CATEGORIES
Country Diary
Far from being the problem, modern game management could well be the solution as we look to safeguard England’s important natural sites
Ants for the English
We don’t often think of ants as being vitally important but when they disappeared in 1970, the partridges went with them, writes Tower-Bird
Puppy love?
They’d steal pies and pilfer underpants, but Richard Negus looks back at his days of puppy walking with unexpected fondness
The good life
Six large pigs become the latest chapter in a year-long attempt not to buy meat
Wildfowlers face worrying future in sport's heartland
Clubs on the Morecambe Bay and Humber Estuary fight existential threat after Natural England refuses to renew crucial consents
The mighty stags of the English lowlands
Size isn’t everything but if you’re after a big red stag this season the Highlands aren’t the place to go looking says Patrick Laurie
Mercedes-Benz G-Class £94,000
It may be the glitzy 4x4 choice of oligarchs and footballers, but Ed Coles relishes the opportunity to put Stuttgart’s old stager to the test off-road
Lough Currane flyfishing
You couldn’t wish for a more idyllic experience than fly fishing on a wild Irish lough. But beneath the still waters, all is not well
Be brave: go exotic
David Tomlinson suggests some unusual gundog breeds for the adventurous Gun who fancies something a little bit different
Finding order in the chaos
As lockdown eases, Megan Rowland gets back out on the hill to be greeted by a thriving world, and a happy, unexpected sight
Back to basics
In a bid to boost his shoot-to-kill ratios, Simon Garnham goes back to school to reacquaint himself with the basic principles of shooting
Anti-shooting outfit wins judicial review
Wild Justice will get its day in court this October, causing concern for rural communities already struggling in the wake of the lockdown
A Plague Of Spiders
Delicious spider crabs are found in abundance off the coast of the UK, so why does nobody eat them any more?
Trappings of success in rat-catching quest
Designing and making your own rat traps can be a puzzling game of ‘cat and mouse’, but Soldier Palmer relishes the lockdown challenge
The cherry plum on top
These early-blooming edibles are a surprisingly common find and are delicious on their own or in a cherry vodka, notes John Wright
Suits you, sir
Forget love at first sight, buying a new gun should be a slow process, says Tom Payne
The fair and the foul
The fulmar is a kind-looking bird with an interesting history – and some unusual traits
Saving the Englishmen
In a bid to protect his linseed crop and a cherished pair of grey partridges, Simon Garnham sets out his decoys and gets to work
Country Diary
Nature is said to work in peaks and troughs, and 2020 is looking like being a bumper year for curlews. Now all they have to do is survive...
In search of your ferret's true colours
There is no truth in the idea that a ferret’s colour affects how it works, says Simon Whitehead, but it may have an impact on you
Muntjac Manoeuvres
Muntjac are much more likely to respond to the cry of a distressed family member than a potential mate
Give a little whistle
Calling in roe can be very effective but it takes time to get good at it, says Henry Tegner, and the prettiest calls aren’t always the bestw
What A Load Of Pollacks!
A beautiful afternoon, a deserted harbour and a little boat — all you need to catch a pollack for supper is a bit of luck, says Barry Stoffell
Where there's smoke
Meat has long been preserved and flavoured by curing and smoking, and it’s surprisingly easy to do it in your garden, says Tim Maddams
Ticking all the boxes
Dealing with the scourge of ticks comes with the territory for dog owners — but it’s a battle that can be won, insists David Tomlinson
Salvation in County Durham
Emerging, slowly, from the deprivations of lockdown, now is the time to savour the beauty we are lucky to have all around us
Rural craft
In the 21st century, many old skills are no longer needed; we celebrate those that part of our rich rural culture
Money well spent
Paying a guide to put you under geese lacks the joy of finding birds yourself but it can still be a fine experience, writes Jamie Tusting
Love thine enemy
It is a strange irony of pest control that the more time you spend out in the field shooting vermin, the more you come to respect your target species as remarkable foe
Life after lockdown
The COVID-19 crisis may have strengthened the bond between you and your dogs, writes Ellena Swift, but now’s the time to plan ahead