I picked up an American magazine and read an article about hunting elk. The photograph looked like a red stag. Are our red deer called elk in America?
Advice
Can I build my hide in the middle of a field?
I know it's always best to build the hide in a suitable ditch or hedgerow near the birds' flight line, but can you give me any tips on erecting the hide in the middle of a field?
Do I have to tell the Police when I’m pigeon shooting?
I read that a police constabulary wants shooters to tell them where they're shooting, and when, so the Armed Response Unit isn't sent out unnecessarily? Is this really needed?
How can you tell if a gun is shooting loose?
I have been shooting a Miroku for 10 years without any problems, and wonder if it needs any attention in this direction?
Why are my ferrets are strange colours?
All the pictures I see of ferrets are either albinos or darker coloured hobs. I have just bought two jills and a hob from a friend and all three are almost black in colour. Have you come across such colouration before?
How do we get pheasants to fly towards the guns?
We have one woodland drive on our farm shoot where it's difficult to get pheasants to fly forward towards the guns. Can we rectify the problem? We are driving the wood towards the release wood and that last season we did not encounter this difficulty.
How do I become a shooting instructor?
I am leaving college next year and would like to become a full time shooting instructor. How do I go about finding a job?
What’s the minimum number of ferrets for a day’s shooting?
Two friends and I plan to shoot rabbits over ferrets this year. What's the minimum number of ferrets we need for a day's shooting? We will be going no more than once a week.
What colour should I paint my decoys?
Does the colour of artificial decoys affect how well birds come to the pattern over oilseed rape? I use a rotary machine but I feel like 'normal' decoys blend in too well with foliage.
At what age should a hob kit be castrated?
I have been told to have at least one hoblet in my hutch for when jills - that I don't want to breed from - come into season. At what age should a hob kit be castrated? Would it be better, and cheaper, to buy an adult hob?
What can I do with set-aside land?
I have been told I cannot ride my ride-on lawnmower around headlands or set-aside to go pigeon shooting. Apparently you can't do anything on set-aside, not even put pheasant pens up. Yet i have seen people horse riding all over it?
Why do some shots kill better?
Why do fast crossing or overhead pigeons always seem to be killed more cleanly than slow and straight on birds?
How do we turn our woods into suitable drives?
We've taken advice on re-planting our woods, but would like some idea on what to do in the short term to turn these into suitable drives until the new trees and shrubs get established?
I can’t mount with both hands when decoying pigeons
My muzzles are pointing vertically while I'm in the hide, so when I do stand up, I've got to drop my left hand at the same time as I raise the stock with my right.
Big cats and the law – can I shoot them?
With big cats such as panthers roaming the countryside would it be legal for somebody out shooting foxes and vermin to shoot such an animal given the chance?
Why do people change position at DTL?
When shooting DTL why do some people change their gun position in relation to the shooting station and trap house?
Should I just stick to shooting Sporting?
I took up shooting 18 months ago and have only shot Sporting. I would like to have a go at English Skeet but the lads I knock around with aren't interested in it. Should I just stick to Sporting?
Why do some people always use semi-autos?
Why do some people swear by semi-autos when pigeon shooting? What's their advantage over an over-under?
Am I breaking any law if I shoot on Christmas day to cull rabbits?
My only day time opportunity to shoot rabbits on a golf course is Christmas day (when it's shut to the public). Am I breaking any law if I shoot on Christmas day to cull rabbits and/or carry out pest control?