Tabla de contenidos para December 2019 en Sporting Rifle

Nature is something close to the heart of every countryman and woman – indeed, it would be impossible to spend long, freezing winter pre-dawn mornings up a blustery high seat or crawling through a frozen ditch if you didn’t. The fact that hunters are conservationists seems the most natural thing in the world to those who will dedicate large amounts of time (and often money, as my good lady reminds me whenever I feel my salmon fishing could be improved by this year’s latest rod) in the pursuit of game, hoofed or feathered. We know a thriving, healthy habitat is essential for supporting not just game species but the entire ecosystems they are part of, and that time and money are essential to the maintenance and preservation of those habitats.…

Scotland’s upland Deer Management Groups (DMGs) have been assessed for the third time in six years, and representatives of the sector are confident that the review will show good progress and recognise its significant contribution to the environment. Richard Cooke, Chairman of the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG), said: “The evidence from the review will, we believe, show that our sector is at the forefront of ecological and habitat regeneration, enhancing the landscape, and managing Scotland’s iconic deer herd sustainably – all a far cry from how, and too often, we are portrayed.” Some 45 DMGs effectively cover the majority of the red deer range – almost half of Scotland’s land area – and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has now submitted its latest review report to ministers in Scotland.…

Ten Namibian giraffes are set to be culled, and international hunter Jens Høgh challenged anti-hunting celebrities to put their money where their mouth is and ‘save’ them Jens Høgh It’s been almost a week and there is still no reaction from the anti-hunting community to the plan to cull ten giraffes in November. Maybe they have come to their senses and approve of hunting as a tool for managing wildlife? Craig Shepstone When we hunt, people complain. When we give them a chance to do something, they are quiet. Royston Wright Let’s give all the giraffe to be culled cute and fuzzy names like Cecil, and then maybe the activists will come to the party… Felix Marnewecke It’s amazing the effect these open letters have. You…

It could easily have been colder, but the minus 24 degrees we’re experiencing this ‘spring day’ feels cold enough. We are more than 80km from the nearest settlement and about 40 kilometres from our sheltered cabin at the ice-covered fjord. In front of us, a reindeer has just stood up; this is perhaps the first time this particular reindeer has seen a human, as it stays quite calm while studying us curiously. Then, a musk ox stands up behind the reindeer, its body forming a silhouette against a gray sky about 50 metres further out. It has not seen us, and we know from our previous observations of musk ox in this area that he will not be not alone. The final stage of this hunt can begin. ONE-TWO-THREE We…

Camera resolution: 1280x720 CMOS HD sensor Display resolution: AMOLED 1024x768 Magnification: 6-24x Objective lens: 60mm Zeroing range: 1.5 metres @ 100 metres Mount type: Fixed Weaver NV detection range: up to 400yd IR wavelength: 850nm Reticle styles: 6 Reticle colours: 6 Number or rifle profiles: 3 Number of zeroing distances: 10 Battery: DNV (regular AAs will also power the unit in additional DNV battery holder) Battery life: 4 hours Weight: 1150g Dimensions: 315x89x88mm Protection rating: IPX4, -20 to +40 degrees Warranty: 3 years Price: £889.95 Contact: scottcountry.co.uk, 01556 503587…

When the news broke that the hunting of Quebec-Labrador caribou was due to expire, Jens Kjaer Knudsen was a fast mover and booked a trip on the last possible date. Caribou hunting has always fascinated him, as the hunting is done like a wilderness expedition. He loves to stalk in the open areas where most of the subspecies are found. Hunting caribou seems to make him at one with nature, and he dreamed of hunting all the subspecies. After hearing the news, he contacted an outfitter who he had found at Huntingreport.com. His hunt was arranged for the last week in September, the week before hunts for Quebec-Labrador caribou stopped – maybe forever. A LONG JOURNEY Hunting Quebec-Labrador caribou is different than hunting the European subspecies, as the nature of…

Byron Pace considers the merits and mistakes of Zac Goldsmith, the MP trying to introduce a trophy import ban in the UK I am conscious of the fact that most of what I have written recently has been focused on Africa. Part of this comes from having spent a lot of time on the continent this year, but more than that, of the most pressing issues in the last few months, the implications to conservation in Africa have made it top of the list. As I sit down to write this month’s contribution, that hasn’t changed. In fact, if anything I would say the stakes have been raised. As most people will be aware, the current British government (from a party that historically has been sympathetic towards hunting) has put…

RIMFIRE Brno .22LR bolt action with Leupold VX1 3-9x40 scope and Parker Hale mod. £200. Gavin Jones 01646 603814 07967 284704 (Wales) CZ452 American .22RF bolt action 10-shot mag. BSA Sweet17 3-12x40 scope and moderator (bipod not included). Good condition. With 500 rounds. £150. Selling due to retirement. Patrick Plavin 01303 863891 07934 597060 (Kent) BRNO .22 RF bolt action, five-shot magazine, ASI Super scope 4x40, wide angle image. All as new with silencer. £275 ono. Michael Darlison 01189 783202 miketat3@ yahoo.co.uk (Berkshire) CENTREFIRE Sauer 202 .308 in beautiful maple l/h custom stock. With Zeiss 8x56, Apel mounts, 200 rounds of reloads, three magazines, dies, and original r/h stock. Fired fewer than 250 rounds and shoots 0.5 MOA. Absolutely mint condition. £2,600. Terry 07788973477 westterence@sky.com (Hampshire) Remington .22-250 Model 700 with silencer.…

There’s still time for you to vote in the Great British Shooting Awards 2020. Voting is hosted online at www.greatbritishshootingawards.com and runs until 31 December. The great British shooting public decides the winner in 14 categories, which give recognition to the products, organisations and people that make our industry tick. As well as rewarding the industry’s best rifles, shotguns, airguns, optics, clothing and innovative technology, dedicated categories showcase the achievements of the people who've really had a positive effect on the industry, whether in the fields of retail, gamekeeping or conservation. Vote now at www.greatbritishshootingawards.com If you have a news story, email colin.fallon@futurenet.com…

Streamlight has been named the Best High-Performance Flashlight Manufacturer of 2019. The lighting tools specialist received the UAE Business Award from MEA Markets Magazine following a rigorous nomination and judging process, conducted by a global network of industry experts. “Streamlight is very pleased to be recognised by this leading publication focused around the Middle East and Africa,” said Streamlight president and chief exeecutive officer Ray Sharrah.…

The final report on the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project (LMDP) is out – and shooting organisations say it shows how gamekeeping improved the fortunes of a range of species as well as restoring heather that had been lost for decades. The project studied moorland management for birds of prey and red grouse over 10 years, and has now released its findings. A joint statement from shooting organisations said: “This unprecedented scientific project was a watershed and proves the important conservation value of grouse moor management. Gamekeepers using modern management techniques, including legal predator control, led to improved populations of curlew, golden plover and snipe. Predator control also protected breeding hen harriers.”…

The excitement of driven wild boar is a draw for many English hunters nowadays and I can honestly say a driven hunt is one of my favourite sporting experirences. So when I was offered the chance to join Zeiss’s UK dealers on their annual hunt, I jumped at the opportunity – but unfortunately I had commitments on the first day with one of my driven game shoot days. My bags were soon packed and I patiently waited until the last guest left, then I was on a plane before I knew it. Arriving in Germany at 10.30pm, it was past midnight by the time the taxi had taken me to a part of Germany I had not been to before. “I was told I was staying in cabin 37, so…

