Table of contents for July 2022 in Sporting Gun

Keeping it in the family When does a pet become a working dog? Nick Ridley discusses this age-old question in his article and muses over whether working dogs benefit from being a member of a family, or if they are more disciplined when kenelled. Opinions are divided, but whatever you think, one thing can’t be denied and that is our gundogs are a vital part of our sport. They reward us in so many ways and, as Nick says, there is nothing better than sitting and relaxing with your dog after a fulfilling day in the field. Find out more on Page 58…

Is UK REACH compliance mandatory? If the proposals were to come into law next year they would be mandatory in England, Wales and Scotland. However, there is a lengthy scrutiny process ahead before any laws are drafted. The proposals and consultation are taking place under the UK’s post-Brexit chemical regulations, referred to as UK REACH, which covers England, Wales and Scotland (but not Northern Ireland due to the NI Protocol). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been tasked as the agency under UK REACH to produce a report that outlines the risks posed by lead ammunition. Where it believes those risks to be unacceptable, it has also been asked to propose restrictions to reduce those risks. Under UK REACH, a two-year lead ammunition review was launched in March 2021…

A colleague recently sent me some extensive research on deer and hunting. It made for interesting reading, though, to quote Basil Fawlty, parts did seem to be “another MA in the blindingly obvious”. The research was carried out over a 10-year period and involved 65,000 monitored hunting days. When dealing with wildlife, that is probably the minimum time in years and outings from which any relevant and meaningful conclusions could be drawn. We have global temperatures rising, which, depending on the part of the world, will in the short term be beneficial for many species of deer. Certainly in northern England, my part of the country, spring seems to be arriving earlier and young deer appearing earlier than I have ever seen them. Early A picture was also sent to…

I am partial to a warm summer’s day in a hide on the crows. These days are somewhat of a break compared with those freezing mornings when you can’t feel your fingers, though the winter months do provide more fieldsports opportunities. However, relaxing in the sun with the only disruption being the occasional quarry isn’t a bad way to spend a day. Once again, the crow population was causing disruption and damage for the farmer and I received a call asking me to try to tip the scales in his favour. My aim was to thin out their numbers and move them on from guzzling all his feed. I was not displeased, as what is a nuisance for the farmer can be a great afternoon in the hide for me.…

A hare is a large animal, as anyone who has fallen foul of the ‘carry what you shoot’ rule on a rough shoot will testify. A large one might weigh up to 5kg, much larger than a blue hare and almost three times the size of a rabbit. Quite apart from its size, it is easily distinguished from its relation by its golden-brown fur, its very long, black-tipped ears and the more powerful hind legs that can propel it at speeds of up to 45mph with ease, jinking effortlessly to evade a pursuer. Non-native The brown hare is not native to Britain. It is believed to have originated on the steppes of central Asia before, aided by the clearance of land by early Neolithic farmers, gradually spreading westwards into Europe.…

DISCIPLINES English Sporting, FITASC and a high tower complex. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES Home Wood & Hale country clothing store, The Rookery Café and cartridge sales. MOBILITY A lightly gravelled car park leads to wide, solid pathways to all stands and layouts. Golf buggies are available, as are disabled bathroom facilities. WHEN IS IT OPEN? Wednesday to Sunday, 9.30am-5pm PRACTICE ROUNDS A Claymate system allows for solo practice across the entire Sporting course. Clays start from £36 for 100. TUITION One-hour solo lessons with 50 clays start from £60. Additional shooters can join for £20 each. MEMBERSHIP Yearly membership is available for £225. Members received one complimentary lesson per year, two tickets to a private members’ event, discounts on clays and exclusive offers across the business. DESCRIPTION The CPSA Ground of the…

When you go for an introductory clay-shooting lesson, your coach will cover the basics of safety: gun handling, stance, gun mount and so on. Very early in the lesson, when describing the shooting process, they will emphasise: “Don’t look at the gun, all your focus must be on the target.” This is the key difference between rifle shooting and shotgun shooting; rifle shooting involves stillness and the careful alignment of the gun and the target, whereas the shotgun requires movement and hand/eye co-ordination. So why do they make guns with ribs and beads on the top? Well, they didn’t always, and they don’t always today. You can get shotguns today with just barrels, one or two, but no rib if that’s what you want. The original reason for the strip…

