Countryside questions, tips and expert answers | The Field

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Country Queries

Hatching habitat

There are stirrings in the hedgerows as the peak season for first pheasant and then partridge hatching gets under way. With this comes the biggest dilemma in low-ground wild game production – where to take the chicks? Read more

Spring pigeon

I may be a dyed-in the wool country bumpkin, but sometimes I envy the urban gardener. Life on a town-centre vegetable plot is so pest-free. Read more

How to trap successfully

There is a widespread myth that to be a successful trapper you need to have inherited generations of skill, learnt at your father’s knee. My father, by whom I was taught a great deal, pooh-poohed this and said that all you needed was common sense and efficient traps. He proved his point – he seemed able to catch almost anything, despite having learnt little more from his dad than how to snare rabbits and deal with mice in the larder. Read more

Catching crayfish

While out walking, my grandchildren and I saw crayfish in the river. We are keen to try and catch some. Is there any law against this and, if not, what is the best way of catching them? Read more

Champagne, keeping the fizz

I read that Sir John Mortimer has a glass of champagne a day and describes it as “penicillin for the soul”. What a wonderful idea. As I’d only have a glass a day what is the best way to keep champagne when opened as a bottle gives six glasses? Or can you suggest a decent, reasonably priced half-bottle? Read more

Moving bees

Last summer a colony of bees took up residence in my attic. I have no wish to harm the squatters, but would like them to change address. They are dormant for now. Is there a humane way of getting rid of them? Read more

How do I make orange gin?

On a shoot recently I was given a snifter of 1997 orange gin, a great change from sloe gin. I would like to have a go at making this. Have you got a recipe? Read more

Planting a fruit tree

In this day and age you can plant a fruit tree at any time; pot-grown plants are available all year at garden centres. Read more

Freeze game

As my freezer is virtually full and I am now adding the profits of the current shooting season to it I feel the need to sort out its contents once and for all. Can you advise roughly how long one should freeze venison and pheasants for? I have a couple of joints of venison from 18 months ago! Also, what is the best way to freeze chicken carcasses for turning into stock at a later date? Read more

Billiard table restoration

We have a tired and battered billiard table which we would like to have re-baized and restored for our growing grandchildren. The table has been stored in a barn with the chickens for many years.We are hoping the restored table will make future visits here more exciting as all the children are very competitive. Read more