tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42024607917472833422024-03-02T07:03:35.375+00:00Mat Manning's Air Rifle HuntingA blog dedicated to enjoying airguns and the great outdoors.
Air rifle hunters and anyone else with an interest in harvesting their own wild food, stay tuned for in-the-field accounts, product reviews, recipes, tips, techniques and much more.Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-13164990208280454522013-12-03T21:04:00.001+00:002013-12-03T21:04:22.581+00:00Field Test: Jack Pyke Dog Bag Duotex
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Jack Pyke Duotex Dog Bag may have been designed with dog training
in mind, but it’s a great little game bag for airgun shooters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I must confess that I initially bought one to use as a bag for work. My
laptop fits inside perfectly, along with other essentials including a notepad, pens
and snack bars, and it’s styled very similarly to the satchels and courier bags
that are currently in vogue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I was so impressed with this bag that I decided to get another for
field use – and with an RRP of £23.95 it wasn’t going to break the bank. The
adjustable strap means you can get just the right fit, and the long buckle
straps mean it can easily accommodate half a dozen woodies and a couple of
decoys. The Duotex material looks very much like natural leather, and is easily
wiped clean with a damp cloth if soiled with mud or blood.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.jackpyke.co.uk/">www.jackpyke.co.uk</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-60006114201603041582013-05-29T21:29:00.001+01:002013-05-29T21:29:27.328+01:00Barry Hutchins memorial weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I spent a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours with friends and relatives of the late Barry Hutchins on Saturday afternoon.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">More than fifty hardy souls gathered at one of Barry's favourite shooting haunts at Melbury Abbas, near Shaftesbury, for a sunny weekend of camping, shooting and light-hearted banter.</span><br />
Barry lived in Gillingham, Dorset, but his death, which followed a brief illness last August, was felt across the shooting community. Barry was a regular at HFT meets and game fairs, and people travelled from far and wide to join in with his weekend gatherings.<br />
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Thanks to the Barry Hutchins memorial cup, the gatherings look set to live on, as shooters make the annual pilgrimage to compete for the impressive trophy.<br />
In a fitting tribute to the great man, all contenders used a gun from Barry's treasured collection to shoot the 17-target layout.<br />
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And, very appropriately, the first winner of the coveted trophy - presented by Barry's brother Steve - was his good friend Nic Wenham. The competition raised more than £100 for Help For Heroes - Barry's favourite charity.<br />
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During the gathering, Barry's sons, Barry and Mark, laid his ashes to rest on the farm where he spent many happy hours, and planted a tree in his memory.<br />
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Well done to all for making it such a great event, in the true spirit of Barry's original gatherings.Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-43841364016637850022013-03-23T17:42:00.001+00:002013-03-23T17:42:19.595+00:00Air rifle hunting video for BASCThis week I was joined for three very enjoyable days by BASC video ace Tom O'Carroll.<br />
It was my video debut, and the transition from print to moving pictures was certainly an exciting one.<br />
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The sudden cold weather put the mockers on what we were hoping would be a hectic squirrel shoot - we spent three days on two estates that are usually heaving with tree-rats, and didn't see a single one!<br />
But we still got lots of great footage and ended up with what I hope will be a really useful instructional piece that's very different from what we initially set out to achieve.<br />
I was amazed by just how long the filming process takes - our three days will probably amount to a film of about ten minutes when Tom has finished editing it. I'll post the link here when it's ready.<br />
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Tom is an absolute pro and a real pleasure to work with. Hopefully we'll be teaming up to produce more airgun content for the BASC website in the future.Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-55545431139408692132013-03-10T20:44:00.001+00:002013-03-10T20:44:12.924+00:00Recommended reading: Rob Collins trilogyI was lucky enough to bump into the great countryman Rob Collins (aka the Ole Hedge Creeper) at the Westcountry Game Fair on Saturday. Rob (pictured) was manning the stand for Pass It On - an organisation which is doing wonderful things to introduce young people to field sports. After chatting with Rob, I wandered off with three of his excellent books.<br />
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I couldn't put down From the Start to the Heart after thumbing through it yesterday evening, and got almost halfway through it in a single sitting. This gripping, and very honest autobiographical book is a collection of amusing, and often moving, tales of Rob's formative years. Rob was tagging along on ferreting and shooting trips with his dad and uncles as a tiny boy, and there's a great yarn about him being dangled down a a cavernous rabbit hole by his Rupert the Bear wellies - not to mention the time he got a black eye from a low-flying trout. Rob also had a marvelous grandfather, a real old countryman who reminds me of my own late granddad, and accounts of their misadventures bring back more than a few of the colourful outings I was treated to as a young'un.<br />
Although he's very modest about his writing ability, Rob has a very warm style that really draws in the reader. The book is written almost as if it's in the spoken word, and conjures up images and emotions that really do make you feel you're among the action as his accounts unfold.<br />
I'm looking forward to getting back to it tonight and reading Rob's trilogy in order. I've had a very quick skim through Recipes from the Hedgerow, which is packed with lots of mouthwatering recipes that I can't wait to try out in the kitchen, and will finish with Rob's latest tome: Back to the Heart.<br />
<br />Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-32193599868285417162013-03-02T16:09:00.005+00:002013-03-02T16:51:14.163+00:00Jack Pyke Countryman Jumper tried and tested<br />
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I added the Jack Pyke Countryman Jumper to my hunting attire at the
start of the winter and have to say that this new piece of clothing has
performed brilliantly in bitterly cold conditions.<br />
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It is stated as being windproof and waterproof and, although I’ve not
properly tested its waterproofing (because I’ve usually had a jacket over
the top) I can certainly vouch for the fact that it keeps draughts out. As well as wearing it under my lightweight camouflage jacket during shooting trips in the woods, I've also worn it under an old waxed jacket during fishing sessions on the Somerset Levels. The Levels are exposed and windswept, and this zip-up
jumper provided excellent insulation that kept me toasty during the coldest of
days.<br />
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The Countryman Jumper is fleece-lined and reversible but the olive-green
knitted outer with suede elbow and shoulder padding looks great so I wasn’t