Believe it or not, a question I often get asked is: “Can a gundog still be a pet?” The simple answer is: of course it can be, but if you are serious about getting your gundog to a good standard and you want it to live as a member of your family, then you may well have to put some house rules in place. Now, let’s just take a moment to clear up another point. To train your gundog to a good level, you do not have to house it in a kennel – it can live indoors. In fact, all of my gundogs have always lived indoors. I will leave it to others to assess the standard of their training, but I would hazard that the majority of working…

My black labrador’s teeth appear to be disappearing, semi-covered in fleshy growths. Are these tumours? Neil says: I think your dog is likely to be affected by epulis growths along the gum margin. These are firm, smooth lumps which occur more commonly when there has been a build-up of tartar on the tooth surface. Epulis arises from the periodontal ligament and, although extensive, is not invasive and is the most common benign tumour found in the mouths of dogs. As you describe, these growths can virtually obscure the teeth. They can be removed (and oral hygiene and comfort improved) by excision under general anaesthesia. I prefer to use electrocautery to do this, as virtually no haemorrhage is involved. Acanthomatous epulis is a more sinister condition, as the bone can be…

Härkila deer stalker waist bag A very handy storage solution with four compartments of varying sizes, ideal for long days out in the field with a rifle. An adjustable strap makes it suitable for any number of stalkers. Price £99.99; harkila.com Liqui Moly barrel and gun cleaner A product developed and tested with the help of the shooting community. The cleaner doesn’t contain any acids, ammonia or oil additives, so is suitable for a variety of surfaces. Price £15.27 + VAT; gmk.co.uk Seeland outdoor stretch trousers Water-repellent trousers designed to help the likes of gundog handlers who need comfort and flexibility when working during and after busy drives. Available in four colours. Price £99.99; seeland.com Ariat Catalyst VX Defiant 8 Gore-Tex 400g outdoor boots Crafted using the finest waterproof leather…

The CZ is the go-to rimfire for many UK pest controllers. Despite tough competition from the likes of Anschütz, Sako, Bergara and Tikka, CZ’s rifles continue to evolve and surprise in their abilities. Some of the top models are far from the cheap option farmer’s gun they once were. Efforts have been made to blend precision, reliability and CZ’s renowned accuracy into a modern-day vermin gun. Enter the 457 model, an up-to-date version of the older 452 and 455 rimfires with a number of variants, including the Long Range Precision (LRP), which we focus on here. Don’t let the name put you off – this is as much a hunting gun as it can be used on the range. Ultimately, it is designed to offer extreme accuracy from an adjustable…

So the Zoli Mid Rib is what I would class as the Zoli Z-Sport step rib because this actually has a step-rib style of top rib. Antonio Zoli is a company with a wealth of gunmaking history. It is based in Gardone Val Trompia, Brescia, alongside many of the other Italian brands of shotgun manufacturers. The first Antonio Zoli was born in 1905, his father Giuseppe built flintlocks in his shop in Magno, a small village located in the vicinity of Gardone, near the present company location. Archives indicate that the Zoli family were making guns as early as 1490 in Magno, then reports from around 1845 state that Giovanni Zoli was a renowned flintlock maker. Just over 100 years on, in 1956, it was said to be the first…

German firearms manufacturer Merkel introduced its Helix concept in 2011, since when it has attracted a growing number of enthusiasts. Intended as a holistic concept rifle that could adjust to any number of hunting requirements, the straight-pull bolt action it is built around reflects a demand for a gun that copes with fast-moving shots and other situations as might be met on a driven hunt. That is not to say that such a rifle does not have a place in other forms of shooting and stalking. It has a very wide appeal and with good reason. CHARLES SMITH-JONES SAYS: “At the heart of the rifle is the ergonomic straight-pull bolt system” There are a number of models in the Helix range. The Explorer illustrated here has a composite soft-grip stock,…

