CATEGORIES
Forging ahead
Few village forges exist outside racing country or the shires; however, the fires are still burning bright for blacksmithing and farriery
A vet is for life
Or, at least, this used to be the case. Today, many private practices are being bought up by corporate ventures. David Tomlinson bemoans the loss of the personal touch
Planting trees for profit and posterity
We all want more trees, that’s agreed; however, we must balance the competing interests of rewilding schemes and commercial forestry
Arthur's eight-bore returns to the marshes
Having inherited an old R Scott behemoth, there’s no better place to use it than on a wild day on the foreshore – its rightful home
The toughest part of the Macnab Challenge?
Grassing a salmon and bagging a brace require considerable fieldcraft but that third component of a Macnab, the stag, requires, in addition, physical fitness for the hill and rifle skills to satisfy a professional stalker
Why you should eat your greens
And so much more, for the wild cabbage – and its many descendants – is associated with health, wealth, romance and more
William Powell Viscount
So, the side-by-side has had its day, has it? Not if this bespoke model is anything to go by. Michael Yardley is happy to find a traditional gun that dares to be a bit different
A dazzling partridge day on Exmoor
The landscape at Molland would still be familiar to Lorna Doone, though now lively partridges soar over its V-shaped valleys
Hunting Boots To Last A Lifetime
Bespoke boots are a significant investment, however, they offer protection, comfort and unsurpassable style
Trials and tribulation
The Kennel Club has issued extensive guidance for staging field trials during the pandemic. David Tomlinson wades through the protocol
An everlasting call
Wildfowlers yearn for 1 September, even though they know they’ll likely blank, but heading out is a fine tradition worth upholding
The past is a grey area
The wild English partridge was once abundant and had a complex relationship with man that remains to this day, says Patrick Laurie
Meet the Euro stars
Europe is home to a mind-boggling number of gundog breeds. Here David Tomlinson sorts the braque d’Auvergne from the pudelpointer
Greys' anatomy
Perdix perdix provided great sport but the redleg has taken over — it’s a different quarry and should be treated as such, believes Alex Keeble
The Royal revolution
Holland & Holland is renowned for its classically elegant Royal guns, which are much coveted and much copied, reveals Diggory Hadoke
Not a walk in the park
Whether you’re a young Shot or much older, for safety’s sake, strict etiquette must be adhered to when walking-up partridge, says Petrel
Flat out with Lizzie
With Sika returning to her owner, Ellena Swift has a new recruit — a flatcoat retriever, a breed that takes patience but can be well worth it
Four Steps To Shooting Partridges Like A Pro
When faced with a sporting challenge that demands sound technique and the right attitude, preparation is everything, says Simon Reinhold
Looking good
Shoots are responding well to the COVID challenge, says vet Dr Kenny Nutting
The paths to conflict
Peter Theobald talks about his increased number of encounters with the public, who do not always understand what goes on in the countryside
The right gun for you
Tony Bracci looks at some things to consider when choosing a gun, be it new or second-hand, expensive or cheap
The attraction of decoys
Geoff Garrod rediscovers the joys of some useful aids to help him with his job
Family business
Tom Sykes reminisces about a 1 September fowling trip with his father and brother as they looked to kick the new season off with a bang – and a full bag
A worthy opponent
Piecemeal control will not work with the redoubtable rabbit
An historical romance
Rachel Draper talks about her love of English guns, gunmaking and how lucky she feels to be involved with these things on a daily basis
A bright spark
Robert Morgan looks at a gun commissioned by naval officer Captain Thomas Dilke, with three ignition methods
BASC To Challenge Exclusion From Welsh Licences Review
BASC is to challenge a High Court decision to refuse to give it ‘interested party’ status in a legal action by Wild Justice.
RIFLE TEST -Anschütz Model 1761 .22 rimfire £1,295
It might not be very pretty but this smart rifle cleverly blends great handling with accuracy in a compact package, says Bruce Potts
Wild excitement
A thriving grey partridge population in a little corner of north-east Dorset proves the value of a truly joined-up approach to conservation
Galloway's Holy Grail
The famous Macnab is a tougher prospect now than ever before, but it remains the ultimate sporting challenge