Letters from readers:

I HAVE only just started the fascinating and exciting sport of coursing but already in the space of four months I am well and truly hooked. It all began with a night out lamping pigeons. I had just bought a cheap airgun from an advertisement in a fishing magazine I read and I got talking to a local lurcher owner in the hotel. I had known the guy for years and he had a reputation as a great dog man. Anyway he offered to take me and my brother-in-law out lamping pigeons in a nearby woods. So we set off after dark and walked down to the woods that were surrounded by fields. After we shot two pigeons we decided to cross the fields and head for home. While we were walking the fields the lurcher man was searching with his powerful lamp and I had to ask myself why he was checking the fields as there were no pigeons there. Next time he flicked on the lamp he immediately whispered shh, flicked the lamp off and walked quickly into the centre of the field then with a flick of the switch I saw what he was up to. There were three hares sitting about 200 yards from us when he let his dog of it's lead. The big brindle coloured dog shot off like a firework giving chase to a nice sized hare. Turning and twisting with great speed the dog snapped it up and brought it straight back to David's hand.

After asking him hundreds of questions and reading countless books I bought my own dog. He is a greyhound X bedlington X Scottish deerhound and is only 10 months old but already he has giving me great pleasure. His first ever lamping trip was a magical night for both of us - two rabbits out of two chases and now he is getting fitter and more experienced with every outing. A pleasure to own and work - he may be my first but he wont be the last, of this I am certain. - Charles, Scotland

Hello Charles
Your lurcher sounds to be a champion hunter on the way up. He will make sure he keeps you exercised, too! - Ed