Government turns up the heat on lead The use of lead shot and ammunition could be banned within 18 months under proposals announced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE proposals are a result of measures bringing UK REACH (registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals) broadly into line with its EU equivalent. The government agency compiled two dossiers of recommendation following a 60-day call for evidence last year. There is now a six-month consultation period, which started on 6 May, the day its recommendations were announced. The proposals include: • A ban on the sale of lead shot • A ban on all types of lead ammunition for live quarry shooting • A ban on lead shot for outdoor target shooting There could be exemptions (derogations), such…

Rewilding. The word leads to unending controversy and polarised views. Let’s explore why. As a sportsman, what is there not to like? Cleaner rivers, more wildlife to pursue, more wild places to enjoy. However, the rewilding idea is perceived as part of an environmental, ‘Packhamite’ agenda, and one that your average country person is rather suspicious and dismissive of. I would argue there could be more good than bad, though. As with all land management, it is complex both in terms of the environment and the socio-economic results. Farmers are tired of being led up one garden path after another. Everyone has an opinion as to what our land should be and do. We have had policies dragging the land in one direction, then another. Farmers and land managers have…

Ingredients 1tbsp sunflower oil 2 loin venison steaks, cut into thin strips 2 onions, peeled and sliced 1 red pepper, finely sliced 1 clove garlic, crushed 4oz button mushrooms, sliced 1in knob ginger, peeled and grated ½tsp cumin ½tsp nutmeg 1tsp mixed herbs ½oz cornflower Juice ½ lemon ¼ pint stock 1tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1tbsp soy sauce A good handful bean sprouts Method 1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok. When hot, add the venison strips and fry quickly. Don’t let them cook for too long. 2 Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the onions, pepper, garlic and mushrooms to the pan and stir-fry until softened, then add the herbs and spices. 3 Cook for a minute, just long enough for the vegetables to…

As a keen decoyer I am always on the lookout for those one-off situations whereby I can take advantage of the woodpigeon’s tendency to feed with his pals and, hopefully, shoot a decent bag. You know what I am talking about. Fresh drillings are an obvious example where pigeon numbers build up quickly but the window of opportunity for a shoot is likely to be small. Stubble, often only providing food for a few days, is another example of the decoyer needing to have his wits about him if he is going to take full advantage of a situation. Because birds are often fully committed to the one field, not having had to look for alternatives, they usually decoy extremely well. Provided there is a large enough number visiting the…

DISTRIBUTION: Native range extends from northern Spain across mainland Europe and as far as parts of Siberia. Widely introduced elsewhere, including parts of North and South America, eastern Australia, New Zealand and the Falkland Islands. UKDISTRIBUTION: Widespread on low ground across most of England, Wales and Scotland. More restricted to western parts of Northern Ireland. IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least concern. FOOD: The tender shoots of grasses and cereal crops form the main diet. Hares will also graze on the bark of small trees and bushes. HABITAT: Prefers grassland habitats and woodland edges, favouring a mosaic of hedgerows, arable fields and grassy areas. BREEDING: Between February and September, with courtship including ‘boxing’ that involves non-breeding females fending off males, or males attempting to gain dominance. BIRTHING: A female can produce…

DISCIPLINES English Sporting, FITASC Sporting, FITASC Compak, Sportrap, Skeet, DTL and three high towers. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES Archery, air rifle range and quad biking. MOBILITY Sporting Targets has a hardstanding car park and wheelchair-accessible stands. Disabled bathroom facilities are also available. WHEN IS IT OPEN? Monday to Saturday, 9am-6pm (8pm on Wednesdays on summer nights) Sunday, 9am-2pm PRACTICE ROUNDS Experienced shooters can enjoy more than 40 stands solo thanks to an integrated Claymate system. Clays are set to £0.37, or £0.29 for members. TUITION Lessons are available from £70 per hour. All lessons include 100 clays and discounts are available for members or when booking a course of six lessons or more. MEMBERSHIP Adult membership costs £80, with an annual renewal fee of £60. Members receive a 5% discount on shop…

When I was given the brief to write about training at home I wasn’t filled with confidence, as I do very little training off-range. I believe this to be true of a large proportion of shotgun shooters, but could this be the thing that is holding us back? Could we all shoot better with a little training at home? I am in the lucky position of being a shotgun coach, so every day I’m on my feet all day, walking around carrying guns and cartridges, looking at hundreds of targets and mentally thinking about what I need to say to my clients to help them shoot better. The following points highlight three areas that can make up our off-range training: physical, visual and mental. All of the things I’m going…

