CATEGORIES

Sprockers: A Cross To Bear?

As the dust settles after “sprockergate”, David Tomlinson muses on what the Kennel Club and the trialling and gundog worlds can learn from the scandal.

Country Diary

Contrary to their image as “feral pigs” romping around causing havoc to farms, in reality wild boar are a valuable resource in need of proper management

Tradition Versus That Extra Shot

Camouflage-wearing stereotype aside, should the pigeon shooter use a semi-automatic for his sport? Tom Payne weighs up the pros and cons

Slow And Silent Death

With soft wings and slow flight, the tawny owl is a stealthy hunter that isn’t fussy about its diet, happy to live on what is most abundant

Is Your Dog Shoot-Ready?

Sit, heel and recall: these are the touchstones of working well in the field. And if your  dog can’t oblige, then it’s time to go back to basics says trainer

The Never-Ending Battle

Providing food and habitat are two aspects of successful game management but if you don’t control predators you’re wasting your time, says Liam Bell.

Still A Game Cook

Norman Tebbit talks to Patrick Galbraith about fieldsports, politics and the joys of cooking game

For The Fun Of It

Mat manning takes a trip down memory lane with his old break-barrel spring-powered weihrauch.

Paradise Lost

Making your way across the marsh for an evening flight, knowing it will be the last, is bittersweet but it sends a vital message.

They Are Counting On Us: Help Us Save The Grey Partridge

Rural workers and landowners are being asked to spend some time counting grey partridge numbers as part of an ongoing effort to help conserve the species

Country Diary

A strict diet and more exercise is on the cards to help tackle weight gain in our dogs — but will switching from dry food to raw also help?

To Err Is Human...

… but the consequences can be disastrous, says Coombe Richards as he recalls a dismal day’s duck shooting that ended in unexpected glory 

Underkeeper

With dogging-in season now in full swing, it’s time to move the birds on to the drives and encourage the new dogs to learn their trade

Counter Diary

The search for a pair of lightweight, waterproof boots for shooting and picking-up proves tricky. Meanwhile, how have the butterflies fared?

Salmon Face Myriad Threats

Conservation agencies have highlighted a number of threats to the UK’s wild salmon population, from increasing water temperatures to river pollution

A Place With Passion

Robin Scott looks at what this year’s Midland Game Fair has in store and how it has evolved to remain relevant in an ever-changing world

U-turn On Use Of Dog Shock Collars

BASC says dogs’ lives are at risk, while the Kennel Club calls it an animal welfare victory, as electric collars are banned in Scotland

A Shopper's Paradise

For the shooter or fieldsports enthusiast, the British Shooting Show gives you the chance to try before you buy 

Gunroom

There is never a bad time to remind ourselves of our obligations when travelling with firearms, so make sure you know what the law requires

Weatherby Vanguard Range Certified .243

Bruce Potts tries a Vanguard Series 2 Range Certified rifle based on the Japanese Howa action, which has stood the test of time

New Maps A Wake-Up Call For Bird Crime Perpetrators

Government and rural groups have worked together to create a map revealing the worst locations for raptor persecution in a bid to crack down on bird crimes

BASC Confronts Council On Snares

West Sussex County Council has banned snaring without holding a consultation and despite having had no complaints about snare use

A-Hunting We Will Go

Snap shots are the order of the day when Richard Negus joins a syndicate in the Brecks and it’s as much about hunting as shooting 

These Quiet Friends

With two delightful books as Christmas gifts, David Tomlinson muses on that unbreakable bond between gundog and master

Country Diary

Associated with class issues and seen as rather daunting to prepare, game meat must be marketed better for the sake of the sport we love

Can We Find A Cure?

Wild Atlantic salmon stocks are suffering so we must change our ways, says Will Martin, who offers an alternative to the king of fish

Gamekeeper

The snap of cold weather at the end of 2017 tightened up the birds and provided great seasonal sport — as well a few valuable lessons

Licence Application Changes Pave Way For Online Service

Upcoming amendments to firearm and shotgun application forms have brought the possibility of online licensing one step closer and cleared up some ambiguity.

Sibling Revelries

A small family shoot in Bedfordshire run by four siblings provides a great and varied day for a team of Guns, as Will Martin discovers

Ready And Raring To Go

As the first day of the pheasant shooting season approaches, there is time to take stock and enjoy the beauty of the autumn countryside