tempted to pull mine inside out. It features a nice high collar, stretchy
knitted cuffs to really seal in the heat, plus spacious zipped pockets inside and
out to keep things like your car keys and mobile phone secure.</div>
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With an SRP of £66.95, this isn’t a cheap item of clothing but it’s very
well made and should give several seasons of good service. It performs
brilliantly and I reckon it represents fantastic value for money.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.jackpyke.co.uk/">www.jackpyke.co.uk</a><o:p></o:p></div>
Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-54634510658344449582013-01-20T20:24:00.000+00:002013-01-20T20:34:11.828+00:00Squirrel shooting in the snowIf there's been snow in your part of the world over the last few days, it's a prime time to crack down on grey squirrels.<br />
A lot of people mistakenly believe that squirrels hibernate through the winter but that couldn't be further from the truth. Grey squirrels can be incredibly active throughout the colder months, and spend a lot of time foraging food during daylight hours.<br />
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With snow on the ground, or even a hard frost, a lot of the caches of food they stashed away during the winter will be inaccessible. Find a place where squirrels can easily access food during a cold snap and you should be able to ambush the greedy little blighters as they try to exploit whatever feeding opportunity they've happened across. Raids on garden bird feeders are very common when there's a covering of snow.<br />
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I was delighted to wake up to a proper covering of snow on Friday morning and, although the roads in my West Country locality have been a bit dicey over the last couple of days, I couldn't resist the urge to get out in the woods where I planned to catch the squirrels stealing grain from one of their favourite winter food sources.<br />
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Most of my woodland shooting permissions are on sporting estates that are managed for pheasant shooting. The gamekeepers feed vast amounts of corn to the pheasants to keep them in good condition and stop them from straying during the winter. The squirrels seem even more partial to the grain than the pheasants and pay regular visits to the hoppers from which it is dispensed.<br />
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I managed to squeeze in a session yesterday, and got to the woods at about 3pm. It looked promising as I spooked a jay and several woodpigeons from beneath one feeder when I arrived. Well wrapped up to keep out the cold, I settled down in a spot from which I could comfortably cover a pheasant feeder in a block of woodland that contains more than a handful of squirrels.<br />
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It was a lovely, peaceful evening, and, in all honesty, I would have been happy to spend the last couple hours of the day there with or without the gun. The woodland wildlife was very active, and I saw fieldfares, goldcrests, sparrowhawks, treecreepers, flighting lapwings, several different kinds of finches and, of course, grey squirrels.<br />
Although squirrels feed throughout the day, they usually become very busy at dusk as they try to get plenty of food on board before nightfall. I'm pleased to say that I was ideally placed to ambush a trio as they made their way to the feed hopper.<br />
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These squirrels were in excellent condition - no doubt a result of munching their way through the gamekeeper's expensive grain. They won't be doing that again...<br />
It was a really enjoyable session and, wrapped up in several thick layers plus my hat, mittens and neck snood, I really didn't notice the cold.<br />
If you know a place where the grey squirrels are finding easy pickings on your shoot, get out there before the thaw and you'll probably catch them in the act.<br />
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Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-63257214219142992852012-11-14T19:40:00.001+00:002012-11-14T19:54:51.559+00:00Shooters and anglers urged to look out for ash dieback<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ash dieback disease, caused by infection by the <em>Chalara fraxinea</em> fungus, could be detrimental to the British countryside, and shooters and anglers are being urged to do their bit to help reduce its spread.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyone who spends time in the outdoors should look out for and report any signs of infected trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the time of writing, there are more than 110 confirmed infected sites. The disease is mainly spread on the wind. Once infected, a tree cannot be cured and must be destroyed and removed from the woodland. With ash being the dominant species in vast swathes of British woodland (as is the case in my locality) the potential impact is unthinkable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tim Russell, BASC director of conservation, said: “Everyone involved in shooting should look out for the signs of infected trees such as lesions and cankers on the bark and, in the spring, die back of foliage. The risk of woodland users spreading the disease is said to be small.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"BASC is asking people involved in shooting on sites where infection has been confirmed or is suspected to take precautions against the possibility of spreading spores between different areas of woodland. This could include washing boots and vehicle wheels. Any signs of the disease should be reported to the Forestry Commission or the Food and Environment Research Agency.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Suspected cases should be reported to the Forestry Commission at <a href="mailto:plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk">plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk</a></span>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-37569588502241998072012-10-11T18:15:00.002+01:002012-10-16T09:17:19.442+01:00Idleback rifle chair review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9Yw1oYxwOpvAde_P88eIqQ-xYSWLTCJ7d-3AveKox4Q_xUnYmh-mmlP3F_9wYa0N-DIrbXqLWmU7yM-8z4GLUC7ayDhyphenhyphenD0F6fj95Ir0dYcY_amEjGxZg0velhkwA0NwvZ4T6wsV5h9E0/s1600/idlerat14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9Yw1oYxwOpvAde_P88eIqQ-xYSWLTCJ7d-3AveKox4Q_xUnYmh-mmlP3F_9wYa0N-DIrbXqLWmU7yM-8z4GLUC7ayDhyphenhyphenD0F6fj95Ir0dYcY_amEjGxZg0velhkwA0NwvZ4T6wsV5h9E0/s320/idlerat14.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Idleback Rifle Chair is the perfect solution for shooters who want the luxury of shooting in comfort and taking rested shots wherever they go.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In short, the Idleback is a rugged shooting seat with a height and angle-adjustable arm to support your gun. The gun cradle at the end of the extendable supporting arm of the Idleback should accept all but the widest of airguns, and accommadated the relatively wide fore-end of my trusty old BSA Super-Ten with room to spare.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Assembly is an absolute doddle
because most of the major components are already in place when this sturdy shooting seat arrives. Deployment in the field is just a matter of seconds: unfold the heigh-adjustable legs and gun rest
arm, then adjust both until the seat is level and the rifle rest situated exactly where you want it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Costing the best part of £300, the Idleback is not a cheap piece of kit
but it is ruggedly constructed and I’d expect it to give years of first-class
service. The quick-release shoulder strap makes it easy to transport but, in my
opinion, it’s not really a tool that lends itself to staking – hauling it
around the fields and trying to set it up as shots presented themselves proved
too much of a rigmarole for me.</span><br />
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgganof7Tk3qH206oi8RsbOn19DrZ7HgFxBbSshUtoT5IKi6I5JeN6De6PScB8GqkO_Gwa8ERxS3h3OPNJPDrK_e1CGxZkAu9scvWVgo3CviV0J4dWplI6xBQPfvsXe9VT-5WjTceOV8hkT/s1600/idlerat5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgganof7Tk3qH206oi8RsbOn19DrZ7HgFxBbSshUtoT5IKi6I5JeN6De6PScB8GqkO_Gwa8ERxS3h3OPNJPDrK_e1CGxZkAu9scvWVgo3CviV0J4dWplI6xBQPfvsXe9VT-5WjTceOV8hkT/s320/idlerat5.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Idleback is, however, an excellent and very comfortable aid to
accuracy when set up for an ambush. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The seat and rest rotate silently through
360 degrees so you can stealthily target quarry at all angles, and the easily
adjustable legs mean it’s always on the level. As a hunter whose seat usually
consists of little more than an old carrier bag, I certainly found it a real
luxury.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve set the Idleback up in the garden and around farm buildings to pick off rats and
avian pests, and also used it in the woods to snipe squirrels at long range
with an FAC-rated airgun. In these situations, it has performed flawlessly.</span>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-2775144961038884632012-10-11T17:43:00.000+01:002012-10-11T18:28:25.264+01:00Laser Genetics ND-3 Subzero review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LNOlpIhaaBLtiVXSxLEFPqh2lpeBE7IfSfautB2dOdy0KR-isGxVDdt5DfGNwezcaY0Y_FyBaIssrPxQo2pWqxB9ZvCeSk3qrSblgyUedkOZCq8ltbk-L9RJyyaMBedavvT_vjCO-MN5/s1600/IMG_8298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LNOlpIhaaBLtiVXSxLEFPqh2lpeBE7IfSfautB2dOdy0KR-isGxVDdt5DfGNwezcaY0Y_FyBaIssrPxQo2pWqxB9ZvCeSk3qrSblgyUedkOZCq8ltbk-L9RJyyaMBedavvT_vjCO-MN5/s1600/IMG_8298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LNOlpIhaaBLtiVXSxLEFPqh2lpeBE7IfSfautB2dOdy0KR-isGxVDdt5DfGNwezcaY0Y_FyBaIssrPxQo2pWqxB9ZvCeSk3qrSblgyUedkOZCq8ltbk-L9RJyyaMBedavvT_vjCO-MN5/s320/IMG_8298.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Laser Genetics ND-3 Subzero is a laser alternative to a conventional hunting lamp. I’ve been using the original ND-3 for around two years now, and the Subzero guise is guaranteed to perform in temperatures down to -18˚C – should you be mad enough to consider shooting in such extreme cold.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Although described as “The Ultimate Night Vision Solution” the ND-3 is not an NV optic in the true sense, but it is an incredibly powerful and versatile scope-mounted lamp. Compact, lightweight and robust, mine has given excellent service.</div>
The ND-3 is a quality product, and that’s apparent from the outset – and from its price tag, coming in at more than £300. The package comes in a fitted, zip-up hard case, which includes the laser designator (lamp unit), mounts for fitting to 1-inch or 30mm scope tube, Weaver mount attachments, binocular mounts, a pressure switch and the required CR123A battery, which gives three hours performance at -18˚C. You can expect that battery to last twice as long if you sit tight until the temperature rises to a balmy 5˚C.<br />
You also get an Allen key with the kit so you can fit the ND-3’s mount to your scope, and there lies my biggest gripe with this unit. Sure enough, the ND-3 is one heck of a lamp, but it’s also one heck of a nuisance fiddling around with screws to attach and detach it. And, once you’ve got it on there, you’ll be reluctant to take it off again. To be honest, I think it’s a pity that the research and development appears to have been invested in making a lamp that functions in temperatures that British quarry species don’t tend to venture out in, when it would have been better spent on designing a quick-release mount to make it easier to use this excellent laser lamp.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Luckily, the circumference of the lamp hasn’t changed, so I simply dropped the ND-3 Subzero into my original mount (which, after reacquainting myself with the instruction manual, appears to be fitted upside down). Fitting gripes aside (and whether upside down or not) the mount functions well. It is very sturdy and can easily be adjusted left and right or up and down, via two knobs, to ensure that the beam is perfectly aligned with your scope. Being so ruggedly built, it won’t creep once you’ve got it set where you want it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrceTWgLjtx3fHoSCYFwGEPVy9HtINqAgC9MahMK6Q67Gwy4uQLuC3jRiCxiisob0arex9aPkZjSKYF6ev5iZu9IWL3VLraaC0pZ364yzvqeekzR_fHxoGh0LPHaDdjd33zxTQThqoAqCn/s1600/IMG_8405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrceTWgLjtx3fHoSCYFwGEPVy9HtINqAgC9MahMK6Q67Gwy4uQLuC3jRiCxiisob0arex9aPkZjSKYF6ev5iZu9IWL3VLraaC0pZ364yzvqeekzR_fHxoGh0LPHaDdjd33zxTQThqoAqCn/s320/IMG_8405.jpg" width="320" /></a>Most impressive of all is the sheer power and clarity of this compact laser designator. On its dimmest setting (sharpness/brightness of the beam is adjusted via a collar at the front of the tube) the lamp casts a tight beam at 15 metres, which is still clear at 100 metres. On its sharpest setting, the beam is way too bright for ratting ranges and casts a clear circle of light way beyond the manufacturer’s stated 200 metres – more like half a mile, I reckon. The power is awesome, providing more light than most airgun shooters would ever need, in fact. However, if you also shoot a rim-fire rifle and want a lamp for controlling foxes after dark, the ND-3 could be the only scope-mounted light you need.</div>
Another impressive feature is the complete absence of any light spillage from the crisp, green beam. The ND-3 casts a sharp circle of light, with no risk of leakage that will illuminate you and give the game away. Of course, that bright beam comes with all the usual health warnings associated with lasers, so avoid shining it into your eyes, anyone else’s eyes or at vehicles and aircraft – even the reflected beam can be powerful enough to pose a danger.<br />
Apart from being very powerful, the ND-3 Subzero is also incredibly compact. The small, lightweight tube is unobtrusive and hardly affects the balance and handling of an airgun when fitted. The very handy pressure switch can be fitted (via the Velcro provided) to the fore-end of your gun stock so you can easily activate it with the thumb of your leading hand when looking through the scope. Unlike other switches of this kind, it doesn’t take a lot of pressure to activate so your shooting won’t be hampered by having to squeeze with any great effort.<br />
Being powered by a tiny battery, rather than a bulky rechargeable unit, this lamp is perfect for one-man scope-mounted use. It’s no burden whatsoever so lends itself perfectly to mobile hunting scenarios. Swap the pressure switch for the standard on/off switch (which also comes with the kit) and you’ve got a very compact hand-held lamp that’s perfect for two-man hunting when you’ve got a mate to do the lamping honours while you do the shooting.<br />
Although the ND-3 Subzero casts a seriously powerful beam, rats and rabbits don’t appear to be unduly spooked by the pool of green light, which certainly picks them out well in the dark.<br />
In spite of its fiddly mount, this laser designer is a top quality, scope-mounted light source that should give years of reliable service to anyone with the budget for a scope-mounted lamp at the top end of the price range.Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-91349946105459275462012-09-23T16:49:00.004+01:002012-09-23T16:53:19.147+01:00Time for sloe gin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sloe
gin is a wonderful festive drink that is very warming and literally tastes of
