Why oh why is Scotland the only country in the UK to still have the ban on tail docking of working dogs?
Just back in from ferreting a plantation of young larch and scots pine trees. I am soaked to the skin and frozen. My daughter is visiting us with her boyfriend and I thought it would be a good chance for him to see some different animal tracks in the snow.
I am not a happy chappy. I was cutting old rabbit fences away this morning and my ear is bleeding profusely. I detest that high tensile wire; when you cut it with the wire cutters it goes off like a coiled spring. It felt like I had been shot in the ear.
22.06.10
There's still time - just - to enter photographs of wildlife, scenery or gamekeepers at work in this year's competition which closes on 28th June.
The award winning photograph will feature in the annual fundraising SGA calendar and the great prize, sponsored this year by Game and Country of Selkirk, will be presented at the Scottish Game Fair at Scone Palace on Friday 2nd July.
22.06.10
Part-time gamekeeper Graeme Philip from Blairforge near Kinross was still reeling this morning from discovering a two foot high lynx had been lured into the bait he'd set for a fox suspected of killing several bantams in the area.
The animal appeared in his sights just after 2am as he lay in wait and after years of scepticism about sightings of "big cats" he is now in no doubt that at least one is living in the Scottish countryside.
As ever at this time of year, the SGA's annual Silent Auction is now up and running!
This year there are some fantastic lots available to bid for including Moose Hunting in Norway, a wide range of stalking opportunities across Scotland and some great shooting days on offer. There are even tickets to a Manchester United game.
You can have a look at all the lots in the Auction in the document attachment below. Please note that the guide price for lot 37 (8 guns at Kinnaird) should be £8,000.