http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/ Tips and best advice on matters of country and field sports: gun dogs, training, clay pigeon shooting, game keeping, deer stalking and technical and legal issues. Also recipes, etiquette, hunting, fishing, food, politics, legal advice and more en A friend and I were discussing the best placement for a shot in the head or neck area of a deer. There seems to be disagreement as to whether the top or base of the neck is best. What do you think? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/154788/Wheres_the_best_place_for_a_head_or_neck_shot_on_deer.html 154788 Array Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK My three year-old gun dog responds perfectly to whistle commands on dry land but, once he's in water and swimming for a retrieve, he turns a deaf ear. How can I change this? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143068/Why_wont_my_gun_dog_listen_to_the_whistle_when_in_the_water.html 143068 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK The sight of people tucking into big lunches always makes me feel peckish, but after eating I generally find my shooting takes a dip. Is this usual? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143132/Do_you_eat_during_the_course_of_a_100bird_competition.html 143132 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK Can you overdo the number of decoys you have in a pattern and, if so, do you set yourself an upper limit? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143205/Can_you_use_too_many_pigeon_decoys_in_a_pattern.html 143205 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I have been told not to take a flask of coffee into a high-seat because the deer will smell it and keep away. Are they alarmed by the smell of coffee? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143213/Are_deer_alarmed_by_strange_smells_such_as_coffee.html 143213 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK Friends are trying to put me off buying a black and white springer bitch, saying gun dogs with this colouring are notoriously difficult to train, and have cocker in them making them hard to control. They say a 'proper springer' should be liver and white? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143267/Does_the_colour_of_a_gun_dog_reflect_its_quality.html 143267 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK Why is it that you can have a realistic decoy set up with bobbers, floaters and the rest but it takes only one pigeon to settle in a different part of the field and woodies come to it from all directions? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143279/Why_do_pigeons_so_easily_ignore_the_decoys.html 143279 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK Is it true that if you're involved in a shooting accident and don't possess a current game licence, your shooting insurance is invalid? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143302/Do_you_need_a_game_licence_to_validate_insurance.html 143302 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK My uncle has given up shooting because of old age and he has given me 5,000 paper-cased, Gyttorp 1.1/8oz sixes, bought in the 1970s. Do cartridges like this keep? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143310/Will_my_cartridges_still_work_even_after_30_years.html 143310 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I have been told that when a deer runs away after the shot, I should wait 10 or 15 minutes before going to look for it. Why is that? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143027/Why_should_I_wait_before_going_to_find_my_shot_deer.html 143027 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK If I drop a pheasant on my neighbour's land, whose property is it? I went to pick a bird that fell over the boundary, only to find the farmer had got there before me. I asked him to hand it over, but he wouldn't! http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143013/If_my_pheasant_lands_on_the_land_opposite_is_it_still_mine.html 143013 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK A friend of mine would like to stalk in Scotland, but his firearms certificate says it has been issued only for the control of vermin. The landlords of the estate say all deer on their land are classed as vermin. Can he legally shoot deer on this land? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/138310/Is_my_friend_stalking_legally.html 138310 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK All the samples are split where the cartridge has been 'necked down'. I'm sure that this isn't usual, as my .222 does not show splits in the empty cases? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/139480/Are_these_split_rifle_shells_safe.html 139480 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK At the end of the rut a yearling buck on my ground was still in dark velvet and showed no signs of drying. The buck has an ear-high four-point head and appears in excellent condition. Is this a perruque and, if so, how long will it take to develop? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/139489/Does_this_deer_have_a_perruque_head.html 139489 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I sell deer to a game dealer and he has told me he will pay less for carcasses if they are not head shot. I do not want to do this because it?s so easy to wound the deer if it moves its head suddenly. Is the dealer?s demand reasonable? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/139656/Game_dealer_only_wants_headshot_deer_carcasses.html 139656 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I have a young lab puppy which snatches food out of my hand. I realise she is young but could this habit lead to hard mouth? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/141294/Will_my_puppy_develop_a_hard_mouth.html 141294 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I sent him out to pick a winged pigeon, but he refused to pick the flapping bird. Shortly after he picked another winged bird and brought it perfectly to hand. Why would he not pick the first bird? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/142583/Why_would_my_gundog_not_pick_a_flapping_pigeon.html 142583 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK Is it true the performance of cartridges is reduced when they get cold? If so, how can this characteristic be overcome in frosty weather? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/142984/Do_cartridges_underperform_when_cold.html 142984 Array Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I seem to recall you saying large hobs are not as good at killing rats as smaller jills. Why is that? I use hobs because they are big and strong. So far I haven't lost one. Am I just lucky? