March is an odd month for on the calendar for me as it one which well and truly puts a stop to any proper country sports. With Game Shooting finishing in January, we hold onto February for dear life with many Saturday ferreting days and mid-week lamping sessions heralded as the last of the season…
Read more
I was recently approached by a local marina owner and asked to remove a family of mink that had taken up residence amongst the pontoon walkways that ran alongside the moored barges. They had decimated the local moorhen and duck population that regular visitors to the nearby canal-side restaurant had been used to seeing…
Read more
By Cathal Hughes (Pro Fire Widlfowling) A morning wildfowling on Lough Neagh starts for me on a Friday evening shortly after finishing work in which I would have spent most of the day thinking on how I would be setting out the decoy spread. After methodically thinking and deciding on how the lay…
Read more
I took the dog pup out with me last Thursday night for a few runs, just locally & just to let him let off a bit of steam. These pups are noticeably different than to the older generation from which they have stemmed from. That dash of Irish terrier breeding has certainly added some fuel…
Read more
Irish Extra February 2021 We have had a couple of days of light snow as I write and it has been very welcome. I find that snow brings a certain calm to the countryside and I always enjoy a roam about in it. I had the truck loaded up on Friday night and I…
Read more
I began my day at the foot of the mountain accompanied by a Lurcher and a Teckel. I had a small bag over my shoulder with a flask inside and a shotgun with me. This was the third or fourth day I had did this since October and while not in the habit of mixing…
Read more
2020 is gone! Happy New Year. I do not think many of us, least of all the country sports community will be sad to see the end of a frustrating year to say the least. It seemed shooting sports in particular were on and off like a light switch and there were at times…
Read more
For me there can be little more satisfying than a good nights netting, even should that night only amount to one mere rabbit in the bag, or even none! It matters little because getting out and dropping a few nets regardless of the bag is most important. I have enjoyed some nights that we…
Read more
November saw the celebration of 2 notable days for the country sports fraternity, the first being St Huberts Day on 3rd November & secondly World Falconry Day on 16th November. The eldest son of Bertrans, the Duke of Aquitaine, Hubert was born in 638 AD. A prince of the House of Aquitaine in France, when…
Read more
My new German puppy “Remy” arrived safe and well on Sunday past. He bound from a large van with his tail wagging and looking no worse for wear after his three-day journey. My daughter had blown up balloons and bought “Doggy” cupcakes to welcome him to Ireland and the pair spent the afternoon becoming acquainted.…
Read more