gdunc

If the dog has already picked up feather and has no mouth problems your best bet is just to get hold of some woodcock and throw it for some very easy retrieves with loads of praise and encouragement - just like puppy stuff all over again! There were loads of woodcock around last season so we'll see if conditions suit them again this year - you should be able to get hold of one or two. A few throws wont damage the meat so you can still pan fry the breasts and have them on some toast afterwards

Try a search on fleabay for a Paul Harris Roe sling (you can get them from Bushwear too) - very strong and comfortable and makes an ideal stag pull or game carrier too

As above - what a cracking looking pai of cockers What are their lines?

Taxidermy of a whole roe deer would be about £1500. Kinda reasonable as it makes a pretty large ornament!

If you think he's ready then you should try him. If he lets you down then it's back on the rope and some more training. So long as you're happy with stopping him and recall you shouldn't go too far wrong and if he'll heel and stay close then that's all the better. So long as you dont let him away with bad habits you should be fine

A mate I stalk with has a pair (7 x 42 iirc) and they are excellent. Very good optics and rangefinder is handy too. Slightly heavier than others I think but the optics are there with the very best. Nice looking and nice to handle as well

Thanks for posting - sure is an eye opener! Better ask the question next syndicate meeting i'm at

I would avoid mod gore tex clothing for stalking as it is very noisy - unless you know someone in the forces who can get you the new cotton stuff which is pretty much noiseless. It is worth investing in goretex gear though as it really does keep you dry. Harkila, Swedteam Seeland all make good stuff which may seem intially expensive but will perform and will last for years. Probably best to buy a light camo jacket (Paclite etc.) so you can wear it any time of year and just layer up underneath in the colder months. Check out places like John Norris, Bushwear etc. for good sale bargains

Well done mate I think taxidermy of a Roebuck head should be in the region of £250 - 300, was a couple of years ago anyway.

I should of bought two.. It seems a lot of people do?! I'm quite happy with the one knife meself but some guys biy one to use and one to keep 'nice' or for show

I've a mate who makes stalking knives and I know the effort that is involved in producing that kind of craftsmanship. £100 - fella got a bargain as far as I can see!

Slightly ot but I was amazed when a mate had a great mixed litter with about 4 strong fox reds and not one went to a working home! Both sire and dam from drakeshead lines and all ten pups went as pets. Wierd eh?

Quite right! My 'Olympic 6' was under £25 delivered but is not the best engineered firearm i've come across. It does, however, bang on command which is about all you need I suppose and does meet the new fangled politically correct legislation

Though it is advisable to put a couple of wraps of brightly coloured tape around older black pistols just in case some eejit decides to report you. I replaced my starter pistol recently and the new one has an orange body / barrel and black cylinder and grip.

Hello everyone, just a quickie to introduce myself I am interested in dog training (cockers for my sins), deer stalking and game shooting and the odd duck and pigeon for the pot here and there! I prefer rough / walked up shooting as it is more focussed on dog work. I'm based in Central Scotland. Look forward to getting involved!