December 2008 Volume 1, Issue 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CAI Board Elections ................ 1

Casting For Recovery .............. 3

Shine a Light on Poaching ...... 3

Making Most of Your Game .... 5

Fishing Roundup .................... 6

Beagling Update ...................... 7

Spotlight on Belle Isle ............. 8

Christmas Game...................... 9

Naul Clay Pigeon Club ............ 10

Wanted .................................... 10

CA UK Update ......................... 10

Presentation to Ken Taylor ..... 11

The Vanishing Goose .............. 12

Heard on the Grapevine ......... 13

Sporting Oddities .................... 14

Courtlough ............................. 16

Emerald Newsletter

All-New Irish National Country Fair

Announced

The all-new Irish National Country Fair will be staged in the magnificent grounds

of Ballinlough Castle, County Westmeath over the weekend of 18 & 19 July 2009.

Organisers, Derek Lutton and Bill Beckett are no strangers to organising big

events having organised the hugely successful National Countrysports Fair in

Northern Ireland for the last fourteen years.

The encouragement and local support that Bill and Derek have received from

sportsmen in the Republic to run a quality event there has spurred them on to

organise this fair south of the border. This will be a sister event to the National

Countrysports Fair at Moira Demesne and it is already shaping up to be a big

country sports weekend in the South, with a huge amount of interest already

generated.

Working with the Nugent family who have lived at Ballinlough Castle for almost

400 years, the duo have already invested eighteen months in the planning of the

Irish National Country Fair.

(Continued on page 4)

A MESSAGE FROM LYALL PLANT

A s another year

comes to an end we

cannot help but look back

and analyse what has

been happening in our

economy and look ahead

to the challenges that will

face all of us involved in

country sports and our

rural communities in

2009.

Both the UK and Irish

Governments have

developed di f ferent

strategies for their economies with the aim of bringing us out of

recession. These strategies have been far ranging and are

unprecedented in our history and will have different impacts

North and South of the Border.

The UK Government has reduced VAT by 2.5% to try and

stimulate growth among small businesses many of whom are

rural enterprises trying to survive in these difficult times, while

the Irish Government has increased VAT and taxes to raise the

necessary finance in order to reduce borrowing. We will have to

wait and see which strategy will work best.

We have two vacancies arising on our Board in 2009 and I would

urge any member that can bring relevant skills and support to

CAI to apply for a nomination form now (see below).

We have been inundated with calls and emails regarding the

Minister of Justice‘s recent statement on handguns and we are

taking his comments very seriously indeed. However, the new

firearms licensing procedures are welcomed by all shooting

organisations and will bring a level of security showing that the

Minister wants to instil confidence in the public.

The Department of Justice Firearms Consultative Panel are still

waiting on the publication of the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill

and we as a group are not aware of its actual content as yet.

In Northern Ireland we are awaiting the outcome of the Review

of the Wildlife Order and the Proposal to ban Lead Shot from

September 2009. It is our intention to publish an information

leaflet prior to the 2009 season for our members on the aspects of

when and where to use non lead shot.

With the Northern Ireland Executive now in place and the

prospect that Policing and Justice will be devolved to Stormont ,

the opportunity arises for a combined submission from all

Country Sports Organisations that will allow for Young Shots to

carry out country sports.

Please check our website regularly for all our latest news and

updates.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our

membership, for your continued support over the past twelve

months. Together we can make a difference by ensuring we can

continue to carry out our country sports activities, as well as

fighting for our rural communities and what they value most.

With very best wishes for the Festive Season

Lyall

2

NI office: Countryside Alliance Ireland, The Courtyard, Larchfield Estate, Balliesmills Road, Lisburn, County Down, BT27 6XJ

Tel: 028 9263 9911 Fax: 028 9263 9922 Email: info@caireland.org Web: www.caireland.org

RoI Office: Countryside Alliance Ireland, Courtlough Shooting Grounds, Courtlough, Balbriggan, Co Dublin

Tel: 01 6903610 and select the relevant option Fax: 048 9263 9922 Email: info@caireland.org Web: www.caireland.org

Presidents: Northern Ireland—Mr Bert Carlisle, Vice President: The Lord Dunleath Republic of Ireland—Lord Waterford

Chairman: Mr Paul Cran, Vice Chairman: Mr John Clarke

Board Members: Mr Harry Boyle, Mr Richard Johnson, Ms Madeleine Kelly, Mr John McBride Lord Meath, Mr Johnny Vance,

Chief Executive: Mr Lyall Plant, General Manager: Mrs Ashley Graham, Membership Administration, Mrs Liz Brown and Mr David Agnew

Are you interested in becoming a member

of the Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI)

Board? Would you like to play your part in

shaping the organisation‘s future work?

Any member of CAI is entitled to stand,

whether you are based in Northern Ireland

or the Republic of Ireland.

CAI would encourage any member who

feels they can contribute to the work of the

organisation to consider standing for

election to the Board. There are two

vacancies to be filled and nomination forms

for candidates must be returned by

midnight on 7th March 2009.

For further information and nomination

forms, please telephone: NI: 028 9263 9911

or R of I: 01690 3610, option 5.

ELECTIONS TO THE BOARD OF COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE

IRELAND

THERE ARE TWO

VACANCIES ON THE CAI

BOARD TO BE FILLED IN

2009

C ountryside All iance Ireland in

partnership with the British Deer

Society (Northern Ireland) and The Wild

Deer Association of Ireland (Republic of

Ireland) have launched a campaign to ―Shine

a Light on Poaching‖.

The word poaching has for many generations

been associated with the illegal taking of

pheasant or salmon. In terms of deer, it can

mean unnecessary injury or suffering to the

animal, or even worse, death or injury to a

person, as this illegal and dangerous activity

usually involves the incorrect use of

firearms, used in unsafe conditions, with

little regard for the safety of others.

Recent reports of poaching both in Northern

Ireland and the Republic have shown that

this illegal activity has been on the increase

and through our joint campaign we aim to

raise awareness and the procedures to be

carried out if someone suspects a wildlife

crime is being committed.

For further information on reporting wildlife

crime visit our website at www.caireland.org

BE VIGILANT BE AWARE AND BE

SAFE

SHINE A LIGHT ON POACHING EXCEPTIONAL YEAR

FOR CFR

Casting for Recovery, the unique fly

fishing programme for women who

have, or have had, breast cancer, has

just completed its first full year of

retreats in West Sussex, Devon,

Powys and Northern Ireland and next

year they plan to hold additional

retreats in Scotland and the Republic

of Ireland.

