CATEGORIES

A Wander In Clumberland

Charles Hartley recalls his best sporting day of 2019 — a rough day out with his Clumber spaniel, Bertie, and plenty of species on offer

Is January The Finest Month?

As far as mean temperatures are concerned this month is the new December — but this is good news for shooters, says Ed Wills

Review - Umarex Walther PPQ

Jef Lockyer of the UBC brings us a hands-on review of the Umarex Walther PPQ

When Love Grows Cold

Phil Hardman has dating advice for those seeking a new relationship

Don't bid in ego auction

We all like to think we can bring down the odd towering bird but how many of us can really judge distance accurately, asks Simon Reinhold

Continent-crossing canine expats

Some ‘native’ dog breeds are now more popular abroad than at home — but at least it’s a two-way exchange, says Jeremy Hobson

An ardent and capable defender

In his short life, punt-gunner Archie Blackett achieved renown and fought for the sport he loved. His nephew Jamie Blackett pays tribute

A whirling, floating massed army

A trip to a low-lying Essex stubble brings vintage 10-bores into play and sparks a touch of goose fever in Simon Garnham’s young son

That snipe is toast

Walking-up snipe and wigeon on a wild, windswept estuary in west Wales provides cracking sport, challenging birds — and free meals for Adam Hart’s lucky university friends

Savouring a lengthy loiter like Savory

In the second part of our series on fowling in the footsteps of the greats, Richard Negus chases geese on a Great Yarmouth marsh

Hearts and minds

Stay friendly with public and police this winter and we will all reap the rewards for stalking and deer management, says Richard Hardy

Dacia Duster Comfort

With 4x4 now an option on the all-new Duster, Ed Coles finds himself with a good opportunity to give it a proper off-road test at his local shoot

Creatures and discomfort

Who would be mad enough to spend a cold night shooting rodents on a muddy farm? Anyone who loves ratting, according to Mat Manning

Shooting sprites with Clint Eastwood

For the modern bounty hunter, wild and westerly Ireland provides a worthy opponent in the snipe. Missing, however, is unforgiven

Purdey Trigger Plate Sporter

This latest, all-London-made iteration of Purdey’s over-and-under is the gunmaker’s response to a collective interest in sporting clays. Superlatives are in order, says Michael Yardley

Handsome was as handsome did

Before the Victorians created the concept of pedigree, working dogs were defined by their purpose and bred accordingly

THE KENT FANTASY FOUR

The winning ticket in a GWCT raffle proves to be the perfect prize: four fabulous drives on shoots in Kent to share with friends

Cigars to savour

Churchill likened smoking one to falling in love; lighting a cigar certainly adds an air of celebration

A touch of quality

A traditional pack, the Midlands-based Grove & Rufford offers proper country and exceptional resilience

Rugged up and raring to go

You’d rug up a thoroughbred after a race, so why not a gundog after a drive or day on the foreshore? David Tomlinson finds in favour of dog coats for working breeds

A mid-winter Macnab, on a fly

Tempting a pike from the depths to satisfy an American guest’s New Year wish proves tricky – but not impossible…

When sorrel seems to be the hardest word

It may not be the sexiest of wild plants but common sorrel’s lovely leaves can be used in sweet or savoury dishes, says Tim Maddams

Raise a glass to the Brewery

A Suffolk shoot boasts record numbers of amber-listed bird species and bucks several national trends.

Where you'll find black grouse in igloos

They were the Roman army’s staple diet and we barely remember them but the meat of the black grouse is divine, says Soldier Palmer

Finding a silver lining

Is there such a thing as a fantastic dog that’s a bad colour? Some may think so but conformation is more important.

Roll up for the Tawny show

There are bunnies in the pipes and it’s great to watchdogs and ferrets work, so Simon Whitehead gives his lurcher centre stage

A history of field trialling

Modern breeds are either champion in field trials or on the show bench. But that hasn’t always been the case

Night of the long dogs

A rainy and foggy night in the Yorkshire Dales promises little rabbit action but lamping with lurchers proves a success

A brief flash of brilliant blue

Tiny it may be but most anglers would agree that the strikingly colored kingfisher is worth a king’s ransom for barely a glimpse

Spring For A Bargain

Cockers are one of the most popular gundog breeds but the springer has its virtues and is a most effective hunter, says David Tomlinson