I’ve had a fair few pigeons on my ground for the past month or so and have had a some good bags over linseed. But as has often been the way in this area of late, they vanished overnight. There are fewer feeding opportunities in early May. The rape has got away and is in flower and any spring drilling has been scavenged. With the cover plots now stripped, the flocks become more mobile in their search for food. I spend a great deal of time driving around the estate with my job as a gamekeeper and it doesn’t take me long to find pigeons if they’re in the area and damaging crops. If I don’t spot them, I’ll soon get a call from the farmer to alert me and…

Vet’s advice Neil McIntosh SG’s gundog health expert The two that most people worry about are fleas (which jump on the dog, suck blood for a short while, then lay eggs, which fall off into the environment) and ticks (which crawl on the dog, attach their mouthparts to the skin, suck blood for two weeks, then fall off to lay eggs in the environment). Both can be readily controlled. Fleas Fleas evolved from scorpion flies during the Jurassic period some 165 million years ago, making them among the most durable of parasites. They have been sucking blood, first that of feathered dinosaurs and later mammals and birds, ever since. While they rarely cause anaemia, flea-bite allergies are common, as are secondary bacterial and yeast skin infections. Life cycle Understanding…

It would be very hard to arrive at any shoot day in the UK and not see one of Lintran’s dog transit boxes being used by one or more of the Guns, beaters or pickers-up. Their popularity seems to be ubiquitous. There is a good reason for this: they’re well-designed, well-constructed and do the job of transiting dogs very well. Frank and Isobel Hopkins are passionate about their dogs and have 34 years of experience in the manufacture of their boxes, which are designed with a dogs-first approach. Frank first hatched the idea of a purpose-designed dog box after he had a bad experience with one of his dogs. It had managed to pull off the metal dog guard that was fitted to his Daihatsu Fourtrak, then climbed into the…

Is there any way you can lure a rabbit from its burrow without using ferrets? I have heard of people putting rags dipped in petrol at the entrances to holes to stink them out, but this sounds dangerous to me. Ed says: I’ve heard of people stinking rabbits out by using fir cones soaked in diesel. This could make rabbits less comfortable about being in a warren that stinks, but I’ve never known anyone use petrol and it would probably just evaporate. Nothing beats a ferret at emptying a warren properly, and with the recent rises in the price of fuel, I know what is the cheaper option.…

This albino woodie has been hanging about my son’s garden for a couple of months and it has now turned up with a mate. Have you ever come across any albino woodies? Peter says: While it is rare to encounter absolute albino wood pigeons (I have only ever seen one), I have shot a few that have been a pale pink all over, or with white patches here and there. Paul has half a dozen in his freezer, waiting to be mounted. It is interesting to note that these birds are quite loyal to their territories, seldom migrating more than a mile or two from where they have been hatched; and I suspect that when they breed, they are more likely to produce odd-coloured chicks.…

When chasing crows, do you always take all your gear and gadgets with you? Tom says: I don’t often travel light, as I always have the cameras with me, which in turn leads me to think I may as well carry X, Y and Z too. I have had some good days in a leaf suit and a handful of Sillosocks when decoying while travelling light. I have also had great afternoons pottering through the woods with a gun on my back or knocking around the farm buildings. However, I am a believer that you get out of the sport what you put in. If I am putting in the time to go shooting, then I like to ensure that I have the best chance of success, which often means…

I have been having a debate with some gundog friends and we would like to know which breed is better as a picking-up dog? Fran says: Most shoots will want their pickers-up to have more than one dog and, in truth, if you are planning on doing a lot of picking-up, you will need more than one dog. I like to have both retrievers and spaniels in my picking-up team, as the breeds will have slightly different jobs. I use the labradors for long retrieves and the spaniels are ideal for sweeping up, so it is very much a case of ‘horses for courses’.…

