Fellside

P.S This from the NZ Fish and game Dep’t: Who's exempt? ALL hunters of upland game (all quail and pheasants) are exempted. That's because research has shown these birds are not affected because the shot "in the uplands" is so widely dispersed Users of a .410 bore shotgun All hunters who pass the "200m rule test" (see below) My add’: * 200 meters is distance from open water. * 410s are exempt as they are important for teaching children and are non significant re national % shot volume.

For those completing the questionnaire (the more the better!) - it is worth emphasising the conclusions and reg’s in New Zealand. They have ‘evaluated’ and state no significant terrestrial impacts. NZ is well respected re environmental policy. They have only banned lead shot over wetlands….!!

Good points well made. However please bear in mind the HSE report relies, in part, upon biased data generated by certain interests shall we say. Junk science and wild guestimates in places. It would seem that the HSE have poorly evaluated much of the so called science and it’s source.

There is a danger that the so called public consultation is little more than a formality - ‘process’ being seen to be done while the decision has already been made. It is certainly worth overwhelming the consultation with well reasoned objections, to counteract the HSE’s heavily bias report. This may possibly raise questions and debate. However, there is nothing at all wrong with building political pressure in parallel via MPs and lobbyists etc. In the best case scenario, and this is entirely wishful thinking, the HSE will cease to exist in its current format, and the lead debacle could be shelved. Certainly large scale civil service changes and cost cutting are imminent for sure. What shape they will take however is anyone’s guess.

Yes they certainly did.

It’s interesting that New Zealand have reviewed the science re terrestrial lead shot - they are actually pretty switched on in terms of environmental policy. They have concluded that the use of lead shot for game shooting (non-wetlands) may continue unrestricted - citing insufficient genuine evidence for change.

There’s nothing wrong with the big commercial shoots (or indeed anyone who sells game) being restricted to steel - as market demand dictates. However, if there was a Ministry of Common Sense (?), only game to be sold would need to be lead free.

I appreciate that this is not how lobbying works - but enfieldspares is on the right track. The idea just needs to be refined - not thrown out. There is an excellent opportunity here following the recent ‘confidence vote’. Who are the known ‘no confidence’ MPs - i.e those who went public? Out of those, which ones are against a lead shot ban? They could be appeased and brought back in to the fold via policy change. Johnson will be working hard behind the scenes to win over these nay sayers…..?!

Answer Q1. Yes. Answer Q2. No, I don’t pick up strangers to take clay shooting. Answer Q3. No not necessary, as they and their family are known to me. One is actually a police Sargent.

Exactly this……! When I take a novice clay shooting - I just take a ‘user-friendly’ gun out of the cabinet, pick them up and drive to the ground and let them safely shoot starter clays. It’s that simple and should remain so. In fact I’m doing that today - minus any burdensome bureaucracy.

A few turning up here and there. Spotted 3 sitting together last night - a lot these days. It would have been 50 or 60 in that same field edge years ago.

It’s about context and spin. You should (or shouldn’t) have read their toxic nonsense during the Wild Injustice / GL debacle. There have been many more ‘anti’ slurs. Also to quote LACS without reciprocal challenge - as though they hold the golden nugget - is to blatantly construct an angle. Nothing more than a LACS sounding board in effect. If anyone thinks the Guardian is usually balanced, they ought to go and knit lentils in the same self help group as the the editorial team!

I’m not focusing on this topic alone re the Guardian’s Packhamesque rants. I agree this topic has been addressed with balance - hence it is unusual. It is widely acknowledged that the Guardian is an ‘anti’ rag for very good reasons. They tend to take an even harder ‘anti’ line than the BBC. Suggesting that they are sound on environmental issues is like saying LACS (who they often quote) have well researched opinions.

The Guardian is bunny hugging Packhamesque rag. It normally touts blatant lies about shooting (and farming) - written by their several false gurus. Apart from that it’s great…..😁

Thanks for that WalkedUp - yes unusually balanced for the Guardian.

We would still like to know what gun he has his eye on - even if you got lucky last weekend…..🙂

Agreed. Plenty of great guns for far less than 5K actually. However our OP clearly has an 8K budget for a certain gun - so presumably he’s counted his pocket money. It would be interesting to know which gun he fancies….??

The era of cheap goods is for the most part behind us now. In today’s economy - those who dither pay more. I would urge anyone who is thinking about a new gun to buy now - rather than pay a higher price later. As per comments above, make sure it’s future proof.

No I prefer it for texting - my main comm’s. It just catches me out sometimes.

I meant ‘every one’. Predictive text….??!!

Yes I was puzzled too. The only thing I can put it down to - is that Avery one has their ‘thing’. That is to say, a special something they want to buy, for which all sensible rationale is thrown aside. We all have them.

No apologies necessary. Yes agreed - using a posh gun on the foreshore wouldn’t be a great way to care for your investment. Clays and pigeons maybe. A good repeater, with shims and variable recoil pads for fitting, could be a really exiting purchase. Let’s face it, a new gun is always a thrill, whatever it is. Would still seriously recommend ‘try before buy’….. for any gun…!! YOMD……sorry couldn’t resist…..🙂

This isn’t the first time the Shooting Times have misjudged the Zeitgeist. They are constantly scoring own goals with this type of ‘attention grabber’. I stopped buying their comic a long time ago. Shame, it used to be a good read.

You’re quite right, good financial advice is important. Here’s are some further thoughts for what it’s worth. I don’t think an 8K spend will starve the OP, especially if he has a good gun to part ex’ - perhaps reducing his spend to circa 6K. Besides, a second hand gun from one of the top makers has been an excellent investment in recent years….. outpacing the FTSE 100. Example. A friend of mine started shooting (clays) with me perhaps 4 years ago. He bought a new basic grade Beretta Silver Pigeon sporter for £1,250. A good second hand one was then £950. Now the new ones are selling for £1,700 and the good used ones for about £1,350. The good used example has increased by 42%. As it is, he could still sell his gun and not loose a penny. My get out statement if anything goes wrong however: ‘prediction is very difficult, especially about the future’……..🙂

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