Everybody tells me that consumerism is over and it’s all about experiences now. If so, Simpson Brothers in Cambridgeshire – as well as having a splendidly stocked gun shop – may also have the perfect present for somebody keen on fieldsports. On offer are vouchers for three experiences for novice shooters or people looking to try a different shooting discipline. They are: clay shooting, deer stalking and rifle shooting. All three experiences are run by qualified instructors and conducted on a one-to-one basis.
As you are reading Sporting Gun, I am going to assume that you have used a shotgun. As such, I’m going to focus on the two rifle-based experiences, both run by Andy Papworth. Andy has been stalking since he was 17, which gives him 35-plus years of experience. He’s calm, softly spoken and patient, with a slightly mischievous sense of humour, and possessed of a great deal of knowledge. He has been managing a deer park in Kent for the past 20 years as well as running stalking syndicates in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. His passion for deer management is obvious from the moment you meet him and he’s keen to stress the ‘management’ element of stalking. Not that he’s against people who want to shoot a trophy stag or buck – he just has a passion for looking after the countryside, wild deer, protecting woodland and putting healthy venison on the table. All the aspects and aims of deer management are explained.
Thermal spectrum
Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared
Roe, rucks and new ground
Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades
Fox rot about Charlie
Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane
The sniff of success
Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion
Adventures of Nick & Ted
A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Vet's advice
Gundogs Q&A
No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts
Stop-start!
Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice
