Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2019 i Sporting Gun

Groundnesting birds could be endangered if grouse-moor management is ended. This is the conclusion of research conducted by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). It looked at the impact of ceasing grouse-moor management on birds such as curlew, golden plover and lapwing in south-west Scotland. It concluded that these birds could face a diminution in numbers and even local extinction as a result. One of the study areas, Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands, where keepering has declined sharply, saw an 84% drop in the golden plover population, 88% drop in lapwing and a 61% drop in curlew. Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said: “There are some who suggest grouse moors only support grouse… The opposite is true.” GOT ANY NEWS? TELL US ABOUT IT: Post: Sporting…

7-8 September Lancashire Game and Country Festival Woodacre Lodge Farm, near Garstang www.lancashiregamefestival.co.uk 14-15 September Midland Game and Country Fair Weston Park, Staffordshire www.midlandgamefair.co.uk 21-22 September The Royal Berkshire Show Newbury Showground www.newburyshowground.co.uk 28-29 September South Yorkshire Shooting Show Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster www.southyorkshireshootingshow.com 15-16 October Improve your shooting Ian Coley, near Cheltenham, Gloucs www.iancoley.co.uk…

The Scottish government is consulting on proposals to toughen the country’s wildlife laws that could result in harsher penalties. The proposals include a plan to increase the number of wildlife offences that can be tried in front of a jury, which would allow for the imposition of an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison. This would place a number of wildlife offences into the category of ‘serious crime’, allowing a wider range of police powers to be used to investigate and prosecute them. The proposed changes would also include increasing the amount of time before a prosecution becomes ‘time barred’. • Former gamekeeper Alan Wilson, from Duns, in the Borders, was sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to 225 hours of community service and a 10-month nighttime curfew…

Forgive me if I am still in rant mode this month but the situation with the general licences is only a temporary fix and I am concerned. The big battle awaits in February, when new licences will be announced following a review. While I am a pigeon shooter, I am also a farmer and have experienced how bureaucrats, whether they be home-grown or of the European variety, have strangled the life out of farmers with endless red tape. Whole industries have arisen to help relieve the pressure on farmers, from agronomists to advise us what we can spray on our crops to health and safety experts who navigate the treacherous waters of risk assessment regulations. Add to this the right-to-roam legislation that empowers people to think they can walk on…

Ingredients 4 venison loin steaks 4 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp chopped parsley 2 tbsp finely chopped onion 2 tbsp chopped chives 1/4 lb mushrooms, thinly sliced Butter Salt and pepper The evening before cooking, marinade the steaks in the oil overnight. Pre-heat the oven to 200C. Mix the parsley, onion and chives with the mushrooms. Cut four pieces of baking parchment or foil, each large enough to envelope a steak completely, spread with butter and sprinkle with the herb and mushroom mixture. Place a steak in the middle of each paper, cover with another layer of the mixture, season well and wrap up firmly. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes until tender. Serve the steaks still encased in the papers .…

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Native to the near and Middle East, but introduced to many countries worldwide UKDISTRIBUTION: Widespread across the UK. Very common across much of southern England and the Midlands .Patchier distribution elsewhere FOOD: A grazing deer that also obtains much of its food by browsing. Grasses are an important part of the diet from spring onwards, while during winter acorns, beech mast and chestnuts are a major element. Holly, bramble and ivy are also taken, especially when the nut crop is poor HABITAT: Deciduous woodland with nearby farmland preferred RUT: October and November, often on traditional rutting grounds that may not be heavily populated at other times of the year GESTATIONPERIOD: A single calf is normally born in June or July; twins are rare ANTLERCYCLE: Casts April/May; clean…

The Muck Boot Summit 8in lace-up boots have been with me to test for the past five months and are still going strong. I’d certainly recommend them. I received them in February to replace the wellies that I loved. The weather was still cold, so the 3mm neoprene lining was both comfortable and warm, which is what you need for my job. It was a while before I managed to test them thoroughly in the wet, as it didn’t rain much until May. We then we had 114mm of rain in one week. They passed with flying colours – no leaks at all and the tread coped well underfoot, so they have passed the most important tests for my keepering world. Some lace-up boots are a pain to get your…

