A couple of years ago, on a rather grey October afternoon, I was trudging around Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis with my good friend Will Martin, looking for the…
Shooting Times
Liam Bell on the latest raptor killing reporting
The silly season appears to have come early this year. Whether this is a direct result of journalists and press officers suffering from cabin fever because of the COVID-19 lockdown…
Which lead-free airgun pellets would you recommend?
Q: After all the talk about shotgun shooters moving away from lead ammunition, I feel inspired to try using lead-free pellets in my airgun. Are there any brands you can…
Why is the springer spaniel becoming less popular?
In the 1980s I belonged to a shooting syndicate with one simple rule: every member had to own a working gundog. It was a walk-one, stand-one shoot, so it was…
The gun every shooter should have in their gun cabinet
I give my shotguns names. My AYA No 3 I dubbed ‘Lazarus’ because, thanks to my friend Adam Bragg’s craftsmanship, it was brought back from the dead. My Lincoln Premier…
Hatsan Escort .22LR rifle
For some years now, Hatsan has been known as a value-for-money Turkish shotgun manufacturer, but it is also starting to make its mark in the world of rifles. This new…
Let sleeping gundogs lie in comfort
A favourite subject for debate in the gundog world is whether working dogs should be kennelled or kept in the house. I don’t think dogs mind much either way, as…
Tackling corvids to protect lambs
The long layoff from shooting during lockdown has been a frustrating time for many of us. Most of my shooting entails the control of grey squirrels, and it seemed difficult…
Old dog, neat tricks
A team of dogs usually comprises varying age and ability levels. It is common to have at least one youngster that is in training and learning its trade from older…
Toyota RAV4 hybrid Excel AWD
Toyota has been at the forefront of hybrid vehicles for a while and is starting to use the technology and green credentials from the Prius over more of its range.…
GWCT calls for vital funds to continue essential work
A letter to members of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) from chief executive Teresa Dent CBE, has illustrated the extent of financial support urgently needed by the Trust.…
Pheasant miso kebabs with seaweed and soy dip
It is very easy to get stuck in a rut, relying on the same old recipes time and time again, and there is nothing wrong with that; we all have…
Will my Labrador’s hips cause her problems in the field?
Labrador hips cause concern Q: I have a four-year-old Labrador bitch that I had intended breeding from, but her hip scores have turned out to be higher than we expected…
Why biodegradable shot cups are the way ahead for shooting
As we move inexorably towards a brave new world of shooting without lead or single-use plastic, I wonder how we will look back. I shall keep my powder dry on…
Interested in country pursuits? Now you’re working from home perhaps it’s time to get started
Shooting may be a country sport, but most shooters don’t live in the countryside. Depending on your definition, about 83 per cent of the UK population lives in built-up areas.…
At what age should you introduce a puppy to gunfire?
The most important thing to remember about when you introduce a puppy to gunfire noise is that you should take it gently and not rush anything. If your gundog puppy…
Chapuis Armes C35 Super Orion Classic
OUR Verdict on the Chapuis Armes C35 Super Orion Classic If you’re looking for an all-round game gun with great handling and looks, then Chapuis Armes has designed a gun…
How to buy a shoot on a shoestring
Many sporting folk dream about owning their own shoot. The idea can become a constant, niggling temptation and it is a recurring topic of discussion at shoot lunches. We all…
Piri-piri pheasant recipe
At the end of the season I like to make preparations for the freezer. I breast a lot of birds, take out the thighs and freeze a few birds whole.…
The pointing dog’s stare
There's an art to training pointing dogs, but once in position, it can take even more skill to move them out of their catatonic stance