I have just gone through the tortuous process of renewing my FAC. During the process the visiting FAO (nice chap) rang me up to say that the bit of land that I wished to nominate as my reason for having a stalking provision on my FAC had not been cleared for a centre fire rifle. I have an open stalking condition on my FAC and have been shooting Deer on that piece of land for at least fifteen years. We agreed a time , he came, and I showed him around. This is a truly beautiful place especially at the crack of dawn, but it is a difficult piece of land to shoot over. It is small, bounded by a minor road on one side and a green lane on the other side. The river Dever runs through the middle of it. It is not easy to get a safe shot. Having said that I have shot a few Deer there over the years. After we completed our walk round the FAO said that he was going to recommend that deer could be shot on condition that it was done from a high seat, or that the stalker had an open condition on his FAC. A very sensible decision I thought. The rifle I use on this land is my Winchester 94AE .3030win. I use a 150grn flat nosed bullet driven by 35.5grns of Reloader 15 I estimate that this loading produces a MV of 2400fps and exceeds the required 1700 ft pds muzzle energy. The rifle used to have my Zeiss Diatal 4x42 mounted it was perfect! but recently I had a problem with it misting up. So I have just changed it for my Swarovski 3-12x50 (only because it was not mounted on any other rifle) I hope to pop up to Bisley to zero it this morning.The thought crossed my mind that the next time my FAC is due for renewal I shall be 72 years old. I don't think I will be renewing my stalking provision.
Jenks wrote:The thought crossed my mind that the next time my FAC is due for renewal I shall be 72 years old. I don't think I will be renewing my stalking provision.
Shame....... I never took you as a bloke that would just roll over!
Stop guestimating what's going to happen in 5 years time! There's two blokes in my one of my club's and at 77 and 82 they still get out there. The 77 year old is still working, despite health issues, and he still runs!
In 1978 I was told by my grand dad that the secret to rifle accuracy is, a quality bullet, fired down a quality barrel..... How has that changed?
Guns dont kill people. Dads with pretty Daughters do...!
dromia wrote:So long as I'm still alive and I can get to the bedroom window then bambi will still be getting some when I'm 72.
Just as long as your eyesight doesn't go and you end up shooting a rather large bloke with a stick limping up your path
Jenks:, as has been said, go for it!, I rarely miss a full bore range date and will even be attempting practical shotgun this Saturday, I'll probably be too knackered to move on Monday but it's worth it and as they say, you're only here once!.
There's room for all Gods creatures, next to the mash and gravy :)
Mind you, after this coming weekend I may not be limping anywhere for a while!, Sat I have Jared off to Middlesbrough for an Anime convention so will have to get him on the bus then be on call for any problems (like not finding the Town Hall again), then I have practical shotgun, in the afternoon my youngest starts her 18th birthday party with 6 girls coming and staying over, then have to go to Heworth to pick Jared up around 11pm off the last bus.
Sunday morning it's take Jared to Heworth for the bus again, try and get over to Slayley forrest for clay pigeon, then up to Ponteland for full bore, back home for tea time and then out again to pick Jared up. I have a feeling that most of that will not go to plan and to be honest having to be out that much scares me, severe stress triggered IBS is not the best of things to have when you have to be somewhere on time!.
There's room for all Gods creatures, next to the mash and gravy :)
Jenks wrote:The thought crossed my mind that the next time my FAC is due for renewal I shall be 72 years old. I don't think I will be renewing my stalking provision.
Shame....... I never took you as a bloke that would just roll over!
Stop guestimating what's going to happen in 5 years time! There's two blokes in my one of my club's and at 77 and 82 they still get out there. The 77 year old is still working, despite health issues, and he still runs!
SimG..
Shame....... I never took you as a bloke that would just roll over!
I'ts not a case of as you say 'rolling over'. A few years ago I had to recognise that I was not fit enough to continue Hill stalking for the Hinds. Argyll in January can be very hard going ! I have very bad arthritis in my right ankle which makes it difficult to walk over rough ground without considerable pain. now I know that it is only going to get worse. I think that in five years time it might not be possible to do so. I have no plans to stop shooting my lovely .303s as long as I can see the target and hold a rifle I will continue to do so. Assuming I am able to afford it that is. any way I have another five years to tippy toe round the woods.