Having a rifle that can print one-hole groups on the range is one thing but actually taking the shot out in the field is quite another. There is little pressure when you’ve got everything nicely set out as you check your accuracy – a stable bench rest, good seating position and all the time in the world. This calm can vanish quickly when you’re out hunting and a fox appears unexpectedly and you’ve only got a few seconds before it disappears from sight. Let us look at what can be done to maximise your chances. Probably the most important thing with regard to increasing your chances of success is to be ready. It may sound obvious, but I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve taken people out with…

What length barrels should I buy? I wish I had a pound for every time a newcomer to shooting has asked me that question. The answer is that it depends on a few variables and the wrong gun length could have significant implications on your success. Here we examine the reasons and benefits of using the appropriate gun length for different targets, disciplines and quarry types. Is height and reach important? A person’s height and reach is one of the first factors to consider. The overall length of a gun can present a much higher degree of difficulty, particularly for a shorter person with a long gun, as it is likely to be unwieldy, awkward and much heavier in the left hand (right-handed shooter). This will cause them to feel…

To add to the training, Trevor tried shooting both seated and standing. When it comes to seats for use in pigeon hides, it’s best to start with the most simple – a shooting stick or three-legged stool. The stick has a pointed tip and also, preferably, the legs of stool, which helps to keep them stable on uneven ground. The shooter can shoot seated or rise quickly from them and, generally, they are not too bulky. A bonus is that they prevent slouching. Next the folding chair, which gives back support and often has a holder for drinks. While this may offer comfort it can also be difficult to find a stable position, which could be dangerous. There is also the possibility that the shooter may slump and be in…

Speaking out for our sport Well done for the great magazine, which seems to come around more quickly every month. We seem to be constantly under assault for being a minority (shooters). As such, it is a great shame that public figures who shoot do not stand up and be counted and show the public that we are not all indifferent to the fauna, killing everything that walks, flies and crawls. Dodge, Oxfordshire Ed – I agree, Dodge. If more celebrities ‘came out’ about being a shooter, then it wouldn’t seem to be such an alien sport to non-shooters. I would add that we should all be ambassadors for our sport and not be ashamed of what we do. Brilliant Beretta I have just read your article on the Beretta…

The new Browning Laminate is grey in colour. Wouldn’t that stand out like a sore thumb in a hide? Do you believe guns should be camouflaged? Peter says: Due to clever marketing, pigeon shooters have been led to believe that all their equipment should be camouflaged, including guns. I think it has been established that pigeons do not even view their world in colour, rather shades of grey, so there is no real need to camouflage anything.…

Do you think side-by-sides are dying out on the foreshore? I am 16 and shoot with a Baikal, which is a great wildfowling gun, but I don’t see many using side-by-sides. Tom says: Both side-by-sides and over-and-unders are less popular now on the foreshore than they were. This is mainly due to the advances in semi-automatic and pump-action guns, which are often better suited for life on the saltings as they can shoot light loads all the way up to heavy 3.5in mammoths without a noticeable increase in recoil. They are typically better sealed from the elements, too. I have an AYA Yeoman, which often accompanies me on the foreshore, and I know plenty of others keeping the tradition alive.…

I have a young Hungarian vizsla that is starting to work on game. He hunts and points most birds but sometimes flushes without being given a command. When he has pointed and I tell him to flush he will drop on my whistle, but when I set him off hunting again he chases after the flushed birds. How do I stop him running in to shot ones? Graham says: He must be taught to ignore all flushed game before he realises that a subsequent shot will lead to a retrieve, otherwise he will soon become unsteady. After the point and once he has flushed the bird, he must be ‘switched off’ from having any further interest in it. Be ready after the flush to slip a light lead quickly over…

I have read a great deal on social media about the dangers of some new anti-parasite chews. Do you know of any natural products that are safe and effective against ticks and fleas? Neil says: First, I have to say I think I am aware of the product you are referring to and I believe the hype around it to be a lot of nonsense. Around 100 million chews have now been sold. That’s a lot. The simple fact of the matter is that if 100 million people ate a packet of crisps, some of them would sneeze during the day. It does not follow that the crisps caused their sneezing. Based on the most recent Periodic Safety Update Report (PSUR), which was assessed by the European Medicines Agency, the…

