Table of contents for September 2021 in Sporting Gun

Amber Hill, our August cover star and Team GB’s number one ranked Skeet shooter, had to withdraw from the Toyko Olympics after she tested positive for COVID-19. Amber, 23, was Team GB’s only Skeet shooter and one of its greatest prospects for a medal at this year’s delayed Games. “There are no words to describe how I am feeling right now,” said Amber after announcing her withdrawal. “After five years of training and preparation, I’m absolutely devastated ... I will be back from this, but right now I need some time to reflect and take in what has happened.” Steven Seligmann, British Shooting’s performance director, said: “Our focus is to now make sure Amber is kept safe and well, both physically and mentally, and we have the support in place…

Ian Coley to host ladies’ Sporting comp The Cotswolds ground is to host a 100-target ladies’ Sporting competition on 11 September. Entries are £50, with the top three overall shooters, and the top three from classes A, B and C, heading home with cash and cartridges. To enter visit iancoley.co.uk/ladies Fundraiser shoot day for GWCT West London Shooting School is to hold a charity day on behalf of the GWCT. The Best of British Shooting will take place on 9 September with all proceeds from the day going to the trust. The school has teamed up with Sportarm, the country sports group that runs the gunroom at the school, to host the day, which is a 10-stand clay competition, starting at midday and running to 6.30pm. A team of four…

The British Shooting Shotgun Series is a series of four summer competitions that culminate in a Grand Final in September. “These events are the principal domestic events that the British Shooting Selection Panel uses to select teams to represent GBR,” said Alex Ballard, British Shooting Olympic performance operations manager. “This year we’ve also introduced the title of British Champion, which will be awarded at the Grand Final to the athletes with the best performances across the series.” The Shotgun Series are open events that anyone can enter without pre-qualifying. To find out more, visit bit.ly/ShotgunSeries…

• At this time of year the first task is to get out on the ground and try to take advantage of the deer’s behaviour during the rut. The pandemic has severely restricted our efforts to control the deer population on our estates, least not with travel restrictions hampering group members. Fingers crossed, things appear to be returning to something like normal. Even then, many recreational deer managers may not be prepared to travel that far. All this has resulted in a burgeoning deer population. That means time on the ground to catch up on the numbers. • The rut is hopefully going to be a strong one and we will take any advantage to redress the balance. There will be more young bucks than usual on the ground and they…

I’ve always had an interest in hunting with birds of prey. Over the years I have pursued a variety of quarry with birds of all shapes and sizes – from bolting rabbits with Harris hawks, to walked-up hares with golden eagles. However, the most exhilarating challenge is the goshawk. Goshawks, unless hand-reared (imprinted), are untrusting by nature and skittish in terms of what makes them uncomfortable or nervous in an environment. However, this is outweighed by the fact that little will be off the quarry list of a fit goshawk in the correct hands. They are often referred to as the ‘cook’s hawk’ due to their ability to provide. Dedication Training a goshawk has its challenges and requires dedication but when you get it right the rewards are unmatched. I…

I haven’t looked at the subject of using bait for more than five years now, so thought it was due an update. One of the main reasons for putting food out for foxes is to attract them into an area where you can shoot them, but there’s more to it than that. Most of us also have lives away from our rifles and so we can’t be around all the time. Likewise, permissions are often miles apart and we can only be in one place at a time. And that is the beauty of bait: it works even when you aren’t there. As a result, foxes that usually only visit your ground long after you’ve gone home may well decide to vary their routine and turn up early if they…

Matt Hance is a top Sporting Shot and coach – he has been shooting Sporting and FITASC for Britain for more than three decades and won multiple British and English titles. Matt has teamed up with one of his students, Rhys Plum, to write this series in which he shares his skills and experience, starting with the basics and going on to teach advanced techniques that are guaranteed to raise your game. To catch up with what has already been covered in this series, or if you have any questions for Matt about the subjects covered, email sportinggun@futurenet.com…

Once your dog is consistently ignoring the static distraction, you can move on to increasing the temptation. Set up your dog and throw out a straightforward seen retrieve. Send your dog, and as he is coming back and he is about 2m from you, throw out another dummy to one side and slightly behind you. Do not watch where the dummy goes – keep your eyes on the dog and reinforce the recall command as you throw the distraction. Be prepared to block the dog should he try to run past you to the distraction. It can be a bit easier if you have someone to help – they can throw the distraction and you can solely concentrate on the dog.…

What is the best way to take a dog’s temperature? Neil says: I find a thermometer pretty useful. In the olden days (that’s pre-2000 to my children), I resisted encouraging owners to take their dog’s temperature, as the glass-and-mercury thermometers we used were prone to breaking, so dangerous. The electronic digital thermometers available now are much safer, easier to read and often have flexible ends that make them more comfortable for the dog. I know some use the ear canal but I prefer the rectal route. An assistant is required to hold the dog still. Lubricate the thermometer, lift the tail right up and insert the thermometer gently and carefully about 4-5cm into the rectum. It should be held slightly to the side, against the rectal wall, rather than in…

Should weight be a consideration when buying a new gun? Tony says: The weight of the gun will determine how the gun feels in your hands. It’s not just the dead weight of the gun but how it is balanced. You would be looking at around 8½lb for an average 28in-barrelled 12-bore Sporter. More recently, longer barrels are being favoured, which obviously adds weight to the gun up the front end and possibly more weight in the stock to help keep it balanced. Lighter guns for game shooting will move quickly, not only starting the movement of mounting and swinging but will stop quickly, too. Heavier guns will help soak up recoil and ensure a smooth, consistent swing. You have to be able to swing the weight of the gun…

Can you help sort out an argument between me and a friend, please? He says I should leave my dogs off the lead when picking-up and I say they should be on the lead. Who is right? Frans says: The answer to that is, it depends. I like to have my dogs off the lead and that way they are ready to be sent out immediately for any pricked birds that they have marked. If they are on the lead it can be a job to get them off, especially if you have more than one dog. However, if your dogs are not 100% steady then it is prudent to keep them on the lead, just in case they decide to run in. If I have any young dogs with…

How hard should I push down with my cheek when I mount the gun? Tony says: This depends on a number of factors. If you are Trap shooting, you are likely to lock your cheek firmly to the gun as part of your pre-shot routine, but it’s not a requirement. For Sporting, it is likely that your cheek pressure would be moderate to firm. The key is whatever you are doing that you do it consistently. If your cheek pressure is different, it will affect the shot placement in relation to the barrel. If your head is firmly down your gun could shoot a 50/50 pattern, seeing little or none of the rib. With the same gun, but with moderate cheek pressure, the pattern could be 60/40, seeing more of…

Stoney Creek Microplus long sleeve top The new and improved Microplus Long Sleeve, with an added chest pocket, is a great lightweight layer to keep you warm when you need it. Sizes: S to 7XL Price: £39.99; stoneycreek europe.co.uk Sako Powerhead Blade Sako has developed this new bullet for lead-free hunters. With its Blade tip, 100% pure ductile copper and 5-Stage terminal architecture, SAKO Blade offers excellent performance. Price: around £48 for pack of 20; gmk.co.uk Tricord long gaiters Long gaiters provide maximum protection, preventing dreaded stones and twigs working their way into your boots. They add extra comfort too. Sizes: M to 2XL Price: £89.99; stoneycreekeurope.co.uk Alan Paine Combrook ladies’ field jacket Now available in a new colour, spruce, this pure wool waterproof coat has a soft faux suede…

The Welsh government has come under fire from rural groups for withholding economic support to shooting businesses that have suffered during the pandemic. The Economic Resilience Funding (ERF) is administered by the Business Wales arm of the government. Business Wales said in a letter that to support shooting “could bring the Welsh government into disrepute”. The decision has been roundly condemned. BASC accused the Welsh government of turning its back on rural Wales and said the decision showed “a complete lack of understanding of the importance of shooting to the Welsh economy, to the environment and to rural communities”. Rachel Evans of the Countryside Alliance said: “No lawful business could, or should, be considered as bringing the Welsh government into disrepute.”…

• It is beyond doubt that grouse shooting, especially driven grouse shooting, is an important source of income in the areas where it occurs. • The money that flows into grouse shooting is largely private and stays in the immediate locality. • Some activities, such as forestry, and conservation in various forms, rely to a large degree on public finance. Others, such as energy generation, will generate income but very little will enter the local community. Moorland Matters by Ian Coghill is published by Quiller, quillerpublishing.com, and costs £25…

People from Yorkshire have been known to refer to the county as ‘God’s own country’. From a clay shooter’s point of view, the East Yorkshire ground is heavenly. In just three years, Rob Hall and his family have transformed the East Yorkshire Clay Shooting Ground into one of the finest Trap and Skeet venues in the country. It proved the perfect place for round one of the Shotgun Series. • “It’s been awesome,” said Rob. “As Leah Southall proved, it’s every bit as enjoyable for those new to the disciplines as it is for the Olympians.” • “We’re passionate about shooting,” said Rob’s eldest daughter Georgina, who’s responsible for much of the day-to-day running of the ground. “It’s much more satisfying for us and the competitors if the events are of…

The great advantage with this little tinker is her size; it is easy to hold her back or to pick her up. The disadvantage is that she can squirm into the most inaccessible places. She makes use of her size to get her own way if she thinks she can. I thought I had brought a dog home, not a ferret. Still, she hasn’t vanished up my trouser leg. Yet. She is improving all the time. She is now 19 months old and is still learning. I’m not talking about scenting and finding deer here; she had that ability at about four months old and hasn’t failed. Compared with all my other dogs, the teckel develops later, similar to a German wirehaired pointer. It has taken until now for her…

DISTRIBUTION: Widespread across much of Scandinavia and Russia. Also found in patchier populations in central Europe and as far south as northern Spain, Albania and Greece where appropriate habitat exists. UKDISTRIBUTION: Northern Scotland only. IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least concern (worldwide), numbers decreasing HABITAT: Conifer forest with a relatively open canopy structure. Restricted to pinewood forest in Scotland. FOOD: Berries, buds, shoots, stems, leaves, grasses and insects. Conifer needles are an important food source in winter. BREEDING: Lekking takes place during the spring when cocks call and display to attract a mate. If other males are in the area fights, often serious, can break out. The cock plays no part in nesting nor rearing the chicks. NESTING: The nest is little more than a scrape in the ground lined with…

• Foxes will eat anything that’s edible, so use whatever is to hand. Suitable baits include: pigeons, rabbits, pheasant (my favourite), sardines/ other fish; dog/cat food kibble, meat offcuts, cat food sachets, peanuts (unsalted), concentrate such as squid or shrimp oil (from an angling shop) can be diluted and sprayed around • For legal reasons no agricultural deadstock can be used as bait, but roadkill is fine • If the bait’s too big for one meal, it’s likely the first fox to find it will lurk nearby when it’s full, so check likely resting spots before approaching; these are often within 100m, usually on higher ground that provides a view over an area • When drag-baiting, something like an old onion sack can be crammed with the offerings – myriad holes allow…

It is normal to have a shoot brief the morning of the shoot. This will give you all the information about how the day will run. You must ensure you arrive in good time. Many shoot lodges are located away from your average satnav and rural phone signal can be patchy, so if possible, get written directions and a map. The brief will include what you are going to shoot and how many drives will be shot. You will be told what not to shoot, for example pheasants in September, pigeons before the first gamebirds have come through the line or possibly woodcock. You will draw a peg for the first drive and be told the arrangements for moving for the subsequent drives and from which end they number. There…

“For many, doing battle with a pack of grouse screaming over stone-built butts is the ultimate challenge” I am a man of simple means. I do not live a luxurious lifestyle. I am certainly not rich in cash terms, but I am happy and content for most of the time. I feel hugely privileged and extremely lucky to be able to visit some of the most stunning and tranquil locations in the UK. Each year, I try to make as many trips to the north of England as I can. In fact, I need little excuse to do battle with the never-ending road works on the M6 to reach the moors and fells of Cumbria and North Yorkshire. For many shooters, having the opportunity of engaging with a pack of…

I like to use high-contrast dummies as the distraction, and I have found that the black-and-white RRT dummies from Fullpip Gundogs work really well as their construction makes it easy to stand them on end. I set the distraction up on the opposite side of where I will position the dog; this would normally be on my right as the dog will be on my left. I stand the dummy on its end approximately 3m away – not too close as to be too tempting but also not too far away, so I can get to and block the dog should he go for it on the way back. Once I am set up, I throw a simple seen retrieve straight out in front and send the dog.…

