Mochastorm

I used to justify my following of Fieldsports to others, something that I no longer do, but I am surprised that there are members on here who are so anti hunting. I don't believe, that as it will be a free vote, the ban will not be overturned. I would have thought that on this site we would all have been equal as hunters, but apparently it's all by degree, and some are 'crueller' than others. I wonder if the same holier than thou attitude is to be found on angling forums where they refer to barbaric pigeon shooters. Fieldsportsmen must stand united, or it will be divide and conquer for those that would be happy to see us all gone.

Instead of sending your dog to be trained by your friend can't you visit him with the dog for some training advice? Or better still find a gundog trainer for a few private lessons. A trainer will be able to evaluate the dog, you as the handler and give you the guidance required to achieve what you want. By your posting the dog clearly has the ' trainability' factor, so it shouldn't be too much of an effort.

Next time any member of my family has conjunctivitis, they are under strict instructions to visit every pharmacy within 5 miles so I can stockpile the eye drops. Still much cheaper than a visit to the vets.

You can't buy the antibiotic eye drops at the pharmacy, unless you present yourself with a snotty eye. I was in a similar position and was first refused at one chemist when I said it was for a dog. Then presented myself at another chemist stating that it was for me, but she checked me and said I didn't need any eye drops. Third chemist, said it was for my poor daughter who refused to leave the house, but was again told unless the pharmacist could see her they would only sell a non antibiotic eye wash. If the problem has persisted for so long I believe that veterinary examination would be the best course of action.

No, yes, no, no. The death penalty has no place in a civilised society.

I'm tired just thinking about lugging all of that gear. Landrover and/ or quad to get as close as possible then maybe a couple of trips on foot from the unloading point. You say that lot is 'easy' to carry, I wish I knew how.

I remember years ago when little groups would take themselves off to Scotland for the night and return with a haul of Salmon. Financially it was very worthwhile for them, but now with the farmed stuff everywhere and Salmon so cheap, thankfully water bailiffs can sleep at night.

The idea that poachers do what they do for financial gain is wrong. The majority of them do it for their own version of the sport, whether it be a bit of ferreting on a railway sidings, running deer with lurchers on the lamp or hawking fields from the roadside. There is no real money in it because the value of what they catch doesn't meet expenditure. Unlawful possession of a firearm attracts an automatic 5 year custodial sentence, a stolen fully automatic military weapon would push the sentence up even further. There is often comment about Police inaction regarding poaching, but noisy military weapons will have every copper in the county on you. Don't believe everything you're told.

Saw my first swallows today hawking around the farm where I shoot in Cheshire. Later in the afternoon saw more flying across the fields, probably just arriving home from their African holidays.

I'm a big fan of chicken wings, and I can buy a 1kg. pack in Tesco for just over £2.00. It certainly keeps weight on a dog and cleans their teeth. I would also take hope from the fact that the dog, albeit slowly, is recovering and putting on weight.

I can only speak about Lurchers, and particularly my current one. She loses weight and condition when worked hard, and I've found if I increase the amount of raw meat I feed it puts the weight back on. Fatty meat like lamb seems to work best. I've even mixed beef dripping in with her food to increase fat content.

I agree that the sizing is all over the place. I have one of their fleeces in a 3XL, yet when I recently went to buy the 'newer model' a 3XL was far too small. Despite the usual insults from my wife calling me a fat *******, the items were genuinely smaller. This has prevented me from ordering over the Internet and I rely upon my annual visit to the Midland Gamefair to buy clothing.

A powerful and effective video. It is relevant to the U.S.A. and an attitude towards firearms held by so many Americans. I don't believe that in the U.K. I need to defend my gun ownership in the same way, as we do not have the same issues as the Americans.

Have you considered some of the American hunting websites. The sizing is far more generous in the US. I haven't purchased clothing before, but they will ship abroad.

It's about pest control, so all year round. But, if I'm completely honest I never like to wipe everything out. When some of my places have had myxomatosis and I've hit them hard at the same time it usually takes six to twelve months before they start to recover. The landowner/farmers livelihood, but my sport.

I personally think that it was maybe for the best. I don't know bigbird, but from her posting she appears to know her dogs. An offer of a pup from one of her bitches would be a better option, she isn't too far from you, and I'm sure would give you all the support and advice required.

It could end up being a heartbreaker. 26 months old would suggest that the dog is pretty much set in its ways. I'm not saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but as a first dog it is certainly more difficult. I have an 18 month old ESS which I am still training, had her from 8 weeks. Although I've had dogs for many years, Lurchers and terriers, training a spaniel is certainly a more demanding job. Are you just getting this dog because it's there? If you are really set on getting a spaniel, do your research to get the right dog for you. There are plenty on here who would assist, and start with a puppy. Sorry to be so negative.

There are a number of issues raised. The son is gay, and for that reason some feel uncomfortable that he should be a father. There is the issue of surrogate birth, which doesn't sit right with some people. Then to throw into the mix the fact that the host womb is the child's biological grandmother. There are comments about how the child will feel in response to how others may perceive him. We live in a different world now and I believe that people are generally more accepting of diversity. Should we be so concerned for a child that has been planned and is loved by his family, however that family is made up.

How far, and how much would you do to assist your child to feel fulfilled . If your own child was unable to have children, what would you do? I am a father and grandfather, but there are others who are not so blessed. My wife would do it for our kids.

Anonymously donated egg, impregnated with the son's sperm and then implanted into the grandmother. I personally have no problems with it. A clearly wanted and loved child within a caring family.

Traps give you that inner satisfaction when you catch that you're getting rid of the problem, but as has been said poison is the most effective. Attack them on all fronts, trap and poison them.

I have a lurcher bitch that becomes loose if I overfeed her. She would gorge herself given the opportunity, and then spray her run. It may just be a case of getting the quantity correct.

+ 1

Had something similar with a Border terrier bitch. The vet identified them as bacterial hotspots, mainly an issue in summer. She cut the fur away from the area which had to be bathed a few times a day with Hibiscrub, and applied an anti bacterial cream which I think was Fucibet. Also a course of anti biotics. It also has the appearance of a flea bite allergy, but this would cause more irritation. You're taking the right course of action going to the vet, always worth a few quid for peace of mind.

If the Lepto jab is similar to the Hepatitis B jab in humans, and I assume by your occupation you are vaccinated against Hep. B. As I understand it you would be covered for 5 years, however the cover weakens as time progresses. Just an observation, I'm no vet or medically trained. I personally have my dogs jabbed annually so I can kennel them while on holiday. I also check around all of the new large company veterinary practices who do offers. Had one of mine boostered for a tenner a couple of weeks ago.