The Ole Hedge Creeper

October Madness

9/11/2024

October Madness
Winter Is On The Way

Blimey what a whirlwind month this has turned out to be.

Well first of all I must apologise for being just over a week late getting this article out, I there me rag doll out of its pram and almost the laptop out of the window, so when I say the computer crashed it almost did, right out of the office window and down with the cattle.

I had just written a wonderful article ready to upload here, probably some of my best work ever, real passion about this time of year and all country sports, my uncle Dave was messaging me at the same time, I had one of those technical senior moments, I pressed the wrong button the computer and deleted the whole article, as it vanished before my very eyes I let out a Viking war cry with both fists in the air, I have only now felt compelled enough to put pen to paper once again as it were. So here goes this months blog, you get what you get lol.

This month I thought I would take you on a sort of nostalgic old school winter food journey, as many who have my cook books know I have had some fantastic inspirations in the kitchen, but this article like my second game cook book (The House Wives Cheats) I dedicate to my Mum and my Nan, two amazing cooks who fed us Rough Ole Collins Boys well, with so many stories, their great sense of humour and amazing food, winter food being my favourite.

First off we start off with my brothers and mines favourite Corned Dog (Corned beef) Pie, originally a cheap war time dish both my Mum and Nan did their own versions of this dish, I do a mix of both with a bit of an Ole Hedge Creepers twist to put my own take on it, it was out of this world, I sent a pic to my brother with the pie served with proper chips done in the chip pan with beef dripping and baked bean, he is on a diet and training hard in the gym for some marathon or something, he sent me a pic back of him licking the phone, I also had it cold the next day next day on the first game shoot of the season on my shoot, Nobby, Lloyd, Dad and Mags all munching on it saying it was wonderful.

Next Came the fish pie, again Mum and Nan had their own twists to this, I added my own, they would always use the left over scraps from the fish they processed for this dish, us Collins boys love fishing too so was always bring home a variety of sea fish after being out on Uncles boat, again this dish was awesome washed down with a nice glass of Pino.

Stuffed hearts being one of my Pappies favourites, so again I put my own twist on these with my version of my secret stuffing mix, well unless you have one of my cook books that is, washed down with a warming glass of fine me port, this was food for the gods I telle.

Mum and Nan Cooking together, Cooking us Collins Boys up a storm in the kitchen, God Rest Their Beautiful Souls, I miss both these ladies so much, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma and taste this photo, with their sweet soft Southern voices bellowing at me, GET OUT OF OUR KITCHEM AND SPOP PICKING AT THE FOOD!!!!!!!! <3

The next dish the king of the feast, a mighty steak and kidney suet pudding, bursting at the seams with meat and a thick gravy, served with tarragon roast potatoes, fresh carrots from farmers garden and washed down with a fine pint of Guinness after a shoot day. Now thats living like a country king I telle. There is more to talk about food but for now will move on to something else, watch the videos with this article and you can see this fod in all its glory, well apart from the steak and kidney pie my phone ran out of memory to do a video, if you want any of my cook books they are available from www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk that's this website.

This month we are back in full swing with our Masonic lodges, and what a fantastic time it is after hmmmm a summer off, I visited Backwell Lodge to see my old drinking chum Rod from way before masonry, his children and mine grew up playing together, what a wonderful night amongst great men and Freemasons, some wonderful conversations about the charity work we all do too, I also took a contingent of The Adair Club that's the official light blues club Somerset and my Lodge Gordano Lodge along to see my dear friend Wayne and all my chums at The Agricultural Lodge Of Gloucestershire, what a fantastic night this was too amongst dear friends and Freemasons from another province, the ceremony was first class and the festive board or after meeting as its known was belly busting, then again what do you expect from a farmers lodge.

I had to go do a talk to The Bristol Fly Dressers Guild too, this was on behalf of The Pass It On Young Sport Organisation that I have the greatest honour to head up, I am hoping we can join forces and do like what were doing in Scotland under my brilliant Scottish regional director Ken, what I am hoping to do here is start a Young Sports and Family style fishing club covering all fishing disciplines, this talk was well received so watch this space.

Whilst on a conservation job controlling grey squirrels and protecting red squirrels I managed to be very close to some wildlife, a herd of Sika deer and for me the best bit a glut of hares, there was so much wildlife about here I was in my element, actually shooting with a camera instead of a gun, I will add a couple of pics for you to see.

Well the first game shoot of the season on my shoot that I keeper on, we just could not get enough beaters this day as we had classed with the shoot next door, so we decided to do a walked up shoot, with the odd couple of beaters with dogs we did have filling in the gaps, I stayed on the quad bike as I still cant really walk since the accident, I ran one end of the line where I could and my under keepers filling in too, I must say it was a wonderful day and a lot of shooting was had, not just with the pheasants and partridge but with squirrels and dray poking, I must admit I really enjoyed this relaxed day and everyone said the same, we stopped for lunch with my cold Corned Dog Pie too. Nobby one of my dearest old childhood friends was there as my guest with his new Cocker Spaniel called Oakley, this was quite nostalgic really, here we are getting on for 40 years since we went out ferreting as lads, now were here twwed shirts and ties shooting game together, oh the memories came flooding back, Dad even told a few stories too.

Well I have finally agreed to do the pod casts again, I have been getting asked so much over the last three years since we stopped doing The Countryman's Diary Magazine (that I still co own) The Fat and Hairy Round up, The Collins Boys Unleashed episode is still getting big hits now, so I have agreed to start doing them again, but this time totally new and fresh with a fantastic new young co host, well you have heard of Miami Vice, Crockett and Tub’s, well we are now The Nailsea Twice, Crock Pot and Spud's, I wont ruin your hilarious and entertaining voyage of discovery here, click on the link button below and you will be taken to the page, you might have to download the free app to tune in Monday nights at 7pm, its NON PC, with George a young man and old man me chewing the fat, telling stories, jokes, covering everything under gods canopy and men's health, and more, it seems we have awoken the country girls too, as we are getting lots of country ladies writing for love, advice and oh so much more, come be entertained with our own unique hilarious wit and West Country sense of humour from two country boys with 30 years age difference between them.

Crock Pot And Spuds Podcast Link Button

I hope you have finally enjoyed my humble scribbles this month, until next time, Its Proper Job Mucker I Telle.

Oh before I forget, Luke Combs has a new album out called Fathers and Sons. I have this album and teas flow with each song, only real Country Boy Fathers, Sons and even Grandfathers will truly understand the words to every song on this album, but I swear he has sung these songs about my Hunting, Shooting and fishing life with my own family, have a listen on you tube, I guarantee you will buy this album too if your a real country Boy Grandfather, Father or Son.

October Madness
Winter Is On The Way
By The Ole Hedge Creeper www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

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Tally Ho A Season To Go

4/10/2024

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Tally Ho
A Season To Go

Well here we are at the start of October and all our seasons are ready to start, well the wildfowling season is a month in, now were starting the full game season too, October is a favourite month of mine, my Pappy (Grandfather) always loved this month, he called it the month of plenty and colour, he always remarked about the English countryside and its wondrous colour in this month, just look at our magnificent woodland in all their splendour and variety of colour, he was right and every year it amazes me too, also this is the month of plenty, fruit laden tree and hedgerows, mushrooms and other awesome fungi to harvest too, the pig is getting fat and all that wild game to harvest and so much more, a truly wondrous month of plenty and colour eh!

Well where do I start with my latest humble scribbles. I suppose I should start right at the beginning, I could not go wildfowling on the 1st of September as it was a Sunday, we cannot shoot wildfowl in Somerset on a Sunday. Monday the 2nd of September evening flight after work saw Goose my Cocker Spaniel and I sat next to one of my wild flight ponds just in off the fore shore, I had with me my circa 1881 Peterson and Sons of Peterborough 16 bore hammer gun loaded with some bismuth a dear friend had loaded for me for duck hunting etc, as Goose and I sat there and watching the sun set over my beloved North Somerset I cast my mind back tto my childhood and how I have not missed a start of a season in the best part of 50 years, I thought of family and our wonderful dogs who are no longer with us here but hunting in heaven with my ancestors, I thought of many dear friends who are no longer with us, like Marc Ray who died on his way to meet me for the opening evening flight over a pond very near this one in 2009, I will say a tear or two rolled down my cheek as I raised the gun as a salute to them all.

A king fisher kept whizzing past with a shrill making Goose stand on his tip toes and keeping him alert, well as if a spaniel needs to be kept alert eh? As the light started to dip ole screech my resident barn owl landed on the gate post above my head in almost complete silence, it seemed like an eternity but was only a second or two, the look on his face when he saw me and Goose was priceless, he didn't fly away though he took off and circled us in a wonderful flight display almost taking my cap off at one point, this for me was pure magic interacting with mother natures own, the light fell and we heard a few duck drop by, whistling wings overhead making mine and Goose heart beat like a steam train, I tried a few calls but they were intent on another pond this night, then the sound of the ghost riders on the wind in the distance, the wild geese that sound that sends an ice cold shiver down all wildfowlers backs, I gave a few honks, did they call back I don't know, but they answered I am sure saying come with me my lad not the other way around, the night fell black as ash cloth and the flight was over, not a single shot fired but my game bag was as full as my heart as was Goose, were back a season a new and were alive again.

