January has come round again and that means it’s high pheasant time. So we asked around some Guns and shooting instructors of our acquaintance to see what ammunition they used…
Shooting UK
Hypothermia in dogs
I’m often asked whether dogs suffer hypothermia. The answer is yes and there are some particular signs that owners of working dogs – in fact owners of all dogs –…
Will our new government support shooting or bend with the breeze of public opinion?
At the start of 2020, let me make an observation about the way the main political parties have treated the shooting community. In the run up to the election, it…
Our guide to the bird species on general licences in England
The changes to general licences in the last year resulted in a lot of confusion. To make matters simpler, we thought we would provide a visual reference to bird species on…
Reactions to the Werritty report on grouse shooting in Scotland
The newly published Werritty report on grouse shooting in Scotland states that licensing should be introduced if there is no marked improvement in the ecological suitability of grouse management within the next…
All about the fox
I thought it was time to do a piece all about the fox. Let’s address some of the various questions that the fox shooter often encounters. Can you eat fox?…
How civil servants affect our protected bird numbers
Despite what some may think it gives me little pleasure to once more take our civil servants to task for their decisions. However, as long as they continue to make…
Why the Home Office consultation on firearms licensing is a muddle
Firearms licensing has never been satisfactory, but it became an even bigger mess in April 2016 when the Home Office introduced new medical requirements. These were agreed between the Home…
That snipe is toast
Springbok!” I couldn’t help but chant the word a few times in front of my friend Tom. England had just lost the Rugby World Cup final. As a lad from…
Wild roast goose recipe for Christmas
Farmed geese can be costly and not feed anywhere near as many as you may think. We all know that a truly wild goose would be far better, perhaps even…
A game terrine to make for Christmas
Having spent many years in the Christmas kitchen, I like to have to hand what I call festive picnic foods. As far as I’m concerned once the big roast has…
Night of the long dogs
Taking lurchers lamping At the end of the beam, Blue turned hard, just inches behind the rabbit. It turned too and again Blue went with it, heeled over like a…
Revive report finds against Scotland’s grouse moors
Revive was launched in November 2018 with the aim of “working for grouse moor reform in Scotland.” The coalition’s new report entitled: “A Better Way: How an alternative to grouse…
Should his first gun be a Baikal?
We recently had a query from a reader, Tomasz Dojnikowski, who asked: ” Hi guys. I’m looking to buy my first shotgun but do not have a big budget. I’m looking at…
9 gundog health tips that vets wish their owners knew
Gundog health tips 1. Why you should never give your dog ibuprofen Canine under the weather? Never be tempted to give something from the family medicine cabinet. Here’s why and…
Could these be your best-ever shooting sunglasses?
Wear a pair of KomodoPro sunglasses and you’ll never be able to blame your poor shooting on bright light and glare again. That is because they include the latest technology…
Sabs could face criminal charges for trespass in future
Hunt saboteurs have complained that the latest rules proposed by the Tory manifesto will make sabotaging hunts “almost impossible” because they will face much more serious penalties after encroaching onto private…
Restaurant review: Le Bab
Shopping. Love it or hate it, sometimes you have to brace yourself and get on with it, especially in the run-up to Christmas. Personally I’m not a hobby shopper and…
Should gamekeepers be tipped … or be paid properly in the first place?
Once, after a rather informal and very enjoyable day’s shooting, I attempted to give the gamekeeper a tip, but botched the handover. My fingers were numb and, as a consequence,…
What women Guns really, really want for Christmas
Need to get a Christmas gift for a female Gun? We asked some women who shoot what they’d love to receive. The ultimate Christmas gifts for female Guns “Even though…