I recently stumbled upon a woodcock’s nest in the forest above my house. This was a major coup for me and I marvelled at the beautiful eggs in their little…
Shooting Times
Homeloading shotgun cartridges: what you need to know
Among shooting types there is a growing trend for homeloading your own shotgun cartridges.
A guide to ageing woodcock
Ageing woodcock by examining their wing feathers is a useful skill to learn. It is a way we can help to discover more about the population trends of this migratory…
The lurcher – a designer cross-breed dog
The lurcher is not a breed but a variety of ‘types’ arrived at by accident. Mating a running dog such as a whippet, greyhound or deerhound to a non running…
Working dog hazards to watch out for in the field
I sometimes think back over the countless hours I have spent in the countryside with my dogs. Whether it was roost shooting, wildfowling, rough shooting, pigeon decoying, beating, standing on…
The problem with running Larsen traps
A hotbed of social media controversy surrounds the use of Larsen traps. Seeing wild gamebirds beginning to pair up for the breeding season, the timing is right for me to…
How long should you hang a deer carcass?
When should a disembowled deer carcus be moved into a refrigerator?
Gun safety catch – should it be automatic on all guns?
Intercepting safety sears on the tumbler of a gun are supposed to stop accidental discharges if the gun is dropped, or jarred, by accident.
Is this the best way of “dogging-in?”
Dogging-in means using a dog to push straying pheasants from the boundaries of a shoot back into the middle. It’s a major job for keepers during October and can sometimes…
Changes to antique firearms regulations
With the passage of the Antique Firearms Regulations 2021, British law includes the definition of what constitutes an antique firearm for the first time in legal history. Previously, there was…
Terrier breeds: are they born anarchists?
Most, if not all of the terrier breeds bring a smile to our faces, whether the smug condescension of the handler of well-trained gundogs or the rictus of embarrassment that comes…
English roe review 2020
The impact of COVID-19 on both professional and amateur hunters alike has been extraordinary. It is interesting that, despite the pandemic, we still evaluated 1,014 heads of all species last…
Is the side-by-side shotgun history?
“Snobbery and inheritance are the only reasons why people use a side-by-side.” So said one keen Shot, once described as the best of his generation. “But I’m not that bothered. I…
Are you eligible for Woodcock Club membership?
2019 was a vintage year for the Shooting Times Woodcock Club, with 39 new members — compared with 19 the previous year. Current membership is over 1,400. Applications to…
Roast pheasant – simply delicious
Earlier on in the season roast pheasant is the best way to cook a young bird. The meat is tender and roasting it will bring out the flavour. Later on…
The skill of caring for pheasant poults successfully
My pheasant poults came yesterday, so by the time you read this they will have been here for a few weeks. The birds look good, all well-feathered and around seven…
Stalking sika deer in Sutherland, Scotland
An early morning stalk in a snowy landscape. The stalkers discuss tactics and survey the horizon. A small herd of sika is quickly sighted and one of the number despatched.…
The pointing dog’s stare
There's an art to training pointing dogs, but once in position, it can take even more skill to move them out of their catatonic stance
How to choose the right clay cartridge
Here are some of the key questions you need to ask when choosing clay cartridges. Q. What wad material should I choose? A. Today many shooting grounds label themselves as…
The rules you must follow when rearing gamebirds
Before you take any steps to start on rearing gamebirds yourself you need to be aware of the key factors involved. Rule 1: Think of it as a business You…