We can learn alot from Central and Eastern Europe. When I went to Hungary for a week last year, I was amazed by so much of what I found. The trip was booked in order to have a look at a former communist block country, and as a result, I was expecting to encounter numerous Continue reading

I’ve always wanted to try falconry. It is something that I have been looking at for years, but never really had the opportunity to see it at first hand. When I was kindly invited by a hawking friend in Edinburgh to spend a day with him in the hills of the Scottish Borders, I could Continue reading

Ever since I started ferreting, I have been wondering what else my ferrets would be able to bolt besides rabbits. I have read stories of little owls, rats and fox cubs coming charging out from the safety of a rabbit hole when they feel threatened, but always took most of these tales with a pinch Continue reading

Ever since I first started ferreting, I have been limited by the fact that I don’t really know very much about setting nets. Bit by bit, I came to terms with the basic mechanism involved in a purse net which can open and close, and I have recently started to get some really good results. Continue reading

Once again, I find myself in the happy situation of being able to stick my oar in and have a say about a subject that doesn’t directly effect me. Listening in to Radio 4’s programme “saving species” yesterday morning, I heard an interesting report on conservation measures to ensure the ongoing prosperity of barnacle and Continue reading

Although the purpose of this blog is to document the intended rise of a small rough shoot in south west Scotland where only wild birds are wanted, I have taken an executive decision to broaden my horizons. Since reared pheasants have started appearing on the farm over the past few weeks, I have been interested Continue reading

This blog is beginning to develop a preoccupation with ferrets, despite its being billed as concerning “grouse”. I just don’t seem to be able to draw my mind away from working the young hobs, and thankfully, I keep getting more and more opportunities to do so. Heading out for a recce near my house today, Continue reading

There has been the most tremendous uproar in the press about the death of the imaginatively styled Exmoor Emperor. Newspaper columnists and cultural observers appear to be having a field day, resurrecting old scores against country sportsmen and stirring up a happily boiling pot of contention. For some reason, the press appointed an “Exmoor deer Continue reading

The ferrets have been back in action; this time under a cattle shed outside Dumfries. Gradual chipping away during generations of rabbit excavation have meant that a large corner of  concrete flooring is in real danger of collapsing into the hollow warren cleared by the stubborn bunnies. Before anything can be done to support the Continue reading

One or two readers have been in touch with me about an article I published on this site a few months ago about Bespoke Ballistics, a company run by my friend Richard Waller. For the sake of expanding what is quite an interesting and relevant subject, and with an eye to promote his new business Continue reading