THE GREAT GAME: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A WELSH POACHER. By Harold Wyman.

1993 1st edition. 8vo (156 x 226mm). Ppxii,160. B/w photographs, illustrations. Burgundy boards, spine titled in gilt.

The Wrexham snerper on long-netting, snares, nets and lurchers. There is also a good short chapter, with photographs, on eel-bobbing". The Great Game is the life story of Harold Wyman, born near the village of Heol-y-Cyw in Glamorgan in 1916. They were hard formative years when a harsh environment shaped character and the working man fought a ceaseless battle to feed and clothe his family. Harold Wyman saw service as a young soldier on the North West Frontier of India and travelled that country extensively due to his sporting prowess. He served through the years of the Second World War as a stoker in the merchant fleet. As hard and dangerous a job as one could find but one of vital importance as Britain faced the threat of the mighty U boat predators. Settling in Wrexham when peace came, he spent the rest of his life perfecting the nocturnal art of the poacher". Chapters include: Childhood memories; Soldiering in India; The art of poaching; The war years; Thomas and I renew our partnership; Confrontation; Lunar nights - with long net and ferret; Captured by moonlight; Hop picking near Ledbury; I received a beating; Snares, nets and lurchers; Organised poaching; Poaching on the river; Long net - setting techniques and other information; The elements; Three snerpers; Pheasant poaching; The twilight years.