End of the line ...

[Big Al]

Some of you may be aware that I make YouTube videos under the name of Ulster Outdoors and Fieldsports. I have never made a penny from my videos, indeed they have cost me in terms of cameras and editing time.

 

Before YouTube, I wrote for the Irish Shooters Digest. I always did both because I love our sport and enjoy sharing my experiences with like minded people.

 

Recent events have made me question what I am doing. The land and places I shoot are being poached and I am left wondering if it is because of the publicity I give them. I am drawing jealous criticism and snide comments from people I shoot with if they see I have had a red letter day. I have also been accused of harming the greater Fieldsports community by sharing some content- in particular by showing my dogs picking up wounded birds. I have been criticised for working my dogs in, what I consider to be, fairly standard wildfowling conditions.

 

So, after reflection, I reckon that this is the time to stop. Thanks to everyone who has watched videos and subscribed through the years. And if anyone wants to buy a used shotkam gen 3, please pm me.

[TIGHTCHOKE]

That's a great shame.

[marsh man]

What a sad state of affairs , nowadays you seem to upset more than you please and our way of life is rapidly going down hill , I wonder if Chris Green ( The Cornish Countryman ) get the same sort of flak 

Will certainly miss sitting behind your stone hide and watching excellent wildfowling dogs , Hope you have second thoughts Al .    

[Good shot?]

Some folk will complain about anything and everything.

I will miss your video post and I also hope you may have second thoughts.

[London Best]

How sad Al. Very sorry to hear that.

[Scully]

It’s envy. That’s all it is. Dad to hear you’re calling it a day, but you need to remember, it’s NOT criticism, but envy. 

[Tedward]

Nil carbonundrum illegitimi !

- or some such.

You’ll be missed Al.

[islandgun]

Lots of people are unleasant and best avoided, far better to be in the company of your dogs and the geat outdoors, I respect and understand your motives but will miss your exploits around the lough, you will always find like minded folk on here to share with

[Dave66]

As others have said, it is the green eyed monster, keep on making the videos and we will keep on enjoying them, who else can shoot wildfowl from a stone grouse butt at the side of a lough, with a friend called Bear. 

 

[holloway]

I have enjoyed your films through the years but can fully understand the reasons you are stopping and dont blame you at all .

I will get pleasure knowing you are still enjoying the Loch with your dogs although un recorded  and thankyou for letting me join you in the past 👍

[flippermaj]

Sorry to hear it has come to this.  Always looked forward to your videos, great work well done.

[oldypigeonpopper]

Hello, You could still put your Videos up on here Al , from the posts we all like them on PW 

[Morkin]

I will really miss seeing you and your dogs, and I mean that very genuine chap, Take care and look after yourself👍

[old'un]

14 hours ago, Big Al said:

Some of you may be aware that I make YouTube videos under the name of Ulster Outdoors and Fieldsports. I have never made a penny from my videos, indeed they have cost me in terms of cameras and editing time.

 

Before YouTube, I wrote for the Irish Shooters Digest. I always did both because I love our sport and enjoy sharing my experiences with like minded people.

 

Recent events have made me question what I am doing. The land and places I shoot are being poached and I am left wondering if it is because of the publicity I give them. I am drawing jealous criticism and snide comments from people I shoot with if they see I have had a red letter day. I have also been accused of harming the greater Fieldsports community by sharing some content- in particular by showing my dogs picking up wounded birds. I have been criticised for working my dogs in, what I consider to be, fairly standard wildfowling conditions.

 

So, after reflection, I reckon that this is the time to stop. Thanks to everyone who has watched videos and subscribed through the years. And if anyone wants to buy a used shotkam gen 3, please pm me.

Are the jealous criticism and snide comments private or posted on your YouTube channel?

[dessyb]

12 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

Hello, You could still put your Videos up on here Al , from the posts we all like them on PW 

👍100%   ps best song traveling wilberrys did

Edited December 28, 2024 by dessyb

[pbutd]

You've always been ' your own man' Al, you can see that from the respect you command from your shooting friends, the way you organise yourself & the calibre of working dogs you produce, ( Bear is one in a million). So you probably won't change your mind I'm guessing.

But ... I think all of us on this site, like minded shooting people will defo' miss your videos. Here's hoping that you have made this decision whilst at a bit of a 'low ebb' & that you might reconsider?

