CATEGORIES
Country Diary
Changes to snaring laws have made predator control tricky but there are now five badgers for every fox, which adds another complication
Birds in their splendour
The magnificent sight of more than 400 birds, most of them quarry species, proves a temptation too far for Simon Garnham
No mountain too high for top springer Heidi
A total of 64 dogs took part in the 90th AV spaniel championship and the stunning setting made it a day to remember, says Ellena Swift
Gamekeeper
In my end is my beginning — for some the season might be over but for keepers it’s time to clean pens, control predators and order poults
Law and out of order
David Frost says numerous police forces in England and Wales are flouting the law when it comes to firearms licensing and a robust response is required
Notes from a small island
Ed Cook recounts his latest ‘adventure’ with his friends, furry and otherwise, on Canna
Heavy metal blues
The initiative by the shooting groups to phase out lead shot has raised more questions than it has given answers, says Robin Scott
Soldier arms
Charles Smith-Jones admires the rugged capability of the Mossberg 590 Persuader, a model favoured by the US military
Game theory
Wild Justice has turned its attention to the release of gamebirds. Patrick Hook addresses the salient issues with regard to predators
Velvet glove approach
Jon Snowdon addresses sustainable culling and how this affects woodland management
Gear test
Adam Cope gives his verdict on the Sologne Skintane Optimum hunting trousers and Grand Nord hunting jacket from Percussion
Alpine rifle reaches the heights
Tom Cackett says the Haenel Jaeger 9 proves that good things come in small packages
A cheap shot
After facing controversy, Nick Ridley considers what is an ‘unsporting’ bird
The problem: Protein in diets
It seems to me that protein levels in diets obsess people. I admit to being confused as to how much dogs need. So, how much? Vet’s advice Neil McIntosh SG’s gundog health expert
Ready for action
Having finally emerged from the wettest of winters, it is time to step up crucial preparations for the stalking season, says Richard Hardy
No guarantees with this most wily foe
Over the years, fox shooting kit has become very hi-tech but many of the basic principles for success remain the same, says Liam Bell
When it comes to the crunch
Finding the right diet for your gundog is tricky; do you go gluten-free or dry, or should you try raw only? Ellena Swift looks at the options
Ford Raptor Ranger
The versatile Ranger has been given a Ford Performance upgrade and the impressive new Raptor can handle anything Ed Coles throws at it
Taking it on the chin
High winds add spice to an afternoon in a beech and fir wood, where Tom Payne gets his eye in
Citizen science: why the bird count matters
This year’s Big Farmland Bird Count smashes previous records and red-listed species appear to be benefiting from conservation work
Porche versus Polo
The cost of insuring your dog should be linked to the healthiness of the breed, says David Tomlinson, who advocates a ‘group’ system
Ammo, amas, amat
There is nothing Britain’s best-known ferreter loves more than a day in the North Yorkshire hills and he decides it is time to put steel shot to the test
Turning tables on the greedy greys
A test to find out which bait has top pulling power when trying to lure grey squirrels out of the trees confirms Mat Manning’s suspicions
A memento — or a lifesaver?
Charles Smith-Jones argues trophy hunting is vital for wildlife and local communities
Resurrecting a Purdey rook rifle
After searching for a decade, the writer finally acquired a now-obsolete rook rifle. But could the Purdey, formerly the property of a 19th-century playboy, be adapted for muntjac?
Letting our oldest vertebrate back in
Glaciers and waterwheels have blocked the path of the salmon, our oldest native vertebrate. Can it, yet again, stage a comeback?
Rage against the machine
Do those ‘Buy’ buttons really conspire against you, wonders Roger Field. Or is it just that too many of us have the same impeccably good taste?
Of love and lettuces
As we hand over Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies, it’s timely to consider the worship of fertility throughout the ages
FAIR Iside 20-bore
This lightweight, Italian side-by-side won’t break the bank – but it had no trouble breaking clays. Michael Yardley is impressed
Battle for the uplands
The cessation of grouse-moor management will end a way of life – and perhaps call time for a number of our iconic species, too