CATEGORIES

The healing power of sport

Laurence Catlow explores what to do if you’re hit with a bad bout of depression

The light must be right on the night

Flighting geese under the moon is an enthralling experience for any fowler, says Soldier Palmer, but only if the weather is in your favour

His pride and joy

It’s time for Charlie to get his first air rifle and there is no better place for a young sportsman to make his choice than a proper gun shop

Follow the rule of five

A good farm shoot encapsulates the very best of our sport and even the smallest of days can be made special

Country Diary

Defra’s review into the impact of gamebird release highlights that the best way to combat Wild Justice is through rigorously tested science

Blowing its trumpet

The trumpet chanterelle is one of the tastiest wild mushrooms and one of the easiest for fungi foragers to identify, says John Wright

Second Lockdown A Fresh Blow For Large-Scale Shoots

Recreational game shooting in England must cease; however, shooting by individuals may continue as long as Government guidance is followed

A New Lease Of Life For A ‘Legendary' 20-Bore

Restored to its former glory, Army and Navy No 15871 is in the hands of a fourth generation — and Mike Swan isn’t quite ready to give it up

The Percy: hunting as it should be

As Old English hounds cross this stunning country, community is as much a part of a day in Northumberland as the unceasing sport

THOMAS BECKET, THE MAKING OF A SAINT

Before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury he was the sidekick of the king. What changed?

Geese at first light or on a moon-flight

Morning flight is the surest source of spectacle for a wildfowler but a moonlit night can offer a touch of magic

Fly-fishing adventures in Chilean Patagonia

Wild places, pristine waters and plentiful trout are the hallmarks of a trip to this South American rainforest – with a touch of luxury to bookend the day

Calligraphy: pictures in words

The good news is neat handwriting isn’t a prerequisite of success with a calligraphy pen, as several leading artists in ink explain

Art in the field

As an en plein air artist, Wiltshire-based Oliver Akers Douglas has a deep connection with the landscape, as he explains to Janet Menzies

A break with tradition

We are creatures of habit, says David Tomlinson, often sticking with the same breed of canine companion throughout our lives. Would you dare to be different?

The Proper Balance Of A Sporting Gun

An unusual item discovered in the Long Room at James Purdey & Sons demonstrates not only gun balance but the firm’s professionalism

Pony-Mad Moments Captured On Canvas

No artist understood the bond between young rider and pony better than Anne Bullen, as a new exhibition illustrates

It's Christmas, But Not As We Know It

From keeping carp in a Czech bathtub to shooting ptarmigan for the Icelandic table, we look at festive traditions and customs across the continent

Tearing after rabbits

The local rat hound pack has been disbanded but Honey the terrier is no slouch when it comes to nosing out quarry

How we can help nurture our wonderful woodcock

This elusive gamebird makes for exciting winter sport but it is a precious resource to be harvested with restraint

Standing test of time

Wise words on gundog training can be found in a host of classic books published many decades ago, as David Tomlinson discovers

How does the public perceive our sport?

With the future of fieldsports under the spotlight, Alasdair Mitchell examines how attitudes to shooting have changed in recent decades

Game on a plate Freddie Innes

We know we should be eating more game but Richard Negus finds it doesn’t need to be boring when cooked by a MasterChef semi-finalist

Making it a moveable feast

By feeding with a combination of finesse and cunning, keepers can cater for their gamebirds, help wildlife to thrive and deter scavengers

Hunting in the ancient world

The joy of being out with friends in pursuit of quarry is eternal, says Philip Womack

Faith, hope and clarity

As the second national lockdown forces game shoots back under tough restrictions, it is important to communicate

An impossible tusk?

A grey squirrel, a muntjac and a Chinese water deer make up the Bedford — an alternative Macnab for East Anglia

Pike for all seasons

A fortuitous diversion provides inspiration to try for a pike but will this notoriously tricky adversary play ball, wonders Jamie Tusting

Sport over the acorns

The leaves coming off the trees provides an opportunity for Tom Payne to deploy an old trick cooked up by the late Archie Coats

The good life

The home-cured bacon is a hit, but there’s no more sustainable meat than wild duck