There's no shortage of weak minded viewers  with selfish opinions on YouTube, it reflects society as it's so large. Opinions like those should be water off the proverbial duck's back. Ignore them & they will eventually go away & pester someone else. The poaching is another matter & needs confronting head on. They are the ones out of order.

  Thanks for all the entertainment up until now & I hope you reconsider at a later date.

 Bon chance Al.

 

[Old Boggy]

Like all on PW, I have greatly enjoyed all your videos and will miss not seeing the shooting from that lovely stone hide on the edge of the Lough and especially the dog work. That clearly is such a special place.

I sincerely hope that you have a change of heart sometime in the future.

Wish you all the best for the New Year.

OB

[Cranfield]

Its sad that you have received unwarranted criticism for your videos , I believe this is quite common for a lot of similar videos on You Tube, especially the Australian ones (camels, cats, dogs, etc).
Its a shame that those offended, just don't stop watching them, instead of being abusive.

The point about your shooting areas being identified and poached, I think is a common risk.
Members who have posted reports and photos on PW, have been concerned about similar problems.

I have also enjoyed your videos, especially the wildfowling and the development and performance of your excellent dogs.
Hopefully you will reconsider and perhaps return again in the future.
Thanks for all the great content over the years and you will be missed.

 

[Big Al]

Gentlemen- I am touched by your comments and kind words. I love watching the videos back, especially in the off season.

You have made me reconsider and am looking into how I can share my videos in such a way to minimise criticism and most of all to maintain the quality of sport I have access to. 

My current thinking is to save up the clips, string a few together and upload them during the off season (when poachers are less likely to exploit the contents. )

Thanks all.

On 28/12/2024 at 08:50, old'un said:

Are the jealous criticism and snide comments private or posted on your YouTube channel?

Some are made behind my back and get back to me. Others have been overheard by myself. The odd one has been made to my face. 

 

The most disappointing one was overheard by me and made by an employee of one of the "Big Two" representative organisations. He was saying that harm was being done by my videos showing the dogs picking up wounded birds.

[dessyb]

dont give in to the halfwits. al you have done nothing wrong happy new year

[Krico woodcock]

BIG AL, I'm glad you have reconsidered.. as Scully has said its envy,  or what I would call good old Irish "begrudgery" I wouldn't let the begrudgers have any influence..  and as for a representative of a main shooting organisation to give a snide remark that harm your causing,  it only shows his ignorance,  and must have no idea,instead of critising you,  he should be applauding you,  infact ask you to be a mascot for fowling in his organisation.  Because you have your faithful labradors trained to a solid standard,  and you show how it should be done,  that you need a proper dog for the job, and you make sure that all birds shot,  killed or wounded are retrieved.  And you are always very respectful of the quarry you shoot.  As for the poachers,  wel I'm afraid there always was and always will be poachers.  YouTube videos or not.. I hope to see more of your videos in the future .. Happy new year. 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Krico woodcock

[dillieboy]

Don't do it Al we need people like you we can't just watch Simon6pcc. We need variation and you give us that. Even he needs someone else to watch. Please carry on

Edited January 2 by dillieboy

[Miserableolgit]

On 30/12/2024 at 17:03, Big Al said:

Gentlemen- I am touched by your comments and kind words. I love watching the videos back, especially in the off season.

You have made me reconsider and am looking into how I can share my videos in such a way to minimise criticism and most of all to maintain the quality of sport I have access to. 

My current thinking is to save up the clips, string a few together and upload them during the off season (when poachers are less likely to exploit the contents. )

Thanks all.

Some are made behind my back and get back to me. Others have been overheard by myself. The odd one has been made to my face. 

 

The most disappointing one was overheard by me and made by an employee of one of the "Big Two" representative organisations. He was saying that harm was being done by my videos showing the dogs picking up wounded birds.

I'm pleased that you have changed your mind. Onwards and upwards. Illegitimi non carborundum.

[Manish]

@big al I think its a shame that you have been treated like this. Especially when there are people on social media making content for likes not the love of the sport. People like that I have zero time for. Then people like your self get **** from within our sport is just bad 

[rbrowning2]

can you not turn comments off on youtube, if they are the source of the problem.