Penelope Chilvers Oscar leather boots A bright, bold and rather charming take on the traditional Chelsea boot, these boots feature a fun flash of metallic leather on the elasticated gusset. Made in Spain from quality oiled leather combined with a tough rubber Goodyear welted sole, they are fashionable and functional, sturdy and resilient enough to stand up to the harshest terrain. Available in three colours. Price £289; penelopechilvers.com Barbour Rowen T-shirt Barbour’s latest T-shirt offering features an adorable dog and wellie graphic – simple, sweet and easy to style. Crafted from a lightweight cotton blend, the Rowen will be wonderfully comfortable through the summer months, a wardrobe staple that you can throw on to walk the dog, head to the stables or for a range of other casual occasions. Comes…

Gamebore cartridges are well known and respected in clay and game shooting circles, with an array of highly rated ‘Gamebore Ambassadors’ using its products. These include multi-world sporting champion George Digweed MBE, Mark Winser and, on the game front, high-bird exponents such as Simon Ward and Dave Carrie. The exalted reputations of these shooters prove that Gamebore produces ammunition that meets the requirements of the country’s elite Shots. Product achievement at the highest level is an important part of marketing and promotion in today’s competitive market. It is, after all, why car companies spend millions of pounds in Formula One, hoping that success in that arena will induce more of us to select their road-going cars. On a less exotic scale, it is the successes on the big stage that…

Dogs are becoming a bigger part of our lives, no more so than in our sport. Over the past few years there has been a big increase in the amount of people owning and training gundogs, even before the lockdown explosion of dog ownership. There is nothing better than using a dog for what it is bred for. It makes for a contented canine companion and a happy owner. When all that training pays off, you are transcendent. Of course, there are times when your dog lets you down and you wish the ground would open up and swallow you. I’ve noticed a lot of people getting into shooting because of the type of dog they own. These owners realise they have a dog that was bred for a purpose…

The other day, between rounds of clays, I sat in the clubhouse and cast an eye over a leaflet listing opening times, competitions, practice prices and the cost of coffee and cake. I took one for reference. The really impressive thing in all the information was the quite amazing package of coaching options this shooting ground and its team of instructors had to offer. Just about every eventuality and permutation you could think of was covered. Growing the roots Beginners, naturally, were very well catered for – both individually or in groups – but it was particularly heartening to see great emphasis being placed on encouraging youngsters into shooting. If you were under the age of 17, you could choose from a raft of lessons, many of which were heavily…

There are three types of shotgun owners. First off, there’s the fickle shot, characterised by a constant urge to trade up to something ‘better’. Barely has the oil dried on the stock of his or her latest purchase than it’s being traded in for a newer model that promises to be the one. It never is. Then, there’s the n+1 fella. He already has five shotguns but the one thing that would take his shooting to the next level is a sixth. Of course, the day his cabinet is bursting with the required half dozen, he’ll realise that the correct number to own is actually seven. And on it goes. Lastly, there’s the contented shot. He or she only owns a single gun. It’s probably not the flashiest, or the…

The deer population is now at its highest for many years – by some estimates around 1,000 years, which certainly qualifies as many in my book. There are thought to be two million deer in our countryside, and I certainly can’t see this figure getting any lower without some serious co-ordinated efforts, especially in the south. The reasons for this are varied. Low deer carcass prices don’t help to encourage shooters to get out, and those who have the deer rights to vast plots of land are not controlling numbers as they should, but at the same time are not allowing others to help. I believe this, along with those who don’t allow deer to be shot on their land, all contributes to the growing problem. In recent years we’ve…

DISCIPLINES English Sporting, Simulated Game and Sportrap. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES Clubhouse café and full catering on competition days. MOBILITY Not all stands are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair users are advised to call ahead to discuss their requirements. WHEN IS IT OPEN? Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday, 10am-1pm PRACTICE ROUNDS 100 auto traps provide a wide variety of Sporting targets for certificate-holding shooters. Clays are sold in packages, starting at £18 for 50. TUITION Each lesson is individually customised to suit the student, with prices available on request. MEMBERSHIP Membership is available from £45 per year. Members pay reduced rates on clays across all disciplines. DESCRIPTION Ettiford Farm’s deep-cut valleys and rolling hills, interspersed with patches of woodland, call out for a Sporting course. South West Shooting School’s owners recognised the possibilities on…

