If MPs vote in favour, the 2004 Hunting Act could be amended by the end of this year. It would bring policy in England and Wales into line with that of Scotland, where more than two dogs can be used to flush foxes to the gun. At present only two hounds…
News
Scotland passes airgun bill despite big drop in airgun crime
The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill was passed last week, despite newly published Government figures showing a 73 per cent drop in Scottish airgun crime since 2006-2007. Anyone who owns an airgun could unwittingly be committing a criminal act should they fail to obtain a licence after April next year.…
The growth of female shooting syndicates
If current trends continue, women could have an important role to play in the future of shooting. At the end of the 20th century, many women were put off picking up a gun by lack of opportunity, lack of suitable equipment and the perceived prevailing attitude of general disapproval. These days,…
Get a discount on your CLA Game Fair tickets
The advance ticket discounts for this year’s event, to be held at Harewood House in Yorkshire from Friday 31 July until Sunday 2 August, end at midnight on Monday 20th July. A one-day adult ticket for the Friday costs just £30 online, giving a £5 saving on the gate price…
Shooters reject Weetabix claims on lead shot contamination
Shooting groups have questioned comments by Weetabix’s head of quality Keith Turnbull, warning farmers to avoid contaminating wheat grain with lead shot. In an article for the Combinable Crops & Sugar Beet Newsletter, Mr Turnbull said he receives wheat containing lead shot. He urged farmers to “stop this contamination occurring…
Scottish Land Reform Bill could soar the price of shooting and stalking
Ordinary deerstalkers and gameshooters could be the first to suffer following the publication of the Scottish Land Reform Bill last week. The bill, which aims to widen the ownership of land throughout the country, includes proposals to end the exemption on business rates for shooting estates, which landowners have not…
Airguns and summer squirrel shooting
Squirrel control using an air rifle can be a real bind during the summer months. Dense foliage can make it virtually impossible to spot your quarry in the treetops, and the abundance of natural food means it’s difficult to pinpoint them to any specific area. It was so much easier…
Red grouse feature on CLA Game Fair official show guide
The winning image was particularly relevant for this year’s event, located at Harewood House in Yorkshire, a county which has large populations of red grouse on its heather moorlands. Owen is highly regarded for his atmospheric watercolours portraying animals and birds such as stags, woodcock, grouse and snipe. He is…
Looking after the mother with new puppies
When your bitch has whelped, it’s all too easy to become preoccupied with the puppies. The anxiety associated with an imminent whelping, the stress of having to deal with the whelping process and the care of the newborn puppies can easily focus attention on the puppies and distract attention from…
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Young gundog handlers get chance to show off their skills at the CLA Game Fair in July
Patience and perseverence are key skills when it comes to training gundogs and youngsters who take on a young puppy to teach often learn a lot about themselves along the way – in what can be a very character-building exercise. The reward of course is a skilled and responsive dog…
Would you know how to give first aid to a gundog?
Out in the field dogs can potentially face leg, paw and joint injury, eye injuries, soft tissue wounds and penetration wounds, heat stroke, seizures and cardiovascular problems. To counteract this, the Kennel Club and veterinary specialists, Dick White Referrals are offering a new training course on Saturday 11th July in Suffolk.…
How can shoots keep their birds safe from predators?
It would be a mistake to think that shoots that don’t hatch and rear their own birds have nothing to do from early February until mid- July, when their poults turn up. There is plenty for the full-time lads to do — arguably more for those running shoots part-time and…
New shooting products in June 2015
Walker’s Alpha Muffs This pair of wind-resistant, high frequency stereo microphones can enhance your hearing by five times, while employing sound-activated compression, therefore protecting your hearing from gunfire. It has two independent volume controls, and takes two AAA batteries. Price: RRP: £75 From Viking Arms Rusty’s Rags Imported from the US,…
Szechuan venison stir-fry
Use venison for a perfect alternative to chicken, pork or beef. Ingredients 300g (10oz) venison fillet or 2 large venison steaks Grated zest and juice of 1 orange 2tbsp soy sauce 2tbsp sesame oil 2tbsp finely grated fresh root ginger 1tbsp sunflower oil 1tbsp Szechuan/Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and coarsely ground…
Shooting groups write new lead ammunition report
A second report on the possible health risks posed by the use of lead ammunition was submitted to DEFRA two weeks ago, authored by the four organisations that have been most closely involved in the lead ammunition debate. The new 14-page report, which has yet to be made public, suggests that…
Shooting, fishing – rugby international Ceri Sweeney has a passion for country sports
Away from the rugby pitch, you’re likely to see Ceri Sweeney in tweeds. He holds both shotgun and firearms licenses and particularly enjoys driven shooting and deer stalking. As well as having been capped for Wales 35 times, he has also represented the country in fly fishing at Lough Owel,…
Looking for a gundog puppy? A gun? Have something to sell? A gamekeeper vacancy?
Are you searching for a gundog puppy locally? Or maybe you want to publicise your shoot? On the hunt for a gun or a gamekeeping job? Searching for farm equipment or supplies? Then you should visit the Shooting UK Marketplace. Here we currently have over 2000 guns for sale in…
William Fox-Pitt interview
Robert Cuthbert (RC): How has the first half of the year been for you, William? William Fox-Pitt (W F-P): “All the horses came back in from their break during January but the competitions don’t really get going until March. The first big one was Rolex in Kentucky in April. I’ve…
Are you a promising young Gun? Want to win £950 worth of prizes AND a coveted silver trophy?
Participants will shoot a 40-bird English Sporting layout at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair and a 20-bird compact layout at the CLA Game Fair. Winners will be the top scorer at each event and there will be a shoot off in the event of a tie. Both champions will receive a…