December 2009 Volume 9 Issue 3
Emerald Newsletter ELECTIONS TO CAI BOARD 2010
Contact Details 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? Countryside Alliance Ireland has two vacancies to fill in the 2010 Board elections and 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. Nomination forms for candidates must be returned by midnight on 7th March 2010. For further information and nomination forms, please telephone: NI: 028 9263 9911 or R of I: 01690 3610, option 5.
Northern Ireland Countryside Alliance Ireland Larchfield Estate Balliesmills Road Lisburn Co Down, BT27 6XJ Tel: 028 9263 9911 Republic of Ireland Countryside Alliance Ireland Courtlough Shooting Grounds Balbriggan Co Dublin Tel: 01 690 3610
A Message From Lyall Plant
carry out their activities in a professional manner. This will allow for present hare numbers to increase under the protection of responsible country sports personnel and alleviate the problem that is occurring with the invasion of the Brown Hare in parts of Mid Ulster. Many other key issues have faced our members during 2009 with the main one being the new firearms licence system in the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland members will recall what they went through when the 5-year licence system came into effect. The issues arising following the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill and the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill are very similar to those we have faced before.
With the hunting and shooting seasons well underway we hope you are all having a very successful and enjoyable time. A lot has happened over the last year and now is the time to update you all on some of the challenges that we faced during the past twelve months. DJ Histon (Chief Executive of the Irish Coursing Club) and I met with the NI Minister of the Environment, Edwin Poots MLA, to discuss the possibility of Dungannon Coursing Club and Ballymena Coursing Club holding a joint coursing event to qualify for the 2010 National Coursing Festival at Clonmel. The All Ireland Species Action Plan for the Irish Hare states that it is a requirement for Irish Hare numbers in Northern Ireland to reach 2.0 per sq km by 2010 and the hare count in 2009 was 1.9 per sq km. With this target so close we believe that this was the reason the Minister signed another Special Protection Order. We also believe this will be the final year of the Special Protection Order and have constantly campaigned for the Irish Hare to remain on the quarry list and allow the coursing clubs to 2
Part of the new firearms licence application for the Republic requires a new FAC holder to carry out an introduction to firearms relating to the Possession, Use and Carriage of Firearms. We have arranged with a number of registered shooting grounds to carry out training days to a set syllabus that will conform to the requirements of Section 2.5 of the new FCA1 form. If you do intend to obtain a firearm for the first time then make contact with the relevant shooting ground and they will make the necessary arrangements for you to attend one of the courses. (for a full list of shooting grounds offering ‘Introduction to Firearms’ course - www.caireland. org) Many of these issues have been solved through dialogue and also by having a thorough knowledge of the Garda Commissioners Guidelines and how each Superintendent and Chief Superintendent are interpreting them. It is essential that a common interpretation of the guidelines is carried out across all Garda Districts and we are monitoring decisions very closely to see that there is no underlying trend against our members. Indeed, we have raised a number of issues with the Firearms Policy Unit who we are working very closely with to ensure that common standards are maintained throughout the licensing process. With the first round of extensions expired, many of our members have had their centre fire pistols revoked. This is not surprising, however, the
A Message from Lyall Plant
National Association of Sporting Rifle and Pistol Clubs (the governing body for the sport in the Republic of Ireland) has established a legal fund to continue with their defensive work regarding to centre fire target shooting. We believe that everyone needs to support NASRPC by logging on to their website at www.nasrpc.ie and making a pledge to this worthwhile effort. Countryside Alliance Ireland will continue to support NASPRC in their campaign. We have negotiated a heavily discounted alarm package with Network Security on behalf of our members that enables them to conform to the new Home Security SI. In addition to this special price, our members will receive 12 months monitoring FREE with their alarm – worth €250, 1 x Remote Key fob FREE (sets & unsets the alarm) - worth €75. To avail of this package, members should contact Network Security on Mob - 086 8054918 or Lo-Call 1850 918 036 and ask to speak with a “Secure Accommodations” sales person quoting their membership number. You can also order online at networksecurity.ie and choose Secure Accommodation Alarms. Follow the instructions on screen and enter your membership number to avail of this excellent offer. The Hunting fraternity came under pressure by the Green Party re-negotiating a programme for government with Fianna Fail. We have supported the Irish Masters of Foxhounds in their campaign to minimise the impact this programme will have on our right to carry out our legitimate activity of hunting with hounds. We also highlighted the fact that the LUSH anti hunting campaign was now in Ireland and asked our members to boycott their products and contact their outlets to object to this attack on our members.
cont’d
We once again sponsored a seminar in Mullingar for range owners. Those attending had an excellent opportunity to learn of the new changes in regulations being outlined from John Guinane (Firearms Range Inspector for the Department of Justice,Equality and Law Reform) and listen to an excellent Health and Safety presentation from Pat Herlihy. We have been watching very closely the possibility that the Minister of Agriculture in Northern Ireland, Michelle Gildernew, intends to ban tail docking in the New Animal Welfare Legislation. We have made strong representations to the Minister, her Officials and every member of the Agricultural committee seeking their support for an exemption to permit tail docking for working dogs. All the Gundog clubs in Northern Ireland have supported us in seeking this exemption for working breeds. Our term as secretariat of the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland comes to an end on the 31st January 2009. We have played an active role within this partnership ensuring that our members’ best interests were fully represented. Indeed we have been promoting the “Shine a Light on Poaching” campaign, which has been very relevant following recent events in Northern Ireland. Our team have supported our membership to the highest standards, providing excellent help and advice during 2009 and we will continue to represent our members’ interests at all levels of government over the coming year. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and continuing membership over the past year and look forward to meeting you at the Game Fairs in 2010.