I had to go look at some standing barley on the next hunt, the farmers had not had chance to get this in due to the rain and I was asked could I go and push the pigeons off of it until the dry weather and they could harvest it, I am not one to turn down an invitation like that, again I decided to go old school, use my Pappy’s decoys from the 1960s and my old 16 Bore hammer gun, she is as sweet in the arms as she is on the eye, just like in my Pappy’s day, the first two pigeons to drop in to the decoys and a perfect right and left I had too, I put these aside as I had them for my supper that very night in a pigeon parcels recipe and a fine glass of port too, my Pappy’s recipe for this can be found in my cook book Recipes From The Hedgerow available in my book shop at www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk as with all of my books, I shot a triple figure bag of pigeons that day but none so memorable as this first two, it reminded me of my boyhood sat in the hide with my pappy, Dad and Uncle Dave, Goose retrieved almost every bird like the champion he is and in fine style too.

My awesome team and I started off the Somerset Masonic Shooting Club this month, if your a subscribing Somerset Craft Freemason and fancy joining us please get in touch via our website www.somersetmasonicshootingclub.co.uk but at the moment were still building our website, so our full contact details are on The Adair Club ( The official Light Blues Club Of Somerset) website www.youngmasons.co.uk as they are loaning us a page on their website until ours is finished.

I love Scotland and call it my Caledonian second home, many years ago a most excellent young Scottish chef called Alison taught me a wonderful dish entitled Chicken Rob Roy Mc Gregor, a lot of folk call it chicken Balmoral but that's for the tourists to me it will always be Rob Roy, again this recipe can be found in my Latest cook book Home and Away again available on my website book shop, I absolutely love Haggis as much as I love proper West Country Faggot's, now I have made Rob Roy with all sorts of game and it has come out amazingly every time, but obviously the king of the feast is the mighty Wild Haggis taken on a windy night on a full moon, I also make the sauce with white wine and tarragon as I really don't like whiskey, my pappy will be rolling in his grave right now as he loved a good single malt or a fine brandy, me I would pour them down the drain to keep the drains clear in winter, so swap the wine for whiskey if you like but its not for me, I also like it cold the next day with proper cooked chips in a chip pan with beef dripping, a gurt slice of proper bread and local salted farmhouse butter and plenty of salt and vinegar, I am getting hungry just writing this right now.

The Frampton Show this year alas I did not make, due to the van breaking down and the breakdown company taking 6 hours to get to me, to say I was gutted is an under statement, so first I must send an apology to the show and its wonderful organisers, but my biggest apology goes out to all the wonderful families and young sports who were waiting ringside for me, I absolutely hate letting the kids down and this broke my word as I swore I will never let the kids down as long as I am at the helm of Pass It On Young Sports www.pass-it-on-young-sports.org my Pappy always taught me my word is my bond, so when I give my word you can damn sure I wont break, alas all this was beyond my control, I did especially love the photos sent to me by the families stood in my empty stand saying where are you, thanks folks you did make me chuckle with them, see you next year or at another show.

I came out of a hospital appointment after treatment on the Wednesday and told to rest, yeh right I cant rest, true to my promise I wont let the kids or my team down, so Thursday morning bright and early I was at Jacklands Fishing Lakes nr Nailsea with my team from The Somerset Branch of The Masonic Fishing Charity or the MTSFC as were known, we had a full day arranged for a local Disabled SEN school, you can bet I was not going to let any kids down for sure, OK I took it steady and sat down coaching fly fishing but I turned up with my show face on, my awesome team dis a brilliant job and proved our mantra Catching Smiles and these were not just on the kids faces but all including my wonderful team and this rough ole country boy, actually I must send a huge thanks to my team for literally carrying me this day, awesome people one and all, we put on breakfast and a BBQ lunch for all the weather stayed kind and we presented a certificate and medal to each young person taking part in the day, I as did all of my team have a tear in our eyes as the kids left as they all wanted so much to stay, they had such a fantastic day with us, alas as always the day is over all too quickly for all of us, if you would like to volunteer or donate get in touch with us via our website www.mtsfc.org.uk you don't have to be a Freemason or even be able to fish as we need help with so many things, if you would like to become a Freemason and live in Somerset click on this link www.somersetfreemasons.org or google UGLE if you dont live in Somerset.

The following day the Friday I headed for The Yorkshire Shooting Show and Game Fair in Doncaster. I was held up in the morning as the motorway was flooded. By the afternoon I started my long drive up, I got there very late my Pass It ON Young Sports Northern Team thought I had gotten lost, I got there just in time to drop the stand equipment off before they locked the hall for the night.

I was in time for my pilgrimage to Whitby’s fish and chip shop and our annual team nosh up, the fish here is wonderful and so fresh it eats your chips, chips I might add that are cooked in best beef dripping as is the fish, well a slab of fresh bread and proper salted butter is a must aint it? The butter must run down your chin its the law in Yorkshire you know, a well deserved pint of Guinness and I am one happy Ole Hedge Creeper, point of note here too, I absolutely love Yorkshire Tea, I totally refuse to drink anything else, you can keep all that perfume stuff I wan MAN’S tea Yorkshire tea and strong builders tea too, not that last dip of the tea bag nonsense where it barely graces the bag, also a point of note Yorkshire Tea tastes the best in Yorkshire, my belief it has something to do with the water up there, I don't care if you think I am right or wrong, I know it for myself, so sticky out tong to you.

My team and I set the stand up in quick time on the Saturday morning just in time for a bacon roll, bap, barm, cob what every you call it and a big mug of strong Yorkshire Tea.

The doors of the show opened and we never stopped from start to finish when the doors were shut, my hand was hanging off from book signing so many books, I had almost lost my voice from giving game calling lessons, we met so many old friends and made lots of new ones, my show ring demo was so busy, I now know why Charlie Jacoby fro The Field Sports Channel refers to me as The Pied Piper of Country Sports, I start my wildfowling, pigeon shooting demos in the main ring and the young sports and their families just come running, especially as the sound of laughter and applause fills the air, we all met up in Whitby’s that night with some of the guys from The UK and Ireland Squirrel Group and my ole chum Brendan Anderson, a fine 3 course meal was, was the video that's with this article, for mere words just wont do this the justice it deserves.

The Sunday we all got lulled into a false sense of security, for the Sunday is always the quiet day, we all were quite nonchalance about it too saying oh well pack up by 2pm and be on the road by 4pm, oh how wrong could we be, the Sunday for the first time ever was so busy it was crazy, even more busy than the Saturday and that was saying something, the stand the show ring, my demos were so busy all day, the sun shone, the show looked amazing, the atmosphere was awesome, I am already booked to g back next year, I finally got home that Sunday night at 21.30pm absolutely exhausted, I slept most of the day Monday I telle, But I never let the kids, the families or my team down I was there, see you in 2025 The South Yorkshire Shooting Show and Game Fair.

Well as I finish this article we have started The Game Season of 2024/2025, Goose and I have done a little dogging in on my wild bird shoot, although I could of shot a couple of fine Autumn Cock Pheasants I just did not feel the need, I raised the gun and saluted by shouting bang, this was much to Goose frowns at me, but for now my pantry is full and I feel no need to harvest from Mother Natures Living Larder, as my pappy would always say, the meat stays fresher on the wing, hoof or paw my boy so only take what you need not what you want, this has always stuck with me, you know I have enjoyed more hunts working my dogs and not firing a shot until my belly rumbles and my pantry needs filling.

I hope you have enjoyed my latest humble scribbles and ramblings of a rough ole country boy, so until next time stay safe and well one and all FOR TIZ PROPER JOB MUCKER.

Tally Ho
A Season To Go

By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

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Wild Fowling A Season New

5/9/2024

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Wild Fowling A Season New
2024/2025

As the title suggests its my favourite time of year once again, All Spring and Summer I have laid up dormant, dreaming of the time when I can get back out after wildfowl, the smell of the water, the wind on my back, a little rain the air and the soft sweet sound of wildfowl on the wing, their wing beats whistling a chorus only a true wild fowler knows, the sounds of the honks, quacks and whistles filling the air making my heart race, ole Goose my Cocker Spaniel feels the same too, he knows when I put his Jack Pyke Wildfowling jacket on him were off after duck and geese, he becomes a completely different dog, from the joyful playful funny little dog, put that coat on him and he becomes a very serious dog single minded on his job, he has the heart of a lion and as bold as all the paw prints that has been left before him, actually the picture above made me chuckle and think of Goose whilst writing this.

