My curiosity was piqued when I heard we would be putting the new second-generation Duster through its paces. Dacia, Renault’s budget, no-frills brand, has added a 4×4 option to the…
Shooting Times
Staggering ignorance
Deer management, an activity undertaken quietly and in solitude, enjoyed — or perhaps more accurately endured — a brief moment of national attention here in Ireland. An incident in Kerry…
Why I’ve found cock shoot days to be a shambles
Mark Forester remembers some past cock-day debacles and wonders if it will be safe to venture out this season
January’s cock birds – the Houdinis of the avian world?
Wily cock pheasants provide great sport
Suzuki Vitara SZ5 Allgrip – a rural workhorse AND urban runaround
The new Suzuki Vitara SZ5 Allgrip has the potential to be a good rural/urban crossover. First impressions are that it looks fun — it has certainly changed from the original almost…
That snipe is toast
Springbok!” I couldn’t help but chant the word a few times in front of my friend Tom. England had just lost the Rugby World Cup final. As a lad from…
Fieldsports seasons in Ireland
Pheasant season extended to make up for cold weather
VW Amarok Highline reviewed by Shooting Times magazine
Renowned for hot hatches and hip camper vans, VW is one of the most recent manufacturers to add a pickup to its commercial range. Refreshingly, no badge swaps were involved…
Teaching a young dog quartering
Quartering is probably the toughest lesson to teach a young gundog, and one of the most vital. Joe Irving discusses this most rewarding of lessons for the handler
Want to increase snipe numbers? These habitat improvements make a significant difference
Craigenputtock House has been sitting in the rural splendour of upland Dumfriesshire since the 11th century. Once the home of Thomas Carlyle, one of Scotland’s most influential authors, it has…
Mycoplasma or ‘bulgy-eye’ disease is on the increase in pheasants. Here’s what you need to know about it.
Game farmers are being advised by vets to be extra vigilant this year in the battle against mycoplasmosis, commonly known as bulgy-eye.
How to mark pricked birds
It’s not always easy to spot a wounded bird — and it may fly on for some distance after being shot — so do keep your eyes peeled, advises Ian
Dealing with birds you see coming from a long way out – and snapshooting
How do you deal with a bird you see coming from a long way off and, conversely, ‘snap shooting’? It’s all about composure and timing. How to become the Shot…
Curing common shooting mistakes
How to become the Shot you’ve always wanted to be: Episode 5
Wind, wigeon and heritage
At last, the wildfowling season has begun. My jacket steams in the shed, waders are caked in mud, a faint odour of samphire and salt lingers over the computer as…
The art of hand-crafted firearms
One of the most common statements heard when referring to famous engravers of the past is that they were “ahead of their time”. Engravers such as William Caslon, William Palmer…
The origins of driven shooting
Throughout the UK and Europe, driven shooting has become one of the most popular facets of our sport. According to BASC, of the 600,000 people who hold shotgun certificates, more…
Why you shouldn’t get more than one puppy at once
Taking on two puppies at the same time may seem a good idea, but it can have disastrous consequences. Stan Rawlinson tells why one at a time is best
What is a perruque head on a deer?
At the end of the rut a yearling buck on my ground was still in dark velvet and showed no signs of drying. The buck has an ear-high four-point head…
Are children allowed to use rifles?
Children using rifles – is it legal? Q. I am planning a fun day for the village on my farm, where I have a range that is suitable for .22…