Would you recommend a 10-bore over a 12-bore for geese? Tom says: I don’t own a 10-bore and haven’t shot many geese with one in my wildfowling career. They are a good gun for the job but I don’t think they have any advantage over a good 3½in 12-bore with aftermarket chokes, like the Kicks High Flyer range. I find that a 12 is far more versatile than a 10 as you have the option to use 12 for a range of shooting situations. Take Charlie, for example. She has a Beretta 3½in 12-bore, which is nice and light for her smaller frame, and she uses that gun for ducking, goosing, crowing, pigeons and clay shooting. I would recommend investing the money in a good 12-bore that can be used…

Do you think leaving the European Union have a negative affect on us pigeon shooters? Peter says: There is no reason to believe that leaving the EU will have a negative effect on our ability to control pigeons to protect crops. Indeed, not having to abide by EU rules should enable our Government to decide what is best for our farmers and wildlife. The danger, of course, is that the majority of our MPs also have little idea what actually goes on in the countryside, so it is up to our shooting organisations to educate them before any legislation is passed.…

Decent shooting apparel seems to be getting more affordable every season. The Imperlight jacket and trousers from Percussion certainly highlight that point. The jacket has a recommended retail price of just £84 and the trousers £44, and you may even be able to find both for a bit less if you shop around. Don’t be fooled by their modest price tags, though – this French kit also delivers in the style and performance stakes. Material Imperlight refers to the material this kit is made from; it has an unusual ring to it but I hazard the first part is with reference to being impervious. The outer shell is made from polycotton laminated with a waterproof and breathable membrane, while the seams are taped. Although I have yet to wear this…

The 4-20x50 falls in the middle of the three offerings in the Frontier FFP range. Stablemates include a 3x15 and 5x25. For me, the 4-20 is the perfect fit, with plenty of magnification, 23MRAD of adjustment and 10 mildots of holdover in the ret. The clicks are clean and crisp and it tracks perfectly if you need to reach out a little farther. I’d opt for the 4-20x50 over the 5-25 because I do think you’re pushing the glass a little hard at 25. With the 20x variant image quality/clarity is identical across the mag range and although all the bells and whistles are nice, image quality is what matters.…

I have always liked the Browning 525. It’s well made and performs above its price point. With the Shadow you pay an extra £400 for a black action, ‘blingy’ trigger and high-grade wood. Is it worth it? Yes. As a limited-edition it’s unlikely you would see anyone else with the same gun, so it makes the Shadow a shotgun for those who want the reliability and affordability of a 525, but without their gun looking as commonplace as the standard 525. SCORES ON THE DOORS Build quality 24/25 Handling 24/25 Styling 23/25 Value for money 23/25 Total: 94/100…

The Government has been urged not to make hasty decisions over banning heather burning on grouse moorland after research on the issue has been questioned. The findings of a long-term study known as EMBER (Effects of Moorland Burning on the Ecohydrology of River basins) and conducted by the University of Leeds have been challenged. In a paper recently published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, scientists from Lancaster University and the University of York have cast doubt as to whether EMBER’s findings that burning heather was consequentially damaging to river water quality, peat hydrology and structures and aquatic life are valid. Dr Mark Ashby of Lancaster University and Dr Andreas Heinemeyer of the University of York, said: “Future work needs to control for site-specific differences so that prescribed burning impacts…

Northern show a day early Next year’s Northern Shooting Show has been brought forward a day to coincide with the bank holiday to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The 2020 show will take place on Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May at the Yorkshire Event Centre on the south-eastern outskirts of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The show organisers made the change to enable people to attend on the one-off bank holiday. Tickets went on sale on 16 August. For further information visit: www.northernshootingshow.co.uk Churchill a Sporting host The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) World English Sporting and Sportrap Championships is to return to E.J. Churchill Shooting Ground near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. The Championships will take place from 8-14 June next year and will include world title competitions…