FRAN ARDLEY GUNDOGS Owner of Tarncrag Gundog Training, with more than 10 years’ experience. NEIL MCINTOSH VETERINARY A keen shooter and a practising vet in Scotland. TONY BRACCI TUITION Bisley Shooting Ground’s deputy shooting manager and master gunfitter. DAVID FROST LEGAL SG’s legal expert and author of Sporting Shooting and the Law. PETER THEOBALD PIGEON Pigeon-shooting expert; author of Woodpigeon: The Ultimate Quarry. ROBERT MORGAN ANTIQUES Arms and armour valuer at Holts Auctioneers. ED COOK RABBITS Professional rabbit catcher working over 30,000 acres. TOM SYKES PEST CONTROL & WILDFOWLING Sporting photographer, wildfowler and pest controller. IAN SWEETMAN GUNSMITHING Owner of I S Sweetman Gun & Rifle Makers and former gunsmith at Purdey. MARC BULL COVER CROPS Plant expert and is the Midlands and Eastern adviser at Bright Seeds.…

A friend told me that my Miroku MK 6000, dating from 1983, could use steel shot. I am doubtful as it doesn’t have the fleur-de-lys symbol and one barrel is ¾ fixed choke. Is my friend right or should I trade my gun in for a newer one if I want to continue using it for game shooting? Ian says: The majority of nitro-proofed guns, provided they were proofed after 1954, should be suitable for standard steel shot. However, there are some restrictions and areas to be cautious of, such as tight chokes, thin barrel walls and loose actions that will impact whether your gun can safely shoot steel. I would advise taking your gun to an experienced gunmaker or gunsmith before you make a decision on whether to sell…

In this era of technology is it really necessary to carry my paper certificate with me when I go shooting? Why can’t I have something on my smartphone? David says: You may use modern technology but the licensing process hasn’t caught up with it and seems unlikely to do so in the near future. The law permits a police officer to seize a firearm if the holder is unable to produce the relevant certificate. The police can easily carry out a check with HQ via their radio but are not obliged to. An unfriendly officer could apply the law as it stands and cause you a lot of trouble. For this reason, and for buying ammunition, you should never send your expiring certificate in when renewal time comes.…

Now that we’ve left the EU, will my European Firearms Pass (EFP) still be valid when I go shooting in France this winter? David says: No. UK EFPs, other than those issued in Northern Ireland, ceased to be valid on 31 December 2020. Your shotgun certificate will cover you at the UK end when you leave and re-enter the country but you will need to tell the airline, ferry company or ‘Chunnel’ that you are carrying a firearm. You will also need to get a temporary ‘permis de chasse’ to cover your time in France. Ask your host to check if there are other requirements.…

I recently got a permission to shoot rabbits. I don’t want to eradicate the population because I enjoy the sport and getting meat for the table. What’s the best way to control the rabbit population so that the farmer is happy and I can still shoot rabbits? Ed says: If the farmer has a rabbit problem, he is allowing you to shoot in the hope that he gets free pest control and less crop damage, and won’t have to employ someone like me. He won’t care if you enjoy the sport as long as you remove rabbits and don’t cause problems on the farm. But I’m not convinced shooting alone will resolve a large-scale rabbit problem; rabbits get wise to shooting. So, if you want to keep your permission, do…

Is there anything apart from conventional medication that can be done for dogs with epilepsy? Neil says: Epilepsy is not uncommon in dogs and there are a number of anti-epileptic drugs that are useful for controlling the classic seizures. A recent study, carried out at veterinary practices in Germany, Finland and the UK, investigated the effects of feeding high levels of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat, to 28 epileptic dogs. The results of the double-blind trial were encouraging: two dogs became seizure free, three had seizure frequency reduced by 50% and 12 had overall reductions in frequency. Eleven dogs, however, showed no change. In another study, a diet rich in MCTs was fed to 21 dogs. Three dogs became seizure free, seven had greater than 50% reductions…

I can see this gun proving hugely popular with the everyday shooter looking for reliability and robustness. I don’t expect to see these in huge numbers at clay grounds but I certainly think it will live up to the job on clays for someone looking perhaps for a ‘one-gun solution’ to do it all. I think the 525GL will find its home on the stubble fields, flight ponds, woodlands and shores. It is a gun built for the outdoors and to accompany you on your hunt, no matter the environment. This may be a good first gun for someone, and at £1,695 it is very reasonable. It may not be long before we start to see one or two secondhand ones available and it will be interesting to see what…

What a month August is going to be. The roe deer rut has started in earnest and once all that testosterone-driven energy has been exhausted, the deer management team have to catch up on maintenance. This involves erecting a couple of towers on one estate and returning to another to reposition most of its seats to make them safe and secure, as well as positioning them more effectively. That’s the thing about seats, they are only useful for a period and, unless they are moved, they end up a wasted resource once the trees are beyond deer damage. Seats are relatively straightforward to move, though they take some team effort. Towers are a different story, however. Pick the right spot in the first place and they are likely to be…

