The accusations from the Countryside Alliance came after it emerged that much of the information used by the RSPB was provided by a convicted animal rights extremist, some was demonstrably…
Shooting Times
Anti-shooting activism is taking a toll on the mental health of rural people, according to enquiry
The increasing pressure of online and real world activism on those involved in country sports has created an increasing challenge to the mental health of those in the rural sector…
Break-barrel air rifles: they’re for the grown-ups too
Modern airguns have come a long way over the past couple of decades. Yet despite all their technological advancements, it is still hard to beat the simple pleasure of shooting…
Running a shoot: how to make the numbers add up
It has often been said that the only way to make a small fortune from shooting is to start with a big one. There are so many variables, and so…
What constitutes a big bag in shooting? 150, 200, 300
What constitutes a ‘big bag’ in shooting. Is it 150, 200, 300 birds? A big bag in shooting For all the talk, what counts as a big bag in shooting?…
Tips to improve your rifle shooting and markmanship
So your stalking kit has been cleaned and stowed away, and you’ll likely see more venison on the barbecue than under a cross-hair for the next few months. But the…
Phantom pregnancy? Or could our spaniel really be pregnant?
Is it a phantom pregnancy? Q: We have a young springer spaniel bitch that had her first season about six or seven weeks ago. We made sure she kept away…
Why the Scottish roebuck are no less mighty
Scotland epitomises the ultimate sporting getaway. Ask any sportsman across the globe and I imagine Scotland will rank highly on their wish list of go-to locations — and rightly so.…
Battle lines drawn as BASC rejects proposed lead restrictions
The association has set out a mixed position strongly opposing some elements of the proposals and less strongly opposing others. The HSE has proposed a phased withdrawal of lead ammunition…
Share a gun cabinet? So how do you list your guns on your shotgun licences?
My wife and I share a gun cabinet and I’ve been told my shotguns should appear as 'shared' on my wife’s shotgun licence and hers shown similarly on mine.…
Why a bit of moderation in shooting right now might not be a bad thing
Could a shortage of imported gamebirds for this coming season signal structural change in driven game shooting? In years to come, will we look back and recognise this season as…
Deer ammunition: does your chosen calibre fit the bill?
Thinking about deer ammunition While driving to the ground on one foggy morning on the A1, I was thinking about a discussion I had with a friend. That discussion was…
How do I train a gundog to run straight?
When you think of a working gundog, the goals are relatively simple. We need to get the dog to an area and allow it to hunt. This might be hunting…
‘Fake’ Welsh ban claims, Brexit headaches, and more – this week in fieldsports
Park suspends trail hunting The Lake District National Park Authority has become the latest UK public body to suspend trail hunting on land it owns after the trial of Mark…
Gaelic steak: cook one of HM The Queen’s favourite recipes
Apparently, HM The Queen likes one of her favourite dishes — Gaelic steak — two ways. When at one of her English homes, this incredibly rich, French-style, recipe is made…
Why summer is the most important time to control grey squirrels
It is easy to let the control of grey squirrels go off the boil through the summer, but taking the pressure off these invasive opportunists at this time of year…
Royal Warrants: a cartridge fit for The Queen
We were 12 miles north of Moy when the engine went bang. At first, the power started to go, then a gritty groan came from deep within the Jimny’s oily…
Why shooting should use the biodiversity net gain rules
The role I play in the countryside is a relatively diverse one. I am a land agent, a farmer’s son and I run a shoot. I am a conservationist, a…
Summer roebuck stalking – why June is a difficult month
A super blood moon had graced the heavens the night before. With so much cosmological excitement and an early sunrise, I decided to aim for mid-morning. It was an unusually…
Poisoned dogs: the symptoms and the dangers to look out for
Reports of poisoned dogs There was considerable panic in my local dog-owning community last month, when a three-year-old labrador reportedly died from poisoning. The initial Facebook post indicated that the…