I would like to apply for a shotgun certificate, but I have a couple of recent cautions. One is from five years ago for criminal damage to my ex-wife's car…
Shooting UK
What’s on at the Game Fair 2019?
People have all sorts of reasons to go to the Game Fair. Perhaps it’s where you catch up with old friends over a pint or where you try out before…
10 things you should know when naming your gundog puppy (and why to avoid the name ‘Teal’)
We are soon to take delivery of a Cocker puppy which I hope to work when it’s older. Problem I’ve got at the moment is the kids and wife are…
Exclusive: Government proposes to tighten firearms licensing
The Home Office has today contacted Shooting Times with news of a consultation on statutory guidance for the police issuing firearms certificates. The Government department has signed an agreement with…
Will I always need a patch for my left-eye dominance?
I'm a lady gun and have just begun shooting. I'm left-eye dominant and my instructor demonstrated that a small patch or piece of tape on the lens of my safety…
New attack on shooting community launched by Wild Justice
In the five weeks since Defra announced three new general licences (GL34, GL35 and GL36), the campaign group Wild Justice, which consists of scientists Dr Mark Avery and Dr Ruth…
Savage Arms Model 110
By the early 1950s it was becoming clear that Savage Arms, once one of the largest firearms manufacturers in the world, was in trouble. An over-reliance of underlever rifles as…
What should I do about shotgun storage while I’m away?
I intend to take a long holiday away from home and wonder what obligations I am under in respect of storage of my shotguns while I am away?
Should I use a 20-bore just because I’m female?
My husband has got me hooked on clay shooting and now wants to buy me a 20-bore because it’s lighter than the 12-bore I’ve been using.
Five of the best pre-charged airguns for under £500
Although some people have the skill to shoot very precisely with spring-powered airguns, pre-charged (or PCP) models are generally easier to shoot accurately because they don’t recoil. The extra engineering…
Why Aigle wellies are in step with fieldsports lovers
Aigle wellies may not be quite as mainstream as some other well-known brands but once you’re a fan, you’re a fan. I’ve had a pair for around five years that…
10 questions about air rifles – and 10 answers
1. Do I need a licence to own an air rifle? In England and Wales you do not need a licence to own what is regarded as a “legal limit”…
What you need to know about general licences right now
Defra has issued new general licences that look workable, following weeks of uproar. Here’s what you need to know. The three new licences do not need to be applied for…
How long should you hang a deer carcass?
When should a disembowled deer carcus be moved into a refrigerator?
How to call muntjac deer
Learning how to call muntjac deer can be a deadly tactic but you need a strategy, stealth and a good call, writes Graham Downing
New £10,000 bursary scheme available for young keepers and stalkers
A generous new bursary scheme which supports young keepers or stalkers in the first five years of their career has been announced by Holland & Holland. The company is keen…
We asked a Natural England representative to answer your questions on the practicalities of the new general licences. Here’s what she said ….
1) Despite repeated attempts at scaring, a farm suffered serious damage to a pea crop throughout the growing season. Can the farmer arrange for the [wood] pigeons to be shot…
Tell Defra what you think about the impact of Natural England’s decision to revoke three general licences
All shooters, keepers, farmers and landmanagers are encouraged to take part in submitting evidence to Defra to state how the sudden Natural England ruling on general licences has affected them.…
The new individual licences from Natural England – what’s been the experience of shooters so far?
Staff at Natural England have been working through more than 1000 applications from farmers gamekeepers and pest shooters since the previous system of general licences was scrapped a week ago.…
This photograph of Michael Gove with Chris Packham surprised us
< My meeting with @michaelgove this morning started well – two Red Kites soaring from his office window , as did our cordial discussions about @ExtinctionR @WildJustice_org , the Peoples…