Breeds of spaniel There is a dangerously common misconception among many dog enthusiasts, assuming that a breed is similar to a species. It’s not. Species have evolved naturally over hundreds…
Shooting Times
Why funding the GWCT is vital
Scientists are riding to the rescue of humankind. The UK’s scientific community is playing a globally recognised role in developing vaccines to combat the pandemic. Public and private money is…
Scottish roe review 2020
Despite COVID-19, figures for the Scottish 2020 list are impressive. From more than 260 roe heads presented, 232 were awarded CIC medals — 61 golds, 65 silvers and 106 bronzes.…
What to look out for before taking a lease on some new land
I know of several local self-run shoots that have decided not to start up again this year. The catalyst for the decision for two of them was the reduced number…
Should I use a sound moderator on my airgun?
Q: I’m planning to buy an air rifle to keep down the rabbits in our pony paddocks. I notice that a lot of airgun shooters fit their rifles with sound…
Pot roasted duck with potatoes
I have a confession to make. This pot roast duck dish was cooked with the legs of a farmed duck. The plan was to use wild mallard legs, but moving…
Seared pigeon and special fried rice
Pigeon breast is a favourite of mine and I am making an effort to get more of Asia into my kitchen. Accordingly, I’ve been loosely adapting many classic dishes from…
So why do gundogs have floppy ears?
See a dog with floppy ears and it’s going to be a gundog. One feature common to every breed of gundog is floppy ears. Spaniel ears flop considerably more than…
National Gamekeepers’ Organisation calls for focus on gundog theft
The call comes after police officers recovered between 70 and 80 stolen dogs in a single raid in Carmarthenshire last week. Dog theft increasing Theft of dogs, including gundogs, is…
Dogs can suffer from depression too. Here’s how to help them.
With the prospect of lockdown being eased or hopefully ending, there is a good chance that the vast majority of dogs will soon have to become accustomed to a new…
Just why are German HPRs are so popular here?
History notes that the first of the German HPR breeds, the German shorthaired pointer, was shown in England in 1887, but it wasn’t until after World War II that these…
Partridge goujons – so delicious the kids will fight over them
This partridge goujons recipe isn’t going to win you a prize for originality but there’s a reason it’s so popular. It’s undeniably one of the fastest and tastiest ways you…
Why I’m becoming increasingly confident about the next shooting season
I have been trying to get a handle on chick and poult prices for the next shooting season. Rather unsurprisingly, I am struggling to get any consensus from the keepers…
The history of punt guns and punt-gunning
Punt-gunning today is a curiosity. Once it was a business. To some Victorian sportsmen, it was an art to be learned and practised. The punt, the punt-gun and the punt-gunner…
Which gundog breeds originated in Germany?
Weimaraner, German shorthaired pointer, German longhaired pointer, German wirehaired pointer, large Munsterlander. The list of German dog breeds that have become established in Britain is a long one, but it…
Why predation control needs an integrated plan
Let’s start by noting the words ‘predation control’, rather than predator. In managing game and wildlife, how many predators you kill is of no great relevance; rather it is the…
Steyr Mannlicher Carbon CL II
Steyr Mannlicher has been producing rifles in Austria for more than 150 years and its latest is the Steyr Mannlicher Carbon CL II. As the name suggests, it features a…
What’s the real cost of buying a dog?
If you're about to buy a dog, take a moment to consider the wider costs of ownership. Paul Rawlings does some basic sums to provide an idea of what it…
Five recipes that use the whole of a pheasant
The principle of making the most of what you’ve got was never absent from our great-grandmothers’ kitchens. Yet today commercial poultry is rarely sold with the giblets, head or feet…
Testing out .22 centerfire ammunition for small species deer
The .22 centrefire may have a bad reputation for deer work, but with prudent bullet choice it is certainly up to the job.