Charles Smith-Jones

Charles Smith-Jones

Charles is a lifelong naturalist and countryman with a particular passion for deer which he has studied, stalked and managed for over forty years.  He is a firm advocate of intelligent, ethical and humane deer management.  An all-round field sportsman, he enjoys most shooting disciplines and fly fishing.  Despite many past associations with gundogs, hounds and hawks he still resolutely refuses to go near a horse.

 Following an Army career, Charles lectured in countryside management at Sparsholt College, Hampshire where he specialised in deer and firearms.  He now devotes his time to wildlife consultancy and writing.  He has planned and supervised deer management at national and local levels, assesses and conducts DSC training, and after serving as a Trustee/Director of the British Deer Society (BDS) now acts as the Society’s Technical Advisor.

He is a regular contributor to various national publications including Sporting Gun and frequently represents the BDS in the media.  He has written five books, his most recent being Practical Deer Management (2019) and A Guide to the Deer of the World (2022).

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mae pochard

  • May 21, 2022

Similar in size to the wigeon, it is difficult to mistake the male pochard for any other duck, with his bright chestnut head, black breast, white flanks and delicately barred…

Jackdaw

  • April 24, 2022

At first glance the jackdaw may seem undistinguished, but it is subtly handsome. (Read about another corvid – the jay – here.) The smallest native species of crow has a…

Sako M75

  • April 14, 2022

Tech specs for the Sako M75 Country of origin: Finland In production 1996-2007 Action: Bolt Stock options:Walnut, laminated or synthetic Barrel length 22-26in Magazine: Detachable, capacity 4+1, 5+1 or 6+1,…

Blaser F3 Vantage

  • April 7, 2022

This shotgun – the Blaser F3 Vantage –  is no bargain basement offering, though it certainly represents an excellent example of a modern competition gun with the genuine potential to…

Egyptian goose

  • March 31, 2022

Egyptian goose facts Distribution: Occurs naturally across sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Valley. There are also self- sustaining populations resulting from introductions and escapes in parts of Europe as well…

Bettinsoli Evolution

  • March 13, 2022

The Bettinsoli Evolution represents a lot of gun at a mid-range price. Although it no longer features in the Bettinsoli catalogues, a few new guns still appear to be offered…

Mauer M03 rifle

  • February 25, 2022

Mauser M03 rifle review: With great design features and an attention to detail that puts other rifles to shame, we find the Mauser M03 stalking rifle a refreshing break from…

Browning A5

  • January 24, 2022

Gun reviews: Browning A5 semi-auto shotgun: Browning’s original A5 was the world’s first mass-produced semi-auto shotgun.

Tikka M55

  • January 21, 2022

The Tikkakoski manufacturing company has had a long and chequered history since it was formed in the late-19th century in central Finland. World War II saw it pass into German…

Mosin-Nagant M1891

  • November 28, 2021

Occasionally, when you are browsing the used rifle racks something a little out of the ordinary shows up. This Mosin-Nagant M1891 is no exception. Of all the mass-produced bolt-action rifles…

Blaser F16

  • August 6, 2021

There is no doubt that Blaser caters for a higher end of the market and there was considerable excitement when its new shotgun, the Blaser F16, was launched in this…