Big Al

Gentlemen- I am touched by your comments and kind words. I love watching the videos back, especially in the off season. You have made me reconsider and am looking into how I can share my videos in such a way to minimise criticism and most of all to maintain the quality of sport I have access to. My current thinking is to save up the clips, string a few together and upload them during the off season (when poachers are less likely to exploit the contents. ) Thanks all. Some are made behind my back and get back to me. Others have been overheard by myself. The odd one has been made to my face. The most disappointing one was overheard by me and made by an employee of one of the "Big Two" representative organisations. He was saying that harm was being done by my videos showing the dogs picking up wounded birds.

Some of you may be aware that I make YouTube videos under the name of Ulster Outdoors and Fieldsports. I have never made a penny from my videos, indeed they have cost me in terms of cameras and editing time. Before YouTube, I wrote for the Irish Shooters Digest. I always did both because I love our sport and enjoy sharing my experiences with like minded people. Recent events have made me question what I am doing. The land and places I shoot are being poached and I am left wondering if it is because of the publicity I give them. I am drawing jealous criticism and snide comments from people I shoot with if they see I have had a red letter day. I have also been accused of harming the greater Fieldsports community by sharing some content- in particular by showing my dogs picking up wounded birds. I have been criticised for working my dogs in, what I consider to be, fairly standard wildfowling conditions. So, after reflection, I reckon that this is the time to stop. Thanks to everyone who has watched videos and subscribed through the years. And if anyone wants to buy a used shotkam gen 3, please pm me.

A good water dog is kind of essential!

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!🍺🥃

Cheers Simon. You've been busy by the looks of it!

Cheers. Small days with friends are hard to beat.

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.

Thanks for the kind words gents.

It was a great day! Bear is definitely in his prime!

Will do.

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!

Thank you kind Sir.

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!

Cheers ditchman. Much appreciated.

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.