Jenks wrote:I have just gone through the tortuous process of renewing my FAC. During the process the visiting FAO (nice chap) rang me up to say that the bit of land that I wished to nominate as my reason for having a stalking provision on my FAC had not been cleared for a centre fire rifle. I have an open stalking condition on my FAC and have been shooting Deer on that piece of land for at least fifteen years. We agreed a time , he came, and I showed him around. This is a truly beautiful place especially at the crack of dawn, but it is a difficult piece of land to shoot over. It is small, bounded by a minor road on one side and a green lane on the other side. The river Dever runs through the middle of it. It is not easy to get a safe shot. Having said that I have shot a few Deer there over the years. After we completed our walk round the FAO said that he was going to recommend that deer could be shot on condition that it was done from a high seat, or that the stalker had an open condition on his FAC. A very sensible decision I thought. The rifle I use on this land is my Winchester 94AE .3030win. I use a 150grn flat nosed bullet driven by 35.5grns of Reloader 15 I estimate that this loading produces a MV of 2400fps and exceeds the required 1700 ft pds muzzle energy. The rifle used to have my Zeiss Diatal 4x42 mounted it was perfect! but recently I had a problem with it misting up. So I have just changed it for my Swarovski 3-12x50 (only because it was not mounted on any other rifle) I hope to pop up to Bisley to zero it this morning.The thought crossed my mind that the next time my FAC is due for renewal I shall be 72 years old. I don't think I will be renewing my stalking provision.
Jenks
Jenks
My pal is 74 and goes stalking with me all the time. He has just done his level 1 and passed. He plans to do his level 2 this year (it's on his bucket list!). Don't think you have to give up just because the years are clocking up.
Purveyor of fine cast boolits.
All round good guy and VERY grumpy old man.
Jenks wrote:I have just gone through the tortuous process of renewing my FAC. During the process the visiting FAO (nice chap) rang me up to say that the bit of land that I wished to nominate as my reason for having a stalking provision on my FAC had not been cleared for a centre fire rifle. I have an open stalking condition on my FAC and have been shooting Deer on that piece of land for at least fifteen years. We agreed a time , he came, and I showed him around. This is a truly beautiful place especially at the crack of dawn, but it is a difficult piece of land to shoot over. It is small, bounded by a minor road on one side and a green lane on the other side. The river Dever runs through the middle of it. It is not easy to get a safe shot. Having said that I have shot a few Deer there over the years. After we completed our walk round the FAO said that he was going to recommend that deer could be shot on condition that it was done from a high seat, or that the stalker had an open condition on his FAC. A very sensible decision I thought. The rifle I use on this land is my Winchester 94AE .3030win. I use a 150grn flat nosed bullet driven by 35.5grns of Reloader 15 I estimate that this loading produces a MV of 2400fps and exceeds the required 1700 ft pds muzzle energy. The rifle used to have my Zeiss Diatal 4x42 mounted it was perfect! but recently I had a problem with it misting up. So I have just changed it for my Swarovski 3-12x50 (only because it was not mounted on any other rifle) I hope to pop up to Bisley to zero it this morning.The thought crossed my mind that the next time my FAC is due for renewal I shall be 72 years old. I don't think I will be renewing my stalking provision.
Jenks
Jenks
My pal is 74 and goes stalking with me all the time. He has just done his level 1 and passed. He plans to do his level 2 this year (it's on his bucket list!). Don't think you have to give up just because the years are clocking up.
D/rog....
Errrr! did you not see the bit about considerable pain from arthritis. I very pleased your old mate is still up it long may he be able to continue.
We agreed a time , he came, and I showed him around. This is a truly beautiful place especially at the crack of dawn, but it is a difficult piece of land to shoot over. It is small, bounded by a minor road on one side and a green lane on the other side. The river Dever runs through the middle of it. It is not easy to get a safe shot. Having said that I have shot a few Deer there over the years. After we completed our walk round the FAO said that he was going to recommend that deer could be shot on condition that it was done from a high seat, or that the stalker had an open condition on his FAC. A very sensible decision I thought. 
The rifle I use on this land is my Winchester 94AE .3030win. I use a 150grn flat nosed bullet driven by 35.5grns of Reloader 15 I estimate that this loading produces a MV of 2400fps and exceeds the required 1700 ft pds muzzle energy. The rifle used to have my Zeiss Diatal 4x42 mounted it was perfect! but recently I had a problem with it misting up. So I have just changed it for my Swarovski 3-12x50 (only because it was not mounted on any other rifle) I hope to pop up to Bisley to zero it this morning.The thought crossed my mind that the next time my FAC is due for renewal I shall be 72 years old. I don't think I will be renewing my stalking provision. 
