JD140

A good suggestion. I have my doubts as to whether this guy actually had permission to be there. As I said in my original post, he didn't seem to recognise the farmer's name when I mentioned his christian name only. I deliberately didn't elaborate as to who I was talking about. Also, would anyone (with permission) be so stupid as to treat a permission in this way? That being said he certainly wasn't the brightest spark in the box by any means!! If I do see him again I will definitely have a word, but as mentioned any idiot who's out shooting and drinking four cans of lager may not be the most sensible person to approach! I also think that as I'm so new to the land I'd better not bother the farmer with it at the moment, it's a busy time of year for him and we don't really know each other as yet. The rubbish is cleared so there's nothing to upset him, unless the guy returns and does it again!!! I'm sure he did.

Just out of interest does anyone know if you can get wider calf Aigle's? I know Le Chameau used to do them because my old pair were wide calf!

I had a pair of Le Chameau leather lined and zipped, they lasted me for 11 years before they began to leak. Good boots for standing around in (not the warmest though) but very, very heavy to walk in. From some of the comments on here the new one's are lighter, which in my opinion they needed to be. I have a pair of Aigle Parcours now, they are okay but very tight around my calves, also the rubber feels quite thin. They are comfortable enough but doubt they'll last to long!

My thoughts exactly. Would be a good excuse for him to tell the farmer that the new guy (me) is leaving a right mess!

Unfortunately It's too late for pictures as I cleared the area and never thought to take any. I think you are right about telling the farmer, I'll make a point of it when I'm next up there.

I have recently obtained a new permission which (in my opinion) has loads of potential. As it is new ground I've been spending a fair while up there, getting to know my way around and looking for flight lines and the best places to set up. The farmer is a really nice chap and allows other shooters there also. This is my quandary! A few days ago I arrived at a field of wheat stubble and noticed a Land Rover parked in an adjoining field, quick scan around with the binoculars revealed a hide in the bottom corner of the stubble field. I decided to stay a while to see if there was any activity, as I watched a chap appeared out of the hide and began walking toward me. By his body language it was plain that he wasn't just strolling over for a pleasant chat. As he got nearer and realised I wasn't going anywhere his gait changed and he approached me in a more polite manner. After listening to his tales of army service, being an A1 marksman and "only came over as I thought you were a gypsy, farmer's been getting lots of trouble from them you know", he sloped off. The next day I turned up again and decided to set up near where the other shooter had been. When I got there I was amazed, the area was a mess. Lager cans thrown in the hedge (I picked up 4 lager cans and 3 coke cans) crisp and cigarette packets and ends, cartridge cases all over the place and plastic bags that had been used for sandwiches. I cleared up the cans, spent cartridges and packets and set up and shot for the day. My question is this. There is no doubt all this rubbish came from the chap mentioned as I was there the day before and there was nothing. Do I mention it to the farmer (I'm new and don't want to be perceived (by the farmer) as a teller of tales), or do I just mark it down to experience and say nothing? I just find it very annoying that anyone who'd been given permission to shoot in such a beautiful expanse of countryside would treat it in such a way. My other thought is did he even have permission? I noticed that when I mentioned the farmer by name he didn't really know what I was talking about. Any thoughts?

I've also noticed pigeon activity picks up in he early evening onwards. My permission (mainly wheat and rape stubble at the moment) is virtually deserted until mid/late afternoon, not even anything flying around, then come early evening everything comes alive, pigeons everywhere! Don't really understand why this is happening but I've changed my times to suit, and it has paid off. You have to be versatile at this game!!!

Any ideas about A1 Decoy's 3 ply net? Not the cheapest but gets good reviews!!!

I've been using the same net for nearly 20 years and it's getting really tatty. I think the make of it was 'Realtree', but it's so long ago even the shop I bought it from has now closed. It really does work great, its a light beige on one side and a darker green on the other, my only criticisms would be it isn't the easiest net to see through and it ain't that tough, you have to be very careful or it just tears. Also, it could do with being a little longer. Anyone suggest a good modern alternative, quite big, good to look through and useable all year?

I'm interested in the netting and poles (if you still have them). How large is the net and what brand is it please?

Works fine, thank you

Hi, Yes they're what I'm after, unfortunately the link you provided isn't working. Can you tell me exactly what I need to order please?