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GB Hunts “ready for repeal” Ahead of what could be the final season before the Hunting Act in GB is repealed, the UK Countryside Alliance has released a new survey which shows that, whilst hunts are in good heart, the need for repeal is as important as ever. The Countryside Alliance sent a survey to 300 hunts and responses have included the following statistics: · · · · · · · ·
93% of respondents report that they have the same number or more subscribers than before the Hunting Act came into force 61% feel that subscriptions will be boosted yet further by repeal of the Hunting Act 89% of respondents report an increase in support from their communities since the Act 73% of respondents have the same number of hounds as pre the Act 10% have more hounds 76% have the same number of employees as pre-Hunting Act. 10% have more employees than pre-Act 6% have fewer employees
Simon Hart, Chief Executive of the UK Countryside Alliance said: “These figures are a testament to the hunting community’s determination to keep hunting’s infrastructure together until the Hunting Act can be repealed. This healthy picture shows how well hunts have risen to the short term challenges presented by the Hunting Act while the campaign for repeal has progressed. No success can be attributed to the Hunting Act itself, which has been a failure at every turn. When the Act was passed, hunts adopted a survival strategy until repeal could be achieved; it is not a long term strategy. “It is worth remembering that back in 2004 when the Act was passed we said that legislation based on prejudice, rather than evidence and principle, could only ever be temporary. We set out to achieve three things: keep the infrastructure of hunting in one piece; demonstrate that the Act was a farce and get repeal onto the political agenda. We have done all of those things, and what started as a possibility has now become a probability. We take nothing for granted, but at the start of what could be the final season under the Hunting Act, hunts are united, determined and ready for repeal.”
Animal Welfare Legislation in Northern Ireland We have been deeply involved throughout the consultative process on the proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Legislation in Northern Ireland and as a respondent were asked to attend a workshop in Belfast to discuss the new proposals. We were utterly amazed at the proposals and the Department’s intention to ban tail docking in its entirety and we have strongly opposed any action to alter the current practice. We have written to the Minister, her Department and all members of the Agricultural Committee re-iterating our stance and asking them for their support to allow an exemption for working dogs and we urge you to write to the Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP, and your local MLA to voice your concerns. We need to keep a close watch on this legislation as we have been told it will mirror the new Republic of Ireland legislation and we will be in close contact with like minded organisations to seek their support throughout this process.
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Bits and Pieces
Garda Commissioner Agrees Firearm Substitutions
We wish to inform all our members that following representations and support from the Department of Justice and the Firearms Policy Unit, the Garda Commissioner recognised the serious problems being encountered by the shooting community – in particular the gun trade – and he has now agreed to allow the substitution of a firearm on EXTENDED firearm certificates ONLY. This will only be allowed for non restricted shotguns and rifles and the substitutions will only be valid for the duration of the extended licence. All Superintendents and Chief Superintendents were informed of this decision on the 21st October 2009. The Firearms Policy unit have issued the amended Commissioner’s Guidelines which now include the changes as directed by the Commissioner.
Irish Hare Watch A Special Protection Order (SPO) for the Irish Hare has come into force in Northern Ireland and we ask all members of the country sports fraternity to ensure the SPO is adhered to in full and to report any breeches to the nearest police station. We would like to remind all responsible persons about the importance of the Irish Hare within our environment and the benefits it brings to our countryside. Unlawful activities are bringing our country pursuits into question, so look out for illegal activity and report it immediately. CAI hopes that this will be the last SPO, as Irish Hare numbers now appear to be sustainable.
