I recently wrote about how an average Shot can improve out of season. We established that Patrick, the pupil, mounts his gun reasonably well and can kill birds consistently when…
Tom Payne
A lesson on gun fit
The season was drawing to an end when I received a call from Shooting Times Editor Patrick Galbraith. Patrick mentioned that he wasn’t entirely happy with his shooting over the…
4 tips for more consistent shooting
It is at this point in the season that some Shots start to question their shooting technique. If you want to make major changes you’ve missed the boat by about…
How to get permission for pigeon shooting
Permission to shoot pigeons is not easy to obtain and it can take time getting to know people before it is granted. Farmers must have complete confidence in the person…
Should you shoot pigeons with a semi-auto?
The gun you choose to shoot pigeons — whether decoyed, flighting or roosting — should always be given maximum thought if you are to shoot to the best of your…
How to improve your pheasant shooting technique
Here are some pheasant shooting techniques to help you in the field Footwork and balance In all forms of driven shooting, good footwork is the building block for any shot,…
Practice on clays for the partridge season
If you have a day on partridge in your diary, you should at least try to go to a good clay ground a few times before or book a lesson…
Where to spot the pigeon
May and early June can often be the slowest period for pigeon shooting. But I’m very fond of this time of year as a pigeon shooter because you really have…
Our experts test out four different calibres pigeon shooting
When the editor of the Shooting Times asked me if I would try out pigeon shooting with a multitude of guns of various calibres, I have to admit I was…
Spring drillings and pigeon
It’s been an interesting start to pigeon shooting on spring drillings this year. Many counties seemed like they would never get going but then, with an abrupt change in weather…
How to build a wooden tower for shooting pigeon – and why you should
Some of the most enjoyable afternoons’ sport shooting pigeon I have had has been from high towers. It brings an entirely different challenge. In the right conditions it can be…
Four shooting myths you should ignore
1. Clay practice will improve your gameshooting Practising on clays is something many gameshooters shy away from. Most will wait until the first day or until all has gone wrong before putting in some…
Can’t stop stopping my gun
A: This is a very misunderstood problem in shooting. People say that you are “stopping your gun” but they are not explaining why. The simple reason for it is that as you go to pull…
How to shoot more driven birds
At this time during the season, I tend to lose count of the number of times I hear Guns saying, “I got off to a really good start with my shooting, but now the…
Secrets of successful winter pigeon shooting
Due to the mild weather, this year’s autumn drillings went well, the best they have for a few years — it was more like shooting over spring drillings. With the new farming schemes, there have…
Better pheasant shooting tips
The season is well under way and many of you will have no doubt already enjoyed your first outings. I’ve spoken with many gamekeepers and they are all singing from the same hymn sheet: pheasants…
Choosing the right shotguns and cartridges for pigeon shooting
What type of gun for pigeon shooting? Over-and-under The over-and-under is my preference for pigeon shooting because the design aids the shooter. You have a single sight plane, which naturally takes your vision…
Getting up to speed on partridges
There is something very English about shooting partridges over stubbles in autumn. Once, the majority of driven shooting in England was partridges; not the French red-legged variety but our own beautiful English, or grey, partridge. Modern agriculture…
Top tips for a successful pigeon shooting technique
I am so fortunate to be out and about shooting pigeon all the time. I’ve had the privilege to learn from some of the finest pigeon Shots over the years and have learned and…
How to prepare for the new season
If you haven’t already been busy shooting grouse and still need to get prepared for the forthcoming 2016/17 season, now is the perfect time to do it. What follows is my “hit list” of what…