Can anyone recommend what to use (or where to buy) some poles ro raise my pro-flaps above standing corn? I bought them a while ago from A1 and they don't seem to offer anything!

Hello, I've just bought a a nice used gun and would like to get it professionally fitted, can anyone (preferably from experience) recommend a good fitter/stockist anywhere around my area? The gun has very nice wood so I obviously want a chap who knows his stuff!

Where are these bargains to be found?

Maybe I used the wrong phrase with "if the Hunter knocks me about". I've been shooting for forty years and understand how to mount/hold a gun and the importance of a correct gun fit. What I was saying is that the Hunter being a game gun is roughly 1/2lb lighter than the sporter and if I were to shoot a significant number of clays in one outing it may be more noticeable than with the sporter.

Thank you for all the varied and interesting replies, after much deliberation I have 90% decided on a Browning B725 Hunter 2 grade 5 with 30" barrels. This being after making numerous trips to my local dealer and handling a fair selection of guns. He has kindly agreed to let me try a used Hunter and Sporter before I finally decide, but from the handling I feel the Hunter is going to be my eventual choice, slightly lighter for game days but not too light for 50 - 100 clays. I also have some reservations about the palm swell on the Sporter, maybe during use I may change my mind but just handling it in the shop it feels very strange. The Hunter's grip and fore end are more to my liking and I prefer the game scene engraving (available on the Hunter) much more than the scroll on the Sporter. All this being said I may still opt for the Sporter if I feel it handles better, or if the Hunter knocks me about. All I need to to find now is a decent syndicate to join, so if anyone knows of any please let me know. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to reply.

Great looking gun. Is that the heritage hunter 2 with the rounded action, or the heavier heritage sporter? What do you mainly use it for, purely game or a mixture of game and clays?

I think there's also a Heritage b725 sporter available now if you want slightly better wood. That's just the answer I was looking for. I do intend to have it fitted and think I am leaning more toward the Heritage hunter, just such a nice looking gun and feels great in the hand.

Yes it certainly says there is a multi choke for sale on their website. Will give them a call on Monday and check it out. Not a million miles from me, may call in and have a look around.

Thanks for the reply. From what I've been told by my local dealer the 687 EELL is available in multi choke, the 687 EELL Classic is available in fixed 1/4 and 1/2 only!

Thank you for that, did you buy from a retailer or privately. The only b2g's I have found have 27.5" barrels, which are too short for me!

Bought a couple of these and have to say that I'm not overwhelmed. Whenever I've used them they seems to scare the pigeons away, take them out of the pattern and pigeons come in again. Also (to me) they look very unrealistic and don't seem to do much flapping even in a stiff breeze. The construction is cheap, the wings are just strong paper. To be honest I think they're destined for the wheelie bin! Anyone else tried them?

I'm looking for some help on which one of the above to choose. I am going to treat myself to a nice gun and have narrowed it down to these two. I intend to do more game shooting but also intend to do a fair bit of clay shooting too, both the models above are classed primarily as game guns and weigh in at around 7.3lbs. Would this be to light for clay shooting? The Browning is a multi choke the Classic a fixed, this doesn't really bother me but if anyone has any experience of either gun I'd appreciate it. Before anyone mentions it I know the Heritage is available in a heavier sporter version, trouble is it doesn't have the prince of wales grip, which I definitely want. To add to my dilemma there is a Heritage Hunter 2 now available (with a rounder action) which I think must be lighter than the old one. The reason I say this is when I called into my local gunsmith's he had a used original version in which we weighed at 7lbs 10 oz, all the literature I can find says the Heritage 2 weighs 3.3KG (7lbs 3oz), 7oz's lighter! The answers I am looking for are. 1) Has anyone owned any of these models (ideally both) and their thoughts? 2) The weight issue considering the guns future use? 3) Does anyone know if the older Heritage was heavier than the Heritage Hunter 2? Plus any other info you can give to make this decision a little easier

Been around my nearest permission today and though it's been drilled for four days there are only a very few corvids around, no pigeons anywhere to be seen. To be honest it's the best part of an hour's drive to get there and I didn't really see anything on the way there or back. Where are all the little blighters??