Pigeon shooting: How do you stop pigeons getting fly blown? I’ve tried putting dead birds under wet sacks but flies still get to them. Any tips?
Advice
Do I have to respond to a police questionnaire?
I’ve recently had a police questionnaire from South Yorkshire police asking for my views on the standard of service they are providing.
Sporting Answers: LOUSE FLIES ON SWIFTS
Q) Several pairs of swifts breed under the eaves of our house every year. This year we rescued a young bird that was grounded, and then successfully launched it into the air. Before releasing it, we removed four large, flat flies from its plumage. Could these have been the cause…
How can I improve my clay shooting? What tips are best?
I took up clay shooting a little over two years ago and love it, even though I am only making slow progress and still in C Class.
Could I use my rifle sling for support when deer stalking?
When I was serving in the army I used the sling fitted to my rifle for support by wrapping it around the supporting arm. Could I use this method when deer stalking?
Small tortoiseshells
Q) After two summers when I hardly saw a single small tortoiseshell butterfly, they are suddenly back in good numbers. What caused their disappearance, and their welcome return? R. COLLINS Somerset
When deer stalking, I often find deer caught in fences!
Deer stalking: Is there any way of preventing deer getting caught by a back leg when trying to jump a wire fence?
Is wild boar shooting on my deer land lawful?
Wild boar shooting: We are starting to see evidence of pigs rooting around – presumably the work of wild boar – on land where I have some deer stalking.
My friend’s dog went yellow recently – what’s bilirubin?
My friend’s dog went yellow recently and we presumed his liver had had it. We took him to have him put down but the vet said he had a blood disorder (bilirubin or something) and put him on tablets. Bingo! After a while he got better.
Aggressive nursing jill
Q) One of my favourite jills has had a litter of kits, which are now two-and-half weeks old. However, the nursing jill won’t let me go anywhere near the nest. This seems to be out of character, as other ferrets I have bred in the past have been fine. Am…
My dog’s breeder says she lets her bitches eat the afterbirths!
Can you please settle an argument. My dog’s breeder says she always lets her bitches eat the afterbirths when pups are born. I think this is pretty gruesome. What is your view?
How do you breed ferrets with different eye colourations?
Another student at school says it’s possible to breed ferrets with different eye colourations. Is this correct and, if so, how do you go about breeding to get the colours you want?
How can I get a transfer licence to buy a shotgun from Spain?
David Frost You need to contact the Spanish Embassy in London and ask them – http://spain.embassyhomepage.com Alternatively the Ministry of the Interior has a website at www.interior.gob.es and the main Spanish shooting organisation has one at www.fecaza.com – both are in Spanish but your relative may speak the language if…
Introducing the stop whistle has slowed my dog down!
Gundog training: My Labrador’s training is progressing well but in one respect he has actually gone backwards. He has always been fairly fast on the outrun to a dummy but now that I’ve introduced the stop whistle, he has slowed right down.
Gundogs: Where are the dual champions?
Dual champions: the gap between working dogs and show dogs has become a chasm. Is there any hope of seeing a return of dual champions?
Is it best shooting springing teal targets on the way up?
Clay shooting: Is it best to shoot springing teal targets on the way up, or as they come down? I get into a terrible muddle when shooting this type of clay.
While shooting I lost the magazine on my Sako Model 78!
I have an old Sako Model 78 .22 rimfire magazine, but while rabbit shooting one evening recently, I somehow lost the magazine. Is it possible to replace this or will I have to buy a new rifle?
Should I remove the bolt from my deer rifle in storage?
Deer stalking: I have just completed a Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 Course and was told during it that it’s a good idea to remove the bolt from my rifle and lock it away separately with the ammunition. Is this a legal requirement?
Can you recommend a good pigeon shooting seat?
Pigeon shooting: Can you recommend a commercially available seat that’s suitable for pigeon decoying? I’ve tried various tins and drums but found them awkward to carry and uncomfortable.
Is deer stalking with a .308 overkill for Muntjac?
I read about deer stalking in another shooting magazine recently and a stalker went in pursuit of a large Muntjac. I was perturbed to read that his chosen calibre was .308. Surely this smacks of overkill?