Anti Hunting Campaign Now in Ireland
Cosmetics firm Lush will “pay for its politics” by alienating thousands of customers with its decision to fund the Hunt Saboteurs’ Association (HSA) with proceeds from a “fox bubble bar” product. The Hunt Saboteurs Association is an animal rights group which advocates direct action and illegal methods to disrupt hunting activities. In Ireland it has an affiliated organisation, Hunt Saboteurs Ireland, which is being promoted in literature being handed out from Lush shops. Countryside Alliance Ireland Chief Executive, Lyall Plant, said: “We are aware that Lush supports animal rights charities, and I am sure they are upset that the Hunting Act in England and Wales has failed. Whilst we support the view that everyone has their right to an opinion, there are groups who legally oppose hunting, and the HSA is not one of them.” “This is also a very strange commercial decision. Hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated their support for hunting and the rural way of life and many of them would previously have been Lush customers. On the other hand the number of people supporting an organisation like the HSA is tiny and, let’s be honest, hunt sabs are not the biggest consumers of soap. It is entirely up to Lush who they want to support, but they will pay for their politics by alienating thousands of reasonable customers.” If you wish to contact your local Lush shop to offer your opinion they are located at: BELFAST DUBLIN DUBLIN CORK
17 CASTLE LANE, BELFAST Tel No: 028 9043 8672 116 GRAFTON STREET, Tel No: 01 6770392 33 HENRY STREET, Tel No: 01 8735735 96 OLIVER PLUNKETT STREET, Tel No: 021 4905850 5
New Dog Control Measures Proposed Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has announced her proposals for new dog control measures to go out for consultation. The Minister says we have serious dog control problems in Northern Ireland and the current system is simply not dealing with these issues effectively. There were around 750 dog attacks on people last year. We also have a big problem with stray dogs with almost 8,000 stray dogs impounded by dog wardens in 2008. This is a higher number of stray dogs per head of population than in the South or Britain. Moreover, many of these strays have to be destroyed and it is unacceptable that one third of all dogs destroyed in England, Scotland, Wales and the north are destroyed here.” To address these issues, the Minister proposes to retain the current ban on dangerous breeds and introduce further dog control measures. These enhanced measures will focus on prevention through earlier intervention to stop dog attacks from occurring, make it an offence for a dog to attack another dog, and promote responsible dog ownership through a more robust and effective dog licensing regime. It is proposed that all dogs should be micro-chipped and that dog wardens should have powers to attach conditions to licences where there are concerns about dog behaviour. As the current fee of £5 has not been reviewed since 1983, it is proposed that it should be increased to a more appropriate level, with significant reductions for pensioners, those on benefits, and owners of neutered dogs. The licence fee currently falls far short of the cost of enforcing the legislation and the bulk of the cost of the dog warden service in district councils is therefore currently borne by all ratepayers. The Minister said that her officials presented initial policy ideas to the Committee last week to hear the Committee’s views so that she could take these into account in firming up proposals for consultation. The Committee agreed that there were serious dog control problems that needed to be addressed but raised some concerns, particularly with regard to a 6
significant increase in the dog licence fee. It is extremely unfortunate that the exploratory thinking on the licence fee was wrongly presented in the media as a firm proposal. It is also regrettable that some of the reporting was simply wrong – there is no proposal that requires all dogs to be on a leash at all times. However, the Minister was pleased that this has started a debate on the matter of dog control and licence fees. She has listened to the views of the Committee and the public in developing her proposals further and she is proposing to consult on the basis of three options. These include a core option based on an inflation-linked rise, an option to maintain the status quo, and an option which covers the full cost of the dog warden service. Under her core proposal: a dog licence will be free to those aged 65 and over; the cost to those on benefits will be pegged at the current price of £5; the cost to owners whose dog is neutered will also be pegged at the current price of £5; and the full fee cost to others will be £12.50, reflecting the increase in inflation since the fee was last reviewed in 1983. She believes this core proposal will help the elderly, protect those on benefits, encourage neutering and reduce the number of strays and unwanted dogs. It will also provide some additional resource to local councils to meet the costs of dog control. The proposals will also include an increase in penalties for a range of control and licensing offences. The consultation was released on the 23rd November and will run until the 1st February 2010 Following full consideration of the consultation responses, a Bill will be drafted with the aim of being introduced to the Assembly by June 2010 and reaching the statute book within the lifetime of the current Assembly. Countryside Alliance Ireland will be making a detailed submission and we welcome input from our members for inclusion into our reply.
WDAI Meet Bruce Banwell World renowned deer expert & author Bruce Banwell from New Zealand spoke to the Wild Deer Association of Ireland members at the Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
involved on the financial side of the deer farming industry from almost its inception, being involved with some of the largest and most prodigious operations in New Zealand. His hunting took him to almost every corner of New Zealand where deer are found. His research into deer as a species has taken him to the majority of the deer habitat of the Northern Hemisphere, including Canada, USA, China, including Manchuria and the Xinjiang, Japan, Kashmir and the Himalayas, India, England, Germany, Scandinavia and most of the former communist countries of Eastern Europe. Bruce has researched the origins of Red deer, Sika and Wapiti and in particular those which influenced the various races of deer that found their way to New Zealand.
