http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/ Best advice and tips country and field sports issues from gun dogs, training, rough shooting, game keeping, deer stalking and technical and legal issues. Also find advice on recipes, shooting etiquette and hunting and fishing. en My springer puppy is failing to return when being called while the long-lead is off. Can you give me some training advice? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/125127/Why_is_my_springer_puppy_failing_to_return.html 125127 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I have a five month old Irish terrier bitch I would like to use for rough-shooting. Can you recommend anybody who could help me train this type of dog as I have heard they can be difficult? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/147068/Are_Irish_terriers_difficult_to_train.html 147068 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I recently saw mention of an Iberian capercaillie in an article and, though I've been a keen shot and bird-watcher for years, cannot recall having heard of this bird. Is there such a bird? What also is the status of the British caper today? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/148525/Can_you_give_me_some_information_on_capercaillie.html 148525 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I am looking for a labrador puppy to buy, but so many seem to have 'snipey' heads that I am unsure where to start? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/149893/How_do_I_choose_a_labrador_puppy.html 149893 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I am planning on building my own dog trailer and wonder if there is any legislation of which I need to be aware? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/152648/Are_there_any_laws_governing_dog_trailers.html 152648 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I have recently acquired a 12-week-old springer pup. I'm currently feeding James Wellbeloved dry food, but after reading about BARF am somewhat confused. What is the best diet for a puppy at this age, what food should I move on to and at what age? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/153895/Should_I_feed_my_puppy_BARF.html 153895 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I bought a cocker spaniel puppy three months ago but I am afraid to say that she delights in rolling in other dogs' faeces every time I take her out for a walk. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/155360/Why_does_my_puppy_roll_in_poo.html 155360 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times Under the Hunting Act am I allowed to hunt rats, using a smoker, four terriers and a lurcher? This is on land where I have permission to hunt. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/158221/What_are_the_rules_on_hunting_rats.html 158221 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I have a Rizzini over-and-under shotgun which is about 16 years old. Do you think I would be wise to have the barrel checked, as I have fired thousands of cartridges through it? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/145694/How_often_should_I_have_my_barrels_checked.html 145694 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I sent him out to pick a winged pigeon, but he refused to pick the flapping bird. Shortly after he picked another winged bird and brought it perfectly to hand. Why would he not pick the first bird? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/142583/Why_would_my_gundog_not_pick_a_flapping_pigeon.html 142583 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I have a young lab puppy which snatches food out of my hand. I realise she is young but could this habit lead to hard mouth? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/141294/Will_my_puppy_develop_a_hard_mouth.html 141294 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times We are purchasing an ESS bitch from a local litter and a dog from another litter. We've been told by some dog experts that acquiring two puppies together is not a good idea, yet others have praised the idea? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/126191/Is_buying_two_puppies_together_a_bad_idea.html 126191 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times My neighbour's dogs are persistently chasing and killing my valuable rare breed poultry, and he will not control them. Have I the right to take summary action by shooting them if caught in the act? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/127373/Can_I_legally_shoot_dogs_destroying_my_animals.html 127373 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times If I use a variable magnification scope zeroed on the highest setting and in good light, would the point of impact change when the scope is turned down for a poor light situation? This is assuming both targets are at the same distance. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/128600/Does_the_point_of_bullet_impact_change_when_a_scope_is_turned_down_for_poor_light.html 128600 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times My two-year-old working bitch is experiencing phantom pregnancies. The vet prescribed her some expensive medication, which yielded some improvement. What is the best course of action for a bitch going through this trauma? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/131617/Can_you_help_my_dog_with_its_phantom_pregnancy.html 131617 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I am joining a small syndicate putting down pheasants, while other quarry includes duck, hares, woodcock and snipe. I will be helping out with keepering duties, including predator control but am unsure what licences I need to keep within the law? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/133037/Can_you_tell_me_about_keepers_licences.html 133037 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I am thinking of buying a Hungarian vizsla as a hunting/hawking dog and which would also be a family pet, but I know little about the breed. Is there a good book on this breed and a trainer or breeder in Somerset whom I can contact? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/135344/Do_Hungarian_vizslas_make_good_family_pets.html 135344 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times My two cockers are inclined to get grass seed down their ears at this time of year. This has resulted in visits to the vet to have the seed removed under anaesthetic. Can you suggest a way of protecting their ears? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/136670/How_do_I_protect__dogs_ears_from_grass_seeds.html 136670 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times A friend of mine would like to stalk in Scotland, but his firearms certificate says it has been issued only for the control of vermin. The landlords of the estate say all deer on their land are classed as vermin. Can he legally shoot deer on this land? