Our pick of the best shooting shirts will have you looking smart and feeling comfortable even when you're in the field
Shooting
10 top tips for women shooters
Shooting is becoming more popular with women every year. The most recent Home Office figures in 2019 showed an increase on the previous year of more than 1000 female shotgun certificate holders. So if you’re interested in joining the growing number of females going out into the field, how should…
What is expected of a loader on a shoot?
A loader should stand by, deftly handling the Shot a loaded gun while swiftly reloading the empty one, as overhead the birds soar over in a never-ending stream. But is a loader still necessary today? We have all seen the sepia-tinted photographs of Edwardian shooting days when the aristocracy would…
How to wear your gameshooting socks when you’re out in the field
When game shooting, what is the correct way to wear long socks/stockings with plus-twos or breeks? Is it socks on the outside, on top of the plus-two, or socks against the leg and the plus-two on top?
The secrets of successful duck flighting
There is hardly a more exciting sound in the world of shooting than the rush of air through duck wings as they drop in at evening flight. Every time I hear that tearing sound, my hackles rise and while waiting by a flightpond does not quite have the magic of…
This is why keen Shots wear a shooting hat or cap (and our pick of the best around)
A shooting cap is essential because It will keep the sun out of your eyes It will stop your scalp getting sunburned It will keep you warm It will keep you dry If you’re clayshooting it’ll protect your head from falling shards You can match it to your shooting breeks…
11 of the best shooting breeks
Getting a pair of stylish shooting breeks on your bottom half doesn't necessarily have to break the bank. You just have to know where to look.
Is shooting more popular than ever?
It can be difficult to know what is going on across our sport. We can each see our own bit — our shoot, our team, our branch, our glen. But what may be true for one place might not necessarily be true for shooting as a whole. So what is…
Should you buy the best shooting glasses you can afford?
We all know the type: he usually shoots a Perazzi or a Krieghoff and unfailingly has a pair of those ludicrously expensive coloured shooting glasses on his head. Those of us who’ve been around long enough will note that such eyewear is a relatively new addition to the flash shooter’s…
The best gaiters for walked-up shooting
Gaiters for shooting are essential, particularly if you’re walked-up shooting on moorland. Why gaiters for shooting are key shooting kit Wear gaiters with your breeks and shooting socks to protect your legs from ticks, as well as mud, scratches from rough heather and brambles. You’ll also be able to stride…
Six must-reads about pheasant shooting
There’s an early morning nip in the air which means that the pheasant season, starting on 1 October, is just around the corner. Whether you’re new to pheasant shooting or a seasoned hand, here are some useful pheasant shooting must-reads covering everything from guns and ammunition to shooting high birds.…
Shooting manners for those new to going out in the field
Have you been invited shooting for the first time this season? Worried about shooting manners for beginners? Wondering what to wear? Whether you have to bring your own gun? What to tip? Here are the guidelines you need to follow so that you conduct yourself perfectly. The right way to…
Techniques and skills for hitting the target
Investigating and improving shooting techniques Going-away targets, low incomers and high crossers are what clayshooters frequently want to investigate and improve, namely walked-up and driven grouse and pheasants. Straight lines The only targets that do not require the shot pattern to be placed ahead of the clay on its flightline…
15 of the best smocks for shooting and stalking
Smocks for shooting should be tough, resistant to thorns and brambles and pack away to almost nothing. They need to be breathable, lightweight, windproof and waterproof of course. In addition they should be comfortable to wear, easy to put on and take off, with room to put on layers underneath.…
A guide to the different types of rough shooting
I recently discussed rough shooting (walked-up shooting) with Matt Clark, Sporting Gun editor and how to go about participating in this most enjoyable part of our sport. (You can listen to the discussion here) Organising rough shooting days I am passionate about this type of shooting and over the years…
Five pieces of wildfowling gear for the season ahead
Wildfowling gear has benefitted greatly from advances in materials technology in recent years. Decoy bags are now much lighter and easily washed than those of 30 years ago and neoprene has revolutionised that piece of essential wildfowling gear, waders. Jackets can now be windproof, waterproof and breathable as well as…
15 of the best boots for shooting
If you’re in the market for new boots for shooting this season then cast your eye down this list. We’ve picked out boots in various price ranges, from £125 to £329. Buy the best that your budget will stretch to and do the cost-per-wear analysis. If you’re going to wear…
The common snipe – or, as the Finnish call it, the ‘sky ram’
Facts about the common snipe Distribution: Most worldwide populations of snipe are highly migratory, breeding in Iceland and across much of Europe, Russia and northern Asia. Overwinters in Africa and southern Asia.UK distribution: British populations are largely resident or only partially migratory. Can be found across the country but more…
How to create or rejuvenate a pond
Whenever I attend a farm walk organised by the GWCT, I do so with a mixture of emotions. Positive sentiments such as wonderment, revelation and inspiration jostle with less attractive feelings. Frustration and envy largely. This unwarranted green-eyed state is not due to my begrudging the success of others. Far…