L-R Pat Scully Chairman WDAI, Bruce Banwell, Damien Hannigan Hon Sec WDAI
There was a large attendance to hear Bruce speak on a wide range of topics relating to deer & Bruce’s experiences while travelling the world. ABOUT BRUCE BANWELL Bruce Banwell, J.P. was born at Dunedin in 1932, later educated at Gore High School. His early years were spent hunting Red deer with his father in West Otago, Northern Southland and Fallow deer on the Blue Mountains. His work as a banker allowed him to live at Gore, Mosgiel, Christchurch, Invercargill, Tuatapere, Dunedin, Kurow, Gisborne and lastly Ashburton where he retired. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1984. Involved with the New Zealand “Deerstalkers” Association since 1950, he has been a member of eight different branches, president of three, executive member of four and secretary and treasurer of Southland Branch. He had forty-three years service with The National Bank of New Zealand Limited, the last seventeen in management, which saw him
His knowledge of deer has resulted in many invitations to address international symposiums. Most recently he has addressed symposiums at Shanghai, Sapporo Japan, Sec, Czechoslovakia and in Britain. Last year he was the guest of the College of Wildlife Resources at the North-east Forestry University at Harbin, Manchuria. Bruce writes columns for Australian and New Zealand magazines, as well as being a regular contributor to the British Deer Society’s magazine, Deer. His earlier books are now in high demand. He is married to Barbara (a very understanding and co-operative wife) and has five children and one grandchild. His ambitions- to observe for himself, the entire spectrum of the original habitat of the two species, elaphus and Nippon within the Northern Hemisphere and to complete the history of European Red deer in New Zealand. His greatest concern – the future welfare of the unique Otago herd of Highland Scottish deer, probably the only surviving specimens of that race of Red deer in the world. Bruce Banwell is recognized internationally as a world ranking expert on deer, especially European Red deer, Sika deer and both North American and Asian Wapiti and we would like to thank him for giving us an excellent evening. Damien Hannigan Hon Sec WDAI 7
Irish National Country Fair
The Irish National Country Fair at Ballinlough Castle in Co. Westmeath will move to a later date in 2010. Organisers have taken the decision to move to the weekend of 31 July & 1 August following consultation with local clubs and associations and a number of major traders. The new dates for the fair will coincide with the August Bank Holiday which is on 2 August. Fair Director, Bill Beckett said that the decision to move was a sensible one for his organisation and one which took cognisance of the views of local sportsmen, traders and associations. “Our inaugural event in 2009 was, in many ways, a tester for future events at Ballinlough Castle. The success of the National Country Fair is obvious and with the change of date to the end of the month of July, I believe that even more visitors will make their way to this event in 2010” he added. The Irish National Country Fair is a sister event to the highly successful National Countrysports Fair which is held annually at Moira Demesne in Co. Down. This event celebrates fifteen years of consecutive fairs in 2010 and is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s top country sports events. Details on the Irish National Country Fair and the National Countrysports Fair are available from the websites which are located at www.gamefairireland.com and www.nationalcountryfair.ie Press Office: National Country Fairs
Special Members Offer for 2010 The National Countrysport Fair at Moira and The Irish National Country Fair at Ballinlough
Half priced Tickets (subsidised by CAI) when booked through our offices Pre bookings now being taken - NI - 028 9263 9911 RoI - 01 690 3610
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Top Prizes for Irish Terriers & Lurchers
Organisers of the National Countrysports Fair in Northern Ireland and it’s sister event, the Irish National Country Fair in the Republic of Ireland, recently announced that the top terrier and lurcher from each show in 2010 will travel to the Midland Game Fair in September 2010 to represent Ireland. Already renowned for their ground and running dog events, the event organisers are pushing the envelope with this announcement which equates to around £600 each for the four winning competitors. The winners will receive free ferry travel for a car and two adults from an Irish port to GB, B&B accommodation for two nights and free entry into the Midland Game Fair. Qualifiers will be held at the National Countrysports Fair at Moira Demesne in Co. Down over the weekend of 29 & 30 May and at the Irish National Country Fair in Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath on 31 July & 1 August. Irish terrier and lurcher enthusiasts will have the opportunity to win a fantastic, expenses paid trip to represent their country at the Midland Game Fair on 18 & 19 September 2010. International judges will preside, with the top two lurcher and terrier handlers availing of this superb prize and the honour of representing Ireland. Commenting upon this announcement, Fair Director, Derek Lutton, said “We at National Country Fairs recognise the significant contribution these handlers make to country sports events in Ireland and want to put something back into their sport. With ground and running dog entries at the two Irish fairs running around 800 per event, the popularity of terriers and lurchers in Ireland is obvious. This move will ensure that greater recognition is afforded and the chance of international competition is realised”. Press Office: National Country Fairs 9
Dynamo was electric in Coursing Derby
The 2009 National Coursing Meeting defied the worst efforts of severe winter weather and ended in famous victories for Wexford and Galway.
well-known Dublin owner Paddy Byrne.
Patsy Byrne’s Sandy Sea was very short-priced even money in the long-odds market and was no better Kingsmill Dynamo, trained in the south of the Model than 3s on going to slips for the deciding buckle. County by Aidan Roche for son John and Michael However, Catunda Ashmore was not to be denied Fitzpatrick, raced to a decisive victory over Colina and took the decisive points by a length. Damask in the final of the Boylesports Derby. Galway Star, which was bred, owned and trained by Roche’s charge was paired with Jimmy Flaherty’s John Commins from Thurles took the honours in the Galway giant-killer Colina Damask in the deciding Grace Bruton Memorial Champion Bitch Stake. buckle, but this proved an anti-climax when the Dynamo took control from the slips and led up by no A very heavy course in her semi-final with less than five lengths. Moonveen Lola effectively ended the chances of Beauitiful Smile and she offered only token The Boylesports Derby was featured from the resistance in the final to Galway Star. opening round on Monday by a succession of shocks. Tremendous credit is due to new Irish Coursing Club Secretary DJ Histon and all involved with the Shocks were also a feature in the Hotel Minella organisation and running of this very successful Oaks and this classic ended with Fortuna, trained meeting. by Charlie Faul in Tubbercurry, upsetting the odds laid on Whimsical Lady when holding on by half a Particular praise must go to the groundstaff, which length from a short slip. Faul’s charge really came laboured from early on Monday and Tuesday into her own on finals day and her victory was a very mornings to ensure that the running ground was in emotional one for popular Loughrea, Co Galway the best possible condition for coursing. owner Brigid Frank. Picture: Coursing in the Snow - John D Kelly The Classics Club Champion Stakes went to Clonmel Catunda Ashmore, which Owen McKenna trains for 10
Sandy secured six-timer for Pa
Sandy Sea (outright winner) on red and Wallace Green on white in their epic 2009 JP McManus Irish Cup semi-final buckle. Pic Y Harrington
ALL ROADS LEAD TO CLONMEL The clock is ticking down to the 2010 National Coursing Meeting that will be held at Powerstown Park Clonmel Co Tipperary on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of February. We look forward to seeing you all there.