Serves two Ingredients 2 venison loin steaks 4 tbsp olive oil 1 large red onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 green chilli, deseeded and chopped 1lb fresh tomatoes chopped 1tsp mild chilli powder pinch caster sugar 3oz strong cheddar cheese, grated 1 packet tortilla wraps Method Pre-heat the oven to 180°C Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and fry the onions, garlic and chilli until softened then add the tomatoes, chilli powder and sugar. Simmer gently for about 15 minutes. While the sauce is cooking, fry the steaks to your taste and set aside on a warm plate to rest. When the sauce is ready, slice the steaks into thin strips and fill the wraps with the mixture. Place the rolled up tortillas tightly together in an ovenproof dish…

It is unlikely the dog will take any notice of the distraction on his way out, as he should be focused on the dummy that had been thrown out. As he comes back to you, however, the high-contrast dummy will be very visible to him, so you need to be ready. If he looks at the distraction, take a couple of steps back and give a quick few recall blasts on your whistle. Timing is all-important. If you get it right, the dog will quickly refocus on you and ignore the other dummy.…

Things haven’t gone quite as I would have liked recently. Percy contracted a dose of kennel cough and his training had to be put on hold for a fortnight, which was frustrating in the run-up to his working test at the Game Fair. I had secured a lease on a two-acre rough grass field that was ideal for getting him to hunt the type of cover I thought he would face in the test. After he recovered from his cough, I pushed him hard to try to get him back on track, and by the time you read this it will all be over, and I will probably be lying in a dark corner somewhere recovering from the ordeal. “People seem loath to invest in getting their dogs fit and…

I understand that game dealers are not going to take birds killed with lead shot. Does this include woodpigeon, because if it does then game dealers will need to pay a lot more for their birds. Peter says: I have been pigeon shooting for more than 65 years and started shooting them for my mother’s table. I’m now in my late -seventies and do crop protection for local farmers. I have never made money out of it; the last lot of pigeons I shot went to the game dealer for free because he said there was no money in them. You raise a good point, and one that few pigeon shooters appear to be addressing: at what point do we stop providing free pest control for farmers? It is expensive…

Have you at any time used your raptors to hunt rabbits in your pest control business? And, if so, what sort of situations demanded their services? Ed says: Yes, pretty frequently. When ferreting the farmland, I will often have my Harris hawk with me (see page 36) and work in conjunction with the long nets and dog. At night I use all of them lamping and these come into their own where I’m not permitted to use firearms for whatever reason. This is mainly in public spaces or where a member of staff or the public may stray into the work area. I often use the birds to reduce hare numbers when asked, as I don’t like shooting hares.…

What do you do with empty cartridge cases after a busy pigeon-shooting session? Peter says: Although I fire a lot of cartridges during a year, they do not represent a huge bulk of waste. As they are ‘non-hazardous waste’, they can go in your general domestic waste bin. Large quantities are subject to agricultural waste regulations, however, a few companies now offer a recycling service. More details at: basc.org.uk/advice/spent-and-misfired-shotgun-cartridge-disposal…

Do you shoot much wildfowl early season? I am not sure if it is worth heading out or not until it gets colder. Tom says: I don’t have any issues with early season wildfowling. It often makes a nice change of pace from summer vermin control. September mornings typically feel nice and fresh, while providing a hint of optimism about what the season may bring. We have plenty of resident Canadas, greylags and mallard to chase while the numbers of migratory birds begin to build. Mornings are typically my favourite flights early season before the heat of the day gets up to temperature. It is important not to go heavy handed and hit the birds too hard, which is a good general rule to follow throughout the season.…

• Most of the standard models of big brand guns such as Berettas and Brownings are sold with a stock length of 14¾in. This will either be suitable or too long for the majority of the general public, allowing for the easy procedure of shortening the stock. Cutting wood off is a lot easier than sticking it back on. If your gun has a shorter stock, around the 14in mark, you are decreasing the amount of people potentially interested in buying it. Adding a pad to the end of the stock can increase the length to a more desirable measurement and can enhance the appearance of the gun. There’s a range of options for different styles of pads, from the recoil absorbing Kick-Eez to the smart leather covered. • A well-fitted…