Rabbit Masterclass

[Amberquest]

I dont see it as being any more risky than slippy, turning your ankle, getting caught in bramble when walking with a gun

[Springfield Pointers]

I dont see it as being any more risky than slippy, turning your ankle, getting caught in bramble when walking with a gun

Totally disagree. Turning your ankle or getting hooked up while walking is certainly not uncommon, but take into account that when game gets up (especially if you're shooting) and you have a dog attached to you by a leash, at that moment when game gets up, breaks cover or whatever, if the dog does something stupid as you're about to shoot, you have a closed loaded gun, more than likely with the safety off and ready to fire. Therein lies the risk. So if your dog decides to bolt or run under your feet in the exitement of the moment you are putting yourself and others at enormous risk. Being casual about it is when accidents happen. If someone tells me "my dog will never break" I'll tell him that cannot be guaranteed.

Walking and twisting your ankle is far less risky, you may be carrying a gun - true - but it should be broken and possibly even clear.

I have a motto that I like to live by; "Don't do stupid things with stupid people" It's served me well so far, and I have no intention of changing my outlook. If I'm taking people on a shoot, or hunting, there is absolutely no latitude given on basic safety, and having a dog tied to you if you are shooting is just plain stupid. It takes very little organising to have someone manage your dog on a lead, otherwise break your gun, clear it and look after your dog.

[Amberquest]

Agree to some extent. So how do you do walked up shooting? Do you walk with your gun broken all the time?

[Springfield Pointers]

Agree to some extent. So how do you do walked up shooting? Do you walk with your gun broken all the time?

Yes. I accept shooting over spaniels is somewhat different, but more care should then be taken in the case of shooting over spaniels. Shooting over pointing dogs, I will walk with a broken gun and only close it once dogs have established point and action is taken to flush the bird. Under no circumstances would I accept walking with a dog on a lead and a loaded gun.

[Smokey]

Glad you liked the photo's

Smokey

[big mac]

Glad you liked the photo's

Smokey

[greenshank1]

Great photos! Love the black and white ones, very evocative.

Have to say though whenever I see a man holding a gun whilst a dog is attached to him I tend to be beating a retreat for the nearest big tree, sod taking photos! Don't you have enough to do keeping in line, walking through rashes, watching dogs and staying in a position to shoot, without having a dog round your feet?

If the dog is steady and at heel it doesn't need the lead, Craig.

My point exactly Thank you
I seen a gamekeeper absolutely tear strips from a gun who tried the same several year ago. Not only is the dog round his feet its attached to a lead that is attached to the game bag the strap of which is over the guns right shoulder,his shooting shoulder no doubt,whats not to be concerned about???

Peter won his first trial in 1985. He has currently made up 24 Field Trial Champions (23 Cockers,1 Springer). He has been an A' Panel Kennel Club Judge since 1992 and won the British Championship in 1994. Since then he has had 3 seconds 2 thirds and 2 fourth places. Peter has trained and shot over Cockers since 1970

Darren has been a shooting man for over 30 years and started training his own dogs in the late eighties. He is a B panel Kennel Club Judge and runs monthly training sessions on his ground as well as spending time in Sweden and Finland training spaniels.

Darren pulled up on one shot Saturday, Peter asked "what's up Da", he replied "it's a leveret Peter"

I always say a good shot is a safe shot. I never felt the need to run for a tree or duck for cover, Margret whom is Peter's wife walked along side me (occasionally telling me what Peter was doing wrong ) we where behind Darren as he watched Peter's dog's work the ground. You would think that with 65 odd years experience between them, what they have achieved and how they both have influenced the modern cocker, they must be doing something right. Like the title say's Master Class

Smokey

Hi Smokey

I am not having a go but Big Mac didn't ask about there trialling credentials that your first two paragraphs seem to focus on.
Being able to tell the difference between a young hare and a rabbit is basic field craft and again isn't connected to gun safety.
You go on to say one guy was working the dogs and you and the lady were walking behind the guy shooting.
That's three people who could have held the dog on the lead and allowed the guy shooting to focus on the shooting. There was also a fence with posts that could have taken a lead and dog .
I am glad you had a great day and I did enjoy your photos but Big Mac has a point.