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/138310/Is_my_friend_stalking_legally.html 138310 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times At the end of the rut a yearling buck on my ground was still in dark velvet and showed no signs of drying. The buck has an ear-high four-point head and appears in excellent condition. Is this a perruque and, if so, how long will it take to develop? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/139489/Does_this_deer_have_a_perruque_head.html 139489 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I work an English pointer on local bogs where grouse were once in good numbers. Unfortunately, over the past 20 years, grouse have all but vanished. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/165854/Where_have_all_Northern_Irelands_red_grouse_gone.html 165854 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times M pond holds expensive koi carp. Recently a heron has been attacking the fish. I have a net covering the water, but the bird still spears the fish yet cannot retrieve them. Can you outline what measures I can take against it legally? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/168689/How_can_I_stop_herons_from_taking_my_koi_carp.html 168689 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times If so, should we refrain from shooting them? I'm seriously considering this step as I have a feeling of guilt at times, especially with woodcock. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/168793/Are_snipe_and_woodcock_numbers_on_the_wane_due_to_habitat_loss.html 168793 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times What can be done for a two-year-old chocolate Labrador with no respect for its owner when out picking up, Paul Rawlings explains. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/226363/Unruly_twoyearold_Labrador.html 226363 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times Paul Rawlings advises on how to keep a springer close when working in open ground. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/251799/keeping_a_springer_close.html 251799 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times Does the .25 airgun calibre have more hitting power for rabbits at longer ranges, Richard Prior explains. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/253263/The_25_airgun_calibre_performance.html 253263 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times Looking for the best way to train your first gundog? Paul Rawlings has the answers http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/254992/First_gundog_training.html 254992 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times Can a 11-month-old springer spaniel bitch, that has received no training, be trained to full hunting level? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/257582/Is_it_too_late_to_train_an_11_month_old_spaniel.html 257582 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times When leasing a shoot find out your rights and where your legally stand http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/258242/Shoot_ownership_rules.html 258242 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times Worried your ferret isn't feeding properly? Simon Whitehead has some practical suggestions http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/258983/Ferret_off_its_food.html 258983 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I am having my hob ferret castrated and wonder whether this will affect his working ability during the rabbiting season? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/260816/Does_hobbling_a_ferret_affect_its_working_ability.html 260816 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times Are the number of deer increasing is the removal of hedges making them easier to spot, Richard Prior explains. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/224706/Are_deer_increasing.html 224706 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times Bill Harriman advises on what age you can obtain a firearms and a shotgun certificate http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/200001/Firearms_certificate_age_limit.html 200001 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times How should a young and keen spaniel be kept ready for the beating line next season? Paul Rawlings explains. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/198779/Keeping_gundogs_keen.html 198779 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times Paul Rawlings explains how to get your dog to respect you. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/170152/How_do_you_teach_a_labrador_respect.html 170152 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times When my polecat ferret emerges from a hole and I go to pick him up, he dances about as if trying to bite me. Can you explain this? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/173010/Why_does_my_polecat_try_to_bite.html 173010 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I am 15 years old and am saving up to buy my own gun, but do not know which one to choose. I would like to shoot medium to high birds, but also clays. My budget is £1,000 and I am left-handed. Can you suggest where I might go for more help? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/175277/I_am_15_years_old_and_buying_my_first_gun_which_should_I_choose.html 175277 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I require a rifle to shoot foxes and to stalk deer. I want to buy a moderated .308 because of the ammunition choice, but have been told by friends that this calibre would be overkill for foxes. I can only afford one rifle. Can you make any suggestions? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/176535/Which_is_the_right_rifle_for_shooting_foxes_and_stalking_deer.html 176535 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times I have a 17-month-old Border terrier. She will leave when told, come back to the whistle, sit when told and is great with people and children, but she is very anti-social with other dogs when they show an interest in her. http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/177874/My_terrier_is_aggressive_with_other_dogs.html 177874 Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times My eight-year-old son's ambition is to see a wild otter, something which is not easy here in Sussex. However, we are going to Scotland at Easter and wonder if you could suggest the best place to try to see one? http://www.shootingtimes.co.uk/sportinganswers/179214/Where_can_we_spot_an_otter.html 179214 Array Shooting, gun dogs training, gun questions answered | Shooting Times