the hedgerow. A tot of this crimson liqueur will warm your cockles when you
slump into the sofa after a cold evening in the woods, and it’s a great snifter
to offer to dinner guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">You’ll
find sloes in any overgrown stretch of hedgerow that contains blackthorn. The
fruit is round, waxy-skinned, and dark purple/black in colour. You’re unlikely
to confuse sloes with anything else, apart from damsons, which are bigger but
make an equally nice brew.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sloes are hard and very bitter before they
reach full ripeness so leave them until they become plump and juicy for the
best results - they're usually juicier after they've had a touch of frost.</span><br />
This year's sloe crop is dour in my part of the world - luckily, I had three pounds of damsons left in the freezer from last autumn.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">You will need<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
(adjust amounts to suit taste and depending on total volume required)<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1lb
sloes or damsons<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1
litre of gin<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">6oz
of sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Freezer
bags<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Screw-top
bottle/s<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Colander<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Funnel<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Method<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Begin
by rinsing the sloes in a colander under a running tap. The berries then need
to be split to let the juice run out. This was traditionally done with a long
thorn from a blackthorn bush but pricking them in this way, or even with a knife,
is a total waste of time. The best way to split sloes is to put them in
a plastic bag and leave them in the freezer overnight. Expansion caused by the
freezing process bursts the skin of the sloes and leaves them oozing juice when
defrosted.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Transfer
frozen sloes from the freezer bag into a screw-top bottle and tip the sugar on
top – this is easiest with a funnel. Pour in the gin (using the funnel again)
and seal the cap. Some people like to add a drop or two of vanilla essence at
this stage but I think it overpowers the natural flavour of the sloes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Next,
give the brew a good shake to mix all the ingredients and store it away in a
cool, dark place. Give the mixture a quick shake every day for the first week
to help the sugar dissolve and then give it a weekly slosh thereafter to help
it blend. The sugary solution will draw the juice, colour and flavour from the
sloes, producing a delicious, warming, syrupy liqueur.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I usually decant mine on Christmas Eve, running it through muslin cloth or a clean tea towel to filer off any sediment. I'll explain in more detail nearer the time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span> </div>
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Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-55885442233334363092012-09-17T20:12:00.000+01:002012-09-17T20:12:22.844+01:00Jack Pyke Fieldman Boots<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve never really been one for wearing lace-up boots for hunting but, after a couple of weeks' abuse, I’m really
impressed with the new Jack Pyke Fieldman Boots. These rugged boots bridge the gap
between my lightweight summer stalking trainers and wet weather wellies, and I'm looking forward to really putting them through their paces during the winter months. They</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> have a 200g Thinsulate lining so I'm expecting them to keep my feet warm when the temperature starts to drop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although very robust, these chunky leather boots are surprisingly lightweight. They
offer substantial ankle support while still providing sufficient movement to accommodate the sort of contortions shooters often find themselves getting into in the field, and the Vibram trek rubber soles provide great
traction on slippery ground. According to Jack Pyke, they’re fully waterproof
and the in-built antimicrobial treatment will keep them odour-free – only time will
tell on those two scores.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's only early days but my size 11 Fieldman Boots are very comfy. I've not experienced any of the rubbing that often has to be endured when breaking in new boots, and they're getting even more comfortable with every outing as the gradual wear and tear makes them even more supple. I expect them to become a regular item in my hunting clobber, and also reckon they'll give decent service on fishing trips that don't entail sloshing through too much water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These boots are packed with features and retail for £110, which is
I think is great value considering they come with a 12-month guarantee. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more info,
visit </span><a href="http://www.jackpyke.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.jackpyke.co.uk</span></a><br />
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<o:p></o:p>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-14617905990368740222012-09-05T20:45:00.001+01:002012-09-05T20:47:11.631+01:00New book on its wayI'm pleased to say that my new book, Air Rifle Hunting Through the Seasons - A Guide to Fieldcraft, is due for release before the end of October.<br />
Whereas my first book, Hunting with Air Rifles - The Complete Guide, gave a broad overview of the sport, from choosing hardware and clothing to zeroing your scope and targeting live quarry, the emphasis of the new book is very much on fieldcraft and hunting techniques.<br />
I've split it into seasonal sections covering hunting scenarios (more than 30 in total) to be encountered through spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each section covers changing hunting opportunities through the shifting seasons, how I pre-empt quarry behaviour and the techniques and equipment I use to make the most of my time in the field. There are also tips on preparing quarry for the table, and a selection of my favourite recipes for each season.<br />
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Published by MacNidder & Grace, the hardback book includes more than 100 colour photographs and, although still in the final stages of design, should come out at around 150-pages. Dorset artist Matt Donovan has produced some great illustrations to introduce each of the seasonal chapters (see below).<br />
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Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-31501091465535018482012-08-30T20:59:00.000+01:002012-08-30T20:59:24.320+01:00In memory of Barry HutchinsThe world of airgunning lost one of its greats with the passing of Barry Hutchins earlier this month.<br />
A well-known and well-liked character on the shooting scene, Barry lived just a few miles from me and I was lucky enough to be able to call him a friend.<br />
He was an avid collector of airguns, including several amazing custom jobs and a couple of the finest-looking springers I have ever seen.<br />
But Barry was best-known for his contribution to the online shooting forums including Airgun Universe and, most recently, Planet Airgun. Barry's banter, not to mention his work behind the scenes, earned him countless loyal friends - many of whom joined him at his famous weekend gatherings.<br />