Feedback to the organisers from the

women involved has been incredibly

positive where the blend of good

company and gentle exercise offered

by casting helps the way in which

sufferers deal with this disease.

More information on Casting for

Recovery is available at

www.castingforrecovery.org.uk and

the organisers hope that more women

can take advantage of the scheme in

2009

3

ALL NEW COUNTRY FAIR FOR WESTMEATH CONT FROM FRONT PAGE

The Fair organisers have secured the

services of some of Europe‘s best

demonstration teams and will link in with

local clubs, sponsors, and a number of

major Irish sporting associations to stage

the event in this 300 acre estate which is

located on the main Ardee to Mullingar

Road, just two miles from the village of

Clonmellon.

The site at Ballinlough Castle has been

chosen for a number of reasons, not least of

all because it is serviced by a wonderful

road system, is accessible from all parts of

the country and there is a long-established

tradition of country sports in the area.

Interest in the event is significant with a

number of local and cross-channel

exhibitors having already booked trade

space. Interested traders should contact the

organisers directly for trade packs which

are now ready.

Speaking about the new fair, Bill Beckett

said it was the natural progression for his

organisation whose success in Northern

Ireland has been well documented. He

went on to say, ―Visitors to Ireland's

National Country Fair will be spoilt for

choice with the variety and quality of stands

we have attending the event at Ballinlough

Castle. Lined up are not only the best Irish

suppliers and producers but also the best

from the game fair scene in Britain.

Our years of experience in organising game

and country fairs and visiting the largest

events in UK and Europe will be brought to

this event which truly is the place to shop

for all things country‖. Like its Northern

Ireland counterpart, the Irish National

Country Fair will have a very distinctive

family emphasis with something for every

member of the family to enjoy.

The simple layout of the Irish National

Country Fair will also make it easy for

families to stroll around, visiting the stands,

attractions, displays and competitions. The

hard road system at Ballinlough Castle

makes walking around most pleasurable.

Attractions will be located in themed areas

such as Shooter's Row with its displays of

guns and shooting equipment retailers,

game and rearing equipment, gundog

training aids, decoying equipment and a

quality selection of country clothing and

footwear.

For the angler, Fisherman's Row is a ―must

see‖ with the top manufacturers

represented. Game, sea and coarse fishing

equipment, fishing holidays, boats and

boating equipment, fly dressing materials

and displays and a plethora of special offers

on rods, reels, nets, waders and tackle will

all be there.

The Ballinlough Food Festival is another

attraction not to be missed with over thirty

local and cross-channel food producers

housed in a specially designed food festival,

complete with kitchen and game cookery

demonstrations from professional chefs.

The Country Crafts Village brings together

for the first time a range of hand crafted

items and traditional Irish trades such as

farriers, wood turners, basket and coracle

makers. Add to all this the ancillary stands

and a superb Children‘s Area and it all

makes for a great weekend of competitions,

shopping and entertainment for all the

family.

Competitions include the All Ireland

International Gundog Challenge, spaniel

and retriever working tests, terrier and

lurcher events, horses and hound events,

angling workshops, casting and accuracy

competitions, a comprehensive clay pigeon

shooting layout, archery, air guns and

falconry events.

The main arena will be up to the quality

that we have come to expect at events

organised by Bill Beckett and Derek Lutton.

Commentary will be provided by some of

Ireland‘s leading sportsmen and women.

Countryside Alliance Ireland is delighted to

be working with the organisers and have

designated this event as their main

membership event in the Republic.

More details about this will be released in

the next newsletter along with the special

competitions laid on for CAI members. The

Irish National Countrysports Fair website is

located at www.irishcountryfair.com

4

The organisers can be contacted

at info@irishcountryfair.com or

by telephone on

+44 28 4483 2775

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR GAME

Autumn is one of the best times of year to enjoy delicious, seasonal foods and top of the list

is Wild Irish Game. November kicks off the new partridge and pheasant season, so now is

the time to think about including all these delicious wild game flavours in your cooking or

looking out for game on the menu when you are

eating out.

You will find an exciting range of convenient cuts

from your local butcher and in most supermarkets so

now you can get creative in the kitchen and treat

family and friends by making game a regular feature

on the table and your weekly shop!

Also new from Game-to-Eat is a stunning recipe

booklet which is out now. This year Sophie Wright,

member of the Culinary Academy Team, has

developed a range of delicious, mouth-watering

recipes to excite your taste buds and provide

inspirational cookery ideas for any occasion.

The booklet includes recipes to impress, like Pan

Seared Pheasant with Bacon and Figs. Tasty Spiced

Plum and Venison Salad, for a lighter option, or for that family favourite to please a hungry

crowd, the Game Pie is perfect.

This free recipe leaflet is available from Countryside Alliance

Ireland.

To obtain your copy send an A5 Stamped Addressed

Envelope (55c for RoI and 1st Class NI)

to our Courtlough Office (RoI Members)

or Larchfield Office (NI Members)

and we will send you one out by return.

SUPPORT YOU LOCAL

SHOOTING GROUNDS

AND TARGET CLUBS

As the Credit Crunch grip on our

economy tightens Countryside

Alliance Ireland urge you to support

your local shooting grounds and

target clubs throughout Ireland and

make use of their facilities in order

that they survive and are available to

us in future years.

Many Shooting Grounds are offering

special deals to clubs and syndicates

over the winter months and at the

minimum of cost.

Courtlough Shooting Grounds for

example are offering 50 clays and

cartridges for only €27 per person

and a fantastic 100 clays and

cartridges for only €50 per person.

This is exceptional value and is ideal

for a Christmas day out with all your

friends.

To book at Courtlough

Phone 01-8413096.

We wish to inform our members that

following representations from Countryside

Alliance Ireland, Irish Ferries have changed

their policy on the carriage of firearms on

their routes to the UK.

This change in policy means that firearms

are now allowed to be transported as long

as they are locked in a vehicle and out of

sight of the general public.

We must emphasise the carriage of

firearms will only be allowed in vehicles

and is not applicable to foot passengers.

This change in policy now allows our

members to have a choice of Ferry

operators when they wish to travel to the

UK.

Members are also reminded that they must

inform the operator when they are booking

their passage that they intend to carry

firearms and make themselves known when

they arrive at the terminal for boarding.