A full house witnessed some brilliant coursing on the final day of the J P McManus Irish Cup. It is six years since this end of season classic moved to Limerick Racecourse at Greenmount and quite incredibly, both Pa Fitzgerald and Patsy Byrne have been involved with three of the winners. This year it was the turn of Sandy Sea to capture the €80,000 prize. Last season’s Derby runner-up and this seasons Champion Stakes runner-up really lived up to his star rating by recording a decisive win in the final from the strongly supported Johnny Casanova, trained by Michael O’Donovan. Trainer Fitzgerald, winning his sixth Irish Cup in total, confirmed that Sandy Sea will more than likely return to defend his title next year. The standard of coursing was simply terrific with plenty of working trials over the three days and we look forward to some excellent coursing over the three days of the 2010 Irish Cup. Article by the Irish Coursing Club 11
Still Field Trialling at Eighty Championships in the early 80s. Not content with just running spaniels, Jimmy’s been a prolific breeder – of spaniels, I mean. Taking inspiration from a tailor’s display of material, Jimmy found his prefix, Brackentwist. He has bred spaniels, which have gone as far afield as Europe, Canada, and the USA. Check your own dog’s pedigree, you might find a Brackentwist there too. When Tom and Kay Creamer had the idea for starting an Irish Spaniel Championship in 1974, Jimmy worked alongside Tom and Kay, JJ Blake, Bob Clemitson, Victor McDevitt, Dan McKeenan, and Jimmy Magee to make that dream a reality. Perhaps one of his greatest contributions was in securing the first sponsor and host of the Irish Spaniel Championship – Joe McGrath – all while selling him a dog.
Jimmy on his 80th Birthday Jimmy “Crooker” Crookshanks celebrated his 80th birthday on 10th September this year. At the age of 14, Jimmy started work as an apprentice motor mechanic, and after 51 years service, he retired from the Board of Charles Hurst, the biggest car dealership in Europe, as Servicing Director. He’s a father, ‘grunda’ and great-grandfather; and is celebrating his diamond-wedding anniversary in April 2010. He can still be seen twirling Eileen around the dance floor on a Saturday night, but it’s in the world of spaniel trials that we know him best. Jimmy first started shooting with Labradors, but was introduced to spaniels by the late Tommy Rogers and ran in his first spaniel trial in 1966. He is the oldest handler still trialling spaniels in Ireland and certainly one of the most senior handlers in the UK. He qualified for his first British Spaniel Championship in 1974, coming 4th two years later with FT Ch Barneys Blunder. FT Ch Barneys Blunder went on to sire Int FT Ch Inler Harryslin, which won both the British and Irish Spaniel 12
Jimmy came second with FT Ch Barneys Blunder in the first Irish Spaniel Championship held on Joe McGrath’s ground in Dunmurry, County Kildare in 1977. This year sees the 32nd running of the Irish Spaniel Championship. Jimmy remained an active member of the Irish Spaniel Championship Committee for its first 17 years and has served on various Spaniel club committees, including the Antrim and Down Springer Spaniel Club for over 20 years. Jimmy judged the Irish Spaniel Championship in 1984, and the British Spaniel Championship in 1994. He is still a very active A-panel judge and has been judging spaniels for over 35 years. He is a great believer that handlers, especially novices, should ask the judges how their dog went after a trial. As he says, “If a handler is doing something wrong, he will never know unless he asks”. He has also been heard to school novice handlers during a trial. A Gun once said to Jimmy, “That’s the first time I’ve heard a judge giving advice to a handler while
Still Field Trialling at Eighty
judging him.” But that’s Jimmy – always willing to help and encourage handlers at any time. I should know – he never stops telling me what to do. In recent times Jimmy and Eileen have moved from Belfast to the picturesque village of Donaghadee Co. Down. Jimmy now works his dogs on the Copeland Islands, a shoot belonging to his old friend John Agnew.
Above: Six times Open Stake Champion Barneys Blunder
Trevor Evans and Dr Michelle Spence
Both he and Eileen are members of the Donaghadee Yacht Club and Jimmy can be found fishing in his boat off the County Down Coast. Jimmy is one of the last of the great characters in the spaniel world - the “craic” in the line is never dull when he’s around. Here’s to you, Crooker. Right: Jimmy with Barneys blunder, Brackentwist Spartk and Brackentwist Squire (check out the trousers) Trevor Evans and Dr Michelle Spence 13
Better the Devil you Know and not only fish against one another but to pass on ‘secret’ info which could stand us in good stead when fishing the proper competitions. Somewhat dejectedly we drove off to attempt to find another venue but by now time was passing by and the hope of finding a suitable place to fish was fading rapidly.
