Hundreds of red squirrels are feared dead after squirrel pox infects a Scottish estate

More than 100 red squirrels could die after the Duke of Buccleuch’s 300,000-acre Queensberry estate, in Dumfries and Galloway, was recently struck by Scotland’s largest ever outbreak of squirrel pox.

To date, 16 red squirrels have been confirmed as having contracted the disease, 11 of these in the past three weeks. However, red squirrel conservationists say this is likely to represent just 10 per cent of the total number of reds that have died.

The squirrel pox virus is harmless to humans and the grey squirrels that carry it, but is fatal to the UK’s native red squirrel, causing death within two weeks. Most dying red squirrels would return to their dreys or would be eaten by predators after the pox rendered them blind and defenceless.

It is thought the pox has spread so rapidly through the red squirrels at the estate because staff and members of the public have been feeding them. As a result they have come into contact with each other more frequently than they would in the wild, accelerating the transmission of the pox.

DEER STALKING AND MANAGEMENT

By Lewis Potter

A resident of Worcestershire, Lewis Potter has been interested in deer since 1959 when he discovered an area where there were fallow deer and contained one of the oldest deer parks in England. From then on he became, and has remained, a dedicated deer watcher. Having been introduced to deer stalking in the mid-1960s he remains, today, a keen stalker and is involved with both wild and park deer. Lewis is a professional gunsmith who has written the highly acclaimed The Art of Gunsmithing.
Deer Stalking and Management is a wide-ranging book written in a practical style. It encapsulates the often solitary experiences of the stalker who has only the wildlife for company and considers a world that many people do not know about, do not understand and which many find alien. The author is deeply involved in deer management and stalking and is passionately concerned about the welfare of these beautiful animals. His objective is to both educate and inform.

Summarizes the natural history and characteristics of all the species of deer found in the United Kingdom· Assesses the environmental impact of deer, describes the type of damage they do and how it can be identified· Explains why deer management is essential, not just for commercial reasons, but also for the welfare of the animals themselves· Discusses the organizations associated with deer management and the associated training courses and qualifications that are available· Analyses the rifles and cartridges that can be used by the deer stalker as well as rifle maintenance, ballistics, sights, sound moderators, clothing and ancillary equipment · Carefully examines all aspects of deer management, stalking methods, and taking and placing the shot correctly· Explains how the carcass should be handled and describes gralloching, skinning and jointing· Considers deer diseases and injuries and accidents to deer caused by road traffic accidents and wire fencing· Provides an overview of firearms law in England, Wales and Scotland as it relates to deer

The British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) are currently running a campaign called “Game-to-Eat”. This campaign is “dedicated to raising awareness and increasing our enjoyment of game”.  With the backing of big names in the food world such as TV chef Phil Vickery it is hoped that the campaign will succeed and more and more people will sit down to a plate of free range, totally organic game food.

This big push in the media regarding blood sports and the fact that we should be “shooting to eat” has also been taken up by the likes of the BBC. The BBC have recently aired a program called “Kill it, cook it, eat it” which showed how game is being raised killed and prepared in the UK. This show helped people to see where the food on their plate has come from and how it gets from the field to your dinner table.

The show set out to encourage more people to try game food and in turn introduce others to it, but before you can tell other how good home made game food is, you have to try it for yourself. This is where BushWear comes in.

BushWear would like to introduce you to the joys and delights of quality, fresh home made sausages, burgers, smoked meats and more.

BushWear have searched from pantry to charcuterie to bring you a comprehensive range of equipment and ingredients to make a selection of succulent and delicious meaty treats.

For those who have never tried sausage/burger making or food smoking BushWear hopes their fantastic range will encourage you to try something new in 2009.

The BushWear range includes mincers, stuffers, spices, mixes, smokers, BBQs and a great selection of books on the subject. Basically, everything you need to get into food preparation at home and more advanced tools for the professional user.

Their selection of equipment means no job is too big or too small. This means they can bring you the best possible tool for the job and make it easier for you to get the results you want.

For those of you who already know the delights of home meat production BushWear’s range of equipment will make your life a little easier.

Click Here to see BushWears range of BushTukka products.

BushWear is proud to lead the pack again with Helle knives which are unique and very different from most other knives.

The biggest difference lies in their triple laminated stainless steel blade. The core is made of high alloy steel which gives it a lasting, razor-sharp edge. It is protected by two layers of tough stainless steel (18/8). These layers protect the blade against breakage and corrosion, while the high carbon core provides a superb cutting edge. This triple laminated stainless steel is unique to Helle knife blades.

The steel they use is more expensive than in most other knife brands, but that is all a part of Helle’s philosophy of never compromising on quality. Laminated steel is a Norwegian tradition that is rarely found in other parts of the world. At Helle, each knife is hand crafted by experienced and dedicated tradesmen. Each blade is shaped to achieve a shaving sharp edge. Knife handles of carefully selected arctic curly birch and aged wood are shaped to precise dimensions and finished to a hand rubbed patina. Each wood handle fits the hand comfortably and has its own distinctive grain and figure, making your Helle knife ‘one of a kind’.

Helle Nying Knife

Price: £59.95

Code: 314550

Blade Length: 3″

Overall Length: 6.5″

Handle: Curly Birch

Blade: Triple Laminated

Stainless Steel

Sheath: Genuine Leather Sheath

Helle Eggen Knife

Price: £59.95

Code: 314553

Blade Length: 4″

Overall Length: 8.25″

Handle: Curly Birch

Blade: Sandvik 12C27

Stainless Steel

Sheath: Genuine Leather Sheath

Helle Fire Knife

Price: £84.95

Code: 314551

Blade Length: 2.75″

Overall Length: 7.75″

Handle: Curly Birch

Blade: Triple Laminated

Stainless Steel

Sheath: Genuine Leather Sheath

Helle Harding Knife

Price: £84.95

Code: 314552

Blade Length: 4″

Overall Length: 8.25″

Blade: Triple Laminated

Stainless Steel

Handle: Rosewood, Leather & Curly Birch

Sheath: Genuine Leather Sheath

Employers have responsibilities for the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees and the health and safety of those affected by the work.

Complying with duties towards lone workers under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work (MHSW) Regulations 1999 can be difficult but technology can make this easier.

These responsibilities cannot be transferred to people who work alone. Procedures will need to be put in place to monitor lone workers to see they remain safe. These may include: supervisors periodically visiting and observing people working alone; regular contact between the lone worker and supervisor using either a telephone or radio; automatic warning devices which operate if specific signals are not received periodically from the lone worker.

Weighing just over 7 ounces (209g), the SPOT Satellite Messenger provides consumers with the ability to send for emergency assistance in time of need; notify employers, friends or family of their status; and allows them to visually track the messenger’s location and progress on a computer using Google Maps™ and the SPOT website.

SPOT uses convenient, easy-to-replace AA size lithium batteries for complete portability and when powered on, has a standby battery life of approximately 12 months.

SPOT floats and its rugged waterproof construction is engineered to withstand a wide variety of extreme environmental shock and temperature conditions.

The SPOT Messenger requires an annual subscription with manufacturer.

The Spot Messenger is in stock now and ready for same day dispatch

Click Here to Order.