Countryside Alliance Ireland would like to

thank Irish Ferries for this change in

policy as it will benefit all responsible

firearms holders that wish to use their

service.

No ammunition will be allowed

on board any

vessel

CHANGE OF POLICY ON THE CARRYING FIREARMS

5

N ow that the game fishing season has come to an end for

2008 it is a time to reflect on how this year‘s season faired.

The fishing on the Loughs has been near on disastrous due to the

torrential down pours we have received over the months,

resulting in mass flows of fresh water entering the Loughs

bringing the water levels to such a height that some jetties have

been overwhelmed preventing boats from being launched, and

putting the fish off.

May did not get much of a respite from the weather, with a

noticeable drop in the catches especially on Erne and Melvin.

Rivers did not escape the deluges and the likes of the River Lagan

was constantly seen in spate during the season.

One Lough that stands out for me is Lough Sheelin, it is steadily

progressing in its recovery form the years of abuse from pig

slurry, and the Lough Sheelin Trout Preservation Society has

done tremendous work over the past few years to bring this

magnificent Lough back from the brink. This has been mainly due

to the guidance of Eamon Ross the club Chairman organising the

yearly boat competition that raises greatly needed funds to enable

the continuing restoration work on the feeder streams and the

restocking programme.

The River Mourne still suffers from unnecessary fish kills from

the Hydro-electric generator at Sion Mills. Historical archived

information is being gathered and collated this year to enable a

review of fish kills over the past few years and hopefully a report

will be produced quantifying the substantial losses of fish and

disruption to one of Ireland‘s premier fisheries.

Anyone interested in the preservation of fish stocks in areas

where Hydro – electric schemes are being proposed can visit the

fish tech report web site to see the latest report on safe passage of

migratory fish.

The Loughs Agency Angling Fair in Prehen saw modifications to

the floor lay out in the marquees enabling visitors greater ease

around the fishing stands. The guest fly tiers were situated in a

dedicated marquee that enabled the public to watch them

demonstrating their fantastic skills.

The highlight of the fly tying show was the presence of Ted

Malone accompanied by his good lady tying his version of the

daddy long legs.

A.P.G.A.I. (Ireland) carried out casting tuition on the lawns at the

car park and Arthur Greenwood A.P.G.A.I. fly dressing instructor

demonstrated his magnificent skills and tying his Shuck Raider.

The Loughs Agency carried out several festivals during the year,

The Carlingford Salt Water Festival, the Pike Festival at

Baronscourt, and the last of the season the Salt Water Festival at

Ballykelly, which produced an astounding number of fish on the

Sunday competition.

All these events were well attended and expert tuition was

available from tying rigs to beach casting, fly dressing to fly

casting. Not forgetting the staff of the Loughs Agency that thrilled

the audiences with their presentations and knowledge of river life

including the life cycles of fish and invertebrates.

The Loughs Agency certainly put a lot of hard work into this

year‘s events resulting in magnificent weekends for all anglers

and visitors. Lionel Knobbs and his dedicated team should be

congratulated for all the work they have carried out during this

season.

The game fairs this year were at the mercy of the weather yet

again with Ballywalter and Shane‘s Castle having more that their

fair share. But this did not deter the public and especially the

demonstrators in the main arena.

Glenda Powell of the Blackwater Lodge and A.P.G.A.I. Instructor

gave her usual expert demonstrations on how to cast the double

handed Salmon rod at Shane‘s and Birr Castle.

Brookhall Trout Fishery must be one of the best success stories of

the year for fishing. Owners of the fishery Kenny, Cathryne and

Marty have totally transformed this fishery into a fisherman‘s

paradise. Manicured lawns offer perfectly safe access all round

the lake and there are picnic tables, shelters and resting styles,

not to mention the fishing lodge, tea room and yes even a rest

room, for the weary angler. No wonder they hosted this year‘s

first ever Northern Ireland Casting for Recovery.

―A perfect venue and week end for this event‖ was the comment

made Sue Hunter and Sue Shaw of Casting for Recovery.

A sadder note is pollution and poaching which is still a major

factor for the loughs and rivers around the island of Ireland. With

incidents such as the massive pollution incident on the Six Mile

Water earlier in the year, anglers are advised to check water

courses even during the closed season as incidents still occur

during the closed season.

Lastly a topic that is close to my own heart is A.P.G.A.I. (Ireland).

A.P.G.A.I.(Ireland) has now been recognised by the Central

Fisheries Board as the qualified body for game angling

instruction and has been accredited to level 6 (Advanced

Certificate) by the Further Education and Training Awards

Council.

Workshops will come into place early in 2009 for the whole of

Ireland.

A.P.G.A.I. will be at the Ballywalter and Moira Game Fairs next

year, where expert casting and fly tying instruction and

demonstrations will be available from the instructors.

To name just a few who will be there; Tom Woods, Sam Andrews,

Joe Stitt, Patrick Trotter, Liam Duffy, Arthur Greenwood,

Lawrence Finney and Pat Mulholland.

Congratulations to Mark Corps, angling advisor to the C.F.B who

passed his single handed casting qualification in October and is

the newest member to A.P.G.A.I. (Ireland).

Also a big welcome to Ted Malone who was made an Honorary

A.P.G.A.I. member in recognition of his immense contribution to

game angling over the years.

Lawrence Finney

6

END OF SEASON FISHING

ROUNDUP

BY

LAWRENCE FINNEY

B eagling continues to grow in strength in Ireland, with a new

pack based in the west of County Limerick, the Cragg

Beagles, being welcomed to probationary membership of the Irish

Masters of Beagles Association at their AGM, held in early

summer.

The new pack was greatly facilitated by the Pallaskenry Beagles

who agreed to the use of some of the Pallaskenry‘s former hunt

country, and also by many other old-established packs which

have drafted hounds to the newcomers, enabling the Cragg

Beagles to commence the season with a viable pack. Indeed this

pack has already enjoyed some success in the show rings, having

won several rosettes during the summer.

Also at the AGM, representatives of beagle packs from all over

Ireland enjoyed an illustrated talk by Prof. Ian Montgomery

about the Irish Hare and the research into the species being

conducted throughout the Island by the Quercus group from

QUB. The audience welcomed the Professor‘s assessment of the

impact of hunting on the hare population as being so low as to be

statistically irrelevant.

