Novice picker-up: Basics like manners and cunning are gold dust to the novice picker-up.
Shooting Gazette
We need to talk about lead shot
Calls for game shooting to push ahead with finding alternatives to lead shot are growing louder, both inside and outside of the sport. Rob Yorke offers a personal view on…
Why does the springer spaniel have a reputation for being difficult to train? It’s not deserved.
The springer spaniel holds the greatest appeal of all gundog breeds for me. Springer spaniel skills include multi-tasking, drive, pace and style. No other breed comes close to a hard-going…
Hotels in Yorkshire for shooting parties
From gun cleaning and kennelling to a comfortable bed and a strong selection of local produce on the menu, there are myriad things that shooting parties want when seeking hotel…
What’s the best cartridge load for standard driven pheasants?
Q: As we move towards the pheasant season can you recommend the best cartridge load for driven pheasants. I don’t mean skyscraper high pheasants, rather standard ones. A: I think cartridges are very much…
Perazzi 16 bore ribless game gun
Great handling is the hallmark of this gun.
What’s the difference between a game and sporting gun?
The main difference between a game gun and a sporting gun is the weight. Game guns are lighter Sporters are set up for clay shooting, and they often have multi-chokes…
Do dogs have to wear collars?
Q: I pick-up with a very experienced dog person who has a team of dogs under immaculate control. None of them wear a collar. I thought dogs were obliged to…
Would a working cocker spaniel be right for you?
Time was when everyone had a black Labrador and was happy. Then there were chocolate Labradors for a bit. Now fox red Labradors seem to be having their moment. But the dog that…
AYA English Game Round Body 20-bore
This version of the AYA is designed to replicate the very best English Game guns of the inter war years, with lighter barrels and fast handling. They are available as…
What did we learn from Langholm?
(More background on Rob Yorke here). There is a chunk of moorland in Scotland that has been subject to a 24-year project involving upland land uses, habitat, nature conservation designations,…
The Hungarian wirehaired vizsla – charming and hardworking
Hungarian wirehaired vizsla: The rise in popularity of the Hungarian wirehaired vizsla (HWV) is no accident.
Where should I keep my gun cabinet keys safely?
On Sunday August 10 1997 a police officer called at the house of Mr Mark Farrer. He wanted to inspect his firearms security. Mr Farrer was not at home. His mother, then in her 80s,…
10 reasons why shooting is better than rugby union
It's the oval ball's turn to take on the shoot day.
Beaters’ day shooting. Pegs or walk one, stand one?
Put them out on pegs, says Ben Samuelson Beaters’ day shooting is an absolutely sacred part of the shooting season, and is one of its great joys. Roles are reversed…
Struggling with recoil using a 12-bore?
Q: I’ve started struggling with recoil when using my 12 bore: what can I do to reduce it? Is it time to change to a 16-bore? It’s really strange as…
Should I try and hit a high bird?
A: This is a great question as when high bird shooting there is an optimum point at which to shoot the bird, one I often refer to in my lessons…
Should there only be room on the peg for one?
I like a partner on the peg Not everyone likes to share a peg and I can understand why. I recall a sporting agent who insisted on joining Guns just…
The ultimate guide to good picking-up
Picking-up: A few wise words from a picking-up expert.
Do you know the four basics for competent shooting?
There are four basic building blocks for shotgun competence in clay and gameshooting. Stance and balance. Gun-mount and the avoidance of head lifting. Gun-swing and an understanding of the gun…