Upland keeper

A timely study has confirmed what many of us already knew — a sense of belonging to the countryside community is good for our well-being

Country Diary

December days may be all too brief, but an early morning riverside excursion with the rifle is a rewarding way to keep winter blues at bay

A golden age

The arrival of the railways made fieldsports more accessible, writes Graham Downing

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

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

Nature's silver lining

Not only is the silver birch one of our most beautiful woodland trees, it also provides a home and food for hundreds of insects and birds

How fares the fox?

Far from benefiting our vulpine population, the hunting ban has seen a sharp decline in both fox numbers and health, says Adrian Dangar

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

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

Best Left For The Laddies, Ladies And Old-Timers?

The lightweight 20-bore is often said to be preferable to a 12-bore for those long walked-up days, but Diggory Hadoke has his doubts

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

The gloriousness of late-season grouse

After the flurry and fanfare of the Twelfth, the grouse become more independent and quicker to fly; Patrick Laurie rises to our challenge

The wild west

Patience pays off for Mike Swan during a goose shooting jaunt to south-west Scotland

Speed, agility and a beak for danger

Unpredictable in every way, the wild pheasant will always provide the greatest test, says Ed Wills

Oh, to be a big red stag

Stalking in Ireland is facing a ‘perfect storm’ of COVID-19 lockdowns, plummeting prices and hunting licence delays, says Barry Stoffell