Jump to content

Big Al

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,745

  • Joined

  • Last visited

2 Followers

Contact Methods

  • Website URL
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Wn5NHJ2LX6zz0s1HqEWrg

Profile Information

  • Gender
    Male
  • From
    Co. Antrim
  • Interests
    I have been shooting for around 40 years. I started off shooting rabbits, pigeons and crows on my uncles' farms. Being the only member of my family who shoots, I have had to work hard to get shooting. Things finally came good for me about 30 years ago after a long spell of letter writing to wildfowling clubs.
    I was invited to interview and accepted as a member of a wildfowling club on Strangford Lough. Sadly the club has now folded, but the contacts I established through it mean I am seldom stuck for a place to go.

    I am a member of a Game Shooting syndicate and that takes up 10 Saturdays of the season. The other days of the season sees me in pursuit of my "first love" - wildfowl. Geese are not too numerous here in N.I. so it mainly involves the pursuit of ducks.

    Pigeons are a February and summer pursuit.

    I have 2 dogs - two labs, Ted and Bear.

Recent Profile Visitors

3,416 profile views
  1. Big Al
    A good water dog is kind of essential!
  2. Big Al
    Thanks OB. Bear is a great dog now, but doesn't think as much as Ted did. Ted could puzzle things out. Ted is still about, almost 13 and almost fully retired. I took him on a pigeon roost shoot recently and despite his age and slow speed, he still manage to out think Bear on some birds to get the retrieves in. I can miss plenty too, although I was on form that day! I was tired and content that night and have a couple of drinks to salute the birds and the day!🍺🥃
  3. Big Al
    Cheers Simon. You've been busy by the looks of it!
  4. Big Al
    Cheers. Small days with friends are hard to beat.
  5. Big Al
    Thanks. Bear is starting to slow but can be his own worst enemy especially when hunting / beating. He thinks he's a spaniel on caffeine. His face gets cut badly and he destroys cover.
  6. Big Al
    Thanks for the kind words gents.
  7. Big Al
    It was a great day! Bear is definitely in his prime!
  8. Big Al
    Will do.
  9. Big Al
    I didn't realise some weren't seeing the videos on YouTube- I will make sure I put them on PW from now on too!
  10. Big Al
    Thank you kind Sir.
  11. Big Al
    Thanks Morkin. Bear was the first non-KC registered lab I ever bought. He is a tremendous worker but the downside is that at 8 years old, his hips are starting to give trouble. The plan was to use Bear on ducks this season, Ted to be totally retired (now 12.5) and Buster (aged 3) was to be the main rough / pheasant shooting dog. Sadly Buster was diagnosis with cancer during the summer and had to be put down. So, Ted is totally retired, Bear is now doing all the work and Rocky the 6 month old pup is going to be learning the ropes. 3 dogs and only one half fit for work!
  12. Big Al
    Cheers ditchman. Much appreciated.
  13. Big Al
    Just for Old Boggy - here is the video of my first outing on Lough Neagh this season. The blue green algae wasn't as severe this year and I was able to get out in September.
  14. Big Al
    Our pheasants contracted a disease during the rearing season and a lot of birds were lost. Only for the diligent veterinary care of our Shoot Captain we would have lost a lot more. We delayed the start of our season to allow the birds to fully regain condition. Last Saturday, 30th November, was our second shoot.
  15. Big Al
    Sorry Old Boggy! I'm not getting out as much but I am still putting a few videos on the YouTube channel. I simply forgot to put them on PW! I will add a couple now. Apologies again OB - you have been very supportive of my efforts over the years.
×
×
  • Create New...