Hunting is now in full swing, with packs reporting the usual

variety of scenting conditions in the early stages of the season, as

the weather and ground conditions changed. The Sunnyland

Beagles in Northern Ireland recently enjoyed a day of

celebrations to mark an unbroken 50 seasons of beagling in the

Craigantlet area of County Down. The day started with a Service

of Thanksgiving for Beagling, held in the historic Kilmore Parish

Church in the Folk Museum at Cultra, followed by a meet on the

adjoining lands at Ballygrainey Road.

This special meet commemorated a hunt conducted by Terence

Grainger with a small pack, comprising just two couples of

beagles, belonging to Dick Wolsey of Bangor. Although the

Sunnylands pack originated in 1915, they were disbanded at the

outbreak of World War Two, and it was only as a result of Terence

and Dick enjoying the 1958 Ballygrainey Hunt so much that they

decided to set about reforming the Sunnyland Beagles Hunt Club.

Fifty years on, the pack still regularly meets at Ballygrainey. In

the evening 150 members and supporters of the Club (including

several of the local Craigantlet landowners) enjoyed a celebration

dinner in Cultra Manor House at which toasts were raised to the

hare and the hounds.

This season will feature a number of other special meets in

various parts of the country. These include a visit by the Per

Ardua Beagles from Lincolnshire to Counties Armagh & Louth in

early January, and a beagling festival to be held in County

Westmeath later in the month, hosted by the Balgarrett Beagles,

which will have two visiting packs – the Goldburn from County

Dublin and the Stokesley Farmers‘ Beagles from the north of

England, who will hunt the IMBA National Meet.

This event will be closely followed by the well-renowned annual

festival of beagling hosted by the Woodrock & Blackwater Valley

Beagles in County Cork in early February.

As yet there has been no indication as to whether Minister

Gormley will grant a licence to permit beagling in the Republic in

the month of March. Last year‘s early termination of the season

brought much frustration and so packs are lobbying their political

representatives to try to gain an extension this time.

Liz Brown

Hon. Sec. Hunting Association of Northern Ireland

BEAGLING UPDATE

7

Countryside Alliance Ireland

Members get 10% off the cost of

accommodation when booked with

a course

Belle Isle Accommodation

In 1992 the Garden House (now the cookery school) was the first

cottage to be converted as a holiday house. The conversion of the

Castle wing, which sleeps 14, was completed in 1994, followed by

the Coach house in 1996 and the Courtyard in 1998. The

Courtyard was awarded ―Best Cottage‖ in Northern Ireland for

2001 and ―Best Cottage‖ in County Fermanagh for 2002 by Rural

Cottage Holidays Ltd, and won the British Airways Award for

Best Accommodation in 1998. The Courtyard was Highly

Commended by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for

Best Regeneration Project in 1999.

As early as 1995 during the initial development of the courtyard a

cookery school was considered as part of the plan. In 2003 the

Estate found the perfect person to run the school. Having worked

as a freelance chef throughout Europe, Liz Moore returned to

Ireland 7 years ago to work. She found herself cooking one

weekend for the Duke of Abercorn at Barons Court, his

permanent residence in neighbouring County Tyrone. The

celebrated chef Michel Roux was staying at Barons Court at the

time and realising Liz‘s potential said to the Duke – ―if you don‘t

make use of Liz, then I will take her to work with me in England!‖

The idea of a cookery school was revived, the suggestion was put

to Liz and the rest is history. The cookery school won four

marketing awards.

The Belle Isle School of Cookery opened its doors in November

2003 in the grounds of Belle Isle Castle on the magnificent Belle

Isle Estate in County Fermanagh. This purpose-built state of the

art cookery school, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, plays

an important part in the life of this holiday destination and

vibrant working Estate. The Walled Garden, which has lain

dormant for a number of years, is coming to life again. Fruit,

flowers, vegetables and herbs are being grown but instead of

going to the ‗big house‘ it now makes its way to the cookery

school.

Chef Liz Moore

Belle Isle Chef, Liz Moore, exudes warmth and enthusiasm in the

kitchen. Her passion for anything and everything to do with food

began early in childhood, making experimental cakes for her

patient and appreciative parents. It‘s a passion that she shares

with her good friend Michel Roux, a firm supporter of both Liz

and the Belle Isle School of Cookery. Growing up in rural Ireland

with a garden full of fruit, vegetables and herbs instilled in Liz an

early appreciation of good quality organic produce and the

importance of seasonal cooking. These still form the basis of her

approach to food today.

Liz is one of the new generations of young Irish food

ambassadors, concentrating on Irish food with a lighter and more

modern twist. Now in her early thirties, Liz learnt her skills and

developed her unique style during many years cooking

throughout Europe. As a tutor, this means she knows all the

pitfalls and how to get around them, as well as understanding any

slight feelings of trepidation that new guests may be experiencing.

While working as a chef in Northern Italy, Liz discovered that the

true essence of successful cooking lies in simplicity, so well

demonstrated by the Italians in their vast repertoire of small,

simple yet delicious courses produced at every meal.

Liz brings a fresh approach to teaching cookery skills. Her

expertise and easy-going manner combined with a wonderful

sense of humour make for fun-filled sessions in the cookery

school. Liz didn‘t choose cooking – cooking chose Liz. Now

however, she will admit that she can‘t get enough of it. Her

insatiable appetite for food knowledge is both inspiring and

rewarding.

Courses

Courses run throughout the year and you can choose from a 1 day

or 2-3 day residential course. Courses are very varied and very

hands-on with the emphasis on fun for the beginner or the more

experienced cook. As well as day courses, during the year there

are a number of demonstrations also running. This is a chance for

you to sit and relax and let Liz do all the work.

Shop

The cookery school shop is open all year round.

For further information contact Belle Isle on 0044 28 6638 7231

BELLE ISLE SCHOOL OF COOKERY

8

Serves 6

Ingredients

500g/18 oz puff pastry

600g/1 lb. 5 oz loin of venison, trimmed

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

2 shallots, finely chopped

1 clove garlic

50g/2 oz fresh breadcrumbs

200g/7 oz field mushrooms

Salt/pepper

Handful fresh parsley

50g/2 oz butter

Olive oil

6 crepes or thin pancakes

To glaze:

One egg beaten

For the sauce:

2 shallots/1 onion, finely chopped

25g/1oz smoked bacon lardoons

½ bottle red wine

2 tbsp. red currant jelly

2 tbsp. apple jelly

600ml/1 pt good game stock

50ml/2 floz Marsala

110g/4 oz cold butter

2 tsp. raspberry vinegar

Method

Preheat oven 220C/425F/Gas 7.

