CATEGORIES

Grouse — the ifs and butts

With the virus still lingering, there’s a huge question mark over the season ahead but it could still be glorious, says Patrick Laurie

A famous five

A gun that’s been owned by a hero of the shooting world can be worth a lot of money. Diggory Hadoke looks at five of the best

Eggsacting research

The eggs of wild birds were once considered expensive delicacies — but did their flavour really justify their price, muses John Wright

Gunroom

A Webley & Scott Model 100 proves to be the perfect choice for a first foray post-lockdown — it’s not a grand gun but it has a fascinating story

What the Romans did for us

In the mid-20th century the humble rabbit fell from grace as both food and sporting quarry, but people are starting to realise what they’ve been missing

Getting even with the crays

Richard Hardy issues a call to crustacean arms against the invasive signal crayfish

Country Diary

When almost half of turtle dove nests fail due to predators, surely the last great hope lies in the pragmatic hands of farmers and landowners

Don't ask, don't get

It can seem impossible to get permission to shoot over a farm but sometimes you just need to ask the right things.

Coast with the most

A young vizsla takes the show world by storm, achieving rare dual champion status with talent and good looks, says David Tomlinson

A new raft of predators

As the wild pheasant broods begin to hatch and get on the move, the focus of predator control starts to shift to mink, stoats and weasels

Access all arias

Richard Negus believes every shooter should have a ‘Luciano Pavarotti’ in their gun cabinet because, no matter where you are, it won’t let you down

A new alien invasion

As muntjac and Chinese water deer expand their range, Patrick Laurie considers how these bizarre non-native species would fare in Scotland

Sweetness and light

Since the 1880s the most enjoyable rods to fish with have been made from split cane so why don’t we all use them, wonders Edward Barder.

Toyota RAV4 hybrid Excel AWD £37,245

Toyota’s RAV4 was unveiled in 1994. It’s evolved in shape and style, but the latest incarnation is powered by futuristic witchcraft, says Ed Coles

The book of Dutteronomy

Like his father and his grandfather before him, Gary ‘Boy Dutter drags nets from a trawler to scoop flatfish — he is the last of his kind in Southwold

Will the springer ever bounce back?

The quintessential rough shooters’ dog is falling from favour — but why are so many of us shunning the springer spaniel, asks David Tomlinson

Shooting back on as COVID lockdown restrictions ease

In a welcome announcement, the Government confirmed that shooters in England can now return to the field to enjoy their sport once again

Power of a Shire with the speed of a sprinter

Once we all used a classic .22 rifle for pest control but Richard Hardy thinks the .17HMR has now well and truly knocked it off its perch

Gone with the wind

A new permission has great potential but Tom Payne’s plans are scuppered when the pigeon choose shelter over sustenance

Old dog, neat tricks

Don’t write off mature dogs — their slower, thorough approach to finding retrieves can make them invaluable, says Ellena Swift

Country Diary

Early summer is when the many benefits of habitat improvement are at their most glorious — and this year has been particularly bountiful

Back at the bunnies

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and Mat Manning’s first rabbit shooting outing post-lockdown proves it’s absolutely true

Man of modest means seeks small shoot

Everyone has thought about what it would be like to own a sporting patch and Patrick Laurie thinks it’s possible if you look hard enough

Targeting perfection

A switch to handmade ammunition is an eye-opener for Soldier Palmer

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