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143007/Why_are_jill_ferrets_better_at_rats_than_large_hobs.html 143007 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I have heard of several different ways - but remain confused as to which is the best? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143943/What_is_the_best_way_of_disposing_of_deer_gralloch.html 143943 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I want to use some shot birds as decoys in the future. What's the best way to keep them fresh and how long will they last before they fall to bits and become un-useable. http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143949/Whats_the_best_way_to_prolong_the_life_of_shot_pigeons.html 143949 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I am looking for a labrador puppy to buy, but so many seem to have 'snipey' heads that I am unsure where to start? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/149893/How_do_I_choose_a_labrador_puppy.html 149893 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK When catching rabbits, what's the difference between a purse net and a long net? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/150827/Whats_the_difference_between_a_purse_net_and_a_long_net.html 150827 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK When is the best time to start roost shooting, is November too early for the rooks and pigeons? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/150860/When_is_the_best_time_to_start_roost_shooting.html 150860 Array Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK How many clays does it take to really get back into the groove of shooting after nine months without a gun in your hand? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/151002/Whats_the_best_way_to_get_ready_for_a_new_game_shooting_season.html 151002 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK What's a good knife for a shooting man, and what's the secret of keeping a really sharp edge? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/152037/How_do_I_keep_my_knife_sharp.html 152037 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I am planning on building my own dog trailer and wonder if there is any legislation of which I need to be aware? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/152648/Are_there_any_laws_governing_dog_trailers.html 152648 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I have recently acquired a 12-week-old springer pup. I'm currently feeding James Wellbeloved dry food, but after reading about BARF am somewhat confused. What is the best diet for a puppy at this age, what food should I move on to and at what age? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/153895/Should_I_feed_my_puppy_BARF.html 153895 Array Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK My three year old gun dog enjoys retrieving everything I shoot, except woodpigeons. He doesn't seem to like loose feathers in his mouth. Is there anything I can do to cure this, or is he a lost cause? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/148883/Why_does_my_labrador_gun_dog_not_like_feathers.html 148883 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK Last year we used medicated grit on our moor, and are not certain if this considerable expense was necessary. We have read the Game Conservancy's regional advisors can conduct strongyle worm counts on our grouse. How do we arrange this? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/148870/How_can_we_get_a_strongyle_worm_count_on_our_grouse.html 148870 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK What's the maximum range you reckon you can kill pigeons cleanly? I use 30gram sixes in my over-under. http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143953/Whats_the_maximum_kill_range_for_pigeon.html 143953 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK How do you 'hock' a rabbit? (Lincolnshire phrase - joining the back legs to make carrying easier). http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/143962/How_do_you_hock_a_rabbit.html 143962 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I am finding it impossible to obtain my usual rifle ammunition locally and the dealer says there's none in the country. Is the government trying to stop us shooting? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/145072/Why_cant_I_get_my_usual_rifle_ammunition.html 145072 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK What are the rules on firing a shotgun or air gun pellet over the boundary? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/145329/Is_it_illegal_for_my_pellets_to_cross_the_land_boundary.html 145329 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I have a Rizzini over-and-under shotgun which is about 16 years old. Do you think I would be wise to have the barrel checked, as I have fired thousands of cartridges through it? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/145694/How_often_should_I_have_my_barrels_checked.html 145694 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I want a gundog for my wildfowling and rough shooting and now have the chance of buying a puppy. My problem is it will be left alone for eight hours a day while I'm at work; will this affect its development? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/146055/Will_leaving_a_puppy_alone_affect_its_development.html 146055 Array Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I have a five month old Irish terrier bitch I would like to use for rough-shooting. Can you recommend anybody who could help me train this type of dog as I have heard they can be difficult? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/147068/Are_Irish_terriers_difficult_to_train.html 147068 Array Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I recently saw mention of an Iberian capercaillie in an article and, though I've been a keen shot and bird-watcher for years, cannot recall having heard of this bird. Is there such a bird? What also is the status of the British caper today? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/148525/Can_you_give_me_some_information_on_capercaillie.html 148525 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK I have been stalking deer for more than 15 years and know the subject inside out. Now I am being pressured to go on a (very expensive) training course so as to have a piece of paper that says I am competent. Are these courses either necessary or desirable? And why are they so expensive? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/137853/Are_deer_stalking_courses_either_necessary_or_desirable.html 137853 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK With all this rain, I have been advised to put a piece of insulating tape over the muzzle of my stalking rifle to stop water going down the bore. Is it safe to do that? http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/qa/137832/Is_taping_the_end_of_my_riflebarrel_safe.html 137832 Shooting tips, gun dog training and field sports queries | Shooting UK