Heat the butter and add the shallots.

Sauté for 2-3 minutes then add the finely

chopped mushrooms. Cook for 5-6

minutes, add the garlic and stir well.

Season. Transfer to a food processor and

processor for 1 minute. Reheat in the

same pan and cook for a further 2-3

minutes or until the liquid evaporates

from the pan.

Pour a little olive oil into a separate frying

pan and fry the breadcrumbs until golden.

Add to the mushroom mixture along with

some parsley and if it needs it, a squeeze

of lemon juice. Allow to cool.

Season the venison and brown all over in

olive oil and allow to cool.

To assemble the dish:

Roll out the pastry. Make it is big enough

to wrap the meat in. Place the meat on a

layer of crepes. Brush all over with the

mustard. Spoon a layer of the mushrooms

on top. Neatly wrap the crepes round the

venison (trimming where necessary) and

then wrap the pastry around the whole

meat parcel, folding in the sides to form a

neat parcel. Seal the sides with egg wash

and then brush all over with egg also.

Chill until 20 minutes before cooking.

Cook for 20-25minutes or until golden

brown. Venison can be served quite rare.

For the sauce:

Sauté the shallots in a little butter, add the

bacon and cook until they start to brown.

Add the wine and reduce by ½. Then add

the stock and again reduce by half. Stir in

the red currant and apple jelly. Season if

necessary and strain into a clean pot.

Finally pour in the Marsala and whisk in

the cold butter, adding the raspberry

vinegar just before serving.

To serve, slice into thick pieces and serve

with the piping hot sauce.

Serves 8

Ingredients

500g/8 oz puff pastry

2 pheasant breasts

720g/1½ lb peeled potatoes, thinly sliced

150g/5 oz butter

3 shallots, finely chopped

75g/3 oz cooked chestnuts

25g/1 oz cranberries

2 egg yolks, lightly beaten

250ml/8 floz whipping cream

Salt & pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

In a large frying pan, melt half the butter

over a low heat and cook the potatoes

until just tender, do not allow them to

brown or they will stick to the pan. This

will take about 10-15 minutes. Transfer to

a dish and allow to cool.

Cut the pheasant into thin strips. Add the

rest of the butter to the pan and sweat the

shallots gently with a little salt. Add the

pheasant and cook over a medium heat

for 2-3 minutes. Cool and mix gently in

with the potatoes, chestnuts and cranber-

ries. Season well.

Roll our half the pastry into a circle about

36cm in diameter and place onto a lightly

buttered baking tray or baking mat. Brush

the edges lightly with some egg yolk and

then spoon the pheasant and potato mix-

ture onto the middle of the pastry disc.

Roll the rest of the pastry into a slightly

larger circle and use it to form a lid for the

pie. Crimp the edges of the pie inwards to

seal it. Cut a circle from the middle using

a scone cutter but do not remove it. Brush

the entire pie with egg yolk.

Bake the pie for 50 minutes but do not

allow to brown too quickly (cover with tin

foil, if this is the case). Heat the cream

gently and remove the lie from the oven.

Remove the small lid in the middle and

pour in the hot cream. Return to the oven

for 10 minutes. Serve hot in slices with

cranberry sauce.

VENISON EN CROUTE

9

CHRISTMAS PHEASANT AND POTATO PIE WITH CRANBERRIES

Belle Isle offers specialised

courses and events throughout the

year with wine producers and

wine ‘personalities' giving talks

and tastings. Wine and good food

go hand in hand.

Belle Isle works in partnership

with the leading wine experts of

Direct Wine Shipments. Belle Isle

also offers specific courses where

wine will be the main focus and

attention, with winemakers and

wine 'personalities' giving wine-

specific talks at Belle Isle.

At Belle Isle we can also offer a

personalised wine-specific

programme for you and your

friends/colleagues/clients. All you

need is a minimum of 8 like-

minded people; we will provide

everything else

THE NEXT GAME

COOKERY COURSES ARE

BEING HELD AT

BELLE ISLE

ARE

23rd to 25th Oct 2009

20th November 2009

27th to 29th Nov 2009.

Book your Course Now!

Phone

NI: 028 6638 7231

RoI: 048 6638 7231

W e a re seek i n g th e

whereabouts of the above

Perpetual Trophy, which was in

circulation in the 1980‘s and was

presented on an Annual basis to

the Field Sportsperson of the Year.

It is the property of the Game

Conservancy and the Countryside

Alliance (formerly the BFSS). It

may be in the custody of the last

recipient, however, we have no

record of who that worthy person

was and we are anxious to relocate

it so that we may bring it back into

circulation.

If you have any knowledge of its

whereabouts or if you do have it in

your collection we would be

eternally grateful for its return.

Please contact Lyall on 028 92 63

9911 if you can be of help.

SPOTLIGHT ON NAUL CLAY PIGEON CLUB

10

T he Naul Club is located on the Dublin

– Meath border just 1km outside the

Naul village on the Ballyboughal Road.

The Club and its 40 members are all

affiliated to Countryside Alliance Ireland.

The members enjoy top class facilities on

the grounds, with an English skeet layout

(perfect for beginners as well as

experienced shooters), an automatic

balltrap layout for trap shooters and of

course being a sporting club, there are 20

automatic traps throwing a great variety

of sporting targets.

At the end of a shoot the log-cabin

clubhouse is great for food and

refreshments.

The club‘s members vary from those who

simply enjoy a few shots at the weekend to

shooters who are competing at national

and international level.

With the club‘s support and access to such

practice facilities it‘s little surprise that

many of our members have enjoyed great

success in these competitions in 2008.

Alan Clarke, Peter Hannifin, David Dillon,

Eddie Wilson and Shane O‘Toole were

part of the Meath team which won the all-

Ireland championships during the year.

Both David and Peter went on to

represent Ireland for the first time at the

sporting home international in Scotland,

where Peter had a fantastic outing and

was Ireland‘s high gun of the match.

Ciaran Whyte, a junior from the Club, also

had a great year winning the Irish Open

sporting junior championships as well as

becoming the youngest person to win the

s e n i o r I r i s h O p e n F I T A S C

Championships. Ciaran was also a leading

member of the Irish junior team who won

bronze medals at the world sporting

championships held in England.

