CATEGORIES
Spirits in the snow
Arctic weather brought with it the duck and other fowl, but too much of it and the smaller birds and waders starved to death, recalls Alan Savory
Doing it differently
Covid has seen walked-up days being offered on the Burghley estate, says Jamie Tusting
Turn up for the books
Gamebooks are a fascinating insight into an estate’s shooting past or a Gun’s sporting life. Richard Negus delves into the pages of history
Bigger picture of a mosaic
Focusing on habitat can ensure our countryside is a haven for snipe, lapwing, curlew and redshank
A moveable feast
To keep the drives full of birds, they must have food and water or they will wander — and they might not come back, warns Liam Bell
Get Ready For Winter
Dave Barham reveals his tips and tricks for hunting rabbits during the colder months
Covering every inch
Shooting rabbits over spaniels is exciting but efficiency is key, says Nick Ridley
Hear the roar of the 4-bore
A 150-year-old piece of history is taken out to the saltmarshes for a dawn flight — but it proves too hot to handle for Simon Garnham
The cult of October
The early part of the season is the perfect time for hunting along thick old-fashioned hedgerows and all you need is a dog and a gun, says WC
Stamina is a Given trait
Restoring the working springer’s reputation for staying power is a labour of love for a couple in Ireland, as David Tomlinson discovers
Don't rock the boat...
An evening spent in the wake of 18th-century duck shooters highlights the timeless nature of our sport and serves as a reminder of the precariousness of small boats
Slow down and savour
Modern living is at hectic pace; we should take the example of our forebears and make the most of our leisure time, says Sam Carlisle
It'll come out in the wash
The alien landscape of the Cambridgeshire Fens nurtures all kinds of duck and Richard Negus falls in love with the wild west
Adventure on the school run
Pigeon will feed wherever they like — which is all part of the challenge, says Tom Payne
Add crows for luck
With maize stubbles attracting all kinds of avian pests and a shotgun ambush out of the question, Mat Manning opts for a subtle approach
Right To Roam Keeps Deer On The Move
As if the financial hit from coronavirus isn’t enough to contend with, ramblers and sea eagles are posing a challenge, says Megan Rowland
Joining the Dots and planning a Budget
Tawny takes a back seat as her off spring are taken out for their first lesson — but sometimes you need experience, says Simon Whitehead
Giving the very high birds your best shot
Barrel length has changed over the years, and preferences differ but is longer always better for reaching tall birds, asks Simon Reinhold
Forget rats and eels, this is the creel thing
Various DIY efforts have brought ridicule but not much else, so the next project seems doomed to fail — but Soldier Palmer strikes gold
Food for thought on shooting day feasts
Feeding hungry Guns and beaters is a central part of the shoot day ritual. Rose Prince explains how to make lunch a fitting celebration
Don't give antis ammo — follow COVID precautions
Shooting groups have stressed the importance of obeying virus control measures after a photo appeared to show fowlers not social distancing
Testing times for labs
The diminishing labrador gene pool means the UK’s favourite breed is open to a host of hereditary diseases, as David Tomlinson explains
The dale of plenty
Botanists from across the world descend on Teesdale to study a unique mix of plant species found only in this corner of England
Come one, come all
The small but friendly Highfield shoot in West Yorkshire prides itself on both its inclusivity and its ability to produce spectacular sport for visiting Guns
Where the land screams ‘snipe'
Assorted dogs and a shared passion makes a day spent on the marshes paradise for Richard Negus
Taste Of Fowling Fit For A King
Wildfowling by its nature is largely practised in dreadful conditions at ungodly hours and Richard Negus doesn’t want to put his son off
In tune with the moon
For the ancients, life revolved around lunar phases, which measured time, heralded the changing seasons – and even caused madness
Strong coffee and steelhead
With feisty fish and striking scenery, British Columbia’s Nass River has much to offer fl y-fishers – after that early-morning espresso
Lord Ripon The greatest shot of all t ime
Some personal reminiscences of a giant of the shooting field who was chiefly proud of his billiards
Land Rover Defender 110S
The iconic Land Rover Defender is a tough act to follow but Charlie Flindt seeks the original’s soul in the brilliant, all-new, high-tech version