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…
Shooting Times
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.
What to do if your dog gets a nasty rat or squirrel bite
Rats are known to spread disease so what should you do when your dog gets bitten by a rat? A reader is concerned. Q: There are a few rats around…
What airgunning kit do you really need – and how much should you spend on it?
Airgun shooting is enjoying a huge surge in popularity and newcomers are spoilt for choice when it comes to accurate and reliable air rifle accessories. Unfortunately, though, too many air…
Can a rescue make a top gundog?
Looking at rescue gundogs When clients approach me about getting a working dog, I have to admit that looking at rescue gundogs is not the first thing I’d suggest. But…
Jeep Renegade 4xe Trailhawk
Jeep’s baby SUV burst on to the scene in 2015 and has become a popular little runaround for town and country. So much so that I know of someone who’s…
What you need to know about renewing your shotgun and firearms certificates during the COVID pandemic
If you’re medically vulnerable or living with somebody who is, then you’ll have had to be particularly cautious during the COVID pandemic. But what’s the deal if you need to…
French gundogs – why don’t we see more of them here?
Some French gundogs L’épagneul Breton, the Brittany L’épagneul Français (French spaniel) Barbet Braque d’Auvergne L’épagneul de Pont-Audemer Braque de Bourbonnais Braque Français Why French shooting is different The French are…
Enjoy the delicious, fresh flavours of this venison tataki recipe
Pheasant, partridge and wild duck are ideal meats for stir-fry and venison is a perfect alternative to beef or fresh tuna in this venison fillet recipe, tataki. Fillet is extravagant,…
Partridge-like and high crossers
The pigeon have abandoned my favourite pigeon roost shooting wood of 10 years. Looking back through my records, 40 to 60 birds on an evening outing was not unusual. And…
ATA SP 20-bore Steel £599
Our verdict on the ATA SP 20-bore Steel Industry disruptors in the gun trade are few. In the past century only a handful have successfully taken market share and established…
How to avoid 2021’s corvid control trap
With the season all but over, my mind as usual turns to planning for the next. In just a few weeks, the pheasants will be setting up their territories, strutting…
What do you do with birds leftover at the season’s end?
With the ever-tightening COVID-19 restrictions in operation in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, there is little hope for those of us longing for a return to driven shooting. It…
Training gundogs during COVID
It might seem like I have plenty of time to plan, lots of equipment and endless ground to train on. While I am lucky to have access to more ground,…
When the king shot thousands of rabbits
No other animal in the British countryside has played both hero and villain like the rabbit. The great warrens of the sandy Brecks in East Anglia were constructed to serve…
How to spot the difference between a Jack Russell terrier and a Parson Russell
The most striking difference between a Jack Russell terrier and a Parson Russell terrier is their size. Jack Russells are slightly smaller. The breed should measure 10-15″ on their shoulders…
Can a local registered firearms dealer ‘confiscate’ an air rifle?
All responsible airgunners should know their airgun law correctly so that their activities don’t put the sport into disrepute. But what happens if an air rifle is confiscated by a…