The Midland Game & Country Fair is back with a bang. This year, the annual event will be hosting the World Hunter Field Target Championship, one of a number of attractions at the fair, which is to be held over the weekend of 14-15 September at Weston Park in Staffordshire. The championship will see 360 of the top airgun marksmen from 10 countries compete for the 2019 title, which consists of both the manufacturers’ team and the international team championships. It is renowned as the largest airgunning competition of its kind and it is a feather in the cap for the fair to be hosting it for the first time. Sports stars In addition to this, there is the Festival of Shooting, which also attracts many fieldsports stars. There are…

An article in The Times was brought to my attention recently and the mere headline managed to raise my heartbeat: ‘We must cull more deer to tackle rise of Lyme disease.’ Deer are to blame, then? Is the author serious? Such an esteemed publication as The Times would not be alarmist, would it? Study The article was written after the BMJ (British Medical Journal) reported a study about Lyme disease. A bacterium called borrelia, which some ticks carry, causes Lyme disease. The report suggested the diagnosis of Lyme disease could be as much as three times what was thought. That may sound alarming but the increased estimate is not surprising and not so alarming when the figures are studied. However, it has to be said that Lyme disease can develop…

I would like to think that I deserve the title ‘country person’. I grew up in the countryside and it is all I know. I’m not at ease in a built-up area, nor do I enjoy being among large groups of people and I have no interest in urban matters. I am the son of a gamekeeper and have been a full-time rabbit catcher for nearly 20 years. I have been lucky to work with a variety of animals and people and have been involved with shooting, hunting and conservation. I have helped to rehabilitate a variety of species including deer, various birds and I even kept a pet fox for 12 years. “Owning a side-by-side and having a Labrador doesn’t make you a country person” I also have a…

I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to find suitable ground to train a gundog. In the early days it is not such an issue, as a local playing field can be perfect for most of the basic training, but at some point you will need rough grass areas, jumps and perhaps water to get you and your dog ready for the shooting field. For the past few years Gary McCarthy of Wirral Gundogs has been developing a dedicated training ground, tucked away overlooking the Dee estuary. The bespoke eight-acre facility has been designed to incorporate pretty well every single situation that gundogs and their handlers will face in working tests, trials and out in the field. More than 2,000 tons of clay has been removed to…

• Body stance: Precision of aim is the key to good shots but if your body is twisted as you squeeze the trigger, your chances of missing increase markedly. A quick way to check whether you’re doing it subconsciously is to place the crosshairs on a fixed point and then to close your eyes. Relax for a few seconds, and then open them again. Where is the reticle now? If it’s wandered off, adjust your foot position and try again. When you’ve found a good stance and the drift is minimised, try to impose it on your memory so that it becomes a force of habit • Don’t snatch, squeeze: When everything comes together and it’s time to take the shot, the smoother you squeeze the trigger, the better your accuracy will…

• Indeed there is. Any ticks removed from humans or pets can be sent to Public Health England’s Tick Surveillance Scheme, allowing records of tick distribution to be compiled on a national scale and the monitoring of ticks for pathogens. • Simply download a record form from www.gov.uk/guidance/ tick-surveillance-scheme and pop the tick in a small, plastic container, sealed with tape. • Put this in a padded envelope and send it to: Tick Surveillance Scheme, Public Health England, Porton Down, Wiltshire, Salisbury SP4 0JG.…

Why is it that you can hatch hens for breeding in Scotland until 1 March but not elsewhere? Is the law likely to be changed? David says: This is a devolved matter for the Scottish government and I think the decision shows a pragmatic approach to modern shooting practice and game management. However, it would require a change in the law to extend the idea to cover England and Wales. There is talk of holding a review of wildlife legislation – but don’t hold your breath.…

I am thinking about getting a rescue adult labrador that I would like to train as a gundog. He has not had any formal gundog training. Is it too late for him to learn? Graham says: Actually, old dogs can learn new skills. They can be trained to do just about anything required of them. However, you will have to undo everything they have learned that affects what you want them to do, and then you will have to retrain them to perform a task. Some behaviour learned early in life might not be extinguishable and could hamper learning the new task. But, generally speaking, consistent repetition of an exercise with sufficient positive reinforcement should enable a dog of any age to learn tasks. What you may not know with…