But first we start off in early August 2024, already Goose knows something is up as I get out the wildfowling gear, check its all good and my calls are working well before heading off out on my professional pest control rounds, as always Goose comes almost everywhere with me, in fact as I type he is curled up next to me on his fleece wildfowl blanket I got him at the game fair, he is whimpering, barking in his sleep bless him dreaming of momentous wildfowl flights as the duck and geese slip air paddles down as Dad drops them for him to retrieve.

I had a to go to a meeting with an agricultural society, this was to arrange a series of talks on red squirrel protection and grey squirrel management, but also the possible opportunity to arrange some Lantra Accredited training courses for them on grey squirrel control for which I am one of the pest control trainers.

I decided to take an old 20 bore with me and one box of cartridges, I was asked to look in on a field of blown flat barley next to a standing crop of maize by a farming friend on my way home as I would be passing right by, typical me really always take a musket with me when exercising Goose always have done with every dog that's ever owned me, often putting a rabbit or something in the bag for supper that night, I will get to this further down in the article.

Meeting over I called in to said field, as soon as we got out of the car Goose flushed around 200 wood pigeons off the crop. I decided to stand in on a clear flight line, it had been many years since I had shot this field as it had been a grass field for the best part of ten years, I was glad the pigeons membered said flight line as I did, all I will say is for half an hour then I ran out of cartridges we had some fine shooting, I finally picked up 21 pigeons for 25 shots, that little old 20 bore shot like a dream, I let Goose retrieve a few and than let him rest for a bit whilst I picked some black berries, we then picked the rest of the birds, I telle that little dog has some nose on him and eyes like a hawk.

The next big thing was I and my Team from The Somerset Branch of The Masonic Fishing Charity (www.mtsfc.org) put on a trout and course fishing full day, fully paid for by us for a group of service men and women suffering from PTSD and more, this was for the charity Mesh (www.meshcic.co.uk) a wonderful charity and great people, the day was a roaring success and every participant went home with a bag of fresh caught trout, a medal and a certificate and full bellies from the BBQ we laid on too.

The next big thing I did this month was along with my hand picked team, we launched The Somerset Masonic Shooting Club, this is for subscribing Somerset Craft Freemasons only, we affiliated to the National Masonic Shooting Association, if you are a Somerset Freemason go over to the Adair Club Website at www.youngmasons.co.uk for more information, they are kindly letting us borrow a page on their website whilst we have our own website built, we launched the club of an established day for Gordano Lodge in in conjunction with The Adair Club, the official light blues Freemasons club of Somerset, we had over 50 Freemasons and their family and guests there, we had lots of trophies up for grabs and the food was wonderful, this was all held at The Mendip Shooting Ground here in Somerset, with a fantastic day had by all.

The next big thing was I and all my Pass It On Young Sports were invited to a rifle range day by my dear friend Wayne, he is the head honcho and pointy hat wearer of The CZ Owners Club, I also found out this day I was a founder member, who knew? The day was held at a home office range they have access too, I also ended up being a range officer this day too, everyone got to try everything from air rifles, .22lrs using Eley Ammunition right up to some really big bores indeed, all being sponsored by The CZ Owners Club and Really Wild Adventure (www.reallywildadventures.co.uk) by golly did we get through some ammunition, the smiles just kept getting wider and wider on the Young Sports and us HMMMM not so Young Sport. A particular highlight was the night vision and thermal shoot in the dark range, using Night Pearl and ATN products but to name a couple, we finished the day off with a practical shotgun course, this proved to be a lot of fun and something new some of the guys want to get into now, were already planning the 2025 event now.

Now I am going to touch on a subject that is very dear to my heart, I have been a victim of this my whole life, no that's incorrect, I am not a victim I am a survivor, I have learnt to be a warrior with sword and shield in hand, to stand up against this foe and support the weak and defend against this evil demon where ever it strikes, I am talking about BULLYING in all its forms. It has many disguises and names, I don't care what you call it, Nobody but nobody has the right to bully another in any form, physically, mentally, corporately or professionally etc, just recently I have been and still am in some ways being attacked or tried to made to feel intimidated, I will not stand for it, I draw a line in the dirt as my Pappy (Grandfather) taught me, you best be ready for a bloody nose I warn you if you bully me, I don't mean physically, I mean symbolically, I will speak out loudly against you, something bullies rely on is you hiding away, so remember if you are faced with a bully in any form from domestic abuse and more speak out there is help out there, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, is in fact I will share a wonderful song at the bottom of this piece if the article, entitled You've Got Stand For Something its how my Pappy taught me The Rough Ole Country Boy way, funny enough I have found if you stand up to a bully in any form they start to shrink eventually and disappear, a word that is often used in Freemasonry is Insidious, to repel the attacks of The Insidious I didn't actually know what this word meant, but whilst writing this for some reason I was compelled to look it up, quite an apt I think in this case, I wont dilate any further on this subject as I can get quite passionate about this, but remember whatever your going through YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I had to go back to an agricultural visitor centre to deal with a huge feral pigeon problem, the local town has a non lethal pest control approach, by this the pest controller there flies a Harris Hawk about scaring the feral pigeons out of the shopping precinct, in turn it makes them descend on mass to this agricultural visitor centre, so its then my job to deal with them humanly.

I got there and the amount of pigeon poo everywhere was a real public health problem, the staff constantly scrubbing and disinfecting everything, the man power alone was costing a small fortune on this, everything that could be done was done from reproofing, to keeping doors windows etc closed, bird scarers the lot, but still the feral pigeons kept coming.

My first Job was to get the ferals where I could safely deal with them, where they were I deemed them unsafe for the air rifle due to the location of livestock, windows etc,, I did this my going back to my boyhood and a skill my Pappy taught me for knocking over hole hoping rabbits when we were ferreting, by this I mean using a catapult, I still enjoy doing this now out ferreting so have never lost the skills, today I was using some biodegradable mud balls a bit like paint balls, this worked a treat and kept the birds on the wing, so I could deal with them with the ole Mossberg Hush Power 410 Pump action shotgun using Eley Hawk Cartridges, I must say that ole gun, those cartridges and yours truly made a great team and accounted for quite a bag of feral pigeons, until they wise up that was, then it was the ole Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter that came out to play and filled the bag further, funny enough boys with be boys, we never grow up our toys just get bigger and more expensive, the site manager seeing me with the catapult insisted on having a go, the empty soft drink cans never knew what hit them.

The next job I did was a rabbit job, one of my oldest clients called me in to his home not his business, he has a wonder horse riding farm basically for his daughters and wife who are horse crazy, rabbits had moved back in and were eating all the grass, destroying his prize lawns and orchards, plus digging up his riding arena and scaring the horses when his daughters were riding in said arena.

I went in in and basically just shot from the truck, very civil I must say, especially as piping hot mugs of tea and biscuits were literally on tap, he also said help yourself to the orchards and take as much fruit as you like including the black berries, well that’s jolly decent of you old man.

I bagged a pile of rabbits whilst there, but the first two I kept for myself as I really fancied some KFR (Kentucky Fried Rabbit) thos that have my cook books have this recipe, the rest of the rabbits went to the local butchers, the fruit I shared out amongst family and friends as well as keeping some for myself, I am booked to go back here later this week.

The First Day of The Wild Fowling Season 2024-2025, the night before was actually the 1st of September, but as we cant shoot wildfowl here in Somerset on a Sunday, I would have to wait until Monday the 2nd of September, goose knew something was up as we were both like cats on hot tin roofs this night, I could not do morning flight as I had work commitments I could not get out of, but come hell or high water Goose and I was not missing evening flight that for sure.

For me its not about shooting a duck or goose, or even loading the gun, its about marking the start of this wonderful season and our oldest Shooting Sport, its about remembering all who has gone on before me, like Marc Ray my dear friend who died of a massive heart attack whilst on his way to meet me on the 1st of September 2009, all the others too like my Pappy and all of the dogs that have owned us, wonderful flight and more, those that have my first book will know where my passion started in the chapter aptly named Teal Time.

For no more reason than nostalgia I took my ole 1881 Peterson’s and Son’s of Peterborough 16 Bore Hammer Gun with me, she is as tight as a drum and as sweet on the eyes as she is in the arms. Goose and I made our way down to one of my wild ponds just a hop skip and a jump from the fore shore, it was a wonderful soft night, a little wind about, the clouds raced across the sky like chariots, the rain at our back and all was still and peaceful in my world, no doubt about it you have to be a little bonkers to be a wildfowler.

As the day gave way to the night a barn owl came and sat on the gate post not six feet away, it seemed like a life time he was sat there until he saw us, but it was more like only a few seconds, but what an encounter, I heard another duck caller calling his calls, I almost gave up my position and wandered over to give them a lesson on calling, but Goose and I were just content to be back out doing what we love best, I would love to write about duck and geese slipping air paddles down, with the air filled with the sound of wildfowl, but no we did not see or hear a single duck or goose this flight, but you know what my heart was so full from just being there Goose and I left smiling like Cheshire Cats who had just got the cream, Oh Yes I am Alive Once more.