As a very young man I fished for a team from Sheffield. For those of you not familiar with big time match fishing it was not unusual for over five hundred anglers to participate in one match and in those days most big contests were fished on rivers and canals that could provide some fish from every swim. Teams were of six anglers and there were prizes for the top ten or so participants and prizes for the top six teams. The team prizes were calculated on total weight and even in those days the money (which is what we fished for) was very good indeed. The silverware which was also on offer was, for the professional anglers taking part, of little consequence. Competition was extremely fierce and when a match was not on the calendar it was practice, practice, practice. Our team always travelled together in a Ford van driven by my Father who was also team captain. The six of us would fish a small match between ourselves on a sweepstake basis with the winner taking all. Most of the time we would fish for £1 pound per man, the winner collecting £5; not an untidy sum in those far off distant days. Sunday morning saw the team head off in the hope of finding a water with no other anglers around so that we could compete against one another with little or no intrusions. On this particular Sunday, when we arrived at our chosen venue it was a little like inner Dublin on a Friday afternoon with folk and cars everywhere making it impossible for the ‘lads’ to sit in a line 14
As we passed through the Lincolnshire countryside Sid, one of the older members, called for my father to stop the van as he was sure he had seen a glint of water almost hidden by a ring of dense trees and undergrowth. A small unmade road veered off to our left. On one side of it was what appeared to be a pond of about one acre, well hidden by the surrounding vegetation. On the other side of the track was a small well kept thatched cottage. It wasn’t long before Father was knocking on the door to seek permission, not only to fish but to also clear places on the pond where we could get in to fish. The door opened just a crack to reveal the head of what was a rather frail grey haired old lady. Once the explanations had been made that the motley crew standing at her door had no intentions to rob her or do any harm whatsoever the door was opened fully and it wasn’t long before the six of us were drinking tea in the tiny sitting room and getting the old girls blessing to fish on her ‘little’ pond. The clearing operation was soon underway and after an hour or so we had cleared six places where we could just get in to fish. The pond itself was quite beautiful. Most of it was lily fringed with thick rush reaching out to meet the pads of lilies and the bright yellow flowers that sat upon the water’s surface. Our clearing operation was done in such a way that detracted nothing from this idyllic place. The fishing was also a revelation. Within minutes we were all into rod bending action from huge rudd with scarlet fins and scale perfect sides of brilliant gold. As we prepared to leave the old lady called us over to share another pot of hot strong tea. The conversation soon established that she was rather partial to bottles of Mackeson, a bottled stout similar to Guinness but just a tadge sweeter.
Better the Devil you Know Visits to our secret pond became a regular occurrence and presents of several bottles of the old girl’s favourite tipple helped to make us her favorite callers. One day things changed however. As we approached the lane we could see parked next to ‘our lake’ a twelve seater mini bus and worse still there were twelve anglers around the water. The worst thing of all was the fact that the swim clearing operation that they had undertaken was nothing short of a blitz. The old lady stood at the door as we trudged down her path and welcomed us in for the customary pot of tea. She was also very apologetic that there was no room for us to fish but the nice gentlemen in the bus had given her 2 shillings each to fish ‘her’ pond. As we drove away in silence Sid asked the question, ‘Who would like a nice plump chicken,’ and then handed out five very dead but still warm roosters.
Tom, one of the other team members soon shouted, ‘Sid, that old girl has been very good to us and you just killed six of her best fowls.’ Our next visit was two weeks later. The old girl was waiting for us at the door. ‘By it’s good to see you lads,’ she exclaimed. ‘I never had any trouble at all with you lot but when that other lot left six of my chickens had gone missing. I won’t have them back or anybody else for that matter,’ she wailed. The next time we called Sid had with him a rather large whicker basket. Inside it were a dozen very health young birds which were soon released into the pen with the other chickens. These were also accompanied by the usual bottle or two of Mackeson stout. All was well again and you know what? We fished our little lake for years after that and never saw another soul. Geoff Cooper
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. It has become evident to Countryside Alliance Ireland that poaching of deer has been on the increase in Ireland in recent years and through its nationwide membership and with the support of other organisations, such as The Wild Deer Association of Ireland and The British Deer Society, we aim to raise awareness and to inform members of the public what should be done if a suspected illegal or unauthorised taking of deer is encountered. We are all aware that deer must be culled but only under controlled conditions, to restrict damage to
forestry and farmland where over-population occurs. Culling should always be carried out by a certified deerstalker such as persons certified under the British Deer Society Level 1 in Northern Ireland (and the Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) in the Republic of Ireland), which promotes high standards and best practice, with adequate insurance cover such as that provided as a benefit of membership of Countryside Alliance Ireland. We recommend where you suspect illegal hunting or taking of deer, that you contact the PSNI if you live in Northern Ireland or if you live in the Republic contact the Gardai or the National Parks and Wildlife Service or your local Wildlife Range taking note of all relevant details such as location, date, time, vehicle registration and other details - but never approach! CAI is a member of PAW NI (Partnership Against Wildlife Crime) and we actively encourage our members to report all incidents to the local police. 15
Fast Ducks and Sloe Gin And so it came to pass that I pulled on waders, released the dog from his incarceration and drove away from the house in blackness at an unholy hour. I was to shoot a new spot today, part of the ground leased by the syndicate I have recently been fortunate to join. As I arrived I could see Dan’s Cottage through the repetitive blinks and slaps of the windscreen wipers. It was strangely lifeless - dead and derelict and in stark contrast to what it becomes on pheasant shooting days.
