How should young Shots get started in the field and on the clay ground? I started shooting at the age of eight. I’m lucky to come from a farming background, so there were opportunities to be involved in and around shooting from an early age. I followed my father’s lead…
Shooting
Walking boots – what are the best options?
Any keen shot, deer stalker or outdoor enthusiast will know that having a pair of good walking boots is an essential part of your wardrobe. With mile after mile to cover, you need a pair of boots that are comfortable yet durable, waterproof yet breathable, and good value for money. There…
Wildcat cartridges: the background of the .22-250 calibre
.22-250 calibre review: The .22-250 calibre is one of the best when it comes to dealing with foxes and roe in Scotland.
How to improve your visual focus on the clay target
Often my pupils come to me with the request that they need to do something to help them focus on the clay target. So when I am giving a lesson on this, here’s what I run through. (Here’s a run down of the different clay targets and how to deal…
Thermal imagers: Mat Manning puts three popular models through their paces
Thermal imagers are fast becoming a key piece of kit for numerous shooting applications, from foxing on open fields to ratting around the farmyard. The ability to see an animal’s heat signature, even when it is partially obscured by undergrowth, provides a massive edge when trying to catch up with…
Harris tweed: a traditional weaver shows how this beautiful fabric is made
“It’s not all old. Brand new in 1970,” Donald John Mackay replied when I asked him whether his loom is an old one. “This’ll be it for me. I bought it in 1984, but I won’t need another.” Weaving Harris tweed Coincidentally, 1970 is when Donald started weaving Harris tweed.…
Best quilted jackets and gilets for country types
Quilted jackets are ideal to wear on their own to keep the chill off, or underneath a thicker coat for warming layering. Or you can opt for a quilted gilet to wear over a sweater or shirt and again under a coat when it’s chilly. (Read our tips on how…
Pheasant shooting on a budget
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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?