I hope you have enjoyed my humble scribbles, until the next time stay safe and well one and all.

FOR TIZ PROPER JOB MUCKER I TELLE.

Wild Fowling A Season New 2024/2025

By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

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Back To My Boyhood

5/8/2024

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Back To My Boyhood
From Catapults To Pigeon Shooting

Blimey where does the time go, it only seems like yesterday I wrote the last article not a month ago, as the title says I have had a wonderful month, especially as I have got to shoot with my ole Dad and I also got to use my catapult on some Scaly Tailed Ratticuss, I will get to all that in due course.

First of all I must send a huge thank you to Brendan Anderson the head honcho and pointy hat wearer of the UK and Ireland Grey Squirrel Group on face book, he an his team stood in for me and Pass It On Young Sports at the game fair this year, unfortunately due to my on going health issues I was unable to head up the team and attend the show, this was the first time in 30+ years I have missed this show, so well done Brendan and all the team.

The first shoot I was called out to was a small 3 acre test crop of wheat, this ground is not normally good for wheat, but a new short stem variety has been developed so this farmer was chosen to try it out, obviously the local pigeon population had descended up on it, hearing the dinner bell I suppose, The first day I just went for a recce as I wanted to try out a gun I had just fixed, I had to replace a firing pin and was not sure if I had set the strike right, as it was I didn't as it was too light to fire the cartridge, so bear in mind I now had a gun with only one working barrel.

Like I said this was only really a recce, I was not equipped for an afternoons pigeon shooting, I had the gun, just over a box of Eley High Flyers with me, the dog and a patio chair, I sat bolt upright in the open on a flight line, acting more like a scare crow than a pigeon shooter, I also wanted to give Goose my Cocker spaniel a bit of practice retrieving, by golly those pigeon were determined to hit this crop, I quickly ran out of cartridges and a pile of pigeons, Goose very much enjoyed himself and retrieved all but 2 and some good long birds too, the farmer popped by and took some pics for me and took the pigeons for a farm BBQ, I also attended said BBQ by kind invitation.

I called my ole Dad up and said do you fancy a days decoying pigeon, of course he said yes, he loves pigeon shooting and would never turn a day down if he could help it, Uncle Dave joined us too, but his car broke down so never actually got to fire a shot, he just listened to Dad and I banging away at the top of the field whilst he waited for the breakdown company to arrive.

We set the Jack Pyke stealth netting hide up first, then took the Jack Pyke shell decoys out and set them up on 4ft garden canes on the blown flat spots on the crop, not only does this raise the decoys above the crop so the Wood Pigeons can see our decoy pattern but also gives great movement to the decoy pattern too.

Pigeons were decoying to our pattern before we had even got back into the hide, sometimes I might add a Jack Pyke floater decoy to the pattern, but this day it was not needed, I very rarely use my pigeon magnet or whirl y gig as some of you call it, to many people rely on the gadgets instead of learning proper field craft, read my article advanced decoying this will tell you more on this subject, I shot the first right and left before Dad had even got chance to sit down and get his gun out of its slip, a good start as the gun I was using was the one I repaired, lets just say the strike is now perfect, right away the father and son banter started, Dad missing a couple of really easy birds right over the kill zone in the decoy pattern, well of course number one son had to oblige and drop both birds eye wiping my dear old Dad, lets just say the banter was both jolly and colourful.

Dad soon got his eye in and was dropping birds like a pro living up to his nick name Ole Snake Eyes as he never misses a trick, as the bag of birds grew along with the empty cases of the Eley cartridges we were using, I just could not resist and let Dad do most of the shooting, I was like a boy again sat with the dogs waiting to be sent out to retrieve the shot birds, my heart filled with joy and so many memories came back, like my little brother Shaun fast asleep in the bottom of the hide on Dads coat whilst Dad shot and the dogs and myself on alert, the pride just grew in me as Dad took bird after bird in fine style, it was like watching a well oiled machine, THAT’S MY DAD right there as a happy tear rolled down my cheek.

The hours flew by and we stopped shooting for the pile of shot pigeon were quite something, we never really count the bag size we never have, but lets just say we wont need any more pigeon until next year now, although I do like to give plenty away oven ready especially to my local pensioners, these are always gratefully received, more so now than ever with this Labour Government cutting pensioners heating allowances and more.

The next Job I was back out on one of the agricultural education centre sites, first off dealing with flying vermin, the gun of choice this day was the awesome Mossberg Hush Power pump action 410 shot gun, using Eley Hawk Cartridges, by golly that combination with The Ole Hedge Creeper behind the butt really made for a winning combination, the pile of avian vermin amassed very quickly, the rest vacated the site very quickly stage left.

I had visited several of their other sites too, these were done with air rifles, mostly the brilliant Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter and the TDR, I also tried out a HW100 I had repaired for a customer in my gun shop, all worked very well indeed, I was actually very impressed with the Konus Optics Range, I had tried the scopes out on the rifles and the binoculars, I am very impressed with these, all these products and other sporting equipment and hunts etc are available through my website www.reallywildadventures.co.uk and so much more,

I must say the little .22lr and Eley Ammunition really is proving its worth this month, with my small vermin work really getting busy, especially squirrel control.

I also put my coaching hat on again this month, I know I am retired from coaching but still get dragged back in with old friends etc, this time it was for one of my chums from a masonic lodge and his son, what a fabulous day we had up at The Mendip Shooting Ground, we finished off with a bolting rabbit shoot off using my Mossberg 410 and Eley Hawk cartridges, what a fantastic day this was as we all left smiling.

I finally had a really nostalgic time, my dear friend was getting married, he asked could I look after the livestock whilst he got married and also when on honeymoon, of course this was not a problem, I was there with my right hand man feeding, cleaning out making sure the water was full etc, when Scaly Tailed Ratticuss decided to make an appearance, now I never had my big truck so having no pest equipment with me I looked for some blue pipe, then I remembered one of my not so young sports made me a gift of a catapult kit, ball bearings and everything and was under my car seat, I walked away not even looking at the rat, ahhhhhh there is is, I put the magnetic key ring with the ball bearings on in my pocket and taking one off I loaded said catapult, as I walked back there was this big rat munching a piece of livestock feed, I took aim and let rip, THWACk I only got it with a brilliant head shot, it jumped in the air and hit the ground with a helicopter tail, I was rather chuffed, I have not lost the skill from Boy Hood exactly as my Pappy (Grandfather) had taught me, livestock fed I set up a few bottle tops and you know what I still have it hitting 8 out of ten shots.

I hope you have enjoyed my latest humble scribbles until the next time, stay safe and well one and all.

Back To My Boyhood
From Catapults To Pigeon Shooting

By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

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Its All Quiet On The Hush Power

5/7/2024

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Its All Quiet On The Hush Power
Its A Month Of Sound Moderators

Has it really been a month since my last humble scribbles? I just don't know where the time goes, blimey I am starting to sound like my Pappy (Grandfather) or my Dad, this has been a busy month with all my pest control work getting very busy indeed.

I have taken on some pretty big contracts in my time and some very high profile ones too, indeed this latest set of contracts has me run ragged indeed, I have several fellows who work for me professionally with a long line of competent amateurs who volunteer for me too. But a contract like this want the organ grinder not the monkeys as they say.

I have taken on a very large pest control contract for a set of Agricultural Visitor Centres, they have four main sites over four different counties, with several other smaller sites linked with each, the people they had doing these sites didn't do the work to a satisfactory standard even though they were paid very well, an old client of mine who is now the site manager of one of these sites called me in, the general manager and I hit it off straight away and the contract was mine before I had even drank my coffee.

I will be as brief as I can as this might get to be a very long article otherwise.

I will only tell you of a few visits as there have been many this month, well one of the first visits have me keeping avian pests off the feed clamps during the day, then rodents in the evening.

Well being as its a visitor centre I had to be as quiet as possible, so I have been using the Air Arms Air Rifles with moderators to great effect, but I will say the best tool for the job on these flying pests have been the Mossberg Hush Power 410 shotgun, I see my ole mucker Dan Thor liking my social media posts and has now copied me on Field Sports Britain doing exactly the same as me, we will have to arrange a day out together for a giggle and a shoot over decoys soon.
The Mossberg Hush Power 410 shotgun matches perfectly with the Eley Hawk Cartridges, they really are quiet and pack one heck of a humane stopping power, I have had some brilliant days controlling vermin with these combos.

Along side these jobs I have to deal with rabbits hitting in the horse paddocks, as we know horses and rabbits don't mix, these horses are worth many thousands of mounds each, one has torn his back right tendon between its fetloc and hefloc, I had this with one of my horses once due to the same thing getting its foot caught in a rabbit burrow, it was 18 months before she could be ridden gain and she was lucky.