The grounds are owned by Edward Whyte

who is also a factory appointed dealer for

Hull Cartridge Company and a full

selection of game and clay shooting

cartridges are available on the grounds.

The club‘s practice days are Saturday &

Sunday and new shooters are always

welcome on the ground. For information

call 087 263 63 65.

Photos: courtesy of Irish Shooters Digest

T he Countryside Alliance's quarterly

membership magazine Update is now

out. In this issue Alliance President Baroness

Mallalieu QC looks at the nature of protest in

"Fighting for your rights", Roger Wilson

introduces The Countryside Alliance

Foundation and Marcus Armytage celebrates

the racing community. Additionally, there are

pages of news, events, questions answered and

features on the Countryside Alliance Awards

and National Shooting Week. Read Update

online at www.countryside-alliance.org

WANTED UPDATE—CA UK

G algorm Resort and Spa was the

venue for Countryside Alliance

Ireland‘s annual Dinner Dance and

Sporting Auction.

The event was a magnificent success, with

over 110 people in attendance on the

night. It was also an ideal opportunity for

the Chairman of Countryside Alliance

Ireland Mr Paul Cran to present the out

going Chairman Mr Ken Taylor with a

limited edition David Carlisle print, a

small token of appreciation for his

services to the CAI Board and its

members.

Mr Cran also presented Jean Taylor with a

bouquet of flowers.

It was a wonderful evening much enjoyed

by all with excellent food, wine, music,

dancing and the fun continued well into

the early hours!

The auction was expertly conducted by

James Armstrong M.F.H. and we wish to

thank all those who kindly donated items

on the evening.

More photographs from the evening:

T he 84th National Coursing

Meeting will take place in

Powerstown Park, Clonmel on the 2nd,

3rd and 4th of February 2009.

This great national sporting and

cultural event will again draw huge

crowds to enjoy the top class sport

provided on each of the three days.

Last year Powerstown Park saw huge

crowds; in excess of 30,000 came to see

coursing at its highest level.

Visitors come from all over Ireland, the

UK, Europe, the USA and Australia to

experience the joy of watching the

World‘s most experienced greyhounds

showing their paces behind the

legendary Irish Hare.

For further details contact the Irish

Coursing Club on +353 (0)52 72481

Fax: +353 (0)52 26446 Email:

administration@sportingpress.ie

Pictures: Courtesy of Mr John Kelly

(Clonmel)

CAI DINNER AND SPORTING AUCTION

ALL ROADS LEAD TO CLONMEL

11

The dates for the 2009

J.P. McManus Irish Cup are

Fri, Sat, Sun 27th, 28th

February and 1st March 2009

L iving in the heart of rural Cambridgeshire was to me, a daily

joy. The village of Offord in those days was almost a throw

back in time where the older locals often related old time stories

over a pint of ale and still played bar skittles in front of the pub‘s

large open fire. There were never any periods or seasons where

boredom ruled the day. Summers were spent casting a line for a

wily fish or shooting pigeons on the local Lenton Estate. I was

fortunate enough to become firm friends with one Stanley

Robbins Esq. who was the estates keeper. Stan was one of the old

school and dare I say it poacher turned very good keeper. My late

father would often say he would take a bet that Stan would catch

a rabbit in the middle of Piccadilly Circus and few would have

taken him on. I spent many wonderful hours with Stan, which

caused a certain amount of chagrin amongst my other shooting

acquaintances. Stan had always been much of a loner and when

one day he asked in his very distinctive Cambridgeshire accent

what I was doing on the approaching Saturday, my reply was,

'Shooting with you I hope.' From that day on a bond was

formed between us and the time I spent under his tutelage will

never be forgotten. Stan was a brilliant shot and at that time shot

a Damascus barrelled hammer gun. I always joked that the

barrels were longer than any Howitzer but he was deadly with it.

During the early part of the year the maintenance of the pheasant

pens were a priority along with planting fresh cover and all that

goes with the general upkeep of a shooting estate. Mr Lenton, the

'gentleman' farmer who owned the area was a wonderful

character in his own right. Several evenings a year he would take

to the wheel of his Subaru truck. Stan and I would sit on a bale of

straw in the back with a huge box of cartridges and a lamp.

Rabbits were the target and we shot lots of them. None were

wasted as a shot rabbit then would fetch 50p at the local market

with ferreted rabbits making a £1.

My other regular 'sparring' partner was Roy Wood. Roy owned

Carters Boat Yard which was also in the village and it was where I

kept my six berth cruiser. The relationship between Roy and I

was somewhat different to the one I had with Stan. Although we

were the best of friends there was always a rivalry between us

when it came to sporting matters. When it came to angling Roy

was what I refer to as a dabbler. He enjoyed it but was not very

good at it. Put a gun in his hand and things then became very

different. At that time Roy shot a 20 bore and boy could he use it.

I had the pleasure of his company on several very good driven

shoots and Roy invariably 'wiped my eye,' and when he did so I

wasn't allowed to forget it. The good humoured rivalry often

spilled over into the local pub much to the amusement of the

regulars in the bar. Over a pint one evening I began to berate the

use of what I called his pop gun and asked why he didn't use a

proper man‘s gun. He made the point that he was a better shot

with his pop gun that I was with my 12 bore. A challenge was set

and it was decided that the following evening we would attempt

to shoot a couple of geese.

The Canada's in the area had bred to such an extent that they had

become a serious problem amongst the local farming community.

The damage being done by them had gained them no allies and

thinning them out was very much welcomed. A large flock of

them had begun to graze on the field which was situated between

my house and Roy‘s boat yard. On either side of it were two

channels of water where the Great Ouse split. Behind the boat

yard was a huge gravel pit where the geese settled every evening.

Their flight path took them directly over the boat yard and this is

where we lay in wait for them. Behind the old granary there were

several luxury caravans. These were not the kind you tow behind

your car but huge, 30ft plus jobs that cost the owners a large

amount of cash.

As we watched the birds moving across the field which was

situated some 200 yards away I joked that small people (Roy is

only 5ft 4 tall) with small guns shouldn't be out at night on their

own. Roy growled back with words which are somewhat

unprintable. I took up my position by an adjoining fence and my

partner concealed himself close to the granaries towering walls.

