CATEGORIES
Spectacular samphire
The crisp asparagus flavour of the marsh samphire now wins favour ahead of rock samphire, but it wasn’t always so, says John Wright
Marvel at the mayfly
It has been around for millions of years, yet we are still fascinated by the brief but brilliant life of the mayfly
RSPB claims big lockdown rise in raptor persecution
Shooting groups hit back hard as charity highlights 56 alleged incidents, most of which it claims were near sporting estates
Irish muntjac – myth or menace?
The tiny muntjac has an outsized environmental impact and sightings on the island of Ireland are causing alarm, explains Barry Stoffell
Opening up a can of worms
Social distinctions in fishing are relatively new and most regrettable, says Tom Fort
Ferreting fact or fable?
An old wives’ tale says that if you don’t breed from a female ferret she will die, but is this true? It’s a thorny subject, admits Simon Whitehead
Enjoying shooting's Golden Age
But when exactly was it? Did the Edwardians experience our sport’s finest hour or did it occur between the wars?
A murderous siege from above
Booming corvid numbers were causing a farmer to be anxious about his young lambs, so Mat Manning went over to put his mind at rest
When garden birds were fare game
From house sparrow to blackbird and even fieldfare, our cherished birds were once used to supplement bare larders, says Graham Lorne
White knuckles and wide eyes
As we learn there is to be little let-up on lockdown, we need a bit of escapism so Patrick Laurie shares some of his top reads
Jump at the chance
Some dogs are keener to jump than others but a cautious approach may well be the best and safest option, suggests David Tomlinson
By hook or by rook
How easy is it to shoot the famous ‘four and 20 blackbirds’ and is rook pie a ‘dainty dish’? Jamie Tusting is determined to find out
Country Diary
Now we are into late spring it is all systems go in the farming world, keeping one eye on the weather and the other on the new dairy herd
Where can you find a pigeon paradise?
You need lots of arable, plenty of woodland and an abundance of birds but which is the best pigeon shooting county, wonders Tom Payne
Beauty to make you cry
As lockdown continues, there is plenty of delight to be found outside and much birdsong to be savoured
A captive audience
The sanctuary at Peakirk provides an education in wildfowl, says Petrel, while the Borough Fen duck decoy is a nostalgic reminder of times past
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
Foxes are threatening to wipe out nesting waders so an ambush is set up — and techniques learned in the Royal Marines prove invaluable as Reynard takes his time
Holland & Holland's side-by-side-by-sides
Nearly two decades after it was challenged to do so, the gunmaker has produced a magnificent pair of 20-bore triple-barrelled guns
In pursuit of a large slab of silver
We do not need to venture abroad to land a leviathan; some British rivers carry the genetics for double-figure sea-trout
Treehouses, living the high life
With timeless appeal, whether balanced on branches or supported by stilts, treehouses enable visitors to look down on the world
Browning 725 Sporter
The changes to this version of the popular over-and-under are both cosmetic and functional, says Michael Yardley; it is a gun he would consider buying
The perfect playground
What makes the ideal sporting estate? Situation? Range of sport available? Luxury accommodation? Leading sporting land agents offer their opinions
Play at crystal palace
Was The Field of Cloth of Gold, the meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I 500 years ago this month, the greatest party ever thrown?
Calling on Dr Carrot and Potato Pete
During wartime rationing the British became both inventive and green-fingered. Culinary skills we are, perhaps, appreciating today
Art in the field
Argentinian sculptor Hernán Álvarez Forn tells Janet Menzies how a childhood among horses and the discovery of raku has shaped his work
A farewell to hounds
The role of huntsman or Master is a huge commitment for small remuneration. But handing back the horn isn’t easy, as several former incumbents explai
Shooting Clays Can Improve Your Game
Whilst a clay day will not exactly replicate time on the peg it is good practice – and could become an enjoyable activity in its own right
Tackling a tide of rats
Early morning flighting on the marsh reveals unwelcome companions —rats destroy nests, eggs and ducklings, so Tower-Bird goes on the attack
Sanity is restored
As the coronavirus crisis continues to weigh upon the population of County Kerry, the countryside offers a glorious escape for one besieged shooter and his setters
Play the long game with cover crops
The next shooting season will certainly look different but it is vital to keep everything ticking over, including your crops, says Liam Bell