CATEGORIES
RSPB gives mixed message on shooting
Having recently attended the RSPB’s virtual AGM, Conor O’Gorman discusses the outcome of the charity’s year-long review of game bird shooting
Causeway for concern
Alan Jarrett’s renewed interest in reading takes him down memory lane to an offshore island duck flight that very nearly ended in disaster
Through a purple patch
The Garrows Estate is taking a conservation-focused approach to restoring the wildlife populations and biodiversity on the Scottish heather moorland.
When the wheels fall off
Losing form on a day’s shooting can be infuriating, especially if you’ve been shooting like a god up to that point. Simon O’Leary looks at some common causes and how to remedy them
Beaches, books & bad behaviour!
The annual Kay family vacation to Northumberland offers a chance to give the cockers a blast on the beach – although they don’t always shower themselves in glory, as Ryan Kay recalls...
Using the Stop whistle
Now you’ve instilled the basics, it’s time to up the ante with some more tricky distance work. Howard Kirby explains how to take the core Stop whistle command to the next level
The humble teal
They may be tiny, but as far as Rupert Butler is concerned, the appeal of this little duck is huge. He recalls some of his most memorable nights in pursuit of these aerial acrobats
Fab all-rounder
Mike is impressed with the Fabarm Elos B2 Field Notte, which offers great value for money, is suited to fieldwork or clays and is future-proofed for use with steel in all choke constrictions
CALL OF THE WILD
Dom Holtam reconnects with one of the purest forms of shotgun shooting as he walks-up woodcock over pointing dogs in the Scottish Highlands
A yen for the Fens
Tony Jackson recounts a memorable duck flight over an area of Fenland in Norfolk with his friend and author, the late Alan Savory
Keeping Your Poults Happy
With the poults safely settled in their new home, Paul is busy trying to keep them happy and healthy – not helped by the biblical rain that set in just days after release
THE FOUR GROUSETIERS
The Rough Rovers get the season off to a glorious start with a walked-up grouse day in Cumbria that provides some truly memorable moments
People are the heart of conservation
A new GWCT campaign, Working for Wildlife, is putting the spotlight on Britain’s ‘working conservationists’, explains James Swyer
Northern firths
Since the first seed of interest was planted, Alan’s wildfowling passion has taken him to incredible places all over the world, but the northern firths stand out as particularly special
Lead shot ban on the horizon?
Conor O’Gorman runs through some of the new EU lead shot restrictions, which could be adopted by the UK government despite Brexit
Carted off to oblivion
Adam Smith recalls a short-lived and less than successful career move, after which he eventually and reluctantly admitted defeat to... a game cart
SMALL IS MIGHTY
The British Game Alliance’s vision for a healthy game market and sustainable shooting sector is one that even the smallest shoot can get on board with, says chief executive Liam Stokes
Uncovering a gem
Rupert Butler recalls an evening flight at a newly uncovered spot that nearly became memorable for all the wrong reasons!
Unsolved mystery
Diggory Hadoke works his magic to resurrect a ‘nice little wand’ that proves to be a mystery from start (as a supposed 28-bore) to finish (as a reworked .410)!
Birds over barley
As summer ebbs into autumn, Andy Crow is out protecting the winter drillings from the pigeons that have been attracted by a proliferation of barley stubbles
Steel Yourself For A Shock!
A day spent shooting steel through his old English side-by-side produces some surprising results for Sam, as he addresses some common misconceptions about this lead alternative
The heat is on
Deano gets out on some freshly cut rape stubble to take care of any unwelcome foxy visitors ahead of the arrival of the shoot’s birds – and takes a few tricks up his sleeve with him!
Bean and gone
Andy Crow and cousin Gary are out shooting over stubbles – standard for this time of year! It’s a slow start, but some lumpy ground and a bean bonanza leads to a fantastic result
Silver service!
Hot off the ‘bench’ comes the all-new Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III – the latest gun from the Gardonne giant. Mike is one of the first to get his hands on it – and it doesn’t disappoint...
Perfect partridge
Your pre-season practice may have been limited, but that doesn’t mean your first shoot day needs to be too. Follow Simon O Leary’s advice to make the most of your September sessions
The cocker craze
Unscrupulous breeders cashing in on the demand for puppies during lockdown is bad news for cocker spaniels and their often mismatched new owners, says Ryan Kay
MIST OPPORTUNITIES
When the Rough Rovers follow a keeper friend to a new estate that’s in need of some TLC, they are treated to a brilliant walked-up day they didn’t expect
Man's best friend
...or man’s master? Rupert looks at the behaviour of our canine companions in the field and, with some examples of seriously questionable bidability, asks, who’s really in charge here?
Life's a breeze!
It might hamper fishing expeditions during the summer, but when it comes to evenings on the foreshore, even gale-force conditions can work in the wildfowler’s favour, says Alan Jarrett
A brief encounter
Mick Garvey explains how a chance meeting with a paddock owner on one rabbit permission led to the acquisition of another nearby – and a successful night’s shooting