On any given Saturday at this time of year, country lanes and gateways tend to become cluttered. Shooters of all shapes, sizes, classes and creeds are donning their waterproofs and getting out into the Irish countryside as it approaches the zenith of what can be offered to the field shooting enthusiast. To the uneducated eye, participants in this annual harvest all look alike, wearing shooting clothes and green wellies, but take away the shooting garb, and it becomes obvious that sportsmen (and women) reflect the full range of Irish society. Old and young, rich and poor, fat and thin, male and female – all groups are represented.
On these happy occasions the cottage is the hub of all activity. Cars are parked around it and a roaring fire blazes in the grate. The high spirited voices of renewed acquaintances and raucous leg-pulling can be heard as soon as you step out of the car and dogs and guns mingle with the ease of close familiarity. The smell of frying bacon and gun oil which usually wafts around the door was gone. There were no dancing flames reflected in the aging window glass. It could be seen for what it really is – a partly derelict building and a relic of a bygone era. Dan McNally and his family, after whom the cottage is named, must have a bleak and remote existence here on the eastern shore of Lough Neagh.
Irish hunter gatherers, like their kin around the world, still possess the opportunistic instinct which was essential for the survival of our ancestors.
The usual beep of the car alarm activation was rendered inaudible by the howling wind, and as I slung the decoy bag onto my back I ducked and shuddered as I turned to walk into the full force of the storm. The trees were a poor bed for the roosting pheasants and some of the birds that had sought night refuge by huddling under bushes on the ground, as I struggled to keep Finn in to heel as we shuffled past the pheasant pen.
Take for example a recent morning flight. I had no intention of rising before dawn of a bleak winter morning until I saw the weather forecast. I quickly realised that my instincts would not allow me to sleep on in bed when foul weather was predicted. By as early as mid week, the isobars on the weatherman’s chart seemed to merge into one solid black line, an indicator of huge winds, so I had planned to flight ducks on the eastern shore of Lough Neagh. Despite the fact that it is a fresh water lough, Lough Neagh has many attributes which many coastal wildfowlers would be familiar with.
Following my directions from telephone conversation the night before, I followed the shore of the Lough until I found the raised track which led out to the well built natural stone hide. It would not have looked out of place on a grouse moor, although all thoughts of being able to get a little respite from the conditions soon evaporated as I realised that the wind was blowing straight in through the opening left to act as a doorway. Oh well - at least I would have the wind and rain at my back – an important fact when you wear spectacles. I grabbed the five foot forked blackthorn stick I use as a wading staff
And yet they also have certain qualities in common. A love of the land. Stealth and fieldcraft. And an ingrained instinct to take for themselves and their families at this time of plenty.
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Fast Ducks and Sloe Gin and waded out to place two groups of decoys – one mallard and one teal, hoping that they had been deposited in places the ducks would recognise. Back in the hide, gun loaded and back turned to the wind and rain, I was not surprised to experience the unique sensation of happiness and contentment only felt by wildfowlers when they know that there is nowhere else in the world they would rather be at that time. Sitting alone with the dog and surrounded by plastic ducks, I would not have swapped places with the richest man in the world. The icing on the cake appeared in the form of a mallard 30 yards in front hurtling left to right towards my pattern. One bark of the gun and it lay floating on the water. Immediately, two unseen disturbed teal catapulted across the front of the hide, and with the one remaining shot in the gun, I brought down the front bird of the pair. Excited by the sudden and unexpected action, I fumbled open the wet gun and inserted two fresh shells. Finn had been lying in the bottom of the hide for the first shot and been unsighted, but had come around the side of the hide and seen the second bird fall. As he gathered the teal, a third duck appeared directly in front and came straight towards me in perfect driven bird style. The Beretta sent the third duck in a minute spiralling down onto the Lough’s surface.
add another mallard to my inaugural bag of duck. Sitting in full daylight, in a howling gale and full force of driving rain, I sang. I don’t know what I sang, and I am pretty sure Simon Cowell wouldn’t have been impressed, but there was no happier man in all Ireland. Part way through the third verse, I spotted a movement out of the corner of my eye. A pigeon flight was developing nicely just behind my position. I would love to be able to say that I did my bit for the arable farmers, but alas, despite changing position, the flight ended as quickly as it started. But something else caught my eye. In the bushes. Sloes. Hundreds of them. The same opportunistic instinct which compelled me to rise in pursuit of waterfowl and to move my position to intercept pigeon now told me to take off my hat and fill it with sloes, for I am as partial to a swig of sloe gin as the next man. And now, two months later, having just enjoyed a meal of honey chilli teal, I think it is about time to break open the sloe gin. The opportunistic hunter would do well to remember that you do not always need a gun to harvest from the Irish countryside. Wishing all readers a happy and sporting Christmas, and a safe and prosperous new year. Cheers! Alan Brown.
