6.5X55, which I am happy to accept. I've only shot 15 deer and I'll continue to take paid for accompanied stalking for some time to come. I discussed this with the FEO. It is not limiting and the condition was not a surprise. This accompanied condition on rimfire though is something else. It basically stops me taking up any of my permissions to shoot vermin. If I knew someone suitable, who might inexplicably want to come with me to bag a couple of rabbits, the landowners wouldn't like it. The actual sentence seems like an added afterthought; it doesn't even make sense. However, it's clear what the police intend and not worth risking a breach. I am an experienced shooter and I showed the FEO service records to prove it. It's a real shame because I was otherwise very happy with the service from the Met, to my surprise frankly. What is my best line of argument to get the condition removed? Anyone in the Met area with specific experience or knowledge?

I've a Pinewood. Runs for a good while on the 5Ah batteries that I use. It's lightweight too; that allows me to carry more ammo, which I can then waste.

Another vote here for Alan Carr. It will be 2 years in August. I don't understand why his book works; It's probably best not to over analyse it, but it does. There have been many threads in the past on this subject. It is quite common for people to suggest motivations such as "think of the wasted money", "Grow some brains/balls" even "think of your kids". It is an oddly personal addiction and these things don't seem to matter enough to actually stop you. But Mr Carr, god rest his soul, found the formula. Best of luck.

2.8 LWB Pajero. Like Oliver Reed; Thirsty, but good fun.

Evening all. My SGC expires on 18/4 this year. I am under the Met Police area, central and East firearms branch. I'd appreciate guidance on a renewal. When should I send it in? Can I continue to shoot as usual? Will I have to return the original for a time? I am still hopeful of divine intervention and that I'll have a chance to apply for first FAC as a coterminous licence. For this reason I would like to leave it as late as possible. Any help would be appreciated.

My sister in law has a few choice things to say about this lot. She bought me a mix of pigeon and wildfowl FUDS in early December. She is still waiting. She calls them regularly and gets given the same old flannel as people on here. My favourite was recently about why the pigeon FUDs hadn't gone out, despite having come back in to stock. Are you sure you haven't had them, they asked incredulously. I paraphrase but it was something along the lines of "it was our Christmas do that day, must have been drunk" She has the mallard FUDs now and they are sending her "A voucher" for the rest. They took care to tell her that the voucher will expire in 6 months. :unsure: I have a feeling that I will be calling them in future. There could be trouble ahead.

Baileys? Hooch? I assume that you will be using it to get hold heavily pricked birds?

I planned to go out this morning , but I thought I'd get advice from more experienced fowlers. The field secretary said that he'd seen Teal in worrying condition, so I decided against going. The club has put a voluntary ban on all marshes now. I'm slightly confused if the ban starts tonight or on Monday, but either way I am going to leave them alone.

Well I am with Cosd and I use both. I often have to walk a good distance to set up. I carry 3 nets in the truck. If I can get a good solid background and also don't need overhead cover, I get by with 3 poles and 2 nets (1 X stealth and 1 X clearview). Otherwise I will use 5 poles and drape a net overhead and behind me. I like the stealth net, but I agree with comments about the black reverse. It does stand out to birds. I used to sacrifice a roomy hide by folding the stealth over double on the flanks. It can be tricky to see out, but I did get used to it. I was really sceptical about the clearview net, but I have found it really useful and so lightweight. You can see out and, critically for someone as cack-handed as me, it won’t snag your barrels. You can't easily add foliage though and it does need a really dark background on it's own. I use a jack pyke/clearview as a base layer, quite high, with the stealth hanging lower down outside giving me eye level windows through the clearview. I carry a lot of black plastic tarpaulin clips to hold it all together, because the clearview is a bit flighty. If I had to choose to carry just one net though, it would be Stealth.

Thanks Webber. That's a great help. One truck I am looking at is a 3.0 described as having a "small" petrol tank, which sounds like you describe, but the LPG tank is described as "Underslung". I'll go and have a look and find out how big the autogas tank is.

Good morning all. I have been agonising over what shooting truck to get. I had decided on a Jimny because fuel economy is good and they are very capable off road. Then I completely changed my mind to a 2.8TD LWB Pajero due to space (and toys). I decided that I don't need a serious offroader, just something to get me into and out of a field and the space could come in very handy. The missus has plans for the odd longhaul motorway trip in the new truck but 20MPG or less could really hurt. I have seen a few pre-converted LPG trucks about, with tanks slung below, so no loss of boot space. It seems like a tempting combination. I had already picked up that the 2.5 diesel is best avoided. I wasn't worrying too much about the mileage on the diesels, but is this more of a concern on the petrol ones? Can anybody offer me advice/experience on the petrol/LPG variants?