I’m really struggling walking my six-month-old puppy with my two older dogs. If they are all on the lead he pulls constantly and if the others are off lead he lunges around to try to get to them. Graham says: It’s always tricky adding a third dog. Try walking your youngster with just one other dog to start with. Then, when he’s walking nicely, walk him on his own with the other. In the meantime, train your older dogs to walk on either side and, when you’re ready and your young dog is walking nicely with either, then put him on one side with the steadiest dog and walk your third dog on the other side. As an example, I walk my three with my spaniel on the right and…

My young lab is coming on well but I’m struggling to instill any urgency in him when it comes to retrieving dummies and cold game, and he does everything at 50% pace. How can I speed him up? Graham says: Most dogs will generally go out to a retrieve a lot quicker than they come back, partly due to the weight of the dummy or game. One method that can help is to try to find a track with a good dip in it or hill where you can put out a memory retrieve. Walk back with the dog and send him. In theory, once he has got the dummy he will realise he can’t see you and in his keenness to get back he will put on a spurt…

Axford Men’s Technical Tweed Effect waterproof coat This super-lightweight jacket is made from a durable water-repellent cotton blend fabric designed to withstand thorns and brambles, and has two large cartridge pockets with drain holes. Price: £294.95 Visit: www.alanpaine.co.uk Dogrobes Dogrobes has added a new camouflage design to its dog-drying coat collection. The lightweight coats dry the dogs in about 30 minutes. They are made from an exclusive fabric and fit over the dog’s head and tie in a single loop. Price: from £31-£95 Visit: dogrobes.co.uk Dreambullovertrousers These packable overtrousers are ideal to protect you from the elements while shooting. An elasticated waist and knee-high zips make them easy to put on over boots. Price: £99.99 Visit: stoneycreekhunting.co.uk Purdey Sporting Clays Gun Purdey has launched a shotgun for the popular sport…

PERCUSSION IMPERLIGHT JACKET • Waterproof, windproof and breathable • Taped seams for enhanced rain-proofing • Strong two-way zip with storm flap • Tough but quiet outer shell • Lots of pockets for shooting essentials • Contemporary cut with a good fit • Large waterproof poacher’s pocket at rear • Foldaway hood in collar PERCUSSION IMPERLIGHT TROUSERS • Breathable waterproof shell with soft lining • Strong belt loops and elasticated waist with rubberised inner • Six pockets to stow small accessories • Great fit and good freedom of movement • Reinforced area from knee down…

I put the 5-30x56 in its natural environment aboard my 243 foxing rifle. It’s a rare thing to dial when foxing – there simply isn’t time for tinkering or messing around with magnification. All you need is a flat shooting round and good, clear optic that can cope with low light and lamping, something that both scopes provide. For this kind of scenario the 5-30x56 is ideal. My only reservation was a drop in contrast and a touch of tunnelling 24x and beyond. To be fair, I don’t think you’ll find any mid-range scopes that can reach out to this level of magnification flawlessly. It’s perfectly shootable all the way up to 30x but beyond 24x there is a drop in image clarity. For dialling, you have 17MRAD to play…

However, I was pleased to see a recent debate held between Charlie Jacoby from the Fieldsports Channel and Wild Justice at Birdfair, the Glastonbury for twitchers. What came out of the debate was the amount of misinformation flying around. Now we are facing another petition to ban driven grouse shooting and, to be honest, I welcome the debate. This mutual suspicion and hostility must end. We should be proud of the good we do for conservation and tell people about it. And please don’t think I’m having a ‘pop’ at our shooting organisations. Yes, I was disappointed that they didn’t want Wild Justice to attend The Game Fair formally but we need to stick together in the face of determined opposition. If you are not a member of a shooting…

