The deer seasons in the UK have been precisely organised to give deer protection when they need it, to produce a sustainable and healthy population. The law allows hinds and stags to breed and move around different breeding grounds at key times – with the deer hunting season differing between…
Shooting
Best fleece gilets for shooters (and why they’re an essential part of your wardrobe).
The best fleece gilets for shooting are warm but not too hot, comfortable without being scruffy and easy to care for
So you want to get into shooting? Here’s how to start …
If you are looking to get into shooting of any kind, this easy guide will give you plenty of hints and tips
Steve Scott shares his shooting routine – could it improve your clayshooting?
Olympic bronze medallist and professional shotgun coach Steve Scott is a strong advocate of pre-shot routines. Here, he takes us through the routine he uses for Olympic Trap. (Read here’s what you should know about trap guns and trap shooting.) “My aim is to shoot in a style that’s steady…
Best clay shooting vests
What are the must-haves that create the best clay shooting vests? (Here’s our advice on what to wear clay shooting.) Just what are clay shooters searching for? Clay shooter and Sporting Gun contributor Rhys Plum advises: “The vest is a piece of uniform that unites all us clay shooters. But…
The best telescopic sights: scoping out a bargain
You don’t have to bankrupt yourself to own decent telescopic sights. Modern production processes mean that a comparatively modest outlay will now buy you an optic that would have been considered as high-end glass not so long ago. The three sub-£500 telescopic sights in this round- up are extremely versatile…
Clay pigeon shooting grounds just an hour from London
Thinking about starting clay pigeon shooting or wanting to keep your eye in now the season is over? The good news is that there is plenty of clay pigeon shooting near London and grounds that suit everyone from complete novices through to more seasoned shooters. None take longer than an…
Clayshooting at home: can I set up clay shooting on my own property?
Can you set up clay pigeon shooting on your own property?
The best clay shooting jackets
We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more You can be very exposed to the wind and rain on a clay ground and that’s when layers come into their own. So we’ve picked out a selection of…
Hunting thermals clothing: the best kit for freezing weather
There’s something exciting about packing for a special hunting trip. Whether it’s a couple of days on the hill in Scotland or a woodland stalking adventure abroad, there are guns, clothing, boots and accessories to be prepared, cleaned and checked. All of this adds to the sense of anticipation. (Read…
Best clay gun slips – get the right case for your shotgun
Whether you’re a professional shooter who busts clays all year round, a keen amateur looking ahead to the summer season or a novice wondering what kit you need to get the most out of your experience, one thing that clay shooters all need in their arsenal is a well-chosen clay…
Helice shooting – what it is and how to start
Helice shooting, formerly referred to as ZZ, is relatively unknown in the UK, which is a pity and there is only a handful of grounds that have it on offer. Helice shooting in Dorset I was excited to learn that Dorset’s Purbeck Shooting School recently had a helice shooting layout…
Best waders for wildfowlers
Choosing footwear for any fieldsport is ultimately down to personal preference and affordability. This is true for wildfowlers too. I have used a range of waders over the years and the following list of the best waders for wildfowlers is a selection that would be very useful. (You might also…
Stag antlers: what makes a stag a Royal, an Imperial or a Monarch?
Q: How many points on stag antlers can a red in the wild be expected to grow when it is in good health with a good food supply? And what then makes a stag a ‘Royal’ and an ‘Imperial stag’? Many things have an impact on the number of points…
Air rifle case – we share our top picks
When it comes to pest control or stalking in the field, any keen Shot will tell you that you should only take what you need, because you don’t want to be weighed down by unnecessary gear when you’re several miles away from the car. Not only that, you need something…
Best ear defenders for shooting
So why should you buy the best ear defenders for shooting you can get? Too many shooters seem to be ignorant to the damage that the noise from gunshots can do to their hearing. You only get one pair of ears, so it makes good sense to look after them,…
Add on-devices for scopes: reviewing three of the best
Add-on devices for scopes So why are add-on devices for scopes so useful? One of the biggest inconveniences when using a night-vision or thermal scope is that their performance during the day is never going to be as good as a traditional glass optic. Although several night-vision scopes now offer…
Best clay pigeon traps: improve your shooting
If you’re fortunate enough to have some land, then you might consider setting up your own clay trap. (Read “Can I set up clay shooting on my own property?”) Providing you follow some key safety rules, then you’ll be able to practise your shooting in your own time, maybe introduce…
Why more and more women are enjoying driven shooting
It will probably not come as any sort of surprise to learn that shooting sports are predominately the pastime of men. The most recent Home Office figures reveal that 94% of shotgun and firearms certificate holders in England and Wales are male. The 6% minority, however, equates to more than…
Tricky pigeon shooting shots: Geoff Garrod explains how to deal with them
I am frequently asked about how to deal with certain tricky pigeon shooting shots that decoyers find difficult. There are some types of shot that always come up and the answer is not straightforward, as local conditions and the situation of your hide can vary on any given day. Many…