Innholdsfortegnelse for 12-Apr-2017 i Shooting Times & Country

Almost a month ago a disappearance occurred in a remote Scottish glen. The accusation? Murder most foul. Then, some weeks later, footage of the victim emerged apparently as alive as ever. It sounds like the plot to the sort of mediocre TV drama that you might find yourself half watching while doing the ironing. The alleged victim in this case, though, was a golden eagle tagged with a radio transmitter and the accusation was made by the RSPB. The North Glenbuchat estate, where the eagle’s tracker sent its last transmission from, has now accused the RSPB of making “defamatory” allegations and is taking legal action. Despite initially notifying the police in line with “wildlife crime protocols”, the RSPB seems to be backtracking. But why did it ever have to get…

North Glenbuchat estate in Aberdeenshire is taking legal action against the RSPB after it claimed that a satellite-tagged golden eagle, known as “338”, disappeared over the estate under suspicious circumstances last month. The estate has since released video footage and photographs of golden eagles on its moorland (visit po.st/ glenbuchat to view), which it believes shows 338 is still alive, and has submitted its evidence to Police Scotland. Estate director Laura Sorrentino said: “The RSPB allegations against the estate have been reckless and defamatory and the matter is now in the hands of our lawyers. The RSPB seems to accuse first and think later, without caring about the damage it does. “Our headkeeper filmed what he believed was the ‘missing’ eagle on Thursday and further footage was filmed on Saturday…

I have been a subscriber and an avid reader of Shooting Times for many years as a regular clay and gameshooter and deerstalker, but I dislike the new, smaller format of the publication. For those like me who are of a more senior age and require spectacles for reading purposes, some of the print is now far too small for comfortable viewing. One of my first ports of call when the magazine drops through the letterbox each week is the crossword puzzle compiled by Eric Linden. However, the new format of the crossword grid and clues are far too small. Please reconsider resizing this as it spoils for me what is an otherwise enjoyable publication. P. Baker, Berkshire The Editor responds: For reasons beyond our editorial control the page size…

“Mark says the main reason neutering is done is for the perceived benefit of the human population” NEUTERING OF DOGS is something that most of us take for granted. If you’ve got a bitch that you don’t want to breed from then it makes sense to spay her, while castration is also a cure for the randy or aggressive dog, isn’t it? Until recently I would have said yes, but now I’m not so sure. One thing I am certain about is the fact that neutering is an important source of income for many veterinary practices, which might explain why some actively encourage owners to have their dogs neutered. My rethink on neutering was prompted by vet Mark Elliott. I first came across Mark some years ago when I decided…

There is something special about birds that represent their own particular landscapes, such as the pied flycatcher. This distinctive bird is inextricably linked to oak woodlands, steep hillsides, bluebells, winding Welsh valleys and streams. Each May, up to 40,000 birds return from Africa to set up their territories, mostly in western woodlands with the largest numbers in Wales. They share these landscapes with garden warblers and wood warblers, which also fly from the other side of the Sahara. All three species are attracted by our long summer days and the temperate conditions in which insects thrive. The pied flycatcher is a favourite bird of many ornithologists across Europe because they readily nest in boxes and can therefore be studied in detail. Males are smart black-and-white birds, while females and juveniles…

Latin name: Carpinus betulus Common name: Hornbeam How to spot it and where to find it: Epping Forest is predominantly hornbeam, as are Hainault and Hatfield forests, all of them in Essex. It is often confused with beech but there is an easy way to identify it: the hornbeam has doubly serrated leaf edges. Some years ago, celebrity gardener Monty Don wrote: “In spring, they are the freshest, most exciting green conceivable and to look at them is to make your eyes dance.” The most famous pleached hornbeam “hedge-on-stilts” is at Hidcote in Gloucestershire, where there are a pair of hedges raised 5ft in the air poised above the “stilts” of their trunks. Interesting facts: Hornbeam is monoecious, meaning male and female catkins are found on the same tree. After…

BOOK TICKETS It is not long to go until the Northern Shooting Show, on the weekend of 6-7 May at Yorkshire Showground. Have you got your tickets yet? With more than 260 exhibitors in attendance, including 35 leading gundealers, it is not to be missed. There is also a discount for booking in advance rather than on the day. Visit www.northernshootingshow.co.uk or tel 01350 724228 to book or for more information. WATCH Salmon & Trout Conservation Scotland has made a new film as part of its campaign to restore what it says was once the finest sea trout fishery in Scotland. The eight-minute video, The Demise of Loch Maree, serves to illustrate how a poorly sited salmon farm can have a devastating impact on what was previously a prolific and…

New BASC policy covers bird flu BASC has launched a new insurance policy that covers cancellation due to adverse weather, interference by protesters or financial failure of the shoot venue. It also provides cover if a shoot has to be cancelled due to an outbreak of avian influenza. For a quotation (subject to terms), email info@aimriskservices.com or tel 01403 793752. Ian Coley Gun Shop to hold open day Ian Coley Gun Shop in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, is hosting its first open day of the year on Saturday, 22 April. Shooters will have the opportunity to upgrade their guns before the major championship and selection shoots start or to get organised for the upcoming game season. New models available to try will include the Caesar Guerini Super Sport, the Perazzi High Tech,…

Our rivers and chalkstreams are under threat and we are in grave danger of failing to react. Under the surface of our rivers lives an alien world, where foreign creatures are rapidly establishing themselves. These invaders change river processes and exploit food resources often to the detriment of our own native wildlife. We must react quickly, but with stretched budgets, we are in danger of taking our eye off the ball. Salmon & Trout Conservation UK (S&TC UK) is the only organisation carrying out detailed scientific invertebrate monitoring of many rivers in England and Wales down to species level through the national Riverfly Census. We are working with Dr Nick Everall from Aquascience, who has established that the demon shrimp is silently taking hold of the river Churnet in Staffordshire…

“Make sure you don’t wave your gun barrels above the lip of the hide — keeping still is vital” With the shooting season over, Gloucestershire keeper Alex Keeble has been making a dent in the corvid population on his shoot (Coaxing in the canny corvids, 8 March). Controlling predators on his ground is always a concern — Alex is a passionate countryman and conservation is vital; keeping corvids in check aids a number of protected species. There are many corvids surrounding his shoot but they are intelligent and soon get wise to basic decoy patterns. After several forays with decoys, it can pay to start ringing the changes, so improvising and learning to adapt and use a wide range of techniques is one way to stay ahead of the game.…

Whenever I travel I keep an eye open for dogs and have often been surprised with what I have seen. Many years ago, shortly before the fall of the Iron Curtain, I was travelling in Siberia, staying in the town of Irkutsk, close to Lake Baikal. Here I was astonished to encounter an elegant girl, walking an equally elegant basset hound. Somehow I’d never thought of Siberia having pedigree-dog enthusiasts but clearly it did. My most recent overseas trip was to India, and here I saw lots of dogs — the towns and villages are full of them — but pure-bred dogs were conspicuous by their absence. However, I did come across a few Labradors — all yellow — two of which were genuine workers, employed as sniffer dogs. These…

“Disposing of a keeper’s animals can be as traumatic as the loss of his job” Those of you who have worked, or who would love to work, as a gamekeeper are only too aware that it is not something you do simply to earn a living. You have to love it, to want to get up in the morning ready for another day in the countryside. I attended one of the events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust (GWT) at Swinton, kindly hosted by Lord Masham. Having recently given up working after 40 years as a headkeeper, I found the day rather humbling. There were many present who, often by no fault of their own, had been set aside from their lifetime of work rather earlier…

As many of our native species are vanishing, several imported species are doing very well indeed and that includes the Egyptian goose. These noisy birds — which are more closely related to shelduck than to true geese — are spreading and becoming more numerous. Though the two focal areas are East Anglia and the Thames Valley, more birds are starting to appear as far away as Scotland and Wales. In some areas flocks are causing damage to crops and waterside vegetation, especially in late summer when birds are flightless during primary moult. Egyptian geese choose nest sites such as holes in trees or abandoned crow nests, so the first thing that chicks have to do is to jump from a height of up to 10m. These are early nesters; most…

“The Burton featured the town crest and was named to promote local sales” As a child I accompanied my father on a visit to Coltman & Co in Burton-on-Trent. I cannot remember the reason for the outing but what I do recall is a sizeable hardware store, a wall lined with racks of shotguns. Customers were browsing and at the counter, an assistant was weighing out something that clinked on the scales. I forgot all about that trip until a fellow Gun at a pigeon roost shoot enthused about Coltman cartridges. It transpired that he was employed in the brewery trade in Burton, where it was convenient for him to buy them. He gave me a couple to try, 12-bores with unprinted orange cases and just the top wad denoting…

