Top tips to do yourself proud on beaters’ day Get your shooting kit ready the night before Practise mounting in the mirror 10 times Count 10 breaths in and out before the drive starts Point your leading foot where you’re going to shoot the bird Don’t lift your head off…
Shooting
Staggering ignorance
Deer management, an activity undertaken quietly and in solitude, enjoyed — or perhaps more accurately endured — a brief moment of national attention here in Ireland. An incident in Kerry raised questions regarding the management of red deer in the county. In late October a red stag was observed by…
Can you id that duck?
Identifying different duck breeds The question “What’s that one then?” should never be heard from the person who shot a bird, so knowing what the odd unusual duck looks and sounds like is a real benefit at flight. So, too, is knowing what to expect, so you don’t pass up…
Leading figures in fieldsports look back at 2019 and forward to 2020
Shooting Gazette asked a host of leading figures in gameshooting community for their reflections on 2019 in fieldsports, what they are looking forward to about 2020 and also the one issue they are concerned about in the year ahead. Eoghan Cameron, chairman, BASC High on the list of successes for…
Are you having problems with high targets?
Love 'em or hate 'em - high birds can always pose a problem if your technique isn't up to scratch.
Why I’ve found cock shoot days to be a shambles
Mark Forester remembers some past cock-day debacles and wonders if it will be safe to venture out this season
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…
13 of the best boots for shooting
1. Meindl Glockner Boots RRP 294.99 Very hard-wearing. Robust nubuck leather uppers, with a GORE-TEX lining for waterproofing and breathability allow you to use these in complete comfort in any environment. 2. Le Chameau Men’s Chameau-Lite LCX 10″ Stalking Boot RRP £299 Better known for its leather-lined rubber boots,…
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…