The light began to fade very rapidly and the greedy birds just

carried on devouring all in front of them. Just as I began to think

they would never get up, as if by a starters signal they all lifted off

amongst a cacophony of sound. In the gathering gloom the birds

veered right, circled around and then headed straight towards us.

Against the now almost black back drop I picked out my bird. It

was high and had now picked up momentum. 'If I miss this, he'll

never let me live it down,' I thought. I swung the gun and took

my shot. The bird instantly folded and with a thump hit the

ground on the far side of the fence. As I vaulted over to retrieve it

I distinctly hear two bangs. I picked up my goose and climbed

back to see Roy wandering around in the darkness. 'I got mine.

Where is yours,' I asked. 'It's here somewhere,' was the reply. 'You

had two shots and missed with both,' I said. 'I had one shot and

the bird was dead in the air,' came the reply. 'Where is it then,' I

said with a grin. 'It's b----y here, I'm telling you,' came the very

indignant reply. Ten minutes on we were still searching for the

vanishing goose and my knife was well and truly stuck in. I asked

why we were wasting out time and the pub would be closed and I

wouldn't be able to tell all how he had taken two shots and missed

with both of them. Suddenly my mate grabbed my arm, uttered

several unprintable expletives and told me to wait where I was.

Roy ran off to his cottage and came back with a large bunch of

keys. He opened the door of the 'poshest' van on the site and

turned on the light. As we looked up there was a large indent in

the roof which now sagged down some 18 inches. A stepladder

retrieved the very dead bird from the roof of the caravan. The van

was owned by a very snooty lady who would definitely not be

amused by her van‘s accidental alterations and more to the point

she was due to visit the following day.

In desperation we collected from the granary work shop two of

the very largest sweeping brushes, the type with a head on them

about a yard across. We strategically placed them on the inside of

the roof and I said, 'One two three push.' As we heaved on the

handles there was a resounding 'booing' and the roof

miraculously returned to it's original shape. As we walked away in

total darkness all my companion would say was,' Told you I had

hit the b----r and you are buying the first round.'

Geoff Cooper, Journalist (Roscommon)

THE CASE OF THE VANISHING GOOSE

12

On the Mend

Patrick Keating, who has been hunting the

West Waterford Foxhounds since 2002 is

currently recovering from a double break

of his collar bone sustained in a crashing

fall. In his absence the hounds are being

hunted by Donnach Brown.

HANI Re-Elects Office Bearers

The following office bearers have been re-

elected by the Association

Chairman Mr J Vance MH.

Vice Chairman Mr T Fulton

Honorary Secretary Mrs J S Brown

Honorary Treasurer Mr B Dougan

Beagles Stolen

The Irish Masters of Beagles Association

is asking anyone with information about

the theft of beagles from the kennels of

the Riverstown Beagles to get in touch

with any official of the Association.

The Beagles, one couple of dog hounds

and two and a half couple of bitches, were

stolen from the kennels at Glanmire, Co

Cork, on Saturday 22nd November 2008

and the Hunt is anxious to have them

returned safe and sound.

Around the meets

The Killultagh Old Rock and

Chichester Hunt’s meet at Wits End

Farm, Stoneyford was preceded by the

presentation of a new whip to huntsman

Tim Taylor from amateur whipper-in Mr

Chris Berry. Chris who does so much for

the Hunt had ordered a new whip for

himself and was, allegedly, so ashamed of

the huntsman‘s old whip that he ordered

one for him too.

The presentation over, Tim took his

thirteen and a half couple mixed pack to

the first draw duly assisted by amateur

whippers-in, Chris and Master Patrick

Grinter. A twenty strong mounted field,

under joint masters Mr Graham Duncan

and Mrs Frank Boyd, followed their

huntsman along Moss Lane to Lowtown

Road and out to Derrykillultagh townland.

The Iveagh Foxhounds meet at

Silverford Mills outside Banbridge Co

Down was held on a bright but cool day

which made everyone forget that the end

of November was coming near.

Mr John Porter MFH had on a twelve and

a half couple mixed pack which included

one and a half couple of Welsh Foxhounds

which drew some interested questions

from the members and spectators more

used, as they are, to the Scarteen type

hounds for which the Iveaghs are so

famous. They had been drafted in by

kennel huntsman Neil Keery who also had

some Modern English blood on view to

give the pack a positively cosmopolitan

look!

An eventful hunt continued throughout

the day and the hounds were lifted and

John Porter blew for home.

At Ballyalton, near Downpatrick, the East

Down Foxhounds met in the village

and huntsman Declan Feeney had on a

sixteen and a half couple mixed pack on

what proved to be a day of patchy scenting

conditions. Declan was assisted by Mr

Craig Caven MFH now into his thirty first

season.

A small but hardy field followed the

hounds all day . Among the mounted field

were local sisters Gail McEwen and

Donna Quail who had put a lot of work

into organising the meet.

The North Down Foxhounds suffered

one of the worst scenting days of the

season so far at Girvan‘s Lane Ends

outside of Ballynahinch.

Huntsman Tom Haddock had twelve and

a half couple mixed pack and was assisted

by amateur whipper-in Ms Ann Magill

and Mrs Cynthia Dorman MFH was in

charge of the small mounted field. After a

long day home was reluctantly blown with

neither huntsman nor hounds having

anything to show for all their hard work.

OBITUARY

Mrs Elsie Morgan MFH 1913—2008

It is with much sadness that we have to

announce the passing away of Mrs Elsie

Morgan MFH at the age of ninety five.

Elsie literally was a giant of the Irish

Hunting world.

Born in Wales, Mrs Morgan came to

Ireland in 1949 with her husband Captain

Tom Morgan when he retired and they

began hunting in Co Waterford. They

were joint masters of the West Waterford

Foxhounds from 1953 and Elsie hunted

hounds until 1984 while her husband

remained in the mastership until 1989.

Elsie possessed the tremendous ability to

handle hounds, horses and indeed all

sorts of animals. Elsie had hunted an

Army pack of hounds before arriving in

Lismore. In addition to hunting she

represented Ireland at show jumping to

Nations Cup level and also achieved some

one hundred and fifty wins on the track.

The late, great, Ikey Bell was such a

confirmed admirer of Elsie Morgan‘s that,

acting as a mentor to the Morgan's, he

told Elsie that he would breed her 2a pack

of hounds worthy of her talents. He also

advised her to use College Valley and Fell

blood which she did, to breed a wonderful

pack of hounds.

