Sam Thompson

So everyone else does exactly what you do eh? You just seem to have a massive chip on your shoulder bud. Sam

So why stand and film a legal activity? In march 2008 I witnessed three young men armed with sticks attack a 18 year old girl. They dragged her off her horse and kicked her on the ground before me and two other blokes got to her. That was on a drag hunt, no foxes were killed on that day. And yet they attacked someone who wasn't doing anything wrong. Im sure SOME hunt supporters are "aggressive" But they haven't killed anyone yet have they? Sam

Family walked up day on my Uncles estate. Maybe 50 birds at most, absolutely love it. Small family days are brilliant, and the boxing day shoot is the highlight of my christmas. Age from 3-79 this year if everyone gets there. Big meal after, lots of port/sloegasms to boot. Ill be shooting with my great grandfather's hammer 16 bore, its a 1875 Lang self cocking action and a joy to shoot. It will never leave the family 'Appy Kippers Sam

Seconded! Its never to young to learn! Sam

Did you just make a massive snow mound and carve out of that? Looks way cool mate Sam

Yes and no. I have guided a 3 ex service men (and a woman) stalking. I took two of them out at the same time, both Gurkha chaps. They had impeccable manners, skill and respect to the quarry. One shot a roebuck and one a fox. The third was a Tank man (cant remember the regiment ). After ripping my rifle (an aged Parker Hale .270) He failed to achieve the 3" at 100m accuracy test that I ask guests to shoot before taking them out on live quarry. On his second attempt he managed (Just). In fairness I should have sent him home there and then, but I thought I owed him something. We went out and stalked, a do presented herself for a broadside shot at about 70m and I asked him if he was confident to take a heart/lung shot. He said "F**k that lad, I can shoot a "P***" in the head I can do it with a deer". Despite my swearing, look of horror and attempt to stop him he shot the jaw clean off the beast. He was happy with the shot. I found the beast and put it out of its misery after 2 hours of spoor tracking through the snow. He wasn't invited back and alas I dont take "Im in the army" as proof someone can shoot anymore. Its a different ball game. Safety side as well. Sam

I served a stalking "apprenticeship" if you like. From aged 8-14 I went stalking once or twice a week but never raised a loaded rifle at anything living. I started shooting targets at about 10 with a rifle but was already a pretty good shotgunner, out most days after school shooting vermin. I would argue that "my way" of learning stalking is much more effective than DSC1/2 yet the police often fail to recognise it as equal/above. Having done DMQ and also helped in the training of it it strikes me as two things - 1) A get rich quick exercise for BDS, BASC etc 2) A pay-and-pass kind of affair. I think its a real shame because it has great scope. . When it comes to dangerous shooting I have three words. French. Italian & American. Sam

Oooo you swine Fair enough though, you get so damn used to people not taking the urine and saying stupid things that I just go off on one. Sam

As much fun as comparing war wounds is (13 No.6 pellets picked out of my knee)... its not making the sport seem very safe! Sam

No there not. I could have a loaded gun pointed at my head for a hundred years and still be fine, its muppets pulling the trigger that VERY RARELY cause incidents. You speak for yourself on that one. There is a time for banter and a time for seriousness. I have held a FAC for nearly 4 years and a SGC for nearly 8, I have taught many friends to shoot who you have a great laugh with most of the time but it change when you play with guns. I instruct people weekly on safety/shooting ethics/ best practice on various live quarry shoots and the mood on the drive is very different to that in the pub after. Sam

Were you wearing saw trousers? I imagine they would be right heavy in water! Sam

346XP Its a cracking saw with a 13" or 15" bar. The problem I have come across with the 260 is they work great for the first year/two years but then after that as soon as you touch the revs they seem to die. I doubt it is bad maintenance as I have come across it on a number of saws by various owners. Hopefully the 261 will not have this problem, and if so will be a real contender to the 346. Sam

Venison

Apart from last year... and the year before that I think! Stella ftw I think. Though I liked the business woman (NOT CLEANER) from Leicester. I also thought that Russel Braggs "The Brand" was hillarious. Sam

No such thing buddy. Sorry. Depends waht you want it for but I would talk to either a local land agent (Strutt & Parker, Smiths Gore, Savilles, Jackson Stops & Staff etc.) or an estate close by and ask about waste pasture, or similar. See what they say, you might get lucky, but I reckon you get taken if you buy less than 35ac, the price is much lower if you are buying a bigger quantity - you can sell it off later remember. Sorry to put a downer on it, but when I have money I will invest it in land, they dont make it any more. Sam

Sounds about right, the 35cc ALDI saw with the 22" bar springs to mind Sam

I have a 13" & 15" for my 346XP, running the 15" at the moment, though certainly wouldnt go bigger than 16" on that saw. Sam

But in the Stihl book it isnt in the proffesional section Just checked Sam

Gin and Tonic, sloe gin or occasionally a bottle of Krug non-vintage, I prefer the grape mix.

Proper saw

Just a thankyou to F R Jones and sons for their great service when I went and picked up my 346XP. Aswell as being about £100 cheaper than anyone else the service/range of products in the shop was great. I had fun bringing the saw back up north on the train though, some really weird looks on the tube Thanks Sam

Scrap that! Custom blade for that money, though my F1 is great, custom is the way to go

Buy him a gun. Every man should have one Sam

And we will have Rabbits?! Shocking book, To Kill A Mockingbird any day! I started using E45 when I was working on farms a couple of years ago. It really does help, theres nothing worse than a bird saying "Eugh, whats wrong with your hands, it looks like you have a disease!" Soft(ish) Hand Sam

Hotmail address, from a business that large? Hum....