Jacobite,
I indeed did a stint in the military, but my shrike handle stems more from my admiration for the plucky little bird.
Yes indeed, the hunter training program in Europe is very thorough. A profound knowledge is required of not only wildlife but also plants and the different wildlife management techniques. Last but not least the high shooting standards required in order to get your license.
And................. shooting tests have to be repeated on a yearly basis I believe. Such requirements weed out a lot of incompetence of which we see so much in the field over here.
Getting your jagdschein is indeed something to be proud of.
Upon graduation you are a lot more then just a "harvester" of wildlife.
Your choice of the 6.5x55 with 160 grainers is a fine one.
Your glass and stalk method is the most exciting method to me too.
