The PH Gun Cabinet - Shooting Matters
Discussion
oddman said:
Beating stick lots of uses.
Tapping things to make a noise and whacking bushes to flush birds. Also a bit of a balance aid on difficult terrain. Test depth of streams. Hold up wire while you duck under it. Administer coup de grace to pricked birds. Use as tethering point for excited spaniel.
If you find yourself a 4-5 ft section of straight ash, birch or hazel and cut that you'll be OK - no need for anything fancy
A lot of beaters dogs are very unruly which might OK on some informal shoots and part of the fun but you don't want the mutt running riot on the first day especially if it's a bit more formal or commercial shoot. Probably best getting the feel of the place and being honest with yourself about whether you can control your dog before taking it. Ideally needs to be able to stop on whistle reliably and work close to you. Letting the dog work or watching dogs work is a big part of the fun
Many thanks, thats very helpful. Tapping things to make a noise and whacking bushes to flush birds. Also a bit of a balance aid on difficult terrain. Test depth of streams. Hold up wire while you duck under it. Administer coup de grace to pricked birds. Use as tethering point for excited spaniel.
If you find yourself a 4-5 ft section of straight ash, birch or hazel and cut that you'll be OK - no need for anything fancy
A lot of beaters dogs are very unruly which might OK on some informal shoots and part of the fun but you don't want the mutt running riot on the first day especially if it's a bit more formal or commercial shoot. Probably best getting the feel of the place and being honest with yourself about whether you can control your dog before taking it. Ideally needs to be able to stop on whistle reliably and work close to you. Letting the dog work or watching dogs work is a big part of the fun
Your dog next to the crate looks like my dogs sibling.
andyb28 said:
Your dog next to the crate looks like my dogs sibling.
Looks like a handful! You'll notice none of our dogs has a collar. There's a real risk of injury working a dog with a collar or a harness. Get yourself a slip lead and get the dog used to it. May be worth mentioning that despite taking care, dogs will injure themselves on shoots and you need to factor this in to decision to work your dog. A dog on our shoot had to be put down a few weeks ago due to a nasty injury.Turn7 said:
Watching a good Spaniel work is one of the most rewarding parts of a game shoot I think. They literally thrive on it, and you can see them itching to get going on the next drive......
Unfortunately you can hear mine itching to get going tooI just wanted to come back and thank you all for your tips. I had a fantastic day beating.
Everyone on the shoot was really friendly and helpful towards me, including the guns.
I got to beat along side someone working with a speedy little cocker and saw first hand how flushing worked within the line. I think my dog and I would be fine on picking up, but the distance control demonstrated was amazing and I dont think we are at that stage at the moment. However, we were invited to give it a go on the next one and if it doesn't work out, I will stick him on the lead. I have got two weeks to work on it.
I purchased some Seeland Marsh trousers and I am really glad that I did as we were working through a jungle of brambles on some of the drives.
I was very tired by the end of the day, but still smiling.
Was also gifted a brace of pheasants, which I am taking to my parents house this morning to learn how to prepare them.
Andy
Everyone on the shoot was really friendly and helpful towards me, including the guns.
I got to beat along side someone working with a speedy little cocker and saw first hand how flushing worked within the line. I think my dog and I would be fine on picking up, but the distance control demonstrated was amazing and I dont think we are at that stage at the moment. However, we were invited to give it a go on the next one and if it doesn't work out, I will stick him on the lead. I have got two weeks to work on it.
I purchased some Seeland Marsh trousers and I am really glad that I did as we were working through a jungle of brambles on some of the drives.
I was very tired by the end of the day, but still smiling.
Was also gifted a brace of pheasants, which I am taking to my parents house this morning to learn how to prepare them.
Andy
andyb28 said:
I got to beat along side someone working with a speedy little cocker and saw first hand how flushing worked within the line. I think my dog and I would be fine on picking up, but the distance control demonstrated was amazing and I dont think we are at that stage at the moment. However, we were invited to give it a go on the next one and if it doesn't work out, I will stick him on the lead. I have got two weeks to work on it.
