Rgds,
FB

..... and just where will they vanish to on Wednesday the first?

FB, we know that your breeding program is without compare - and are constantly amazed at the way you pretend not to see any whilst out 'hunting'!

Be strong man, you will have to shoot one this season! Artemis has promised to show you how - just as soon as you come down to assist with our problems!

Rgds Ian

Is anyone seeing any Fallow bucks? I"m just seeing lots of does. Bucks are all lieing somewhere feeding up.
I"m only going out on wednesday morning to count poachers!
good shooting

Brass Thief,

I suspect something is wrong with Jesses Hunting where the photos have been hosted.

I haven't been able to access the site for some time and was actually surprised FB had managed to upload them there.

Regards,

Pete

BT,

I have seen soe bucks. There were 3-4 prickets with this group (not in the pictures), and one 2 YO that was still in velvet.

I've seen some buck slot on the shoot while doing my rounds and there is a patch of maize that's been hammered by a big buck by the looks of things.

It looks like I've managed to add a new it of stalking to my land and the Ffarmer assures me there are some rutting stannds on there so I'm looking forward to getting a chance at some in a few months. We go very quiet on the bucks from Oct-Dec then they really seem to come on towards the end of the season, as Ian will atest as he was shooting them!!!

I think that if we get the sunny side of the big wood it will make a big difference to the numbers in the bag.

OT:
How is the hunting situation in the UK? Didn't Blair ban more or less all gun ownership there after that school incident?

In most of the UK handgun ownership is now impossible but rifles are still available via a generally long and complex route.

In saying that at the rate the current government ban things this situation could change as we speak. Unfortunately packs of green vermin crawl out of the cities on a regular basis to point at things they wish to have banned and their demands are rarely meet with opposition from the government.

quote:

Originally posted by caorach:
In most of the UK handgun ownership is now impossible but rifles are still available via a generally long and complex route.

In saying that at the rate the current government ban things this situation could change as we speak. Unfortunately packs of green vermin crawl out of the cities on a regular basis to point at things they wish to have banned and their demands are rarely meet with opposition from the government.

Caorach,
Not sure if you're in the UK but I don't go with that. I've got 9 guns in my cabinet shortley to be 12. I've never thought that the licencing process was overly laborious. In fact I've even been told in principal that I could have a pistol as a humane killer should I apply, as I have grounds to own one.

As for shotguns, there is no limit on the number that an individual can own oonce he has his cert.

Rgds,
FB

Here in Northern Ireland(UK), we still have target pistol shooting, no controls on expanding rifle ammunition, and we shoot ducks with lead shot.
We do however, have to go through a licensing process run by incompetent civil servants who could"nt spell "gun", never mind know anything about them!
good shooting

I have never had any issues with our legislation and do not feel it to be a laborious process at all. I suppose if you compare it to the USA where you are able to walk in and buy a gun with proof of residency you could say it is a fairly complex process in comparison. However the US has a gun culture born from a couple of centuries of having the right to bear arms. I dread to think of the outcome if you could do the same in the UK.

Also considering we are able to have .50 BMG rifles I feel our process is pretty accommodating.

Yet another Brit's viewpoint!

Currently I hold & use everything from .22 to .375hh on my UK Firearms certificate. Once issued, there is generally no police contact for the next five years.

Controls on purchase of expanding ammunition to be sure - but if you are able to justify your need for any firearm - my experience is that you will be willingly granted permission.

Where we do benefit is in regard to the laws governing shooting Deer!

No tags, draws or bag limits. Six species with overlapping seasons, makes for year around shooting. Low hunter numbers translate into easy, cheap or free hunting permissions. We can legally sell the venison to gamedealers - the money received offsets shooting costs.

Having hunted around the world, and experienced the controls that others have to 'enjoy' - I am actually very happy with UK hunting/shooting legislation.

Rgds Ian

We don't have semi-auto rifles stronger than 22wmr but we do have sound moderators easily available,,,, and we don't have too select a particular new purchase and then seek permission/authorisation from the authorities.
We get permission for a calibre and then freely shop for a new rifle; in Sweden you need to reserve a specific weapon then apply to authorities for permission to own it!!
As too seasons prospects, I have 3x as much forage in store silage/hay so you can expect a hard winter like "the good old days"...mark my words.

quote:

Originally posted by IanF:


Where we do benefit is in regard to the laws governing shooting Deer!

No tags, draws or bag limits. Six species with overlapping seasons, makes for year around shooting. Low hunter numbers translate into easy, cheap or free hunting permissions. We can legally sell the venison to gamedealers - the money received offsets shooting costs.

Having hunted around the world, and experienced the controls that others have to 'enjoy' - I am actually very happy with UK hunting/shooting legislation.

Rgds Ian

I can only second what Ian says here.
I really envy you the easy acess you have to deer hunting, not to mention the looooong season.

Back here it is easier to get a jump in the hay with a farmers wife than get access to his hunting grounds

You have to be family, close friend or carry a billfold the size of a loaf of bread to be able to get a hunting opportunity on private land.

FB, nice does you got there, lots of good eating

quote:

Back here it is easier to get a jump in the hay with a farmers wife than get access to his hunting grounds

Very good Arild. That did make me laugh.

quote:

FB, nice does you got there, lots of good eating

Arild, I wouldn't know. I'm more of a lettuce leaf and cucumber kind of man.

By the way, Have you seen many farmers wives over here???? I hpe yours are better!!

FB

Very interesting to read, thought the bambi-lobby had stripped you of all guns in the UK. What about access to hunting grounds? Do you have to own or lease? Is it expensive?

GE,

Land is all in private ownership here in the UK. That ownership also extends to organisations like the MOD, National Trust or the crown but effectively it is all privately owned. Seasons are set by Gov't but we can shoot one species of deer or another all year round. There are 6 species available to hunt in the UK. The actual management of the herd is down to the landowner upon who's ground the animal/bird is at any given time. There are no fences (apart from deer parks, but they don't count) and bag limits are decided by the individual.

Deer densities locally can be very high. I have about 300 acres and with a little effort and some luck I can shoot 15-20 bucks a year without any trouble. If I shoot does, that number goes up, but I tend not to bother as I want to reduce the small bucks. I know of land nearby which has yeilded 40 deer per year from 60-70 acres. Not all land is that prolific, but most stalkers can get a few deer in the larder through the season without paying too much money for the privilage.

You get very little trophy hunting at home in the UK. Walking ansd stalking deer is the real buzz, and most managers prefer to shoot cull beasts. Of course wee all like a nice head every now and then but it isn't a priority, more a reward for the hours put in culling the rubbish over time.

I would reccomend you come to experience this type of hunting with a good local guide. You might not end up with a load of wall hangers but you will have a great time.

Rgds,
FB

Thanks FB!