The working Jack Russell was bred to bolt a fox unharmed. Eddie Chapman tells the story of how this special skill has been preserved against the odds
Shooting Times
Scottish keepers restore wild grey partridges
Wild grey partridges have been returned to the Tomatin moors in Inverness-shire thanks to local gamekeepers and some unusual help from bantam chickens. Wild greys had not been seen on…
Wildfowling Club of the Year award now open for entries
The purpose of Shooting Times’s new award is to highlight the incredible contribution made by fowlers across the UK. Wildfowling Club of the Year award now open for entries Editor…
What you need to know BEFORE taking your dog onto the shooting field
The picker-up enjoys the pleasure of working their own dogs in the knowledge that they are performing an essential role in the day’s sport. Collecting shot birds is vital; even…
Salmon facing myriad threats
A huge decline in the number of young wild salmon returning to British rivers could lead to a national shortage, according to the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). For…
Gamekeepers old and new rewarded for their work
Trainee keeper Jack Depledge from North Yorkshire has won this year’s National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) Frank Jenkins Memorial Trophy. The award, which is sponsored by Musto, is given to the…
War of the words as hen harrier tag goes quiet
Rural groups have rejected claims that grouse moor managers were responsible for the disappearance of a hen harrier. RSPB Scotland says a satellite-tagged bird, named Calluna, vanished over an Aberdeenshire…
Etiquette for Young Guns in the field
Q: I have been part of a syndicate for four years and some of the other Guns have started bringing their children with them to shoot in their place. A…
Why is my gundog puppy so noisy in training?
Gundog puppy: My four-month-old gundog puppy has become very noisy.
A beginner’s guide to picking-up
We walk you through what to expect on your first time picking-up, including when to know if your dog is ready, what to do on the first drive and how…
Scottish gamekeepers back new Lyme disease measures
The Scottish Parliament is considering improvements to testing and treatment for Lyme disease, thanks to a petition supported by gamekeepers and grouse moor managers. The Tick-borne Illness Campaign Scotland seeks…
How easy is it to join a wildfowling club?
Joining a wildfowling club My path to education came about thanks to the BASC wildfowling permit scheme, which provides a “suck it and see” opportunity for novices to try their…
Time for tougher penalties for fly-tipping, says CLA
The CLA has proposed tougher measures to tackle the increasing problem of fly-tipping in the countryside. It suggests a new five-point action plan, which includes seizing vehicles of offenders to…
Massive £240k raised for charity by Eadie clayshoot
A clay shoot and auction, organised by Gerard Eadie’s Shoot Charitable Trust, has raised almost a quarter of a million pounds for charity. The annual shoot, the 16th organised by…
Problems with springer spaniels and hunting
My springer spaniel’s training is coming along pretty well but I can’t get her to leave hedgerows and cover to hunt open ground for retrieves. Any advice?
DEFRA boss Michael Gove praises shooters
Environment secretary Michael Gove has once again celebrated the role that game shooting and land management plays in preserving the countryside. Mr Gove addressed an audience at last month’s All…
European conservation award for GWCT
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has received a prestigious European award, recognising its work in wildlife management and conservation. The Jan Van Haaften IUGB (International Union of Game…
Glorious start to the grouse season
It’s been a terrific start to the grouse season in northern England, though reports from Scotland have been mixed. Last month, estates reported big broods and perfect conditions along with…
Grouse shooting is good for business
Grouse shooting in North Yorkshire is expected to contribute more than £100,000 to hotels, restaurants and pubs throughout this season. Nine estates alone surveyed by the Nidderdale Moorland Group will…
Practise on clays for the partridge season
If you have a day on partridge in your diary, you should at least try to go to a good clay ground a few times before or book a lesson…