Again I used a variety of guns here, Air Arms Air Rifles, S510 Ultimate Sporter, S200, S410 Fac, and the Air Arms TDR with the new day night NV scope The Fellis from Night Pearl, all damn fine bits of kit I telle.

I also used a Reximex air rifle, I stock them in the shop so wanted to field test them before selling them to clients, WOW what a bit of kit that is for the money, you get a lot of rifle for the money I telle, very impressed indeed, so much so I kept this one for myself, I have also been field testing the Konus Optics line before I stock them, by golly very impressed, so much so I have put the scopes on my stalking rifles and kept a set of binoculars for myself too, if you would like some or to see the line drop me a line via my shop www.reallywildadventures.co.uk this is some seriously good kit that does what it says on the tin where the metal, meets the meat.

I have also been putting to good use on some of these professional rabbit control rabbit job, the ole .22LR using Eley Subsonic Ammunition, this ammo packs one hell of a humane punch on target, whisper quiet and accurate too, I know you expect me to say this as I am The Eley International Out Doors Ambassador, but no I have been using this ammo for over 40 years since Uncle Dave taught me how to shoot rifle, he still to this day wont use anything else but Eley, so if its good enough for uncle Dave, its damn well good enough for me, I got to admit its actually quite nostalgic using it too as so many memories come back from boyhood watching Uncle Dave Shoot and me being the retriever, Ole Goose my cocker spaniel does I for me and he loves it too, we make a great team that wonderful little dog and me.

I have been having to deal with fox control jobs on a very prestigious estate too, these are old clients of mine, the general manager calls me in if the tenant farmers or tenants of the estate cottages get any problems, one lady had been getting hit by foxes on her rare breed ornamental fowl, she had tried everything to keep them away, they even found ways around her electric fencing, so I was called in to deal with them.

Now as stated in my first article on this subject Out Foxing Charlie, I only deal with foxes that attack live stock etc, I don't shoot foxes just because its a fox, this if its red its dead attitude really annoys me, to me a fox is one of gods most beautiful creatures, to watch them hunt naturally for voles etc is one of the most wonderful sights you will ever see in nature, I also never take any pleasure what so ever in killing, the hunt yes, pitting my skills and field craft up against a worthy quarry yes, but killing no, but unfortunately it is part of the job when dealing with things like foxes attacking livestock.

There were 5 foxes only 2 presented a safe shot, so I have to go back, again I wont take a shot unless its 101% something else I have seen others not do, but then again my good reputation goes before me and why I get to shoot, work and indeed get paid to be places others can only dream of.

Still on this estate I was called in to deal with an RTA with a Roe Buck, alas I could not find him as he limped off into the long grass as the haylage had not been cut yet, the van was a total write off, I was called a week later by the estate owner saying we have seen the Roe Buck limping off in front of the mower as they cut the haylage, I went straight up and Goose and I tracked him down just inside one of the small woodland out crops, I backed off to a safe distance and dispatched him cleanly with one shot from the 243, the poor thing must have been in agony, just look at the picture with its broken leg, he was full of maggot's too eating him alive, poor thing it really was not nice to see a wild animal like this, I was glad to have put him out of his misery, I am a Countryman not a murderer as some would have you believe.

The tenant farmers were complaining of pigeon damage on the pea and barley crops, it was a Sunday and these particular fields were right next to some of the holiday cottages that were all full, I could hear children playing in the distance, the smell of a BBQ.

The estate manager was worried about the noise of the shotgun, they had been using a gas crop gun to scare the birds off and scare crows, after a couple of days the birds got used to the gas gun and just ignored it and smashed into the crop, all the gas gun did then was annoy all the holiday makers in the holiday cottages, thus the complaints, I showed him my Mossberg Hush Power 410 shot gun, loaded in an Eley Hawk Cartridge and fired a shot off, he could not believe how quiet it was, even the Pigeons ignored it, he authorised me to start shooting immediately, I must say and I don't do big bag numbers, I did shoot rather well and shot a bag of pigeons I would be proud to have shot with a 12 bore, actually as I type the farmer and his son who I am about to write about further down this article has turned up, asking can they have a pile of these pigeons from the freezer as they have a farm BBQ this weekend and have promised fresh shot pigeon burgers, I have been invited too, very civilised don't you know and there as much of last seasons home made cider as I want too, well it would be rude not to attend a farm BBQ now would it not.

I have been out on this estate for a few weeks now pushing the birds off the crops, one shoot I remember taking my old 12 bore wildfowling cammo over and under out, more for nostalgic reasons than anything else, but its choked in ¼ and ½ and lovely long 32” barrels, perfect for those long and high birds I knew I was going to have to deal with on this day, match these with some Eley VIPs, no 4s in fibre wads, well all I will say I filled 2 chest freezers up with pigeons, those cartridges, matched with that ole gun and The Ole Hedge Creeper behind the butt, what can I say thats just a winning combination right there, the new Jack Pyke Digi cam jack was lovely and comfy and kept me warm and concealed behind the Jack Pyke stealth netting.

A few days later a call came in from the estate manager, one of the tenant farmers was screaming blue murder abut pigeons on his crops, I arranged to go there the very next day, I could not straight away as I was busy on a pest control job on one of the Agricultural Visitor Centre sites in Devon and was a long way from Somerset.

I got to the farm yard and banged on the door, the farmers wife said thank god your here Mike has been going mad, go see him he is in the milking parlour. Now I cant write what he said, but lets just say learnt some new swear words in Welsh that day and what to call pigeons, he also said can you take my son with you and teach him how to shoot and decoy pigeons and he will pay for the cartridges, very decent I must say, of course I said yes as you know me if its teaching a Young Sport that's what I am all about, Mike said to James take Rob up to top acre and get those damn birds off my crops.

Now luckily I usually carry my old single barrel BSA 12 bore with me on jobs, so often I have had to deal with humane dispatch and find this old gun perfect for what I need, its choked in half chokes so would be perfect for the boy to learn with, I had some light loads of Eley with me so all was set.

We got to top acre and 300 plus birds lifted off the crop, I knew the flight lines etc as I had shot here since boyhood, I stood and watched for ten minuets with my Konus binoculars, I showed young James what to look for and started teaching him field craft, I got him to choose the hide location and explain to me why here, he is a quick learner and was almost bang on, we moved about 20 yards as the canopy of the tree line was better and I showed him why, we then set up the decoys on long canes to raise the decoys above the crop to make them easier to see by the pigeons, we set the Jack Pyke Decoy pattern exactly 25 yards from the hide, I did not want him to be taking long shots, I talked about decoy patterns, windage, sun etc, again imparting a life time of fieldcraft on the boy.

In the hide I gave him some Jack Pyke ear plugs for him to keep, almost on queue the first pigeons started dropping in, we discussed hide etiquette and gun safety then we were ready to start shooting, James found it difficult to shoot sitting down, so I allowed him to stand for a bit to shoot so he got the hang of it, actually if you watch the video at the bottom of this article you will see him take a pigeon on camera, the day was over far too quickly, but I will say we shot a respectable bag of pigeons, protected the crop, the boy was smiling like a Cheshire Cat when I took him home, he has not shut up since this day, I now have a new right hand man with me often whilst out on the estate.

Actually there is a nice picture of the boy and my Cocker Spaniel Goose, with his using my Air Arms S200 on a Corvid job on the farm that I was doing for his Dad.

I have so many more outings I could write about this month, but I simply don't have the time or energy to write any more, I am dragging around and old rugby injury at the moment so sat here writing this is rather painful, I do hope you have enjoyed my humble scribbles, well until the next time stay safe and well one and all.

Its All Quiet On The Hush Power
Its A Month Of Sound Moderators
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

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For God and The Empire, For King and Country

3/6/2024

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For God and The Empire
For King and Country

Well now that's an opening title for you is it not? This month I have had the greatest honour to be awarded the British Empire Medal also known as The BEM, the title of this article is some of what is written on my medal.

Now I have great pride in being an ENGLISHMAN and I fly this English flag loud and proud as well as being British, I believe in all our home nations as one, but also having their own identities too.

I am also a passionate Royalist, I truly believe having a Royal Family is one of the very best things about being English and British, my only regret with this hole thing is I did not get to meet our late Queen for she was my Queen, also not meeting The Duke of Edinburgh, both were life life long hero's of mine as they reminded me of my true life hero’s my Nan (Grandmother) and Pap’s (Grandfather) so meeting them had been a dream since I was a boy right here in my beloved Somersetshire.

