Growing up in Surrey, snipe were rarely on my horizon. The heaths are mostly too dry for them and the arable farmlands were the wrong habitat. Clandon Park, where I…
Shooting Times
What can I do to protect my dog against Alabama rot?
Q: Is it true that Alabama rot is most prevalent in the autumn and winter? If that is the case, is there anything I can do to protect my dog?…
Six popular air rifles for under £500
One of the greatest appeals of airgun shooting is its affordability. For a few hundred pounds — and sometimes significantly less — you can pick up an air rifle that…
Do chocolate Labradors deserve a bad reputation?
Does a chocolate Labrador have a shorter life? A recent headline in the Daily Telegraph proclaimed chocolate Labradors die younger and have more health problems than yellow and black ones…
Is the Kennel Club in crisis?
Though the existence of the Kennel Club may not appear to have much impact on those who enjoy the sport of gameshooting, it would be foolhardy to underestimate its importance,…
As a shooter, should I have told my GP about my depression?
Some time ago, I suffered a bout of depression. I had recently lost my father and an old injury had flared up, meaning that I was having to take strong…
Why does my dog drag its bottom?
Q: My dog drags its rear end along the ground frequently. I am told this is a sign that he needs his anal glands emptied by a vet. Why is…
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3
This month, we assess the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 semi-automatic as a wildfowling gun. Fowling and pigeon shooting are probably the two most common uses in the UK, other…
How long should you hang shot game?
I've heard you should hang shot game birds by the neck, and make sure they don't come into contact with one another.
Which gundog breed would suit me best?
There are 34 different registered breeds of gundog, so how do you know which one is right for you?
How to stop your dog chasing livestock on a farm
If you are going to work your dog on a shoot, there is one thing of which you can be certain: sooner or later you will encounter livestock. As a…
Would your gun cabinet pass the test?
A muscular man in the middle of the room swung a large hammer up over his head and brought it crashing down on a metal cabinet. It was not an…
How long can I keep meat in the freezer for?
Freezing pigeons: I lost quite a few pigeons last summer because I didn’t get to the game dealer quickly enough so this year I’ve decided to buy a freezer.…
Dealing with rats in the hen house
Having an air rifle in the house often proves handy for impromptu backyard pest control. My airguns are called into action in the garden to deal with marauding grey squirrels,…
How to stay safe when you’re a picker-up on a shoot
Pickers-up: The job of pickers-up is not an easy one.
Is there a minimum recommended calibre for a foxing rifle?
Fox control: Why do all the rifle experts have such a low opinion of the .22 rimfire for fox control? I have taken numerous foxes at ranges of 100 yards…
Is it legal to carry a shotgun on a motorcycle? And where should I store my shotgun during the shoot lunch?
Some time ago some shotguns were stolen from locked cars while the owners were in a pub having a meal. The shooters lost their certificates.
Is this the ultimate shooting coat? The Schoffel Ptarmigan Pro review
The Schöffel Oakham fleece gilet was once the uniform for a select few — mainly land agents and traders of fine wine. Today, however, the “Cirencester life jacket” — and…
How mental discipline can improve your shooting
Phil Coley on the pychology of shooting
Are British gundogs the best in the world?
Gundog standards: HM The Queen's reign has coincided with rising gundog standards in all areas.