I joined Barry and his gang on one of their shooting camps last year, and the atmosphere was terrific. To see friends brought together by their shared interest in shooting enjoying a weekend of camping, plinking and hunting - not to mention one or two dubious meals - was a joy in itself. Barry's tireless efforts to organise the gatherings, and tidy up afterwards, were typical of his selfless nature and he will no doubt be sorely missed at the next get-together.<br />
Apart from organising and attending airgun shooting events, Barry was also famous for documenting them with photographs. He was rarely seen without his camera, and his pictures appeared in shooting magazines as well as on the web. They are a lasting legacy to the great man.<br />
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Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-43818347934540080222012-06-19T20:48:00.000+01:002012-06-19T20:48:36.319+01:00Time for trout cakesWith the longer days finally coinciding with some sunny weather, I've been making the most of the opportunity to snatch the occasional trout fishing trip after work.<br />
Although I'm not blessed with the finest running water sport in my neck of the woods, there are plenty of day ticket trout fisheries within a short drive.<br />
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The classic evening rise is something of a rarity on such venues, but the trout in these heavily-stocked waters are usually eager to grab at a gaudy lure fished on an erratic retrieve. I'm not sure whether such patterns really do resemble anything in the aquatic world or whether trout just hit them out of annoyance. Either way the result is the same, and even small stocked rainbow trout will put a decent bend in a light fly rod.<br />
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Trout Cakes</h3>
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One problem with stocked trout in small stillwaters is that they can taste a little muddy. Their pellet-boosted diet tends to result in flesh with a far earthier flavour than that of trout that caught from clear running water where they'll have fed on insects. But trout cakes make a tasty meal of even the earthiest stockies.</div>
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<em>To serve two generously</em></div>
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<strong>You will need</strong>:</div>
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One 2lb/3lb trout</div>
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1lb potatoes</div>
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One knob of butter</div>
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One large onion</div>
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Half a lemon</div>
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Breadcrumbs</div>
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Fresh herbs</div>
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Salt and pepper</div>
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Peel potatoes then boil for 25 minutes or until they start to flake. Drain potatoes, add butter, salt and pepper and mash until smooth. Leave to cool.</div>
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While potatoes are boiling, cook trout under a medium grill for five minutes on each side. Peel off skin, flake meat from the bone and leave to cool.</div>
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Place cooled trout pieces, mashed potato and finely chopped onion in large bowl. Add chopped herbs (parsley works well), grated lemon rind and a grind of salt and pepper. Roll up your sleeves and mix thoroughly with your hands. Scoop mixture into burger-sized balls, roll in breadcrumbs and press into patties.</div>
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Grill for five minutes on each side until golden-brown. Serve with fresh salad, a squeeze of lemon and a generous glass of white wine.</div>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-62473088874004377562012-03-21T20:15:00.000+00:002012-03-21T20:15:23.601+00:00Airgun days at Honeycombe ShootThe Honeycombe Shoot on the Somerset/Dorset border has opened its gates to airgun shooters.<br />
At £50 per day, it isn't cheap but the place is a hunter's paradise. The daily rate gives insured shooters the run of the 4,000-acre sporting estate for rabbit, pigeon and squirrel shooting - not to mention an abundance of corvids.<br />
The shoot is set in beautiful countryside on the outskirts of Sherborne, and features diverse habitat from mature deciduous woodland to open pasture. Gamekeeper Mike Appleby provides clients with first-class pheasant, partridge and woodcock shooting as well as deer stalking according to the seasons. He's clearly a forward-thinking 'keeper and has cottoned-on the growing demand for high quality air rifle hunting.<br />
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I managed a brief visit on behalf of <em>Airgun Shooter</em> magazine last week and have to say I was very impressed. There was lots of quarry - unlike some of the 'shot-out' commercial airgun shoots - and an absolute abundance of wildlife, which is testament to the careful management of the shoot.<br />
The daily rate provides full access to the shoot, which is easily accessible, thanks to the well established tracks. You also get to use the Gun Room, where you can start the day with a hot drink and a chat with Mike, who has an intimate knowledge of the ground and will guide you to the best spots.<br />
To find out more about airgun shooting at The Honeycombe Shoot, contact Mike Appleby on 07966 521707 or email <a href="mailto:mikekeeper@aol.com">mikekeeper@aol.com</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP8mId0Xagoyep64J_fxoc034kytHbVagbgat0zgL9dJJaoRVaBeLrKJtuAa3Lb3GPDpp9dwUdeVaiEaOD2VKrs6iaEeBjisnhivnSXUELUZaw0o-A16TadUWxEDK5H45xzsZW1iAEh62/s1600/IMG_9743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP8mId0Xagoyep64J_fxoc034kytHbVagbgat0zgL9dJJaoRVaBeLrKJtuAa3Lb3GPDpp9dwUdeVaiEaOD2VKrs6iaEeBjisnhivnSXUELUZaw0o-A16TadUWxEDK5H45xzsZW1iAEh62/s320/IMG_9743.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-45321941929633903282012-02-28T21:48:00.002+00:002012-02-28T21:52:00.446+00:00NiteSite NS50Readers of Airgun Shooter magazine will have seen my recent head-to-head test of three alternatives to conventional lamping/night vision kit. The test was my first encounter with the The NiteSite NS50 - a gadget that has caused quite a stir since its recent launch. I was very impressed, both in terms of price and performance, so I thought I'd include a version of the review here.<br />
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The NiteSite NS 50 is one of the most impressive night shooting gadgets I have ever used. This ingenious system provides the benefits of Night Vision hunting without the hassle of having to change scopes and re-zero or splashing out on a dedicated NV combo.<br />
Although I have dedicated Night Vision optics of my own, I hardly ever use them because they’re heavy, cumbersome and can’t compete with the precision of a conventional telescopic sight. But with the NiteSite, you get to enjoy the performance of your usual daytime scope along with the stealth of NV.<br />
The NiteSite works by fitting an infra-red (IR) camera onto your scope’s eyepiece, which then relays the sight picture to a monitor mounted on top of the scope. The image on the monitor, which includes your scope’s crosshairs, then acts as your sighting device.<br />
Packaged in a tough, foam-lined plastic case, the NiteSite kit includes the nifty little camera, the monitor (which has a three-inch LCD screen) and battery pack – plus cables for fitting all three together. The package also includes battery charging gear, quick-fit adaptors to fix the monitor to the top of your scope (to fit one-inch and 30mm tubes) and two eyepiece adaptors that will connect the camera to the eyepiece of most scopes.<br />