Twenty UK species facing extinction will be safeguarded thanks to a £4.6million donation from the National Lottery. The funding will go to the Back from the Brink programme, which seeks to save rare and elusive species from extinction in 150 key habitats and landscapes across England. Among them are the shrill carder bee, chequered skipper butterfly, ladybird spider and northern dune tiger beetle. The money will also help a further 200 species that, while not facing extinction, are under threat, including the grey long-eared bat, pine marten, willow tit, large garden bumblebee, lesser butterfly orchid and the ever-popular hedgehog. The programme is a co-ordinated partnership between conservation bodies and charities, including Natural England (NE), the Amphibian and Reptile Trust, the Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation,…

19 APRIL FIREARMS VALUATION DAY John Dickson & Son, Dunkeld, Perthshire Tel 01350 728763 22-23 APRIL EAST ANGLIAN GAME & COUNTRY FAIR Euston estate, Thetford, Norfolk Tel 01263 735828 29-30 APRIL DEERSTALKING FAIR Black Isle Showground, Muir of Ord Tel 07774 127467 6-7 MAY NORTHERN SHOOTING SHOW Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire Tel 01472 809727 13 MAY 2017 COUNTRYSIDE CLAY SHOOT Six Mile Bottom estate, Cambridgeshire Tel 01283 810910 24 MAY BASC & GWCT SHOOTING FOR THE FUTURE COURSE Allerton Project Visitor Centre, Loddington, Leicestershire Tel 01425 651013…

SPROCKERGATE May I challenge your coverage of the allegations concerning working spaniels including David Tomlinson’s gundog column (Sprockers: a cross to bear?, 15 March). It is correct that a number of allegations were presented to the Kennel Club (KC) concerning spaniel pedigrees, trials and breeding. It should be pointed out that this was part of a broader complaint regarding inaccurate pedigrees and falsifying of field trial entry documentation (News and Gundogs, 18 January). As someone who has long experience of breeding, training and shooting over spaniels and who also competes in field trials, I challenge Mr Tomlinson to name one competitive sport that isn’t subject to cheating. Football, athletics, rugby and cycling all have cheats, as does every aspect, sadly, of life. But to suggest, as Mr Tomlinson is doing,…

Take a look at the Shooting Times Country Show Guide (15 March) and it is clear that no matter where we live in the UK, we are again going to be spoilt rotten over the next seven months, with scores of events to choose from. So from a show organiser’s point of view, there is a lot to be said for getting in there first. It is one of the reasons the Kelmarsh Country Show, being held this Easter at Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, is always such a big draw with shooters, gundog owners, anglers and terriermen. Countryman Fairs, the organiser of Kelmarsh, believes this Easter’s show will draw about 28,000 visitors, which would be a record, and is “the perfect place and showcase for families and fieldsports enthusiasts to experience…

“It was worth the long trip for the craic, never mind two great days on the hill” The Kennel Club’s first 2017 training day for pointing breeds, held on 4 and 5 March on Lord Peel’s Grinton Moor, was a truly international affair with 14 breeds of British and continental pointing dogs taking part. There were Gordon setters, German shorthaired pointers, Hungarian vizslas, bracchi Italiani, Irish setters, wirehaired vizslas, spinoni Italiani, Weimaraners, longhaired Weimaraners, German wirehaired pointers, braques Français, large Munsterlanders, German longhaired pointers, and pointers (often, but incorrectly, called English pointers). There was also a Hungarian handler, Laura Kolbach, who was running an Irish setter. We met at the Bridge Inn in Grinton, where Peter O’Driscoll welcomed everybody and introduced the trainers: Phil Pearson, Mick Canham, Colin and Julie…

“Any snack vacuum-packed in a coarse sandpaper sock is a snack easily resisted” Jelly worms, rag worms, lob worms, lug. Bait feathers, mackerel feathers, cod feathers. Spinners and lures. Mackerel fillet, squid strip, jig, pirk or soft rubber shad. There is no bait known to man, nor rig in my tackle box, that a pollack won’t willingly wrap its laughing gear around. Of all the fish in our inshore waters, pollack have done me the most favours, having taken the curse off a fish-less session, time and time again. Partly this is because pollack count. They register in the unspoken rules of angling engagement as “a proper catch”. Dogfish don’t count; no one sets out to catch a dogfish except for those weird species-obsessed sea match anglers who, like deranged…