Well the first stage of my BEM ceremony started right here in Bath that's in Somersetshire by the way, with a ceremony of my peers from the Somerset Lord Leftenant’s Office, I also took along my ole Dad and his wife, Julie and Chippy as my guests, this was a very grand ceremony indeed, I was one of only 6 BEM medals being awarded in Somerset, so this was very elite indeed, my fellow medal awards were extremely worthy holder to get this medal, I felt very humbled and honoured to be alongside such inspirational people, especially one lady who was a teacher, in COVID sacrificed her own family time to stay with her students stuck at university that could not go home, all over Christmas etc she made sure every student got food etc and also completed their Uni work so got passes etc, I really questioned why I was among such worth medal winners, what I do for young people, Country Sports and Conservation is just who I am, I don't do it for reward, medals or payment, but apparently the great number of people who nominated me think otherwise, so for this I say thank you I am truly humbled by all this but remember its always a team effort.

The next stage was to head to London and hopefully meet the King or other Royals, as I was invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace no less, I took my ole Dad as my guest, we hopped on a train and headed for London, let the adventure begin.

Well upon arrival in London I was very apprehensive, the reason for this is I am truly a country boy, I really don't like Cities or big Towns or even large Villages, I feel like I am suffocating, too many people, overcrowded and the air smells and breaths funny, there is a funny story where I got lost walking in Bristol and had to call a friend in Cornwall to google map where I was to guide me to a bus station, I will tell that story another time.

We got a taxi from the train station to our hotel, Dad was like a wide eyed kid he was so excited to be going to the palace, I on the other hand was not, I felt right out of my comfort zone, the pace was disgusting rubbish all over the place, dirty and the people rude, I quickly said this is going to be a very difficult few days for me up the big smoke, Dad was like come on its an adventure, I can honestly say I have been to London three times in my life, once as a boy to see a big house with a flag on it, once about 15 years ago to the 02 to see Brad Paisley live in concert, the concert was amazing by the way and this time, I can truly say hand on heart I hated every moment of my time in London all 3 times apart from the odd bit, hated it as a boy, loved the 02 concert, and grand lodge and the palace.

A Masonic light in the darkness on the first day was a visit to The United |Grand Lodge building, or UGLE as its known, Masonic history in the making here as a rough ole country boy from Somerset descended on this temple, the building, the history the architecture mind blowing, but the very best bit for me was meeting some brethren and their families from India, we spent the best part of three hours together and had some wonderful conversations, finishing off with a wonder cold beer together in the Grand Lodge Bar, we have struck up quite a friendship and have kept in touch too, Grand Lodge really was a masonic candle in the darkness for this ole boy I telle, for here I felt at home.

The next day we went to the garden party at Buckingham Palace, one thing I really hate is the rain and getting wet, it ok if your inside but I hate being outside in it, all I will say here is I qued up longer to get in than I stayed, my suit was wet through to the skin, I was not impressed and I left not even having a cucumber sandwich of a cup of tea, I was not impressed with the weather at all, I could not wait to get back to my beloved Somersetshire I telle.

That night Dad and I went to a wonderful Greek restaurant and had a lovely meal and we got chatting to two Dutch ladies who were over hear visiting an art gallery, this conversation was very interesting too, especially as dads wife is half Dutch, I had a nice conversation with the lady next to me as she was going to the Tate Gallery to see the Sargent exhibition an artist I quite like, the meal over we bid farewell to the Dutch ladies on the next table to us and headed bac to our room for an early night, this was actually one of my favourite bits as Dad an I watched TV, Little Britain I think was one of the programmes, but for me we got to spend quality Father and Son time together, chatting, talking of old times, funny stories etc, so for me the best time was actually just being with my ole Dad.

Straight back to Somerset thank God I was counting down the minutes and miles back home on the train journey home, I fell asleep and the next thing I hear Dad saying come on were at Bristol we have to change trains, no wonder The Ole Queen loved Balmoral and hated coming back to London, I don't blame her, if I never, ever go there or any other big city the world over again I will be an extremely happy man, give me Country no matter where I go in this world, the air is cleaner, the people kinder, the food is awesome and the beer tastes better.

The first night back my secretary decided she would treat me and a couple of chums to a celebratory meal at The White Truffle Restaurant in Nailsea North Somerset, this restaurant is owned by one of my old school chums Andy, the second in command is one of my now grown up young sports George, both these men are incredible chefs, this is a fine dining establishment, I will let my video do the talking, but right from the very first mouth full of my starter, right through my main course and the last morsel of my dessert, dear Lord I have died and gone to culinary heaven, the food here is like an explosion of flavour on you pallet with every bite, washed down with some of the finest wine I have every had, the ambience the company, mere words or photos or even my video will do this place the justice it deserves, if you are a person who really and truly loves good food and wine take a look at White Truffle you wont be disappointed I guarantee you
website: whitetrufflerestaurant.co.uk a Michelin Star would be too lowly an award for this place I telle.

Pest Control this month has gone into full swing, I have been getting called in to one of the prestigious shooting estates, the Tennant farmers are complaining about bird and rabbit damage on the spring drilling's, the keeper teams are so busy getting ready for next seasons game shoot they just have not had the time to help the farmers, the estate owner has called me in as I normally do his pest control on some of his businesses in the town.
Being the location of the first of the crops being hit and it being a lovely sunny bank holiday, the location of estate holiday cottages and people having BBQs etc, I thought it prudent to go stealthily as I did not want loud obtrusive bangs of a shot gun disturbing people in the area, so I decided on the ole .22LR and Eley Subsonic ammunition, deadly accurate and whisper quite perfect for this job, one of the under keepers joined me for a couple of hours with his Air Arms air rifle as he had a few hours off too.

Now I did not try to hide myself, Goose and I sat in the broad open sat quite still, my thoughts were just my visible presence will keep the birds off this part of the crop that's being hit, and if the birds persist to land and attack the crop then I will shoot them at distance at my leisure, plus I could take any rabbits that popped out too from my seated position on the trigger sticks, the under keeper took the woodland and took the birds and rabbits etc that landed in the trees first, he did very well I might add.

Now my original plan of being visible worked to start with, the pigeons and corvids came in then veered off, but then it all changed as quickly as the wind, they must of got used to me bing there and then came in and tried to attack the crop with vigour, I was nailing pest after pest with that old .22LR and Eley Ammunition, this pleased Goose my Cocker Spaniel as he retrieved every shot bird on command, I did not leave them out as decoys, for I just wanted to keep the birds off the crop not shoot a big bag, although I did end up with a pretty impressive bag including several rabbits, the under keep did well too, his lordship came up to see me and congratulated me on my approach about being stealthy as all the holiday cottages were full and he did not want to have to deal with complaints, he also said by golly you have done well keeping the birds off today, oh and congratulations on your medal pop over tonight for a brandy and a choice cigar, I really do love my job especially when appreciated by the clients.

One of the VIP Professional Pest Control Contracts I have under my belt is an Agricultural Education Centre, they have four sites, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, came highly recommended to them, the one problem they wont let any of the lads who work for me on site, they only want me, as my reputation with dealing well with the public goes before me, plus the general manager said we only want the organ grinder not the monkeys, he is a lovely man a proper countryman so I know what he means, not derogatory to the brilliant lads who work for me but this place is such a high profile set of venues they want me the head honcho and pointy hat wearer.

Well on all four sites they have problems, each with its own individual set of difficulties to be assessed then dealt with, this took some time as each site needed a carefully thought out pest management plan, then there's all the paperwork to do, risk assessments, H&S, method statements etc, oh to be just a hobbyist pest controller again just for the fun of it, well all the documentation etc all signed of for each site and both the general manager and I happy with the management plan it was time to get to work.

Traps etc set, now for the shooting, the .22LR with the Martin Thermal Scope from Night Pearl for the rabbits in the grazing Paddocks, using Eley Ammunition, I could write a book here about this but the equipment and yours truly behind the butt just makes it look easy and we get the job done in quick time over many visits to each site.

The Air Arms S510 TDR in .22 my favourite calibre using Air Arms Field Diablo Pellets, with the NEW day night NV scope the Fellis from Night Pearl mounted on the Air Arms makes short work of the feral pigeon, rats and other vermin both by day and by night, again I could write a book here on big bags and fun shooting, but again with this quality equipment and me behind the butt now that's a winning combination right there, my highly recommended reputation precedes me as always and why I get these VIP jobs and other companies don't.

I will say I am very impressed with the new line of rifles I have in my gun shop at the moment, as with everything I stock no matter what it is, I try it all out myself first before I will stock it in my shop, for if its not good enough for me, then its not good enough for you my customer, or as I like to say, I want to prove it does what it says on the tin, where the metal meets the meat.

I took the first one I got in stock out on the vermin jobs with me, of course I had my Air Arms there as back up just in case, but I will say I am very impressed with the New Reximex Prentensis, so much so I have kept this one in the photos and have given it to one of my top Pest Techs to use on some other VIP contracts, this rifle is deadly accurate and whisper quiet with an almighty humane strike on target, if you would like one or anything else for your sporting needs drop us a line via my website www.reallywildadventures.co.uk look for the gun room and one of my team will get back to you.