Go for it. Don't be afraid to use the lead. You'll probably find your dog goes up a few gears on a shoot day and you really have to be on top of them or they'll take the p**s.Picking up is a slightly different ball game and is sought after by people who generally have 'better' dogs. I was asked to work in the picking up line this week and took this as a compliment from the keeper on my dog work he'd seen whilst I've been beating. Handling a dog at distance is the final stage in a very long chain of learning. You'll probably have a chance to let your dog retrieve whilst in the beating line as chances are you'll be covering areas where game has fallen from previous drives. If he does bring a bird back then praise him to the rooftops. Also make sure you know how to humanely dispatch a bird or get someone to show you.
Let us know how you get on
Thanks guys, much like yourselves it seemed to go well.
He was a very nice guy, we went through the forms and answered all the questions. He has picked out a couple of recommended spots for the cabinet, but said wait 2-3 weeks to find out if you were succesful first.
He had a note about a domestic incident at my house, but it was prior to when we moved in by quite a few years.
When he asked for my driving licence, I also gave him my BASC card for good measure. I got it because of the beating with the dog recently. Figured it helps show being serious.
My wife was present too and he asked her how she felt about a gun in the house. Prior to all of this, my wife was nervous about having a gun in the house. I grew up with my Dad having them, so its all quite normal to me, but I understand her concerns. I specifically asked her to stay and talk to him, hoping he can help me put her mind at rest. However, when he asked her, my first thought was, gosh, I hope she is on my side here.
The officer was fantastic at explaining procedure to her and how safe everything can be if we follow the simple rules.
So thats it really, fingers crossed I might be getting a 12 bore for christmas
He was a very nice guy, we went through the forms and answered all the questions. He has picked out a couple of recommended spots for the cabinet, but said wait 2-3 weeks to find out if you were succesful first.
He had a note about a domestic incident at my house, but it was prior to when we moved in by quite a few years.
When he asked for my driving licence, I also gave him my BASC card for good measure. I got it because of the beating with the dog recently. Figured it helps show being serious.
My wife was present too and he asked her how she felt about a gun in the house. Prior to all of this, my wife was nervous about having a gun in the house. I grew up with my Dad having them, so its all quite normal to me, but I understand her concerns. I specifically asked her to stay and talk to him, hoping he can help me put her mind at rest. However, when he asked her, my first thought was, gosh, I hope she is on my side here.
The officer was fantastic at explaining procedure to her and how safe everything can be if we follow the simple rules.
So thats it really, fingers crossed I might be getting a 12 bore for christmas
Mine met my wife in the garden when he arrived. I asked if he wanted her present but he said no and didn't speak to her again except to say goodbye. I already had my cabinet and he had a quick look at it and said I may have to do something about the tapering gap down the side. It's an old house with walls that are out of square.
As he left I asked how long it would take. He wondered why I laughed when he said 2 weeks as another guy at the range had waited 3 months from his visit. It arrived in a week.
As he left I asked how long it would take. He wondered why I laughed when he said 2 weeks as another guy at the range had waited 3 months from his visit. It arrived in a week.
Johnspex said:
Mine met my wife in the garden when he arrived. I asked if he wanted her present but he said no and didn't speak to her again except to say goodbye.
Your wife must be a really generous person, but she really doesn't need to buy your FEO presents. Just a nice pot of tea and maybe a slice of Battenberg will put him in the right frame of mind. 
red_slr said:
I see the govt have admitted they confused the military grade .50 cal rifles with what civvies have and shoot. They are now considering allowing the owners of .50 cal to keep their rifles. Will probably come with extra security requirements.
No word on MARS etal which I guess means they are going to move forward with the ban on those.
Looks like .50 cal owners are saved (for now). Another consultation is going to be held to decide if anything more needs to be done on 'high energy rifles'. The only problem with another consultation is that they could widen the remit further. NABIS will be working overtime when that starts up.No word on MARS etal which I guess means they are going to move forward with the ban on those.
Lever release and MARS rifles are still set to be banned. Not much support for them (in the House) from what I can see.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff