It’s a fashionable word that you seem to hear everywhere these days, but if you ask 10 people to define what rewilding means, you’ll get 10 wildly different answers. To…
Sporting Gun
Rizzini Venus
This is the first Rizzini I have ever laid my hands on. I tested this little gem courtesy of ASI, the importer, which loaned me a brand spanking new model.…
Thinking about making your own black powder cartridges? Read on …
Popping a few black powder cartridges through a vintage English shotgun is an unforgettable experience.
Venison kebabs with yoghurt and cucumber recipe
Venison kebabs with yoghurt and cucumber recipe Prep time: 2 hours – 1 day Cooking time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 450g venison steak, cut into 1in cubes For the marinade…
History of Skeet shooting: how it all began
The history of Skeet shooting Some 150 years ago, the shotguns that were putting a partridge or two in the pot for supper were using black powder explosive. It powered…
Testing shotgun ammunition – Richard Atkins shares his process
Shotgun ammunition performance is something that has interested me since my youth and still does. Some may not understand why this is so but therein is the key: the more…
Basic gundog commands: these are the ones you need to know
Over the past four years I have been running gundog training classes and have been taken aback about how confused people get with their basic gundog commands. And if the…
How effective are comb raisers on a shotgun?
I want to raise the height of my comb and see that you can buy off the shelf raisers. How effective are they?
Alan Pain’s Fernley Field Coat review
When it comes to shopping for country coats, one of the things I struggle with is finding a good ‘all-rounder’. There is a wide selection of beautiful coats available from…
Crate training a puppy – how to do it right
Q: We are due to get a new cocker pup and it will be living indoors. We have been advised that crate training a puppy is the right way to…
How to get the most out of fox calling
I looked at the subject of fox calling last summer, but as there’s only so much you can say in one article, I thought it worthy of further examination. In…
Testing steel cartridges during roost shooting
I’m still having pigeon problems on the two rape fields on the estate. The gas guns and flags aren’t working any more, so the damage continues. At least I found…
A guide to improving decoy patterns
We’ve all been there. Our days of reconnaissance have suggested a field will produce a bumper bag. We constructed the ‘perfect’ hide and the decoys are out, and we await…
Eye contact with dogs: it’s vital for good training
Why eye contact with dogs is key One of my training clients asked me recently what aspect of a gundog’s training I thought was the most important. My immediate answer…
Jackdaw: facts about this intelligent bird
At first glance the jackdaw may seem undistinguished, but it is subtly handsome. (Read about another corvid – the jay – here.) The smallest native species of crow has a…
New guns and rifles at the British Shooting Show 2022 that caught the eye
Webley & Scott Imperial side-by-side shotgun With a nod to its past, Webley & Scott has produced a stunning side-by-side combining the best of the old with the best of…
Ruger American Hunter
I have tested a few guns for Ruger recently and this one epitomises a trend for making more affordable rifles without skimping on accuracy or reliability. This is welcome news…
Do probiotics for gundogs really work?
Dogs begin life with a sterile intestinal system, but very quickly this becomes colonised by bacteria that collectively form the ‘microbiome’; an army of microorganisms that are essential for health…
Sako M75: why it should definitely be in your sights
Tech specs for the Sako M75 Country of origin: Finland In production 1996-2007 Action: Bolt Stock options:Walnut, laminated or synthetic Barrel length 22-26in Magazine: Detachable, capacity 4+1, 5+1 or 6+1,…
Second-hand Beretta 682 shotgun: it’s stood the test of time
In 1984 Beretta brought out a new O/U designated the 682. It was a replacement for the 680, which had been their main competition gun for the previous decade, and…