Q: My son has permission to shoot air rifles on a large estate to control squirrels and rabbits. The estate has a number of public footpaths running through it. He knows not to shoot near, across or towards the paths, but is he legally allowed to carry his rifle on…
Advice
Travelling with guns – here’s what you need to know
Whilst shooting locally is companionable and familiar, from time to time keen Shots will be keen to get travelling with guns. Whether to investigate shooting in a different type of landscape or a different quarry during a different season. Whatever the reason, all responsible gun owners need to know the…
Shotgun choke – here’s what you need to know about it
Shotgun choke does as it sounds. Chokes. That is, it constricts or narrows the barrels of a shotgun. This has the effect of reducing the pattern so that the density of the pellets is increased, which gives a stronger result. Visualise shotgun choke in the same way as a camera…
Can you legally destroy a shotgun?
Sometimes we have a gun that isn’t worth anything, doesn’t work and really doesn’t deserve any space in your gun cabinet. It may be one you inherited or one that you’ve had for many years that has outgrown its use. So what should you do? Is it against the law…
How can you pick the right cover crop for your shoot?
What are cover crops? By definition, a game cover is any crop grown with the intention of feeding and/or holding gamebirds in the shooting season. It was at a very young age that I began to appreciate the benefits that a good game cover crops can bring to a shoot.…
Can I buy a Purdey or Holland & Holland on a budget?
Is it possible to buy a Purdey or Holland & Holland side-by-side on a budget of between £2,000 to £3,000? If so, would it be reliable for gameshooting all the time and not just for special occasions?
Alcohol, guns and the law
We’re asked whether we abuse alcohol when we apply for a shotgun certificate or firearms licence. I was reading this and I started thinking about drinking and guns. All responsible shooters should protect the reputation of their sport and think carefully about the mix of alcohol, guns and the law.…
Here’s why you should consider planting perennial cover crops
The cost of planting and managing game and cover crops is ever increasing and we, along with many others, are slowly expanding the acreage we plant with permanent and semi-permanent crops. The advantages of perennial cover crops Not only do perennial cover crops reduce costs after the initial year of…
What’s the accuracy of lead-free bullets?
Lead-free ammunition is definitely making its presence felt and I am increasingly hearing from readers who have concerns about lead-free bullets and accuracy. Here’s an example of just one such question. Lead-free bullets and accuracy Q: Will my .243 Win rifle shoot lead-free bullets accurately if lead is banned? A:…
Can I go camping with my shotgun?
Camping with shotguns – legal or illegal? Q: I’m planning on going camping with some friends when the weather gets warmer and we’re going to pitch our tents on some farmland where we have a roughshooting permission. The farmer is happy for us to camp there and carry out some…
What’s the law on transporting shotgun cartridges?
A reader wonders if shotgun cartridges create a potential explosive hazard in a vehicle. Bill Harriman advises.
Standing correctly to shoot clays is a key part of your technique. Here’s how to get it right.
The correct ready position when shooting increases your chance of hitting more clays.
What you need to know about the gralloch when stalking
Deer stalking: I am told you should bury the gralloch but if that is true, then how deep does it have to go?
Can you go clayshooting during pregnancy?
The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association says that we can go back onto the clay grounds from 29th March 2021. We can’t wait to get back out in the fresh air again. But what if you’re expecting a baby? Can you go clayshooting during pregnancy? Is it safe? Could the noise…
I forgot to tell the police about my new gun in time. Now what?
Gun notification is a legal commitment when you’re a shooter. You need to tell the police about owning a new firearm within seven days of buying one. So what happens if you get busy and communicating the purchase of a new gun slips your mind? Here’s what our legal expert…
Trigger freeze – or the ‘flinch effect’. Here’s how to cure it
Trigger freeze – also known as ‘flinching’ is becoming increasingly seen among shooters. For some Guns it only happens rarely, for others it increases over time. It can even cause some Guns to give up shooting altogether. What is trigger freeze or flinching? Flinching is the inability to pull the…
Judging speed of birds
It’s only when you drive down a country road and you have a pigeon fly parallel with your moving vehicle that you come to appreciate its true cruising speed — and it’s not, as published, 35mph. When last I glanced at my speedometer in this situation, it read 48mph and…
Should I use a sound moderator on my airgun?
Q: I’m planning to buy an air rifle to keep down the rabbits in our pony paddocks. I notice that a lot of airgun shooters fit their rifles with sound moderators — surely there isn’t much need to reduce the volume of an air gun’s muzzle report? Is a sound…
Should I start to close an eye when shooting?
Q: As an older Gun I sometimes struggle with my eyesight. I shoot off my right shoulder but my left eye is strong and my right eye is getting weaker. I have always shot with both eyes open but I am wondering whether I should start to close one eye…
Why predation control needs an integrated plan
Let’s start by noting the words ‘predation control’, rather than predator. In managing game and wildlife, how many predators you kill is of no great relevance; rather it is the predation that you prevent that matters. As a consequence, shooting odd random predators is of no great moment. What is…