One of the most impressive things about this system is how easy it is to use and how quickly you can fit it to your daytime hunting combo and take it off again. To get up and running, all you do is fit the correct-sized clamp to your scope tube and then slide the fixture at the base of the screen into it – making sure it’s facing you – and then tighten the clamp. Next, you push the eyepiece adaptor tube over the rear lens of your scope, pop the camera into it, ensuring that it’s fitted centrally, connect the cables and switch on. It only takes a moment.<br />
You can fine-tune the picture on the monitor by adjusting the eyepiece connector to ensure perfect ‘eye relief’ to the camera. And, if the crosshairs appear blurry, you can focus the lens by making quarter turns with your finger. This focusing won’t need to be repeated if you stick with the same scope.<br />
The NiteSite is switched on by turning the switch on the top of the monitor module. On the opposite side from the screen is an infra-red illuminator, with a selection of power levels that you can turn up or down with a twist of the switch. The first switch-on was a revelation for me – sat in the house with the lights switched off, the NS50 produced probably the sharpest NV image I have ever seen. I couldn’t wait to get it out in the field.<br />
The camera and monitor/illuminator modules are comparatively light - lighter than most NV units - but the battery pack is a hefty one. It weighs-in at around 1.5 kilos and you certainly know when you’ve got it strapped over your shoulder, or stuffed in a large pocket of your shooting jacket. However, that chunky battery pack holds enough power for more than five hours of continual use. It then takes six hours to recharge when flat.<br />
Although the battery is bulky, it doesn’t really affect the performance of the NS50. The head-up shooting position required to view the monitor will affect your marksmanship, though. I found that, without the usual contact with the cheek-piece, standing shots were tricky, although ‘kneelers’ could be taken after taking time to familiarise myself with the new setup.<br />
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</span>The NS50 really excels when used from a rested position, and is perfect for static ratting; when you can sit and use crates, pallets, sacks or strawbales to support the gun. During the test period, I used the NiteSite to tackle rats that were targeting the chicken run in my garden. Sat at a table, with the gun mounted on a bipod, the NS50 made easy work of 15-metre to 20-metre targets. At this range, I only used the built-in IR illuminators at their lowest two levels and the picture on the screen was incredibly sharp – so sharp that I could watch small spiders clambering about on a stack of logs some 20 metres away.<br />
I reckon the NiteSite would be an awesome tool for sniping rabbits with a bipod mounted gun, when it’s dry enough to sprawl out on the grass during the warmer months. Using the IR illuminators at the higher power levels certainly produces an acceptable sight picture at the manufacturer’s stated 50 metres and beyond.<br />
With no conventional light-source, the NiteSite provides concealment on a par with dedicated NV optics. The only compromise is the fact that light from the screen does illuminate the shooter’s face, although only to a negligible degree. <br />
The NiteSite NS50 package retails for £399; not cheap but I reckon it represents great value for money. Its big brother, the NS-200, costs £599 and is suitable for use out to 200 metres.<br />
To find out more, see <a href="http://www.nitesite.co.uk/">www.nitesite.co.uk</a>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-37849802899858056672012-02-28T21:08:00.004+00:002012-02-28T21:29:19.978+00:00Give it some wellyHunter recently sent me a pair of boots to test in the field. Now these are not cheap boots, and Hunters are often regarded as the toff’s welly of choice; more associated with prestigious game shoots than my typical airgun pest control assignments. The Balmoral Sovereign has an SRP of £299 (which could buy you a decent airgun or a complete set of economy fishing gear) but shop around and you can actually get them for under £200. That still sounds like a lot of money but my old Hunter Galloways are still going strong after eight years of serious abuse. If the Balmorals last that long, I think they’ll represent great value.<br />
I’ve always found that Hunters fit me well, on the foot and on the leg. With the Balmoral Sovereigns, the fit is even better, and there’s a full-length, zip-up side gusset so they’re easy to pull on and off. The fit on the ankle is great and these boots come with two sets of cushioned insoles; you use the thick insole for a snug fit with lightweight socks in the summer and the thin insole to make extra room for thick socks and good blood circulation when it’s cold.<br />
The boots’ shell is tough rubber (available either in brown, which I've got, or olive green), the leg is lined with leather and the foot is lined with neoprene for comfort.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The all-terrain Vibram outer soles are incredibly grippy on mud, and have provided great traction on slippery clay river banks. However, the same could not be said on granite during a recent trip to Dartmoor. The treads didn't grip very well at all one the smooth stone and I ended up on my backside on one occasion - thankfully I wasn't carrying a gun...<br />
After four months of unsympathetic field testing these rugged boots are showing no sign of wear and have not let in a drop of moisture, even when wading with the water level close to the top. They are surprisingly supple and have done an admirable job of keeping my feet warm and dry this winter. Something of a heavyweight in terms of footwear, they may not be the best choice when soft footfall is required for stealthy stalking but they certainly keep out the elements. I'm very impressed - just be careful on the granite...</div>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-66616171895042710712012-01-01T20:47:00.001+00:002012-02-28T21:20:53.569+00:00Deben Pro Bench RestAfter years of making do without a proper rest for gun maintenance, I started using a Deben Pro Bench Rest back in October and, following several months of use, really wouldn't be without it now. This sturdy, fully-adjustable <span style="font-family: inherit;">rest</span> is perfect for properly supporting your gun while carrying out tasks like scope fitting and other maintenance, and also comes in very handy for zeroing.<br />
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The rest is very sturdy, and is easy to adjust for height and angle, while adjustable legs keep it absolutely level and wobble-free. Most importantly, it keeps the gun safely cradled and prevents the risk of unexpected knocks and bumps. In the past, I've either cut grooves into cardboard boxes to support my gun or balanced it precariously among a pile of cushions on the sofa while fitting scope mounts - I won't be resorting to my own bodged rests again...<br />
The Deben Pro Bench Rest retails for £54.99 and, although not cheap, I think it represents great value for money. Look after it and it should give a lifetime of excellent service. Have a look at <a href="http://www.deben.com/bench-rests/pro-bench-rest.html">http://www.deben.com/bench-rests/pro-bench-rest.html</a>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-62603556896007786442011-11-19T20:53:00.000+00:002011-11-19T20:53:37.069+00:00Chunky pigeon brothThe weather is gradually turning colder, the leaves are falling and the pigeons are beginning to flock to their winter roosts.<br />
A lightly-spiced broth is a great winter warmer; the ideal supper to tuck into after an evening’s roost shooting. You can serve it on rice or with chips but I prefer it with a couple of chunks of crusty bread.<o:p></o:p><br />
