Settling down to a relaxing evening watching TV, I decided to watch the well-reviewed new drama ‘The Crown’ which is now showing on Neflix. It depicts the Queen’s life, from a young princess climbing trees with her sister, through to the Coronation, her life with the Duke of Edinburgh and…
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In memory of fieldsports enthusiasts and employees who served in the Great War
Richard Walton and John Cavana (pictured above) were part of a walking group which completed the 100km walk – known as the Frontline Walk – in three days, raising an impressive £180,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund. Further donations can be made here.
How the grey partridge can survive and thrive
If I did a straw poll of those who have worked with the selection of winged game we have in the UK, the grey partridge, Perdix perdix, would come top of the list. This little bird’s tenacity, endearing charm and ability as a parent raises it above almost all the rest, with the red grouse being my…
Countryside Alliance welcomes new social media laws
Earlier this month, director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders announced: “Social media can be used to educate, entertain and enlighten but there are also people who use it to bully, intimidate and harass. “Ignorance is not a defence and perceived anonymity is not an escape. Those who commit these acts, or encourage others to do the same, can and will be prosecuted,”…
Rural groups share their trick-or-treats
While the queue of trick-or- treaters at your door might cause a restless evening on Halloween, leading countryside representatives say there are bigger issues to lose sleep over. Shooting Times asked them what their own trick-or-treats would be and what issues are currently keeping them up in the middle of…
DEFRA denies Guardian claim that taxpayer’s money subsidises grouse shooting
In response, a DEFRA spokesman told the Countryside Alliance that they were surprised at the content and said it did not reflect the department’s policy towards payments to landowners. The reality is that only agricultural land is eligible for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments as determined by Defra’s Rural Payments…
Rural groups take lead on new fox snaring code
Leading rural organisations last week launched a new code of practice on the use of snares for fox control in England. The newly published 12-page code is a collaboration between BASC, the Countryside Alliance, the Moorland Association, the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO), the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, the CLA,…
GWCT gives advice to help grey partridges
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is calling on farmers, landowners and the fieldsports community to help ensure that wild grey partridges survive the coming winter. In contrast to reports of optimistic partridge prospects, the early results of the GWCT 2016 Partridge Count Scheme (PCS) have caused the organisation concern, particularly regarding chicks’ chances of survival over the colder months.…
Brian May criticises David Beckham for partridge shooting
Last week countrysports fans were delighted to see photographs published of England footballing legend David Beckham enjoying some time out partridge shooting with his friend Guy Ritchie. However, Brian May tweeted his disappointment. 'Stick to shooting balls!' @DrBrianMay says of David Beckham over partridge hunt https://t.co/4ayXyByAtp — Blue Fox (@BlueFoxCAFH)…
Anti-shooting proposals would be “disaster” for the countryside
A new series of animal welfare proposals, commissioned and “welcomed” by the Labour Party, has called for the licensing of shooting estates, a four-fold rise in the price of shotgun certificates and an end to snare use. The proposals, presented during the Labour Party conference, seek to “end cruel practices…
Now Packham sets sights on woodcock
BBC presenter Chris Packham is misleading the public and threatening the future of woodcock conservation in the UK with his latest attack on shooting, BASC has warned. The Springwatch presenter has accused those who shoot of pushing woodcock on to the red list of endangered species, implying that 17 per cent of…
New law on using rodenticide
Farmers, gamekeepers and pest controllers are reminded that from Saturday, 1 October, they will not be able to buy professional rodenticide packs for use outdoors without first showing an approved certificate of competence or proof of membership of an approved farm assurance scheme. Dr Alan Buckle, chairman of the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use, said that the way…
TV stars raise £40k at charity shoot
Television star Phillip Schofield and his wife Stephanie have raised more than £40,000 for children’s hospice charity Shooting Star Chase at a clay pigeon shoot at The Royal Berkshire Shooting School (RBSS) earlier this month. Mr Schofield has been a patron of the charity, which cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families, for…
Wildfowlers report favourable prospects for the season ahead
Wildfowlers can expect a mixed start to the season, with many early broods hit by the poor weather, but second clutches likely offering strong sport. Taking a view of the national picture in late August, BASC reported that bird numbers were lower than would normally be expected at that time of year and noted that Canada and greylag geese were…
Outstanding gamekeeping student wins NGO trophy
Will Hetherington of Shooting Gazette interviews Cormac The award goes to the best gamekeeping student of the academic year. Cormac completed his game and countryside management course at Harpury College, Gloucester, this summer and now runs the college’s commercial gameshoot. He said: “I am delighted to have won the Frank Jenkins. It is…
The Pigeon Shooter’s Diary by Tom Payne launches at Midland Game Fair
Regular readers of Tom Payne’s pigeon shooting articles in this magazine will no doubt be delighted to learn that the tips, hints, teaching and technical advice that Tom gives each month can now also be found in a new book, The Pigeon Shooter’s Diary, published later this month. Based on Tom’s writing for Shooting Times, it covers every aspect…
Shoot Benchmarking Survey highlights conservation benefits of shooting
The important contribution of shooting to wildlife conservation and the increasing profitability of shoots has been highlighted in the Shoot Benchmarking Survey 2015-2016, recently published by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and estate agent Savills. The survey looked at the average salaries, costs, shoot performance and conservation work…
National Parks survey highlights public support for shooting
The recent Campaign for National Parks (CNP) survey has highlighted the public support for shooting, with the sport voted by as the third most popular recreational activity out of a list of 23 among those who live and work within the parks. Shooting was also named as the second most…
British Shooting poised to build on Olympic success
British Shooting, the national governing body for Olympic shooting in the UK, will build upon its Rio 2016 success by seeking new funding to improve and enhance its talent pathway and working to create a new centre of excellence dedicated to training future Olympic competitors. Team GB shooters Ed Ling…
Charity clay pigeon shoot hosted by the Earl & Countess Scarbrough raises £11,000
Twenty-seven teams of game and clayshooters came together for the event which was sponsored by Torne Valley Farm and Country Stores, BASC , Eley Hawk, Guy Salmon Land Rover and JF Nevilles. In addition to excellent clayshooting guests enjoyed good food, a gun dog display, sporting air rifles, archery and…