Countryside groups have accused the Labour Party of ignorance and pandering to political correctness after it called for a review into grouse shooting. In an announcement timed to coincide with the start of the grouse shooting season, the party said it was “calling for the review in light of extensive evidence that driven grouse shooting causes substantial environmental damage”. Adrian Blackmore, the Countryside Alliance’s director of shooting, said: “It is quite extraordinary that in the present political turmoil and with all the serious environmental issues facing the world, the Labour Party has chosen to launch a thinly veiled political attack on grouse shooting.” A spokesman for Defra said: “We continue to support shooting, recognising it is vital that wildlife and habitats are respected and protected and we ensure a sustainable,…

• Advanced Priced Tickets Adult (17 years +), £18; Children (6-16 years), £6; Family One Day Ticket (2 adults, 3 children), £45; Show Programme Voucher, £4; Adult Weekend Ticket, £34; Child Weekend Ticket, £10; Camping without Electric, £80; Camping With Electric, £140 • On the Day Tickets Adult (17 years +), £20; Children (6-16 years), £7; Family Ticket (2 adults, 3 children), £50; Show Programme, £4 Members Enclosure Information Adult One Day Membership, £40, Two Day, £70; Child One Day Membership, £20, Two Day, £30. Parking is free Advance tickets are available until 11 September…

After our trip to The Borders and the big lad’s luxury accommodation with me in the caravan, it is back to the routine of pinching quince out of the garden. He was miffed when my new vehicle arrived. The suspension on the replacement is as it should be. I dropped the tailgate and gave the command ‘into bed’. He leapt up but his back legs didn’t make it. The look on his face of surprise turning to embarrassment was comical. Still, he learns quickly when he wants to. He now takes a run at it. I have to ensure the cage gate is open because while he can leap through the air like a horse, he doesn’t stop so well.…

One of the pleasures and pains of shooting woodpigeons over decoys is the vast number of angles the birds can come from. Becoming a competent Shot at woodpigeons takes time, and for the novice they can be frustrating as they won’t always come into the decoys where you would like them to. Building a good bag of pigeons requires fast reflexes most of the time – some of the birds can be seen from a long way off, others can appear as if by magic. You need to be quick and confident at closer ranges but also be able to tackle longer birds that are skirting the edges of the decoy pattern. Compak Sporting has become popular in the UK and a layout with a range of targets at different…

Preparation is of paramount importance – getting your dog fit both mentally and physically will help prepare him for the rigours of his first shoot day. It is also important for you, the handler, to have a plan of action as to what you want your dog to achieve on his first day. It can be very tempting at this early stage to push your dog beyond his capabilities and end up with all your hard working on the training field unravelling. I always remember an experienced trainer telling me that it’s rarely the first bird the dog flushes that it will chase, or the first bird that it sees land that it will run in on, but beware of the next one. Always aim to go into the shooting…

You know that moment when you say “yes” to something and then wish instantly that you had taken more than a nanosecond to think about it? That is what happened to me recently. Every year my village holds a beer festival on our green to raise funds for the church and the village hall. As well as having some very agreeable local ale, there are various activities including a dog show. This year I was asked if I would run a bale jump scurry, which sounded fun and easy enough to organise, hence the reason I agreed. Then things developed quickly. Plenty of people see me out and about with the dogs, and unsurprisingly word has got around that I do a bit of dog training. Before I knew what…

GRAHAM WATKINS GUNDOGS A professional gundog trainer for more than 35 years, he runs Gamegoer. NEIL MCINTOSH VETERINARY A keen shooter and a practising vet in Scotland. TONY BRACCI TUITION Bisley Shooting Ground’s deputy shooting manager and master gunfitter. DAVID FROST LEGAL SG’s legal expert and author of Sporting Shooting and the Law. PETER THEOBALD PIGEONS Pigeon-shooting expert; author of Woodpigeon: The Ultimate Quarry. ROBERT MORGAN ANTIQUES Arms and armour valuer at Holts Auctioneers. ED COOK RABBITS Professional rabbit catcher working over 30,000 acres. TOM SYKES PEST CONTROL & WILDFOWLING Sporting photographer, wildfowler and pest controller. MARC BULL COVER CROPS Marc is our new expert and is the Midlands and Eastern adviser at Bright Seeds.…