The CPSA awards are always a grand affair as the best and brightest from the clay shooting world gather to celebrate the sport and its achievements over the past 12 months, lauding those who have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s always great to see who is named Clay Shot of the Year. However, arguably the most important honour of the night is the Ground of the Year award. For ground owners, a nomination is vindication that the years of hard work have been worth it, while for the shooting public, it is a seal of approval that a ground is one of the best in a country renowned for its high-end shooting facilities. East Yorkshire Clay Shooting Ground had seemingly been destined to win the award since Rob…

Mental training can take on many different forms, depending on the person. Generally, it needs to promote a positive attitude for a positive outcome – be constructive to boost performance. It needs to be used in practice for it to work at a competition. It can be about discipline or about being in the zone. It can be a checklist – it can be whatever you need it to be. Sometimes, it can be about what you are thinking or it can be about shutting things out. This could be your own negative thoughts, distractions or even a throwaway comment from another competitor. Having a regular pre-shot routine can help to focus your thoughts, clear your mind. Everyone’s pre-shot routine is different, but whatever it is, ultimately it’s about calming…

When I first started foxing it was for a very good reason: there were a number of vulpines causing serious problems for the local sheep farmer by ripping the tails off his lambs. It transpired that when the youngsters had tail docking rings fitted – to prevent medical issues arising when they were bigger – a small number of foxes had discovered that these appendages made tastier meals before they dropped off naturally. Consequently, they were tearing them away before time, allowing infection in and causing a horrible affliction known as joint ill, which either requires the animal to be put down or to suffer pain and disability for life. The farmer involved was convinced that badgers were responsible, but after he spent night after night for several weeks on…

In just a few weeks, 35,000 visitors and 400 exhibitors will descend on Perthshire for the GWCT Scottish Game Fair’s annual festival of countryside and conservation, which returns for the 33rd time to Scone Palace from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 July. Run on behalf of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust as one of its main annual fundraisers, the event supports a lot of the research, development and education that the charity undertakes. Here’s what to see and do at this year’s three-day event. The Main Ring The Main Ring is the beating heart of the GWCT Scottish Game Fair, where visitors are treated to an incredible array of displays and demonstrations from every corner of the Scottish countryside – and much further afield! For three days, it will…

How long do you wait when there is no action? Tom says: This really depends on the day and the situation. I wait it out, even when I am pretty sure the day is over. I have been this way all my life; I think it stems from being so keen as a youngster and not wanting a day in the field to end. Sometimes it is a pleasure to sit in a hide and relax, without the need to shoot. I will often take pictures at the end of a day and I can guarantee that something will try to flight towards the decoys as I am messing with the camera in the spread. I think most people will get a feel for when it is time to head…

Do you have a large team working for you, or do you work alone with the dogs and ferrets? I fancy becoming a pest controller and I wondered if I could set up on my own. Ed says: I work with a small team of skilled employees, sub-contractors and volunteers, depending on what we are asked to do. Pest control is a huge market for employment with your normal rat, insect work, bird specialists, wildlife management, ecology, as well as proofing works. It is a good trade to be in, with many routes you can take and endless possibilities, especially if you are a driven person.…

CHARLES SMITH-JONES SAYS: “It usually seems something of a challenge to shoot badly with it” Beretta has been a prolific firearms manufacturer since the 16th century and although it also produces guns for the military and law-enforcement markets, it is Sporting guns that today account for the greater part of its output. It is possible to spend a great deal of money on one of its hand-finished guns, although Beretta mass produces more affordable ones of high quality as well. Over the past few decades in particular it has produced many shotguns in an almost bewildering selection of model numbers and names. These have included the renowned Silver, Gold and Diamond Pigeons, names which have been repeated many times against the various numerical models. The 680 series of over-and-under shotguns…

Clay pigeon shooting seems to have been around forever and has its roots in the sport of live pigeon shooting. Outlawed nearly the world over today, this sport gave rise to many aspects of clay shooting as we know it today. Trap shooting was called ‘trap’ because originally live birds were released from a cage trap and the common command of ‘pull’ derived from the instruction to pull the cord that opened the trap and released the bird. One of the first successful attempts to simulate the live bird was made in the US by Adam Bogardus. His idea of taking a small glass sphere, filling it with goose feathers and launching it skywards off a spring-loaded arm was definitely the father of clay shooting. Sadly, there wasn’t much variance…