We recently held a Masonic Fishing Day for a local SEN school, I head up the Somerset branch of the MTSFC www.mtsfc.org.uk or you can read the full article on the day on the news section of Somerset Freemasonry at www.somerssetfreemasons.org plus many other articles for free.

The Roe Buck Stalking is in full swing, as they sway the early bird gets the worm, but I must say I am torn between morning and evening stalking, I think I like evening stalking the best, although I am very successful at both.

The North Somerset Agricultural Show was awesome too this year, check out the video links below for this whole article.

Well I hope you have enjoyed my latest humble scribbles, my final thoughts are all Country Boys and Girls should avoid cities at all costs

For God and The Empire
For King and Country
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theole dgecreeper.co.uk

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The Stalking Show 2024 & Time In The Woods

3/5/2024

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The Stalking Show 2024
Time In The Woods

Blimey where do I start with this article, I suppose with the build up and anticipation of attending this years 2024 Stalking Show, well all can say it was electric or as my young sports say its buzzing, every true Countryman/Hunter could not wait for the show weekend, all the hotels, B&Bs anywhere to stay in a 50 mile radius was booked out months in advance.

pic: below me with Sausage Boy a name I gave him last year when I met him and his Dad at breakfast in the hotel.

Day 1 of the show.

First off I must say the show ground/venue was awesome, it really fits the part and looks amazing, this really is a show of yesteryear a proper Countryman's/Hunters Show for the real country folk among us, David and his team have built a magnificent show, so a huge well done to them, not a candy floss stall or garden furniture stand in sight, every stand must be hunting related, so it also makes every stand interesting to the show goer and this Rough Ole Country Boy too, I would call this show the premier Country Sports Show in Britain or dare I say so Europe.

The first day was simply amazing I wore my hunting tweed suit and did my calling demos, this drew crowds from right across the show, our stand was packed out all day, so many folk coming to my array of game calls all asking for lessons and advice, my Fallow Buck call I am tuning really brought the deer stalkers in, its a white tail call I picked up whilst I was in Texas at Bass pro doing a calling demo, one of the other lads had one and I thought hmmmmm if I re tune that I could make a good fallow buck call, I was right it works a treat but just needs some fine tuning to make it handsome as I call it.

My beautiful lady my Julie and our kids Dom and Dolcie also came to the show all weekend, they helped out on the stand talking to folk, Dom and Dolcie helping with my calling demos, Dolcie doing very well with Fallow Call, Dom well he is shaping up to be a cracking little Roe Buck caller and Fox Caller with my home made squealing hare call, The Kids did brilliantly both days and worked hard as well as having a good look round the show with their mum as I could not leave the stand, all my chums and sponsors knowing it was my family welcomed them on to their stands and gave them lots of goodies, I swear Dom has enough hunting hats now for every day of the year.

That night my whole team met up at the usual Chinese restaurant for our normal all you can eat buffet and a few beers, I will say we had a wonderful jolly time one and all, Lloyd one of my young sports ate 12 puddings, I thought to myself he will have a bad belly tonight.

Day 2

I did not wear my suit today as packing down a stand and loading the trucks is not the sort of thing you do in a suit, so I wore my day to day working gear, basically I was Pyke Clothed apart from My Eley International Out Doors Ambassador Cap.

Again the show was buzzing the atmosphere was off the charts, not a single show goer was disappointed, there was something for everyone, again our stand was packed out all day, even Brendan from The UK and Ireland Grey Squirrel control group on Face Book did not leave our stand, I let him share the stand with me as this is an important conservation job he and the group do, as I am a Lantra lecturer on Grey Squirrel Management and Red Squirrel Conservation its something close to my heart, the show finished on such a high, everyone one from punters to exhibitors and the show itself, so much so we have already booked for 2025 already, so a huge well done to David and his Stalking Show team you pulled off another blinder of a show, this Rough Ole Country Boy cant wait until next year.

Out In The Woods.

Well as you can imagine were in a pretty busy time on the estate, not just with the shoot but forestry work and spring drilling's and getting ready for hay making, well if this bloody rain ever stops and we get some sun, my Pappy would always say you gotta make hay when the sun shines, saying that I have got my under keeper team and the young sports out a fair bit squirrel drey poking and roost shooting, young Bella having her first time in the woods, young Dom looked after her and they had a wonderful time, I must say Bella has a real talent for spotting squirrel dreys and helped her ole Dad bag quite a few tree rats, she was a good retriever too, not squeamish straight in there, Dom did some great shots with my old 410 shotgun, that's my boy eyes as sharp as a hawk with an aim like Robin Hood a surgeon with that little gun on sitting squirrels, even my Lady Julie knocking tree rats off the high ash trees, what a girl, as my Pappy would say about my Nan, she sure is a sweet on the eyes as she is in my arms, I can truly say this about my Julie, by golly she gets This Rough Ole Country Boys heart pumping especially in my woods or in the kitchen, I really know now why my Pappy loved my Nan so much, these cold winters nights sure aint so cold any more, better stopped there my devil horns are pushing my halo off and this will turn into a Ladies Chatterley's Lovers romance novel and me The Game Keeper.

I must say I am rather impressed with this NEW Day/Night Night Vision Scope from Night Pearl, The Fellis has everything a day and night hunter could want, it comes with everything even a good quality IR Torch, normally that's the one thing that lets a product down, but not with Night Pearl they pride themselves on quality and all the products must be on par, built by hunters for hunters, so these boys really know what its like for their equipment to do the job where the Metal meets the Meat, the clarity of this scope both by day and by night is remarkable, I recently had to zero a customer at my gun shops air rifle for him with another leading brand Day/Night Scope on, I went out back in my zeroing range, I got it zeroed in no time but did remark I did not like the clarity of his scope much, I showed him the Fellis, two days later he came back and asked about swapping his scope in and buying a Fellis, I did chuckle.

As many know I also own a Pest Control Company, Really Wild Pest Control www.reallywildadventures.co.uk amongst other business , now I personally don't normally do to many domestic jobs, I usually concentrate more on the Agricultural or Commercial side of the business and send my lads out to deal with the domestic work, recently I was called back into an Agricultural Visitor Centre contract I have been doing for several years, rats, rodents the odd feral pigeon etc, I have the place pretty much under control as you can imagine. With the recent floods etc around here we have had an up surge in rodents and feral pigeon and Corvid's moving in, so the manager asked could I up my shooting visits to get things back in order, of course this was not a problem and I have booked in several dates in the diary.

I attended with the awesome Air Arms S510 TDR .22 sub power using Air Arms Field Diablo 5.52 pellets shooting off the Primos trigger sticks, the scope obliviously was the Fellis from Night Pearl, I had other equipment etc with me of course but I really wanted to to put the scope through its paces both by day and by night, of course I knew the rest of the kit would not let me down, but the scope I had not really given her a good bashing, well I was not let down within minutes I had Feral Pigeons, Corvid's and a big rat in the bag right outside the reception whilst waiting for the general manager to turn up, obviously all this was done after all the visitors and staff had left for the evening, one reason I love these later light nights I can get more done, the general manager was quite impressed by the bag I already had and took these promo pics for me, he now wants a Fellis on his Air Arms S200, I am very impressed with this Fellis, so much so I have ordered one to go on my 223 for my professional fox work.

The fox control work has gone crazy as normal for this time of year, lambing in full swing, big hungry cubs that need feeding and live stock attacks quadrupling, so as with all my gear it has to do what it says on the tin, clients pay me to get a job done, the job must be done, but remember field craft is most important, I will include a few pics from recent fox jobs just so you can see all this gear in action especially the Night Pearl Scopes and Spotters.

As we do get around to getting the hay cut, we can start getting on top of the rabbit populations, its been to wet all winter to ferret them as the burrows are mostly flooded and my ferrets are no good with diving gear on, now is when th ole .22lr comes in to play and the Eley Subsonic hunting ammo, I know I am biased as I am The Eley Out Doors International Ambassador, but I have been using Eley for over 40 years, my Uncle Dave who taught me how to shoot rifles will not use anything else, there now much that old farmer/gamekeeper don't know about hunting so if its good enough for him, its good enough for me and you, this ammo really does do what it says on the tin where the metal, meets the meat, with pin point humane accuracy.

I must say Goose my wonderful Cocker Spaniel loves this time of year too, he is a cracking little hunting dog but loves retrieving rabbits the most, I will include a few pics from recent hunts together.

Poster above are two awesome dates for days out for the whole family, abled bodied or not there's something for everyone, for more details look on the poster or contact us via our website www.pass-it-on-young-sorts.org.uk or call do not text our national secretary on Tel: 07501962893.

I hope you have enjoyed my latest Humble scribbles, until next time stay safe and well 0ne and all.

