Guttersnipe

Whilst not usually a big fan of Jack Pyke I've had one of these for ducks for the last two seasons and its looking ok for a third - decent for £24 delivered; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/400241540698?hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&device=c&chn=ps&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80 I've also got an Avery floating decoy rucksack which is good for 12x goose shells and dries quickly - I got this in the club auction but can't find a UK link; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/291115717698?hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&device=c&chn=ps&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80 Sorry struggling to copy the link, you'll have to paste into browser... Cheers GS

We've got 10.29m predicted for the 1st but as so often happens with the really big tides it'll probably just creep in then out. its the 9.8's in October with a stiff westerly and plenty of water coming down the river that get exciting... at least there will be plenty of standing water on the marsh - last year i sat over a flash that was nothing but a muddy puddle. Still can't wait - the Canadas and Greys are starting to form flocks and move down to roost on the marsh but more Godwit and Avocet than ducks... wildfowling on the 1st is definitely more of a spectator sport.

Lovely Buck Tbox - out this afternoon on some new ground - fingers crossed after the recent cold and wet - Its a half decent day, just a bit windy... but if you waited for no wind then you'd never get out up here! Wait until September and the Wildfowling season, then i'll be praying for it to blow...

Thought I'd see what people's experience of this year's Roe rut is across the country. I'm out at least once a week mid-July to mid-Aug in the north Penines but this year seems like a particularly slow starter - not seen any chasing yet, limited fraying and only does coming to the call - first week in Aug is usually the peak where i am, but with all this cold wet weather its almost inevitable that its late. Interested to know if its the same everywhere. Cheers, GS

Cracking buck congratulations. What's your post code Ben?!

PM sent thanks

Likewise may be interested if you can provide make/pics. Thanks

All of the above but also a cheap waterproof watch (I use one with and alarm) to ensure you know relative tide times, take your phone (maybe get a waterproof bag), decent hat, face mask and neoprene shooting gloves (Aldi). The less you take the better, getting it down to the bare essentials happens over time. Flask optional but the mentor may appreciate it... I also leave a change of clothes in the car for the drive home - just in case. Don't worry, the mentor will keep you right, just listen, learn and enjoy yourself

Many thanks Dave, quick and easy - delighted! Regards

Thought your activity had dropped off a bit recently - hope you are happy and settled - please keep up the good work, its appreciated.

I found myself in bed last night reading the tide timetables for the fist week in September and was down on the marsh on Sunday just to have a "look", It does feel a long time until the season starts. Saying that I've a baby that's three days overdue so am likely to have my hands full for a couple of months - hopefully with the timing, the wife will let me out by September. Junior is already on the club waiting list... After 39 outings last year, if I get half of that in the forthcoming season I'll be happy. This year I'm going to concentrate on tide flighting rather than just dawn and dusk, a challenge with club curfews, but the focus will very much be on quality rather than quantity and fine tuning my motherline technique - mixed results previously... It'll also be about spending time with my dad, he keeps reminding me that he's coming up to 70 and whilst it isn't always convenient to take him or it means that i must compromise where i go, i have to remember that he did the same for me when i was a kid and those shooting memories are some of the best I have together. All the best for the summer GS

I'll have one please Dave, if you PM me the payment details I'll sort it ASAP. Regards, GS

Excellent as always, keep up the good work, it's appreciated. GS

With the proposed plans to introduce up to 18 European Lynx into three UK sites; Thetford Forrest, South Cumbria and Aberdeenshire, being in the news this morning, I'm interested in opinions from the members. There is clearly a potential impact on stalking and livestock but the arguments put forward refer to the "exploding deer population" requiring control, the lack of any apex predators and the potential tourist revenue to rural communities.Whilst there is clearly a long way to go before this is instigated it has been successfully undertaken in several European countries. The Lynx is clearly a spectacular animal, but I feel the realistic benefits through tourism and deer predation are minuscule compared to the negative effect to livestock and stalkers. In my opinion it is unrealistic to believe Lynx can replace effective deer control by an experienced stalker or will ever be seen by tourists, but if these animals are introduced and spread, are the authorities likely to allow stalking alongside such an animal? GS

I'm a big advocate of people getting involved - work parties for the ones who are young enough and fit enough but in my opinion everyone can help out at a bird-count, young shots day or feeding the marsh in bad weather. All too often its the same faces but i think if you have the privilege to have "cheap" foreshore shooting you should be willing to put something back for the good of the club - not enforced but whenever possible. With our strictly enforced club curfews it also lets people see the grounds when otherwise they wouldn't -There is nothing like seeing the tide covering the marsh on a bird count to remind you of the importance of knowing your tide times when out there in the pitch black... hope you're all keeping out of mischief.

David, Email sent. Regards.

incredible picture - reminds me of what my old Dad used to say... Weasels are weaselly recognized as stoats are stoatally different.... sorry!

Yeah but you've got so much more - scabs and blisters for one I'd guess, I've really enjoyed reading this thread and thanks for sharing. I look forward to following your continued progress.

Thoroughly enjoyed that, thanks for all your engaging reports throughout the season. The only problem with reading an Anser2 post is that my next planned flight is never soon enough, can't wait until tomorrows final flight - September will then feel a long way away...

I shoot the Ribble estuary on those salt marshes you describe - I'm very local and yes it was a long wait... I count myself lucky but think travelling helps you appreciate what you've got. For me Lindesfarne is a bit of a mythical place I've read so much about - my dad shot it as a local lad- and one I look forward to shooting in the future. There is so much to learn and see elsewhere but accept it is great to return home. Hopefully in another 20 years I'll still be shooting my local marshes and be happy with my lot, can't think why not but in the mean time - travel broadens the mind...

Thanks for taking the time to reply lads, we'll see what anyone else has to say - just interested to see if there was higher incidence this season or if it was regional . Main thing is the ducks seem unaffected by it but I don't like not eating what i shoot - although supposedly harmless to humans, the infestations are usually so server as to render the meat inedible. Cheers GS

Obviously not very healthy if you've done your job and the dog is fetching them back to you, but i wanted to ask whether anyone else from around the country has noticed something that I have encountered this season. Every year I get a bird or two - particularly wigeon, but then that's the majority of my quarry ducks, with "rice breast disease" or Sarcocystis. These are rice grain sized cysts which are very noticeable in the muscle of the duck, therefore not evident if you just pluck it, only if you cut into the breast. However this year the incidence seems higher - I've had 5 or 6 so far, this isn't enough to be statistically important or worrying in itself but i wanted to know if anyone else had noticed an increase? I was particularly interested in the east coast and south as I don't shoot there, other locals i've spoken to in our club seem to think its just one of those things - it doesn't seem to unduly affect the flight or outward appearance of the affected individuals. i'm no expert but there is more info on the link below - www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/waterfowl/sarcocystis.asp Make the most of the next few weeks! Cheers,

I've just joined the forum, having enjoyed reading the content and opinions over the last six months. Now having "the lay of the land" I hope i can contribute and learn more by being a member. I'm based in the North West and have shot since i can remember. I'm a keen stalker (Roe and Sika) but my passion is wildfowling, living as i do within half a mile of the saltmarsh. I'm out once or twice a week so l know my local marshes well and we have great shooting, but am yet to travel to any other areas, which is why I enjoy the forum. Its a brilliant window on what everyone else is up to and their successes and challenges. Not sure how much I'll be contributing over the festive period, I've got 10 days off so don't plan to be sat at the computer, i'll be returning to work in January with ingrained marsh mud and webbed feet! I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and all the best for the new year. Guttersnipe