What constitutes a ‘big bag’ in shooting. Is it 150, 200, 300 birds? A big bag in shooting For all the talk, what counts as a big bag in shooting?…
Alasdair Mitchell
Why a bit of moderation in shooting right now might not be a bad thing
Could a shortage of imported gamebirds for this coming season signal structural change in driven game shooting? In years to come, will we look back and recognise this season as…
Observe and report but don’t get involved in rural law enforcement
What do you do if you are on your own in the countryside and you come across somebody behaving suspiciously? Those of us who have been permitted to own firearms…
Firearms licensing departments and WFH: Alasdair Mitchell has his say
I received a ‘do not reply’ email the other day from the section of Defra that deals with mapping farms. Somebody decided to delete part of my farm from the…
The joys of solo stalking
Some years ago, my wife was so busy at work that she proposed to hire somebody to exercise her horse. I remarked that this was like me paying somebody to…
Sourcing biodegradable wads: Alasdair Mitchell is on the case
One day, in my dim and distant youth, I noticed a wisp of fishing line hanging from the mouth of my sister’s horse. My blood froze as I recalled that…
Revoking a firearms certificate: Alasdair Mitchell comments
Like it or not, society has decided that those of us with legally held firearms should not be allowed the full rights of a free-born citizen, as first enshrined in…
Sustainable ammo: why you should try it and make up your own mind
Last season, I was assured by a fellow wildfowling club member that the shotguns being used on sustainable ammo demonstration days had been wrecked by steel shot. Naturally, I checked…
Why rights to roam are causing more accidents
As people are given ever wider rights to roam on land where there is livestock, is it any wonder that numbers of accidents are increasing? Rights to roam We are…
Trespassing vehicles – in the countryside, trouble often comes on wheels.
In the countryside, trouble often comes on wheels with trespassing vehicles. Serious acts of poaching, hare coursing, badger digging, illegal off-road driving, fly-tipping, farmyard thefts, hunt sabs… In all these…
Security cabinets – concealment is the thing
I am becoming a security addict. How else can I explain a predilection for reading BS 7558? That’s the British standard for gun cabinets. And then there is the 51-page…
Why gamekeepers are the best sustainable farmers
The word ‘sustainability’ is buzzing like a swarm of bees. But what does it mean for fieldsports? The simplest definition of sustainability is this: doing something today in a way…
GP fees for firearms licences – why should we expect a free service?
There are still some shooters who think GPs should be expected to provide a free service for shotgun certificate applicants. This is unrealistic. It seems to me that GPs have…
Are these the best places to go stalking in Scotland?
I have to admit that I haven’t shot a red stag for years. These days, I tend to stalk hinds, for budgetary reasons. Yet money is a renewable resource, whereas…
What happened when a dog walker enjoying a stroll on private land complained about the gameshooting there …
A clash in a local paper demonstrates the need to respect each other's space
Non-lead rifle ammunition put to the test
Oh, the joys of moving to non-lead rifle ammunition. No, I’m not being sarcastic. I had forgotten how much fun testing new ammunition can be. Especially when it goes well.…
How to choose a stalking knife
Once, when I was 13, I had been ferreting and needed to hock a couple of rabbit carcasses in order to hang them on my bicycle handlebars. I was finding…
Steel shot vs lead – why I switched a while ago
Steel shot vs lead I suspect that most shooters realise that lead is dead. It’s only a matter of when. I am not going to reiterate the arguments for steel…
Why do we use gun slips and cases?
Gun cases that catch the wind Are we overly protective of our rifles? Are we over-using padded slips out in the field? Rifles are designed to be used outdoors, in…
Selfish Shots can be found everywhere, even on the foreshore
Stories of selfish Shots There is a story about a business tycoon who held the lease on a famous grouse moor. One day, he rang the keeper and asked for…