The Stalking Show 2024
Time In The Woods
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

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From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms

17/4/2024

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From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms
Tree Rats to scaly Tails

Blimey I am rather late getting this article out this month, what with being overloaded with pest control work, heading up as the lead lecturer on pest control courses, shows, masonic commitments, being a town councillor and running two young sports charities.

I think I will just chat about the pest control side of things, well I headed up a Lantra Affiliated grey squirrel Management course for Red Squirrel South West, this course was fully booked within 24 hours, what a wonderful day spent with like minded people, as I always say I might be the lecturer but my classroom is a place of learning, so I learn too as we all bring something new to the table, if you would like to book a squirrel management training course drop me a line via my email, if your not in my area I can put you on to a course closer to you, email [email protected] I look forward to hearing from you.

What a month it has been dealing with tree rats (grey squirrels) with spring in the air they are in overdrive, I am head keeper on a small estate, we do partridge/pheasant and duck for a family/friend syndicate, the tree rats are destroying my game feeders, let alone the influx of rats them old scaly tails, game season well over I can get my teeth into dealing with these pests, I am also really busy with my professional pest control company too, so much so I have had to draft in extra help on top of my own lads that work for me.

I and my under keeper team are dealing with the tree rats and scaly tails on the estate, both trapping and shooting by day and night, as always as you clear the squirrels it causes a vacuum and more move in from outside, especially as my neighbours really don't bother controlling them, I have offered my team to help but they like Cyril the squirrel and don't really understand the conservation nightmare they are, I will be working on them further this year.

I have put Jamie one of my trainee lads on three big agricultural jobs in Gloucestershire. I simply personally cant fit any more in, armed with a PCP air rifle and the Night Pearl thermal spotter and scope, he is making short work of the rats both by day and by night.

Many of you have read about George one of the young sports I am most proud off, he is now a fully grown man and truly inspirational chef, he now has his own shot guns and Air Arms air rifles, I gave him a home made night vision kit I found in the back of a cupboard, it works a treat and he loves it, I put him on a job nr Clevedon, a small farm but running alive with rats around the hen houses, its given him and his friend something to do and helps me out as I really can find the time to help my masonic brother out who owns the farm, I think Georges smile and thumbs up says it all, Arrrrr Tiz Proper Job Mucker.

I even Have my Old Dad out working for me too, Ole Snake Eyes himself, he misses nothing that ole boy, armed with his NiteSite Viper, Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter and a Night Pearl thermal spotter there's not a scaly tailed raticuss that gets away from that ole boy I telle, well that's when he is not taking my kit and telling me to be the retriever like I was a boy again.

I wont go on about all the lads who work for me and the professional side of things, this would take far to long to write, but if you would like our pest control services contact me via this website or my corporate website below www.reallywildadventure.co.uk or email me on [email protected] either way you will get to me.

Now as many know I wont stock any products in my shop unless I have proved they do what it says on the tin, just lately I have stocked a new line of PCP air rifle in the gun room, The Crossman Icon.

I bought myself one first mostly for the young sports on the weekly rifle range, I took this out on a professional rat control job on a very large agricultural education centre I have the contract for, I obviously took my tried and tested beloved Air Arms air rifles with me, but putting a Vortex scope and a Huggett moderator on it then I zeroed it ion on my range, I was very impressed from getting out of the box, you know you really do get a lot of gun for your money with this one, targets are OK, but what it will be like where the metal meets the meat is another thing.

Right from the start this gun was as sweet in the arms as it is on the eye, OK its not an Air Arms so I was not expecting silky smooth and spanky, but I will say it punched way above it weight and price range, I actually didn't even get another gun out for the whole 8 hours I was there, this gun dealt a mighty humane thwack on both the feral pigeons and scaly tailed raticuss, I really am impressed with this little gun, this is now one of my top selling PCP air rifles in the shop both for beginners and veterans alike.

In my next article I will be writing about the wonderful time I had at The Stalking Show 2024, keep your eyes peeled for that article, this is a show built by Hunters For Hunters.

I hope you have enjoyed my latest humble scribble, so until the next time, stay safe and well one and all, For Tiz Proper Job Muckers.

From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms
Tree Rats to scaly Tails

By Rob Collins
aka The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

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The British Shooting Show 2024 With The Ole Hedge Creeper

6/3/2024

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The British Shooting Show 2024
With The Ole Hedge Creeper

WOW what a magnificent Show this was, right from the start at set up and even take down on the Sunday evening.

The Camaraderie between the team was fantastic from the start.

The Night Pearl Team I was working with at this show were a great bunch, although I was wearing several international caps whilst there, Eley, Air Arms, Jack Pyke, Night Pearl, Decibullz, Helios, being just some of them.

I was book signing all weekend with the launch of my latest game cookery books, filming with several TV channels, radio channels, pod casts and magazine interviews.

The show buzz was off the charts, I met so many old friends and made so many new ones, the banter was hilarious.

My gawjus partner Julie came with our Son Dom and Daughter Dolcie, Dolcie did some filming too and is now famous with folk wanting her autograph, look like old Dad is going to be retired as the bag carrier now and Daughter Dolcie being the shooting star of the show, my ole dad was there too so what a show this was for me all my friends and loved ones here.

The show looked awesome and was set out well, a huge congratulations to Team BSS you guys pulled off another blinder, Please invite me back next year. For Tiz Proper Job Mucker 😉
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
www.reallywildadventures.co.uk

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The Ghost Fox

3/2/2024

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The Return Of The Ghost Fox

The Return Of The Ghost Fox

Well with so many enquiries from fellow Professional Pest Control Techs and Armature Pest Control enthusiasts of why am I so successful where others fail when it comes to dealing with Ole Reynard (Fox) or Charlie Fox as many of you call them.

So I have decided to re share one of my most popular fox articles in my now famous Out Foxing Charlie Series.

The Ghost Fox is one of those that really stands out in my mind as a real Battle between man and Fox, what I hope you take from this is no I am not always successful first time out, but I learn, build up a picture and with time learnt field craft, I bring home the bacon where the Metal meets the Meat.

Click on the article link button below that's between the shot fox photo and the you tube link for the full article of The Ghost Fox.

*photos for illustration purposes only*

The Ghost Fox Article Link Button Click Here

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<<Previous

To my Haters & Stalkers, I am a Lion not a Sheeple, my advice is to not poke the Sleeping Lion, for if you awake me from my slumber you will hear me ROAR, then you will find yourself staying at Her Majesty's pleasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

About the Archive

As you will all know I am a busy boy and I am asked post articles and review on behalf of lots people in lots of different places.

The images and photos are for illustration purposes only, they may not be of the actual day/article or location in question or even at the same venue, for client/venue sensitivity,data protection and often location or contract legalities, we may use a stock photo at our discretion, The main place to find most of my articles is of course the
Countrymans Diary Magazine.

This Archive is a central location of all those pearls of wisdom I have let loose on the World, whilst its not bang up to date the knowledge contained in here is worth its weight in gold.

Feel free to share this information its all free and it my pleasure to Pass It On.

October Madness

October Madness
Winter Is On The Way

Tally Ho A Season To Go

Tally Ho
A Season To Go

Wild Fowling A Season New

Wild Fowling A Season New
2024/2025

Back To My Boyhood

Back To My Boyhood
From Catapults To Pigeon Shooting

Its All Quiet On The Hush Power

Its All Quiet On The Hush Power
Its A Month Of Sound Moderators

For God and The Empire, For King and Country

For God and The Empire
For King and Country

The Stalking Show 2024 & Time In The Woods

The Stalking Show 2024
Time In The Woods

From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms

From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms
Tree Rats to scaly Tails

The British Shooting Show 2024 With The Ole Hedge Creeper

The British Shooting Show 2024
With The Ole Hedge Creeper

The Ghost Fox

The Return Of The Ghost Fox

About the Archive

Archives

Categories

SPONSORS and Pro Staff Appointments

October Madness ​ Winter Is On The Way

Tally Ho ​ A Season To Go

Wild Fowling A Season New ​2024/2025

Back To My Boyhood ​ From Catapults To Pigeon Shooting

Its All Quiet On The Hush Power ​ Its A Month Of Sound Moderators

For God and The Empire ​ For King and Country

The Stalking Show 2024 ​ Time In The Woods

From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms ​ Tree Rats to scaly Tails

The British Shooting Show 2024 ​ With The Ole Hedge Creeper

The Return Of The Ghost Fox

About the Archive

Archives

Categories

SPONSORS and Pro Staff Appointments

October Madness
Winter Is On The Way

Tally Ho
A Season To Go

Wild Fowling A Season New
2024/2025

Back To My Boyhood
From Catapults To Pigeon Shooting

Its All Quiet On The Hush Power
Its A Month Of Sound Moderators

For God and The Empire
For King and Country

The Stalking Show 2024
Time In The Woods

From Tree Tops To Ditch Bottoms
Tree Rats to scaly Tails

The British Shooting Show 2024
With The Ole Hedge Creeper