Wily cock pheasants provide great sport
Shooting
TOP TIPS: How to shoot a high bird
Many shooters, irrespective of whether they're into clays or game, often struggle to hit high birds
Is January the finest month?
January, for most of the nation, is the cruellest month. From Stornoway to the Scillies people are in credit card debt doldrums, their clothes no longer fit and family relations — after all that lovely time together at Christmas — are invariably fraught. For those like you and me, however,…
Why the wood pigeon is so successful
About wood pigeon The main wood pigeon breeding season is much later than most people realise. You may see lots of wing-clapping display flights and hear lots of their distinctive “don’t scold so, Susie” cooing in March and April, but the vast majority of pigeon will struggle to raise a…
6 of the best ear defenders from just £15
There’s no excuse not to protect your hearing when you’re out in the field, particularly when we’ve found some of the best ear defenders which come in at under £40. Ear defenders are comfortable to wear and a crucial bit of kit. We’ve all met people in the field with…
Having trouble shooting high pheasants? Then read these expert tips
Chris Bird at Hollands offers some high pheasant shooting tips
How to shoot long range targets and high birds
Clay shooting lessons: How to shoot long range targets and high birds! Mark Russell looks at evaluating long range and high targets.
Maybe it’s time to give it a try? Trap shooting explained
This article is not meant to be a masterclass on trap shooting, more rather trap shooting explained to encourage you to give it a go if you haven’t tried it. Trap shooting is one of the formal clay shooting disciplines and at its highest level an Olympic sport. Most people…
Should a youngster have his or her own shotgun certificate?
Q: I would like to buy my son his first shotgun as a birthday present when he turns 14 this summer. Can he have his own shotgun certificate or is it best to put it on mine? A: Whilst I would suggest the new shotgun should be on yours as…
Raise a glass to the Brewery
The rustle, crack and crackle of beaters’ flags cut sharply through the crystal air. Frost, the first one of the year, clung to the heads of teasels, dusting them with light. The Guns were lined out to my right, on a wide grass headland. Then, from the block of biscuit-coloured…
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 racing yacht. The rabbit made a last, desperate twist then Blue was trotting steadily back to Jake, the rabbit held…
Why you should give Sporting clays a try
This article is not a masterclass in Sporting clays, but rather an overview to explain what it involves to encourage you to give it a go. Any calibre If you already use a shotgun, then you will probably be fine to shoot Sporting clays. You can use any calibre (12-bore…
A Gun’s view on picking-up on a shoot day
Picking-up: Guns should be allowed to go picking-up on shoot day.
Shooting Times visits the Port Loughan shoot and reports back
Somewhere in front of us, across the Irish Sea, I was told there was an extraordinary view, but torrential rain and a biting, squally wind had reduced visibility to no more than 100 yards. David Sandford was not pleased. He is a man who quite rightly is tremendously proud of…
Five ways to be a better game shot
1. Have a relaxed and positive attitude Shooting requires what might be called relaxed concentration. According to psychologists, you need to be ‘aroused’ but not too hyped up to do your best work in most sporting tasks. Developing your natural hunting instincts can be helpful. The best shots have fun,…
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, a rather wet, slippery and solitary banknote flopped to the ground. Instantly, my purported friend said, for all to hear:…
Every day’s a school day
We were huddled together in an old Dumfriesshire farmhouse kitchen, with rain bouncing off the windows. “Whether we hit 10 birds today or 100 matters not,” announced 14-year-old Charlie Hattam, who was standing at the front with a broken arm, “but what does matter is safety.” Dotted round the room,…
Why is it illegal to use my pump-action gun wildfowling?
Wildfowling: I own an 8 shot pump action, which I use for pest control. I know it is illegal to use it wildfowling, but I don't know why?
A guide to shooting in bad weather
Richard Brigham's beginner's guide to shooting in bad weather explains how our varied climate can make or break a shooter's day