Airgun World – July 2019

8 AIRGUN WORLD http://www.airgunshooting.co.uk

THE AIRGUN WORLD FORUM FOR YOUR RANTS, RAVES AND Q&As

POINTS OF YOU

Thanks to the generosity of the people at Jack Pyke, we’re

able to give away a pair of the brand new Hunters boots every

month to the reader we consider to have sent the best letter.

That’s 120 quid’s worth of excellent footwear, just for letting

us know what’s on your mind. You’ve got to like those

numbers!

So, have a think about what you want to say and get in

touch, by email or letter. Don’t write pages of text because

we’ll have to edit it and we’d rather your thoughts were

just as you wrote them. State shoe size and address, and it’s

great if you can include a photo, too. I promise we read every

communication we get.

If your letter wins, you’ll get these superb boots, which

feature full grain leather uppers, a Vibram Trek Hunter

rubber sole, a 100% waterproof, breathable, Hydroguard

membrane, odour-resistant Agion antimicrobial inners

and Thinsulate liners.

They’re great boots - so good luck!

Like everyone else with an interest in hunting, I’ve followed the

withdrawal/reinstatement of the general licences debacle as closely

as I can. Despite watching every broadcast, studying every

statement and checking every reference I can find on the subject,

I’m still not certain where I stand as a volunteer pest controller who

still believes I’m doing a vital job, albeit one I enjoy.

The one thing I do know, is that CONTROLLING CROWS AND

PIGEONS WITH MY AIR RIFLE HAS NOT BEEN BANNED. Excuse

the capitals but I can’t emphasise this too strongly. Yet, I keep

seeing the ‘banned’ term being used, including by those who

should know better.

Please, can we view this situation as it really is, rather

than lapsing into some ‘doom ‘n’ gloom’ scenario where everything

is hopeless. I believe workable versions of the general licences will

eventually be put in place and that we airgunners will be able to

carry on as before, but in the meantime can we remain positive,

pro-actice, and realistic. After all, what we’re doing is right, and

that still counts for something in this world.

JOE FINNEY

Well said, Joe, and you’re absolutely right about our hunting not

being banned. I, too, believe that the facts and common sense will

prevail, and that our contribution to the management of the

countryside is valid and important. - Ed

LETTER OF THE MONTH WINS THE JACK PYKE HUNTERS BOOTS

GARY REVEALS ALL!
Last month, a certain ‘Roger
Andout’ – we’re not entirely
convinced that’s his real name

• claimed he’d spotted a
  ‘secret weapon’ our pellet
  professor, Gary Wain, uses
  during his tests, namely Gary’s
  distinctive whiskers. Here’s
  Gary’s reply.

Dear Mr Andout
As you are an obvious
pogonophile, I would imagine
you are already aware that the
beard determines general
wind and weather conditions;

it goes all frizzy if it’s about to

rain. As you’ve correctly

identified, though, it is the

moustache that adds that

extra level of fine detail,

enabling the instant feedback

for minute changes in wind

speed and direction.

The beard and moustache

have to be trimmed and officially

calibrated by one of the very

rare ‘meteorological barbers’ in

the country. However, when

correctly calibrated, the

moustache will also receive FM

radio, and under favourable

atmospheric conditions, even

the cricket on long-wave.

Kind regards

Gary Wain

ROOKED!

However the general licences issue pans out, there’s one

thing for certain; there’s going to be a load more rooks

about this year! The shooting of ‘brancher’ rooks always

takes place in early May and I’ve taken part in that on

several farms for the past 25 years. Not this year, though,

thanks to the legal uncertainties prevailing at the time.

The farmers for whom I control corvids are already

reporting increased numbers of crows and especially

rooks, so there’s going to be a knock-on effect later in the

year. My advice is, we’d better get ready to make up for

the opportunities missed – and stock up on pellets!

LES GODDARD

Gary’s facial fuzz in its ‘off duty’

mode, and awaiting calibration.

The ‘brancher season’ was missed by

many this year, and Les Goddard

reckons we’d best be prepared for

increased numbers of rooks.

THE OXYGEN OF PUBLICITY

Can I make a plea to all those affected

by this ridiculous situation regarding

general licences to stop talking about a

certain BBC presenter when

discussing this matter in the press or

social media? The man is a TV

presenter and so loves and craves

attention. Like spoiled children

screaming and shouting, if you ignore

them they will go quiet. Why give him

exactly what he craves? The idiots and

morons who hang crows on his gate,

or issue stupid death threats merely

ensure that his agent gets him on more

TV and radio, which only swells his ego

as well as his bank balance.

Rational arguments need to be

presented to those responsible for

issuing licences. In these times of

supposed green issues, surely it is to

no one’s benefit to destroy British

agriculture or make it so uncompetitive

that all our food must be flown or

shipped in with the accompanying

environmental impact.

PAUL FORD

I fully agree, Paul, and you’ll find

plenty on the same subject over on

page 50.