Bøger af Ian Barnett

The woodpigeon is a magnificent bird. There can be no denying that. It's flying aptitude, speed, agility and stamina are awesome. Nor can we deny the adaptability and evolution which has seen the species become the predominant avian pest species in Great Britain. To most people, the 'woodie' is an innocuous park and garden visitor that errs on the greedy side. Particularly for those with bird tables and vegetable gardens. It's soporific murmur, hidden amongst the leaves in summer trees, has become an iconic 'aestival' sound. For the crop grower, however, the woodie is an almost apocalyptic nuisance. It's proclivity for gathering in huge flocks and descending on new seed drillings, sprouting crops and pre-harvest grain makes it the farmers number one avian enemy. For the country sportsman or woman owning either a shotgun or an air rifle, woodies are manna from heaven. They are on the General Licenses, they are prolific and do you know what the best bit is? They are edible! More than that. Pigeon breast meat is delicious, versatile and (unlike game) available all year round. This book will explain how to harvest that bounty ... but it is much more than that. It is a natural history study and a tribute to an iconic sporting quarry.

The grey squirrel has officially lost it's cute, bushy-tailed "Nutkin" image. Even some of the most fervent wildlife organisations and their supporters have had to concede that to allow such a dominant non-native species to rule the British wood is insanity. The motive for writing this book is the recent announcement by Her Majesty's Government that it intends to fund a National cull of the non-native grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis. This is an unprecedented move towards common-sense wildlife management and the only example I can recall in my generation. Not since the East-Anglian coypu cull of the 1950's has HMG sponsored total eradication of a species. The reasons are there for all to see. Not just the estimated £10 million of damage to forestry but also its unchallengeable contribution to the decline of our native red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris. A lively, inquisitive and entertaining creature ... the grey squirrel will now always have a foothold and food source in our towns and cities. For this reason alone, a national cull is probably doomed to failure. In rural areas, however, the air-rifle hunter will always find work to do and landowners asking for a reduction in numbers. It is the fifth most unpopular resident on a farmers or foresters estate, behind the fox, the rabbit, the rat and the wood-pigeon. On the foresters estate, it is second only to deer on the 'nuisance' list. Despite the overwhelming evidence, many conservationists continue to imitate the ostrich and claim that songbird nest predation by Sciurus carolinensis is negligible ... but we know different, don't we? All genuine country folk know. Moves to eradicate the grey and re-establish our native red squirrel are building in momentum throughout the UK and this is giving opportunity not just to trappers but also air rifle hunters. For the adept air rifle hunter has a very effective, safe and non-disruptive tool for clearing grey squirrels. I know, because I cull hundreds every year. Becoming adept is all about knowing how, where and when to tackle this abundant and challenging quarry. Hopefully, this book will help both novice and experienced shooter with it's tips and insights into grey squirrel behaviour.

"You will not find a more experienced and enthusiastic airgun hunter than Ian Barnett who, in this new book, takes the reader on hunting forays to field, wood and farm in search of rabbits, squirrels, corvids, pigeons, rats. As the year progresses, he describes the many tactics needed to pursue particular quarry, he offers countless technical tips, looks at the pros and cons of using certain airguns and pellets and offers some excellent recipes! To read this is to discover the thrill and fascination of airgun hunting, enjoying the great outdoors from the depths of winter to high summer. "