Pigeon is a very dark, rich meat and some people find it rather strong but this recipe is subtle enough even for people who don’t like their meat too gamey. Frying the meat in the butter, shallot and garlic at the start infuses it with wonderful, sweet flavours.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i>To serve two<o:p></o:p></i></div><b>Ingredients<o:p></o:p></b><br />
Breast meat from one or two pigeons (depending on how meaty you want it)<o:p></o:p><br />
2 medium potatoes<o:p></o:p><br />
1 medium parsnip<o:p></o:p><br />
2 large carrots<o:p></o:p><br />
4 shallots (or one onion)<o:p></o:p><br />
1 clove of garlic<o:p></o:p><br />
1 vegetable stock cube<o:p></o:p><br />
1 knob of butter<o:p></o:p><br />
½ teaspoon of ground cumin<o:p></o:p><br />
1 pint of water<o:p></o:p><br />
Salt and pepper<o:p></o:p><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b>Method<o:p></o:p></b></div>Finely chop the shallots and roughly dice the carrots, parsnip and potatoes. Cut pigeon breast meat into cubes of between half and one inch.<o:p></o:p><br />
Melt the knob of butter in a saucepan, add the shallots and fry gently until soft. Then crush in the garlic clove, add the pigeon meat and fry for three or four minutes until it begins to turn brown.<o:p></o:p><br />
Add the water and chopped vegetables and bring to the boil. Stir in the stock cube and the cumin and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become soft. The finished consistency should be that of a thick stew – not watery like a soup but with enough cooking juice to cover the chunks in a thick sauce.<o:p></o:p><br />
Add salt and pepper to taste, and maybe a touch more cumin, and serve.<br />
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</div>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-12975349943546069222011-11-17T20:03:00.000+00:002011-11-17T20:03:21.409+00:00Border Fish and GameToday I caught up with Jonny White who recently took over Border Fish and Game, based in Yeovil, Somerset. You can see his cheerful mug below...<br />
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The business was established more than two decades ago and has a fine reputation for supplying top quality game sourced from local shoots. The range includes pheasant, partridge, venison, duck, hare, rabbit and woodpigeon. As the name suggests, the business also supplies fish, including fresh and smoked trout and salmon, and a wide selection of fresh seafood.<br />
During my visit, Jonny and I paid a visit to the Trent Shoot, near Sherborne, to watch some of the guns in action - and to pick up some fresh supplies for Border Fish and Game. The combination of wonderful steep ground and a steady breeze resulted in plenty of testing high birds for the guns.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JtAxwAFa5yOefC3fYlBnDCnFd_QLiTESD8ZYAxU_Ve8_10E0e3XcwH7bELozKqXB4ALqQE5bW4E2jZWYa-4XBTZut72xW2BoAq_-mZZSpjWbYgMsqmgWeplMpznjlXFU-rKMfIqEUJFL/s1600/border2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JtAxwAFa5yOefC3fYlBnDCnFd_QLiTESD8ZYAxU_Ve8_10E0e3XcwH7bELozKqXB4ALqQE5bW4E2jZWYa-4XBTZut72xW2BoAq_-mZZSpjWbYgMsqmgWeplMpznjlXFU-rKMfIqEUJFL/s320/border2.JPG" width="226" /></a></div><br />
Jonny supplies game to pubs, restaurants, farmshops and butchers but you can also buy direct. He runs a delivery service and customers are welcome to visit his premises on Lynx West Trading Estate in Yeovil. Apart from selling game, Jonny is always on the lookout for new suppliers. Whether you're interested in buying or supplying, you can contact him on 01935 429777 or email <a href="mailto:jonny@freshfishandgame.co.uk1935">jonny@freshfishandgame.co.uk</a>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-66474820694692284312011-07-20T10:33:00.000+01:002011-07-20T10:33:59.202+01:00Mackerel and chipsSummer is here (well, sort of) and the 'mackerel bashers' are clogging up the beaches. However, we shouldn't criticise the fair weather feather-chuckers - they're targeting one of the tastiest harvests available from the beach.<br />
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A lot of people struggle to do anything more adventurous with mackerel than stick them on the grill but there are so many ways to enjoy this delicious, oily fish. Here's a simple recipe that puts a summery twist on fish and chips.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Serves two as a light meal</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">You will need<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Fillets from two mackerel<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Olive oil<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Honey<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Wholegrain mustard<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Fresh fennel<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Salt and pepper<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">For the chips<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Two medium potatoes<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Olive oil<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Fresh thyme<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Salt and pepper<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Method<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Cut potatoes into thin chips. Place in baking tray, add a slosh of olive oil, salt, pepper and finely chopped thyme. Toss the chips with your hands to coat evenly, spread to a single layer in tray and cook in oven for 25 minutes at 200C or until crisp and golden brown.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Place mackerel fillets on a plate and drizzle with olive oil. Add a few twists of salt and pepper then sprinkle with chopped fennel. Toss to coat evenly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Add a small dash of olive oil to a large frying pan and bring to a medium heat. Add the mackerel fillets skin-side down and cook for four or five minutes until crisp and brown. Before turning, use the back of a teaspoon to spread a covering of wholegrain mustard and honey on the top of each fillet. Flip the mackerel over and cook for a further two minutes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Place mackerel fillets on a bed of fresh salad (the addition of a few torn mint leaves will give it some extra zip) and serve with chips on the side.</span>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-43637528670254838652011-06-21T20:05:00.001+01:002011-06-21T20:08:56.934+01:00Sit tight in summer woodsI've been trying to do some pest control around the woods and it hasn't been easy. Targeting quarry in trees at this time of year is always difficult because of the dense summer foliage. The simple fact is that wild creatures stand a far better chance of seeing us approaching than we do of spotting them hiding among the leaves. It'll be a lot easier when the leaves start to fall in autumn.<br />
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In the meantime, the most effective method is to find an area that appears to hold some quarry - around dreys or trees that show signs of squirrel damage, or perhaps close to crops that are being targeted by pigeons and corvids - and wait. Our prey is adept at spotting movement so keeping still is one of the most effective ways of avoiding detection. Dig in and sit tight, and it's surprising what will venture out into the open.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ1eRzoF7RWvKfF3s0fu1f8mXJdSJaUGEtRGvbg6O-2lVaa0URY1pxm68XT2EGnWCTS-e_WPSye6fFhnTfxeG_HiCSVBzEClBRkYQweZ4Lt-uFejN3GzjGxvnQEiHa1YRf_GGJ6aB9DJ_/s1600/z.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZ1eRzoF7RWvKfF3s0fu1f8mXJdSJaUGEtRGvbg6O-2lVaa0URY1pxm68XT2EGnWCTS-e_WPSye6fFhnTfxeG_HiCSVBzEClBRkYQweZ4Lt-uFejN3GzjGxvnQEiHa1YRf_GGJ6aB9DJ_/s320/z.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