“The wilderness is a smoking ember but it can spark and crackle at the breath of a tiger” I have always been fascinated by tigers. My childhood enthusiasm was stoked by Kipling and Corbett; tales of adventure in the Indian jungle, offset by the snarling silhouette of the ultimate anti-hero. Many country people are similarly hooked on the idea of tigers from an early age, and Jim Corbett’s books on hunting the big cats enjoy a cult following — not because there is a ravenous demand for killing, but because they describe an exotic world of adventure and danger. Whatever these big cats meant to my sporting predecessors, they have now become an icon of international conservation concern. We were forced to consider the possibility that tigers would become extinct…

BILL HARRIMAN BASC’s head of firearms and global authority on guns MAT MANNING Airgunner and journalist from the West Country BRUCE POTTS Shooting Times rifle reviewer and stalker DAVID TOMLINSON Highly regarded writer and ornithologist LIAM BELL NGO chairman, Shropshire gamekeeper and keen wildfowler GRAHAM DOWNING Shooting consultant and sporting author PAUL RAWLINGS Gundog expert and A-panel spaniel judge CHRIS DE CANI Riverkeeper, with specialist knowledge of chalkstreams TONY BUCKWELL Veterinary surgeon with a special interest in gundogs TONY JACKSON A game Shot, keen stalker and former editor of Shooting Times TOM PAYNE Professional shooting instructor and avid pigeon shooter SIMON WHITEHEAD Author, professional ferreter and rabbit controller IAIN WATSON Keen stalker and senior CIC international trophy judge Contact the team Email: stanswers@timeinc.com By post: Shooting Times,…

Unlike the Shetland pony, the Shetland sheep is not a miniature breed, but it is one of our smallest native types of sheep. Having evolved in a harsh environment Shetlands are tough and adaptable and able to survive on poor forage. This makes them much easier to care for than many modern breeds. Other plus points include easy lambing, longevity and fine, soft wool. The meat is good, but the small size of the carcase detracts from its commercial value. Once endangered, the Shetland is now listed by the Rare Breed Survival Trust as a minority breed, with a mainland population of between 2,000 and 3,000. They can be horned or hornless, and have a distinctive short tail, known as a fluke tail.…

VENISON AND CHORIZO TOWER Ingredients FOR THE BURGER 400G VENISON, CHOPPED AND MINCED (IN THIS CASE SHOULDER MEAT FROM A ROE DEER) CHORIZO SAUSAGE (AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE BUT TOO MUCH CAN MASK THE FLAVOUR OF THE VENISON) A FEW FATTY, STREAKY BACON RASHERS, CHOPPED HALF A SMALL ONION, DICED 1 EGG, BEATEN BREAD ROLLS/BURGER BUNS FOR THE GARNISH 6 OR 8 BATTERED ONION RINGS (SHOP BOUGHT) A FEW CHERRY TOMATOES 1 RED CHILLI, SLICED INTO SMALL PIECES WITH SEEDS REMOVED A LITTLE VEGETABLE OR OLIVE OIL SEVERAL CRISP STREAKY BACON RASHERS SLICED CHEESE OF YOUR CHOOSING HOT SALSA SAUCE (SHOP BOUGHT IS FINE) SLICED TOMATO THE METHOD Makes 3-4 burgers 1 Put the venison, chorizo, bacon and onion through a mincer — if you don’t own a mincer,…

“The cause of animal welfare swims in a warm sea of general approval” I concluded last week’s column (Sharpshooter, 5 April) with the observation that animal rights extremists are motivated not so much by a love for animals as by a hatred of their fellow humans. In that sense, animal rights activism is too often a destructive force. At a time when extremism generally is in the news, it is worrying that a small but fanatical band of zealots are redoubling their efforts to force their twisted ideology on society through intimidation and hate-mongering. If they had good arguments, surely they could rely on promoting the facts, rather than resorting to the dark arts of instilling fear and loathing? Fortunately, the Countryside Alliance (CA) has stepped up to the plate.…