My father died a while ago and I am aware that he had a pistol and ammunition in the loft. What can I do about it? Frankly, I’m a bit embarrassed to go to the police, as I should have done so when he died. Should I just chuck it all in the river and be done with it? David says: You certainly shouldn’t chuck it in the river. Although, technically, you are in unlawful possession of a prohibited gun, there are legitimate ways of surrendering it without embarrassment. It is possible that you will have a registered firearms dealer (RFD) in your area who is authorised to deal in pistols, but the majority are not. The advice given by the police good practice guide to RFDs who are not…

What is the difference between a field trial and a working test? Graham says: Field trials were developed to test the working ability of gundogs in competitive conditions. Trials resemble, as closely as possible, a day’s shooting and dogs are expected to work with all manner of game – from rabbits and hares to partridges and pheasants. Most gundogs aren’t ready to work in competition for at least two years and the first type of contest you will probably enter will be a gundog working test. They are usually for members of the organising club but some are open to non-members. They are designed to encourage a dog’s natural working ability, but do not involve shooting live game. Work is done with dummies and these friendly competitions are a natural…

I have always fed my ferrets dried food or cat food based on the assumption that if I do this they are less likely to kill and eat a rabbit and therefore bolt more of them. What are your thoughts on this? Ed says: I feed my ferrets ‘dead stuff’ for various reasons. The first is that I get plenty of fresh rabbit, game and fish, so it costs me virtually nothing to keep my ferrets, other than the odd vet’s bill and bedding. Second, I follow the logic that a ferret doesn’t hunt dried food or cat food and a mixed fresh diet is best to keep them fit and healthy. I understand your logic, but the other way to look at it is that a ferret is wedded…

My lovely geriatric labrador is getting stiffer by the day. I have tried a number of antiinflammatories from the vet and they seem to do little to help. Is there anything else? Neil says: I sympathise, as it is hard to watch an old friend struggle to get about. I am sure you will have tried the usual suspects that we have all heard of. Remember they may be dealing significantly with pain without apparently changing a dog’s gait, as lameness can be due to mechanical issues. Sometimes it is only when you stop them that you realise they were having some effect. Other potential medication includes paracetamol, tramadol, gabapentin and more, but these are not licensed for use in dogs and must be discussed with your vet, who will…

I had a ¼in taken off my stock as it was snagging on my coat as I mounted, but since then I have not shot as well. Have I made it too short? Tony says: Your nose should be 2in to 3in away from your hand on the stock, and your other arm should be at 90 degrees at the elbow. By shortening your stock by ¼in your head now sits ¼in further up the stock so your eye will be higher. Check at home in a mirror with an empty gun – your eye should be above the rib like a marble on a table. If you can see the skin below your eye your comb is too high. If it looks OK, then it’s just a matter of…

Before giving my dog his kennel cough vaccine my vet asked me if anyone in my household was immunocompromised or receiving chemotherapy. Is the vaccine dangerous to humans? Neil says: No, it is not. This situation has arisen because, like all live bacterial vaccines, there is a standard warning on the data sheet for kennel cough vaccines that immunocompromised individuals should avoid contact with the vaccine. Your vet is only complying with this condition. It is interesting to note that 900,000 HIV-positive (immunocompromised) individuals in the USA, half of whom were pet owners, were examined with this in mind. None of them harboured vaccinational strains of bordetella, the causal agent of kennel cough. Only six patients had the naturally occurring field strain of the bug. I have been giving kennel…

We have talked about Charles Gordon in these pages before, but a couple of his guns have recently come to light that I just have to share with you all. For those of you new to Sporting Gun, Charles Gordon was an eccentric Scottish gun collector of the late 19th century. Instead of seeking out antique guns, however, he had them made by famous and top-end gunmakers of the day. The majority of them were already obsolete styles when commissioned – models such as muzzleloaders and pinfires. Even the few centrefire guns he had made were hammer guns, bearing in mind that hammerless actions were already well-established. For years his guns were treated with derision, classed by many collectors as little better than replicas. That’s as may be, but Charles…