During one of my latest outings, there were a lot of pigeons flitting around among the canopy. Their cooing could easily be heard but they were very hard to spot. I decided to use my pigeon caller in an attempt to draw them in and actually managed to bag one - though I'm not sure whether it was actually responding to my calls. It was a good day's shooting that resulted in a mixed bag - I've filed a full report for a future edition of Airgun Shooter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2BfzIg7NsFJC-a9oeQ0_ywllOnBAfCmwKNJFBgBympwOHtJGbtIrr0F187YGv4Re3HOLe5kwGgoW5eRD9ESjOcqF4L-HvqwJj48ppuY1rAygv6kK5LBTZMv3W_B5ibWAF-Gd4uOUdNJC/s1600/as.summerwoodland.12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2BfzIg7NsFJC-a9oeQ0_ywllOnBAfCmwKNJFBgBympwOHtJGbtIrr0F187YGv4Re3HOLe5kwGgoW5eRD9ESjOcqF4L-HvqwJj48ppuY1rAygv6kK5LBTZMv3W_B5ibWAF-Gd4uOUdNJC/s320/as.summerwoodland.12.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-28262919605280456572011-04-26T19:23:00.001+01:002011-04-26T19:24:57.874+01:00Airgun Universe Spring GatheringI was kindly invited to drop in and see the lads from web forum Airgun Universe over the bank holiday weekend, and what a treat it was. These folks must be one of the friendliest groups of airgun shooters I have ever met.<br />
Unlike many of the online forums, Airgun Universe members are fortunate enough to have a regular opportunity to meet face to face, thanks to moderator Barry Hutchins. Barry organises the annual gathering in beautiful Dorset countryside where members can pitch up a tent and shoot a wide range of targets while enjoying lots of banter and good food. They also had a visit from master airgun tuner Lyn Lewington, who gave everyone a chance to sample the results of his work on the range.<br />
Although the heatwave conditions may not have been ideal for shooting, it was certainly more suited to camping than typical spring weather and everyone seemed to be having a terrific time. Targets included a seriously impressive plinking range and an HFT-style course. Apart from the target ranges, with air supplies provided courtesy of Best Fittings, there was also an opportunity for members to take part in hunting trips. Nothing was wasted, and shot quarry, including squirrels, ended up being put to good use on the barbecue.<br />
I'll file a more comprehensive report with more pics for a future edition of Airgun Shooter magazine. In the meantime, you can see what they got up to at <a href="http://www.airgununiverse.co.uk/">http://www.airgununiverse.co.uk/</a><br />
Thanks to all for making me feel so welcome. It was a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours and I'm planning to stick around for longer next time.<br />
Cheers<br />
Mat<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0Cgckf9ce_qg_z086O2VjPsE0GsXF7l8xVO2GwWccvIYX56qKYGRFUAigV01lLykmQnS6Erc9LUhgxZFlIwtvFW9XXORe2hymzJta6nmKIt0yL4iXpn5H-C_TfLMNFeSgA8TmNpbV7P5/s1600/IMG_5742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0Cgckf9ce_qg_z086O2VjPsE0GsXF7l8xVO2GwWccvIYX56qKYGRFUAigV01lLykmQnS6Erc9LUhgxZFlIwtvFW9XXORe2hymzJta6nmKIt0yL4iXpn5H-C_TfLMNFeSgA8TmNpbV7P5/s400/IMG_5742.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Airgun Universe gang - they don't just eat pies...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-46179481580684535682011-04-12T19:34:00.000+01:002011-04-12T19:34:07.277+01:00Dogfish recipeLast time I said I'd share my very simple and delicios recipe for dogfish - here it is.<br />
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<em>To serve two</em><br />
<strong>You will need</strong><br />
Three dogfish (prepared for the table)<br />
Olive Oil<br />
White wine vinegar<br />
One lemon<br />
One clove of garlic<br />
Fresh parsley and fennel<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
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<strong>Method</strong><br />
Begin by making the marinade. Pour olive oil (about two tablespoons), white wine vinegar (about two tablespoons), juice from half lemon, crushed garlic and chopped parsley and fennel into a jar. Add a good grind of salt and pepper, screw on the lid and shake to mix the marinade.<br />
Next, chop the dogfish into chunks of between one and two inches in length. Place into a bowl, pour the marinade over the top and mix until evenly coated. Cover bowl with clingfilm and place in the fridge - for a couple of hours if you can wait.<br />
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To cook, simply heat a dash of olive oil in a pan, tip in the chunks of marinated dogfish and cook until golden brown, turning once or twice to ensure they're evenly cooked. They shouldn't take much more than five minutes.<br />
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The tasty brown chunks of fish will retain all the flavours of the marinade and taste delicious served on a bed of green salad leaves with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise. Serve with crusty bread and butter.Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4202460791747283342.post-5659296631106089892011-04-04T20:18:00.000+01:002011-04-04T20:18:34.597+01:00Dogfish preparationA lot of shore anglers don't eat dogfish, which is a real pity. They chuck them back because they'd rather be catching some of the more highly regarded (and more scarce) fish such as plaice, black bream and so on. The trouble is that by chucking doggies, which are scavenging predators, back into the sea, you're helping to conserve them and allowing their swelling numbers to continue munching their way through the fish we'd all rather be catching...<br />
A lot of anglers don't eat dogfish because their rough, sandpapery skin is tricky to remove, but hidden underneath is tasty meat commonly sold be fishmongers as huss or rock salmon. And the knack of skinning them is actually pretty easy once you've done a few.<br />
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To prepare a dogfish, begin by giving it several hard whacks across the head to ensure a swift death as soon as you beach it.<br />
Next, you need to remove that skin, which is somewhat like peeling a very rough banana. It's best done on the beach rather than in the kitchen...<br />
Use your heel to pin the fish's head to the ground and, using a very sharp knife, cut down into the skin at the top of the fish, just in front of the tail. Continue this cut along the length of the fish to remove a thin, shallow length of skin from tail to head, removing the dorsal fin as you go. Then turn the fish over and repeat along the underside, making a shallow cut from the tail and following the length of the fish, cutting deeper at the belly to remove the guts and underside fins as you go. Cut the whole lot away when you reach the head.<br />
You have now removed flaps of the tough skin from the top and bottom on the fish - but the main areas of skin remain on the sides.<br />
Now make cuts behind the gills to free the remaining side flaps of skin and, keeping your heel on the fish's head, use pliers to grip the end of each side flap of skin and pull firmly upwards to peel away towards the tail. With both flaps removed, you just need to cut off the head and tail and your dogfish meat is prepared.<br />
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The long, pink lenghs of meat look quite serpentine but make wonderful eating. Best of all, because dogfish are cartilaginous like other members of the shark family, they don't have any small pin-bones. The meat is of a firm texture, similar to monkfish, and holds up well on kebabs. Next time I'll share a very quick recipe to turn dogfish into a delicious meal.Mathew Manninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06035931862591356555noreply@blogger.com0