Is there such a thing as pheasant shooting on a budget? Well, yes there is. You can always buy a left-over day on a shooting website and snap up a bargain. However, you may not know any of the Guns you are shooting with if you go down this route.…
Shooting
Here are articles to help and inform all aspects of your shooting, whether you’re a novice shooter or somebody who has been out in the field every season for years. You will find pieces on how you can improve, learn new skills and hone your technique.
We also keep a keen eye out for changes to gun laws and Government legislation.
You might be a gameshooter or clays might be much more your bag.
Then there are the pigeon shooting fans and those who love nothing better than being out on the foreshore, wildfowling.
Rabbiting has a section too.
If you’re looking to see how a particular ground performed than check out our shoot reports.
Our contributors frequently write about deer stalking with guidance on different species, locations and equipment.
Finally we encourage the next generation of shooters, informing and educating Young Shots.
Are you going to shoot game or focus on clayshooting?
Driven | Walked-up/Rough | Improve your shooting |
Lamping | Improve your clayshooting | Improve your pigeon shooting
The best tweed jackets: here are our top picks
It’s always useful to have a few good jackets and blazers to wear and a sports jacket in a Harris tweed or similar is a garment that you’ll put on again and again. The best tweed jackets will look good if you’re having lunch in a country pub, if you’re…
Thermal imagers for hunting – our top riflescope picks
Over the past few years, there has been an ever-increasing use of observation units and thermal imagers for hunting in the shooting world. An array of well-known and not-so-well-known manufacturers are dipping their toes into the market and releasing models. As the landscape of the shooting industry changes, the need…
Best hunting watches – we list the best options
When it comes to the best hunting watches, there’s a lot to consider. As hunters, we understand that one of hunting’s biggest appeals is getting deep into the wilderness, whether in the woods, on the hill, or casting a fly rod in a Highland salmon river, and getting away from…
Choosing riflescopes: what you should look out for
You don’t actually need much kit to go deerstalking. Binoculars to spot a beast and a rifle to bring it down are essential, but I would argue that choosing riflescopes is the most important part of the set-up. There’s a reason why most stalkers advise spending more on a scope…
What is rewilding?
I expect most readers of Shooting Times will have a similar opinion of Chris Packham as mine, but I thought he plumbed new depths when he tried his latest PR stunt, calling on the royal family to rewild their lands. Rewilding – what is it anyway? Pick about the only…
Ground game: should we be allowed to shoot it on driven days?
The morning briefings on the driven shoots to which I get invited tend to follow the same pattern. “Shoot what gives you pleasure, but be sparing with the hens — they are our breeding stock. Leave woodcock and grey partridges and no ground game.” It’s not a difficult set of…
Hunting rabbits with thermal optics
After an alarming slump over the past couple of years, the rabbits in my locality are making a very healthy comeback. I’m delighted to see them around again, but several landowners are less pleased because the burrowing animals are causing them serious problems – so serious, in fact, that I…
Why skeet shooting is a sure-fire way to improve your shooting skills
English Skeet shooting is one of the best disciplines you can shoot if you want to excel at the various forms of Sporting. That’s because it teaches you the absolute importance of correct stance and gun hold in relation to the target. It also demands total concentration and is a…
15 things you should know if you’re a driven shooter
Relatively new to shooting? Enjoying your first season? Here’s what every driven shooter should be aware of. 1. Invitation etiquette A polite driven shooter will respond to shoot invitations promptly – whether you can come or not. You NEVER PBI (pending better invitation). 2. Keeper’s briefing Always listen carefully to…
Best hunting torch – we list our top picks
Having a hunting torch in your bag is essential on any stalking trip, especially as winter sets in and it’s likely you’ll be spending a lot more time in darkness and low light. But with so many all-rounder options, it’s important to consider which type of torch best suits stalkers.…
The Great Debate: Wellies v boots
Wellies v boots: Which would you prefer to wear on your feet when shooting, Wellingtons or boots?
Best binoculars for hunting – our top five selection
What size of binoculars would you recommend for deer stalking? Is there a good compromise that can be used for both woodland and open hill work?
Best tweed shooting jackets for ladies
At last, designers and clothing manufacturers are waking up to the fact that country-loving females want to look smart and stylish in a jacket that is designed to blend in out in the field, walking the dog, watching the rugby and over drinks in the pub. We asked around some…
How to be a better Shot
All of us would probably like to admit that we’d like to be a better Shot than we are. We might have been shooting out in the field for years, but there is always room for improvement. Refining our technique is something we should all work on. I thought it…
Deer stalkers and walkers – how to deal with potential confrontations
Dealing with walkers?: While I was out stalking recently, I was accosted by a walker who let fly a torrent of abuse and accusations. This person accused me of "murdering beautiful creatures, ruining the countryside and posing a danger to honest walkers".
How to find good-value driven shooting
Pursuing good-value driven shooting doesn't mean you need to skip on quality, as Ian Grindy discovers
Women in the field – some advice on what to wear
It’s key to know what to wear shooting. Not only from a sartorial point of view, because you’ll want to have the confidence of knowing you’re looking your best, but also from a comfort point of view. You need to be able to swing your gun freely, stay dry, warm…
How to choose the right camouflage for deer stalking
Guests preparing for deer stalking often ask what kit they need, especially clothing. They ask whether they can wear camouflage. Usually the answer is yes, however some of the ground we stalk is on estates where the manager prefers us not to wear camouflage. (Read more on what to wear…