Having retired from the mastership at

seventy years of age this remarkable lady

rejoined it at ninety and resumed her role

at the helm from where she directed the

construction of the current kennels at

Tallow.

This much loved and wonderfully able

lady was laid to rest after a service at

Conna Church of Ireland, outside Tallow,

and former Waterford Foxhounds‘

huntsman Nigel Cox blew ―Home‖ on a

very old hunting horn which had been

given to the Morgan's by Ikey Bell.

A fitting tribute to a giant of our sport.

Tom Fulton

HEARD ON THE GRAPEVINE

13

The branches of country sports can be subdivided into active and passive varieties

Why does the sportsman enjoy hunting,

shooting and fishing? It is undoubtedly

due to a whole variety of reasons

including enjoyment of nature,

successful deception of prey, time out

from busy modern life, as well as the

satisfaction of some deep genetic

hunting urge stemming from ancient

times. Success comes from deep down,

and from base instincts. These pursuits

force you to slow down, to ease off to a

more natural pace and live only for the

here and now.

Take shooting for example. The

branches of this country-sport can be

subdivided into active and passive

varieties. Pigeon shooting, wildfowling

and driven game shooting all require

some degree of physical effort to get in

place, but the actual shooting is usually

done from a static position. Rough

shooting, and walked up game shooting

require the shooter to be on the move,

and therefore require a greater degree of

physical effort during the time a gun is

loaded.

Most people will take part in both types

of shooting, but will specialise in one.

My speciality is sitting on my backside,

in a duck hide in winter, and in the

pursuit of crows and pigeons on crop

protection forays at other times. This

gives me time to think. I think of my

decoy pattern, where flight line may be,

the effect of tide and wind direction, as

well as more mundane things from

modern life.

And so it was that I was standing in a

chest high drain during February,

thinking. As it happens at the time I was

SPORTING ODDITIES

14

wondering where all the crows had gone! Suddenly, from my

right, a brown bird hurtled into my decoy pattern at great speed,

swooping to one of my plastic decoys. It spun around and circled

over the pattern before swooping again. Without touching a decoy

it then left the field as quickly as it had arrived. At least I had

managed to fool one bird into thinking my decoys were real, even

though it was a Sparrow Hawk. I was surprised and delighted at

this interlude, and when I returned to my thinking, it was on a

new subject – that of Sporting Oddities, strange sporting

happenings.

I thought first of the day five seasons ago I scored a double

oddity. I had arrived early and set up hide and decoys in a new

position. It was a very dark night and I could barely make out the

decoy shapes when I returned to the hide. Those regular

wildfowlers reading this will realise that it is indeed rare to have a

night when it is too dark to see – usually moon and stars provide

enough light to see a surprising distance well before dawn. I had

just settled back into my hide when I heard the tell tale

―whispering wings‖ of ducks in the vicinity and was very

surprised to make out the shape of a widgeon dropping towards

my recently installed decoy pattern. I stood to shoot, confident in

the range as the bird was trying to drop into the landing zone I

had left in the pattern, and was delighted to see it crumple at the

first shot and float among the plastic deceivers. My ever-steady

Labrador was already half way to the duck as I pushed another

cartridge into the magazine of the semi-automatic, and he soon

returned with a beautiful hen widgeon.

I settled back into position, and tried to calm down Finn, but

unusually he would not calm down. He kept looking out to the

water, and refused to look at me. It took a while but it slowly

dawned on me that there was something else on the water. I sent

the dog again, and was staggered when he returned with another

hen widgeon – still warm, and killed by the same shot as the first.

As if that were not enough strange excitement for one day, the

geese started to fly over my position well after full daylight. The

skeins were either too high or too wide, but in anticipation of an

opportunity at geese, I had brought my trusty (and sometimes

rusty) 10 bore with me. As skein after skein of greylags flew over,

I resisted the temptation to ―have a go‖, and this paid off when

finally a skein flew over in range. Mindful of the fact that geese

are big birds and often fool wildfowlers into missing them behind,

I gave my selected bird huge lead, and then a bit more to be sure.

When I pulled the trigger I was staggered to watch as the bird in

front of the bird I was aiming at fell, stone dead, into the field

behind me.

My thoughts of sporting oddities then switched to a converse

situation which happened in January 2005 when shooting in

Fermanagh. A group of very high tufted duck flew over the

position occupied by my friend, and myself and while Andy

managed to score a double miss, I scored with the first barrel on a

very sporting bird. ―What a shot!‖ congratulated Andy, ―that was

the shot of the season!‖ My honesty got the better of me and I had

to concede that I actually shot at the bird in front.

Sporting Oddities extend to fishing as well. I once lost a tooth

when landing a trout – you see, I hadn‘t thought of opening the

landing net before I started, and with a decent fish on the line, I

resorted by using my mouth as a third hand. The resulting visit to

the dentist and crown meant that the trout (which I did secure)

was a pretty pricey one. I know a number of fishermen who can

boast two or else three trout on the same team of flies at the same

time, and I myself have hooked and landed two on the River

Bann. I have hooked and landed five mackerel at the same time

off the Co. Down coast near the mouth of Carlingford Lough.

I hooked a bat one night while fly-fishing the evening rise on the

River Bann. On the back cast, I thought I had hooked a tree

before the weight of the line pulled the unfortunate creature

down towards the earth. It released the fly and was fortunately

able to fly on.

The strangest piscatorial happenings have happened to me during

my pike fishing escapades. On one occasion, a pike of around 7 or

8 pounds which I had been playing leapt out of the water onto the

fishing stand I was on and knocked over my portable cooker we

had been cooking our lunch of sausages on. The pike was

eventually returned unhurt, but I‘m afraid the sausages didn‘t

make it … On another occasion, my fishing partner and I were

coming to terms with a fishless pike expedition, when I decided to

answer the call of nature. I turned my head to watch my floats,

and was horrified to see one bob and move off just as my body

passed its point of no return. I‘m glad my friend had no camera,

as I was required to land the pike from an unusually exposed

position.

On more than one occasion pike have also attacked the fish in

keep nets during coarse fishing sessions. I have had kingfishers,

herons and even owl land so close that I could make out every

detail of their delicate feathering. A snipe landed so close to my

dog and I one evening at a flight pond that I could have reached

out and grabbed it.

It fed for a few minutes before the dog‘s whining chased it away.

Alan Brown

SPORTING ODDITIES CONT’D

15