Foxing: Mike Powell Professional gamekeeper and foxing expert Big game: Pete Carr Big game hunter, author and editor of Sporting Rifle Rifles: Byron Pace Rifle reviewer and experienced hunting journalist Antique guns: Diggory Hadoke Auction regular and vintageguns. co.uk owner Technique: Mark Ripley YouTube star and extreme-range foxer Optics: Chris Parkin Target sports journalist and optics reviewer GOT A QUESTION? Contact: colin.fallon@futurenet.com or post your question to: Sporting Rifle, Future Publishing Ltd, Units 1-3, Sugarbrook Court, Aston Road, Bromsgrove B60 3EX.…

According to local outfitters, about 10,000 licences were issued annually for local Inuits and around 500 to visiting hunters, both local Canadians and foreigners. It is the 500 licences for paying hunters that have been closed, with the argument that populations have reduced. The decline is believed to be due to a reduction in the food base due to climate change. No dead animals have been found, though. Instead, it might be for political reasons – the authorities do not want to deal with the high number of licences issued to local Inuits, who can still cull caribou unregulated. This might make sense to a layman, but if one knows a little about hunting and nature management, this decision seems insane. In 2014, 20 outfitters offered hunting for this subspecies…

Brought to you by the team behind Sporting Rifle magazine, the second edition of the Ultimate Rifle Shooting Handbook celebrates the rifle sports in all their forms – in Britain or abroad; foxing and stalking; professional or pastime; for the beginner unsure how to get into the sport or the expert looking for extra tips. Crucially, it covers the sport in its modern form, with all the technology and resources available today. It is not solely a hunting compendium either – there is plenty of advice on getting started, technique and kit that will apply to rifle shooters of all forms, be they sporting or target. Inside you'll find writings by some of the greatest ambassadors of the sport, from Peter Carr to Mike Powell, Paul Childerley to Will O'Meara.…

Acorn Deer Management Stalker training and firearms safety, guided training outings for anyone wishing to experience a deer stalk, through to candidates wishing to complete their DSC 2 certificate. Training courses from £80 per 3-4 hour outing, with the possibility to take a cull animal. Approved witnesses to the DSC 2 certificate. Contact: 07944 959380 or www.acorndeer.com Ashgrove Wildlife Services Stalking courses. Contact: 01255 670094 www.ashgrovewildlife.com Bangs, Bucks & Bullseyes Improve first-shot accuracy, long-range accuracy and multi-positional shooting with Keith Poyser. One-to-one and group tuition with a fun, relaxed, medal-winning and published instructor. 100-1,200 yards, with wind, bullet drop and position coaching. Come away with a tailored distance table for your rifle and round. Accompanied stalking available. Contact: www. bangsbucksbullseyes.co.uk BASC BASC offer a wide range of rifle, shotgun and…

SHOOTING APPAREL • Blaser Hybrid Suit • Deerhunter Pro Gamekeeper Jacket • Harkila Heat Jacket • Laksen Woodhay Smock • ShooterKing Huntflex Jacket RIFLE AMMUNITION OF THE YEAR • Eley Subsonic Hollow • Federal Vital Shok • SGeco .243 105gn soft points • Hornady GMX bullets • Rigby .416 Rigby No.2 SHOTGUN AMMUNITION OF THE YEAR • Eley Hawk VIP Steel Pro Eco Wad • Gamebore Black Gold • Hull Cartridge Comp X • Hull Cartridge Pro Fibre • William Powell Blue Lightning OPTICS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR (OVER £1,000) • Nightforce SHV 5-20x56 ILL scope • Swarovski SLC 8x42 binos • Swarovski DS 5-25x42 scope • Vortex Fury 5000 10x42 rangefinding binos • Zeiss Victory RF 10x42 binos OPTICS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR (UNDER £1,000) • Bushnell Forge 4.5-27x50…

The RSPB is examining its policy on game bird shooting and associated land management. BASC said it has already been in contact with the charity to emphasise the benefits of shooting: “While there will be fears from some quarters within shooting that this review could lead to the RSPB creating a hard-line anti-shooting policy, BASC believes that the RSPB will in fact conduct the review in the manner expected of an evidence-based organisation. That evidence will point the review directly and clearly towards shooting as an activity that massively benefits the economic and environmental make-up of the British countryside.”…

Each month, the best letter wins a bottle of King’s Ginger – the ideal drink to enjoy after a cold stalk. For more details visit www.thekingsginger.com STAR LETTER HIGH SEAT HIJINKS Dear Sporting Rifle, I read Mark Ripley’s article on how to build your own high seat (Sporting Rifle October 2019) and thought this story would give you a laugh. I and my shooting mate Jim built a high seat. It was made out of 2in box for the frame. We cross-braced it and it really seemed to work great. We took it to one of our permissions and put it against an ash tree that had been there for years. It was strapped to the tree with ratchet straps – 2in lorry ones, so they were good and strong.…

I would be surprised if most readers of Sporting Rifle hadn’t heard of the Ackley Improved cartridges. Though only a small handful made it into factory production, the impact and influence of PO Ackley has transcended the history of modern cartridge development. I have never personally owned an Ackley Improved rifle, though have hunted with them on occasion, and long had a desire to add the .280 AI to my rifle line up. Indeed, this is one of the few cartridges that was taken up as a factory offering when Nosler decided to get it SAAMI specified. PO was born in New York state and began amateur gunsmithing in his youth. This interest ran deep, and in 1936 he sold the family farm to buy out an old gunsmith in…

Some researchers believe that the caribou immigrated to North America from Europe/Asia 10-20,000 years ago when the continents were then landlocked. North American findings of very old bones indicate, however, that the species originated from the American continent, to which it subsequently re-immigrated from Europe/Asia. The word ‘caribou’ probably evolved from the Micmac Indians’ word for the species, Xalibu, while the word ‘reindeer’ originates from the Old Norwegian word Hreinn, which again has root in the Germanic word Hraina, which means ‘animals with horns’. Reindeer and caribou are considered to be the same species (Rangifer tarandus), divided into several subspecies. Exactly what constitutes a subspecies varies in some circles, so we in this article will stick to the subspecies categorised by Safari Club International (SCI): • Alaska Yukon Barren Ground Caribou…

RIMFIRE Steyr Mannlicher Zephyr Steyr Mannlicher haven’t offered rimfires for years – but the Zephyr .22LR is a welcome return to that market. Also new is the biathlon-style Scout. Sportsman Gun Centre ■ 01392 354854 www.sportsmanguncentre.com Price: £744 CZ 457 rimfire The successor to the 455 series is out, with a modular design, 30-degree bolt throw and interchangeable barrels. Edgar Brothers ■ 01625 613177 www.edgarbrothers.com Price: From £535 Tikka T1X The long-awaited T1X has arrived – Tikka’s very first rimfire rifle. GMK ■ 01489 579999 gmk.co.uk Price: £575 A2R semi-auto Hailing from American firearms brand 2A Armaments, this tactical-looking .22 is set to find favour among target shooters on the range. Edgar Brothers ■ 01625 613177 www.edgarbrothers.com Price: £1,759 CENTREFIRE Ruger 6mm Creedmoor Ruger’s popular Precision rifle is available in…

Rachel Carson was born in a small Pennsylvania community near the Allegheny River, where she spent a great deal of time exploring the forests and streams around her 65-acre farm. In 1925 she entered Pennsylvania College for Women as an English major, determined to become a writer. Midway into her studies, however, she switched to biology. On graduation from Pennsylvania College, Carson was awarded a scholarship to complete her graduate work in biology at Johns Hopkins University, an enormous accomplishment for a woman in 1929. Carson’s distinction in both writing and biology won her a part-time position with the US Bureau of Fisheries in 1935 where she was asked to create a series of seven-minute radio programmes on marine life called ‘Romance Under the Waters’. Meantime, she continued to submit…