There's no substitute for fieldcraft son. You can't buy success and that rodentblaster is just a penis extension, in my opinion, all fire and no effect. Keep your hard earned in your pocket and spend some time learning about your quarry, legal or not, before stepping out into the field. Too many newbies come on here asking to run before they can walk and it makes me sick. They say thatit's not guns that kill, it's ammo. My advice is to make your own slugs. Put some 36g carts (any shot size) in the microwave for 5 minutes on full power, six at a time and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Don't be tempted to peer in though, they sometimes go off and molten lead isn't funny. Make sure that you don't use the microwave to heat food for at least an hour afterwards, unless you want silvery teeth and no hair. The best thing to do is decoy them. The problem with badgers is that, being such a powerful beast they don't go short of food, so bait won't work. You need to use sex. Luckily badgers have relatively poor eyesight. Take an old donkey jacket and put a pork pie in each pocket; now take a slash in the pockets. I find this works best if I have been on the Guinness. Roll it up and paint a couple of white stripes on one end. Bingo. You've got the badger equivalent of Kylie or Clooney. Shakespeare said "If music be the food of love, play on and give me excess" and he famously knew a thing or two about badger hunting. He would have used a lute, but I've found nothing better than a good blast of Barbara Streisand. Good luck mate. Let me know how you get on.

Thanks everyone. I've gone for the fleabay option. Just what I was after. I've got some 6" ones as well.

I am starting to think that a handful of large crocodile type clips would be really handy for securing my cammo net. Something like the clips on a car battery charger. The more black plastic and the less bare metal, the better. I think I might have seen something larger used by market stalls. Does anyone know where I might source half a dozen easily? Even a better description than "crocodile type clips" would really help me, then I can Google it.

Terry I’m ex-Bexleyheath myself. In your situation again, here is what I’d do. Take a paid day with a guide. I went quite early on with Anglia Sporting, or try Will Beasley http://www.pigeonshooter.com/pages/prices.htm (I haven’t used this myself). You’ll learn loads. It’s pricey, but a really good investment. It might make a good Birthday/Christmas present from the family. There is a pigeon syndicate that I know of in Kent. However, although my mum is very good friends with the wife of a member, I can’t get near it. I’d forget looking for a syndicate in the South. They’ll find you. What about joining the Kent wildfowlers? I believe that they have some pigeon land. You’ll get a mentor and you’ll be among shooters who might offer to take you out decoying. Think again about eating what you shoot. Woodpigeon is delicious and I for one think that we shouldn’t waste what we shoot, serious pest or not. I don’t shoot fox or crows by the way and magpie Alaska is an acquired taste. You are thinking on the right lines though. I like the fact that you are asking about insurance. Many newcomers wouldn’t. Most PW members will quietly tut at any faux-pas and ignore it; some on here feel the need to post-back. Best of luck.

Thanks Anser. I'll try that next time I am in a crisis. (Puts string in bucket seat...) The farmer called me in the morning and sort of asked me to come out. I felt honour bound, but the missus wasn't pleased. I left in a hurry with a flea in my ear, grabbing the birds as I left. They were well frozen and contorted. I tend to break their wings before freezing anyway, then I can grab any of them for my flapper, but these were like bricks. I have the solution. Two of them are now in the freezer again, stick mounted, tail fanned and wings spread proudly on a clip. I thought she was PO'd on Sunday.........wait until she looks in the freezer.

I was. I forgot to take my decoys, so I watched a team across the road shooting over drillings ( I assume), whilst my 4 frozen birds refused to thaw for use on the rotary. Looked and sounded like whoever it was should have enjoyed a red letter day. The birds were suicidal; committing from a very very long way out. I saw a couple of birds wheel around and return to the same field after being shot at. They showed no interest in my patch of rape or my quasi-modo decoys. I enjoyed my day though; vicarious pleasure, and always nice to see a Peregrine.

I've been reading another thread on the merits of magnets. Personally I like them, but some days my pinewood does shine a bit and birds flare off. I always kick the arms about in the mud, but it wears off after a while. Did somebody once suggest spraying the arms with Plastikote Glass etch spray to get a matt finish? Anybody tried it?

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. I guess what I want to try and do is get folks thinking of pigeon as a once a week thing and take it off of my hands. I wouldn't want to waste what I shoot. It mostly goes down well when I make something with it, but they won't use it themselves. I reckon pork belly is the way forward. I'll certainly try the other recipes though. Cheers.