It was all too much for the dog. Although already almost back with the second duck, much to my dismay he dropped the teal and proceeded directly to the most recently slain. At that moment, the sky seemed to fill with duck screaming through the storm in all directions and I was left in a difficult dilemma. Any more shots would see the dog passing out with delight and confusion, so I made the tough decision to call a temporary halt to my shooting to ensure the ducks already down were safely gathered. All the while, ducks fluttered through the tumult over my head, teasing and taunting my poor standard of dog training. Needlessly to say, as the third duck was safely gathered in, the duck maelstrom stopped, and I was left wondering what might have been. But, needless to say, I was delighted. The first outing on new ground had undoubtedly been successful, and as the sky lighted I was delighted to be able to 17
The Great Game Fairs of Ireland
Against a backdrop of poor summer weather and the gloom of the recession, the two Great Game Fairs of Ireland 2009, at Shane’s and Birr Castles, provided a real boost for country sports, tourism and the rural way of life in Ireland. Plans were already afoot to take a giant step forward to internationalise the brand and to improve virtually all facets of the two individual fairs and in spite of the threats from the recession, it was decided to ‘run with the wind’ and hope that, with the support of the country sports community and the trade, the brand could take the worst that the weather and recession could throw at it and emerge even stronger in 2010. The big coup for both Fairs was that of having the Shane’s and Birr events televised by country channel.tv and broadcast to a potentially multi million international audience through web, satellite and the US Rural TV network. These programmes can also be viewed on www.countrychannel.tv. Plans are already in place to widen the scope and international impact of the Great Game Fairs of Ireland brand in 2010. In spite of the recession, the huge prize fund for the All Ireland Game Fair Championships in clay 18
shooting, gundog handling and fly casting was maintained at levels equivalent to the largest fairs in the UK, and new Novice All Ireland Game Fair Championships sponsored by Barbour were added to the competition structure. In 2010 the ‘all comers’ championships will have heats at Shane’s and heats and finals at Birr, while the Barbour Novice Championships will have heats and finals at Shane’s Castle. The All Ireland Terrier & Lurcher Championships celebrated their 21st anniversary at Shane’s Castle, again with an increased prize fund and top UK judges, and the new two day format proved a success and will be maintained in 2010. Plans are also in place to extend the international gundog event and introduce a new series of gundog events at Shane’s Castle in 2010. In line with the organisers’ policy of attracting the top competitors from all over Ireland and further afield to show case traditional rural skills, a new All Ireland Championship in stickmaking will take place at Birr. It is being organised by the Celtic Stickmakers Association (CSA) and will be judged by Lindsay Carlisle and Tom Cavanagh ( Chairman of the CSA).
The Great Game Fairs of Ireland
Most experienced commentators were pleased with not only the increase in the number of stands at each Fair, but also the improved quality and variety of the stands and the improved layouts. Particularly impressive were the Gunmakers’ and Fishermans’ Rows and the new Eco Village. All three areas have received much attention from the organisers and are expected to be greatly extended in 2010. With nearly two hundred stands at each fair, the organisers now consider that the Fairs are approaching the optimum size for Irish venues to cope with especially in inclement weather. Their emphasis now is on increasing the quality and variety of stands. In 2009 both fairs had a rich mix of stands to delight the purist including taxidermy; pigeon decoying; net making; sporting books; fine foods, wines and game pies; and sporting art. Even more of these type of stands have already been confirmed for 2010 and a new centrepiece of the Fair at Shane’s Castle will be a Country Sports Dining Club situated in the Railway Café and featuring a fantastic array of game and fish dishes. The action packed arena programmes at both Shane’s and Birr really drew the crowds with a
fast changing mix of many of the regular but very popular attractions, such as the horses and hounds, being joined by medieval falconry and other living history attractions; the Cochise horses making their debut at Shanes and being joined by internationally renowned US horse whisperer Franklin Levinson at Birr; NI’s own BBC Dog Whisperer Keith Mathews delighted crowds at both venues and has something really spectacular planned for both fairs in 2010 and a first for Shane’s Castle was Willie Edgar and the Calor/CAI sponsored CLA team giving a superb gundog display. Many of these attractions will feature in 2010 plus, as usual, at least three new high profile acts at each venue. Having taken the attractions of both fairs, and the Irish country sports message, to an international audience in 2009, the organisers of the Great Game Fairs of Ireland are determined to build on this by developing and improving virtually all aspects of the two fairs in 2010. The Irish Game Fair takes place at Shane’s Castle, Antrim on the 26th &27th June 2010 and the Irish Game & Country Fair takes place at Birr Castle, Co Offaly on 28th & 29th August 2010.
Full details of the fairs programmes can be seen on www.irishgamefair.com (Shane’s Castle) and www.irishgameandcountryfair.com (Birr Castle) or by calling 028 4483 9167 from Northern Ireland or 048 4483 9167 from the Republic of Ireland. Albert Titterington. 19