palombier

Jan Why not try adding some gelatin,jelly or additional pectin or a combination of these. P

James Because they are used to the pellets in the feeders,they will look for every last one until they realise that there aren't any. The result will be as you have described,piles of wheat on the ground.Pheasants will take scattered grain from the floor, so next year start broadcasting at about 9-10 weeks as this gets them used to it. It also helps if you have 1 or 2 feeeeders with just grain in them. There is not a lot you can do about it in essence,just one of the vagaries of rearing game. Regards P

VB You have PM P

Matt Any tool shop would have one, type the words into google images and have a look. P

MATT Try using a Swiss needle file a lot cheaper and does the job. P

MM I am sure you are racking your brains about how it got in but don't rule out it going over the top. We had a similar problem on our shoot a few years back and we found the fox fur on the top strand of wire to prove it. We increased the pen height to just under 7 feet and that semed to solve the problem. As for getting extra birds to replace them the problem will be that they will not integrate and will fight (my experience). I'm afraid that's running a small shoot, I sympathise but you just have to make the best of it. Good luck for the rest of the season. P

Stet I bought a pair of these as i liked the slim profile. Lost one half of them after about 3 outings as they are not secured. In other words you can just pull them apart as there is nothing to stop the arms when they are fully extended. I think the design is stupid, it seems to rely on the tension to keep them in place. Waste of money. Regards P

Traztaz Great write up, well done mate. What a splendid looking beast. P

PF So what do wildfowlers do to ensure safety when in a hide together? I'm sorry but your reply makes little sense to me. P

Kd One of the problems is that the 'Guidance' hasn't been updated since 2002 when it was first published and no mention is made of 17HMR in the original publication as it predates the introduction of this calibre. Additionally with the recent popularity of deerstalking and rifle shooting many more 'novices'are applying for centrefire rifles now and as the Home Office book doesn't offer much help on issuing complete beginners firearm certificates forces issue their own conditions. Sometimes with controversial topics such as the HMR one the Association of Chief Police Officers issue their own guidelines to forces but I'm not sure in this instance if they have done so and it might be worth asking your FEO. In the absence of any direction Police Forces will interpret matters themselves hence the disparity and unless legislation changes it will still be down to the Chief Officer of Police. And if you were wondering what are the chances of legislation change remember that in 2004 the Home Office had a huge public consultation about just this subject and we have heard nothing since. Regards P

She's not known as Doris Karloff for nothing. P

Hi all What a lot of people dont know is that all forces are 6 months into a ' 2 year quiet period', this is because firearm and shotgun cerificates went from being renewable every 3 years to 5 years back in 1997 so all they are dealing with at the moment is grants that were made in that 2 years and those that are applying for grants now. This means that there is little excuse for 'poor performance'. Some forces who had lamentable turnaround times are catching up but don't be fooled. Regards P

BigT PM sent P

Hi Big T I'll take it if thats ok. Thanks P

Steve My recommendation would be a 7x57 Swedish Mauser also known as the .275 Rigby using 175 grain bullets, which have a very high sectional density. I have used one in Africa and can testify that it does the job superbly. The 30-06 is another good recommendation as most of the PH's in SA use them. Regards P

Matt Boiled linseed is traditionally used for gunstocks. Mix it with dryers which you can get from your local paint shop; roughly just under a quarter of the mix. I personally apply a MINUTE amount every day by hand and work it in, don't be tempted to slap it on or you will regret it. Eventually you will build up the finish to a nice lustre and you will reach a point where it won't take any more. Job done. Good luck P

JDF No problems with campsites, virtually every town in France has a municipal one and there are hundreds of others; moreover they are extemely good value. Not sure about ferries tho' Regards P

'Going forward'; where else? P

Gavo Ultrafine(0000 grade) wire wool and any oil will do the trick. regards P

19/20 got number 19 wrong P

Hi John Batley is now chairman(or similar) of the Gun Trade Association so probably doesn't sell them anymore. You could contact him to ask him. Regards P

Hi If it's got spots on the tail it is a rainbow. Looks like one anyway but I can't see the tail fin properly from the photo P

Gdunc I've never been that impressed with compacts and in your case I don't think it is a compromise/economy worth taking; you need to splash out the money for 8x30's, you won't regret it and the cost will be soon forgotten. P

Gdunc I've had both the 8x30 and the 8.5x42 Swaro's. They are both superb binoculars the 8x30's are nice and light and the 8.5s give you a bit of added performance especially at low light. You could argue all day about the merits and demerits of Zeiss, Leica v Swarovski etc. But you won't go wrong with Swarovski so if you want a pair go for them. Have a look at the 'In focus' website for some product reviews from the 'experts' http://www.at-infocus.co.uk/reviews_bins.html. regards P

Graham A lot of gunsmiths use a couple of coats of alkanet root oil after stripping back to the wood. Done it on mine and it comes up a treat. Ask the gunsmith for some. regards p