Selection criteria
Sporting Gun|January 2021
Jon Snowdon recalls two memorable outings in the coronavirus-curtailed season
Jon Snowdon
Selection criteria

Can you believe that Christmas is nearly upon us? I think it fair to say that it has not been a normal year. I am not sure that we would have believed it had we known this time last year what was in store for us.

We did not get going until early June with the buck season, but despite the late start due to the dreaded COVID-19, the cull figure is what it should be, albeit with fewer of the very young bucks in the count. By the time we did get going, the youngsters that would have normally been reduced during April and May had either been chased off the ground by larger territorial bucks or pushed into thick cover on the boundaries, rarely to be seen. Who can blame them with days spent chased around the estates and hardly anywhere to hide? I would sit tight once I had found a haven.

There were, however, some notable mature bucks seen, of which two come to mind.

First

My colleague carried out a few tricky manoeuvres to get into a specific area that was a known favourite of a buck and one or two does. It was a wet area in places, meaning the plant life was varied, which is just what the roe deer is looking for; choice juicy buds and shoots that are full of energy. The roe deer is a very selective feeder that browses buds and shoots. It is not classed as a grazer that eats grass; its stomach is more primitive than the larger herd deer that are, on the whole, classed as grazers.

Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Sporting Gun.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Sporting Gun.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SPORTING GUNSe alt
Thermal spectrum
Sporting Gun

Thermal spectrum

Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2023
Roe, rucks and new ground
Sporting Gun

Roe, rucks and new ground

Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Sporting Gun

Tales from a lifetime of foxing

Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Fox rot about Charlie
Sporting Gun

Fox rot about Charlie

Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
The sniff of success
Sporting Gun

The sniff of success

Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Adventures of Nick & Ted
Sporting Gun

Adventures of Nick & Ted

A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Sporting Gun

The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system

Vet's advice

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs Q&A
Sporting Gun

Gundogs Q&A

No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Stop-start!
Sporting Gun

Stop-start!

Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Sporting Gun

Gundogs at the Game Fair

Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2023