When I embarked on my fox-shooting career, things were markedly different from today. Initially, very few of us specialised in fox shooting, and those who did were largely motivated by the financial rewards the skins brought. The same was true for rabbits. Rabbiting rights were purchased and, given the vast numbers of rabbits existing in those pre-myxomatosis days, the sale of rabbits and their skins could be very lucrative. Nevertheless, it paled in comparison to the extremely profitable trade in fox skins.
Fast forward to today and the market for fox pelts has vanished, rabbit populations in many areas have plummeted to an all-time low, and one would be hard-pressed to make a living from rabbit and fox skins as I did all those years ago. It's safe to say that apart from gamekeepers and those protecting livestock from fox predation, the majority of foxes are shot for sport. In fact, foxing has evolved into a distinct branch of shooting sports, with a whole new industry, especially regarding specialised night vision equipment, burgeoning around it.
Old ways, new gear
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Sporting Gun.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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
Roe, rucks and new ground
Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them
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
Fox rot about Charlie
Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane
The sniff of success
Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion
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
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Vet's advice
Gundogs Q&A
No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts
Stop-start!
Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice
