Table of contents for March 2023 in Sporting Gun

Underfunded, overburdened and consequently unprofessional police forces have had a detrimental effect on firearms licensing in England and Wales, which risks public safety. This was the verdict of BASC on the current state of the licensing regime when submitting evidence to the parliamentary Home Affairs Committee inquiry into policing priorities. BASC said its written submission to the inquiry would make “tough reading” for many of the chief constables and firearms licensing officers across the 43 forces of England and Wales. The inquiry, which opened last summer, is focusing on the state of policing in England and Wales in the wake of low public confidence and damaging high-profile cases. It is examining what a modern police service should look like and how to ensure the highest standards among police officers. Bill…

11 February BASC Members Range Day, Baronscourt Range, Omagh, Co Tyrone 11 February Coley’s Winter Series 100ESP Competition, Ian Coley Sporting 17-19 February The British Shooting Show, NEC, Birmingham 21-22 February NFU Conference, ICC Birmingham 23-26 February Deer Stalking Certificate 1 course, BASC Scotland Centre, Dunkeld 27-28 February Blaser Cup, Orston Shooting Ground 1 March Royal Northern Spring Show, Thainstone Centre, Aberdeenshire 8 March Shotgun Coach Award Foundation Day, Park Lodge Shooting School…

Every shotgun shooter should have as their new year resolution: “I want to become a better shot.” This is regardless of whether they are shooting at clays or live game. The benefits are obvious: hit more clays and you win more competitions; become a better shot and more birds end up in the bag. The adage I abide by is: there’s no fun in missing. I have worked hard over the years to become the most proficient shooter I can be. I am naturally competitive, a trait that served me well in my clay-busting days but has also enabled me to cope fairly well with just about anything that flies. “There is no excuse to fire at birds you are not confident of hitting once every two shots” Competitiveness should…

How do you create the perfect shoot? First, you need a beautiful estate with varied sightlines and plenty of cover. Next, you need a great group of Guns and a decent cook – or at least someone handy with a bottle opener, to keep the party well fed and hydrated. Finally, you need energetic, reliable targets. Fortunately, in the mid-1970s, Hugh Jones of the Brynmelin Estate in Mid Wales found a way to guarantee great targets no matter the season: clays. By hiding his traps out of view and setting his targets to match the flight patterns of live quarry, Hugh was able to simulate the feel of a game shoot without having to worry the local wildlife. “We have a lot to thank him for,” says Hugh’s grandson, Richard.…

As spring approaches, many people will be thinking about getting their first gundog pup, or perhaps adding another to their team. I am regularly asked by novice trainers what they should be doing with their new puppy. It is not so much what you should be doing but more a case of what you shouldn’t be doing. Too many people think they should be cracking on with training as soon as they get their puppy. They forget that at just eight weeks old it will need plenty of time to settle into its new home. Once the puppy has settled in, you need to ensure it gets to experience the big wide world. If you plan to train your puppy to work in the shooting field, you do not want…

GUNDOGS Training Age seven months Last month I wrote about the challenge of bringing on younger dogs and the dilemmas that it causes with having to sometimes make the decision to leave the older ones at home or not give them so much work. I think it was harder this season due to the shortage of birds. There was certainly a reduced amount of work for the dogs. As well as beating and shooting, I also had to make time to crack on with Twig’s training, which has been thoroughly enjoyable. Change Twig is now seven months old and I have seen a real change in her recently. For starters, she has really been pushing the boundaries at home. She has never been a chewer or a thief but in…

Härkila Reidmar Mid 2.0 GTX boots The unique selling point of these boots is the Uturn lacing system, which makes them a cinch to get on and off. This gives them a number of advantages. For example, if you remove your boots to drive, the quick-release lacing system saves you time fiddling with wet, muddy laces. On a driven shoot you will usually need to remove your boots for lunch and even kicking off a pair of rubber boots can be problematic, but with the Uturn lacing system, one turn and your foot is free. You might be thinking, “Why aren’t all boots made like this?” Well, lace-up and rubber boots also have advantages. I found the Reidmar boots didn’t offer as much ankle support on rough ground as a…

How old does something need to be considered historic? In some cases not very, as proved by the very special air rifle pictured here. Some readers who have been involved in the field target (FT) scene over the past 30 years may even recognise it, because this rifle won more than 200 trophies between the years 1989 to 1995. Affectionately known as ‘Jon-Jon’, this Sportsmatch GC2 was once the property of Terry Doe, a name that will be familiar to readers who have a passion for airguns. In the mid-to-late 1980s, Terry was quite a force on the developing British field target circuit, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by John Ford of Sportsmatch. The latter’s company was producing probably the finest air rifle money could buy at the time,…

SNAPSHOTS Truth be told, I normally find it a bit boring. I’m not interested in hippies whittling wood in a forest or rare sheep breeds. However, a few weeks ago Countryfile took the brave decision and devoted a complete programme to game shooting. I have to say, I rather enjoyed it. Representatives from BASC and the National Gamekeepers’ Association were interviewed along with those from non-shooting organisations. It was well-balanced programme and I hope that this will be the start of more Countryfile episodes devoted to shooting sports. The more we appear on mainstream channels for the right reasons, the better the public perception of our sport. For too long we have been made to feel that we are doing something that is of little value to the countryside. Of…

British Shooting recently hosted its annual award ceremony at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. The event shone a light both on British Shooting’s athletes and on those labouring behind the scenes to help promote shooting sports across the country. Amber Hill was perhaps evening’s biggest winner, scooping the Olympic shooter of the year award. The gong follows another incredible 12 months for Amber as she claimed an Olympic quota place for Paris 2024. Seated sharpshooter Ryan Cockbill was given the Paralympic shooter of the year accolade. In 2022, Ryan took 10m air rifle gold at the European Championships and the World Cup and won a bronze medal at the World Shooting Para Sport Championships. As for those behind the athletes, Richard Brickell was honoured with the award for special…

The fallout from the bird flu outbreak is continuing to cause concern in the shooting community. France is on track for its worst outbreak of avian influenza, with the gamebird-rearing regions of Loire-Atlantique and Vendée particularly affected. The outbreak has had a detrimental effect on fieldsports in the UK this season, as many shoots in the UK source their eggs and chicks from France. The worry is that the situation may well carry on throughout the year and hinder next season too. Meanwhile, new requirements have been introduced in the UK for the catching-up of gamebirds in avian influenza protection zones. The practice of taking wild gamebirds and restocking for breeding purposes is legal in England and Wales during the shooting season up until 1 February and in Scotland until…

Most readers will be acutely aware that the unholy trinity of Covid, Brexit and bird flu has cast a perfect storm over game shooting, dragging the availability of days down while pushing costs up. For decades there has, of course, been an alternative, but simulated game has often been considered a poor substitute for the real thing. Cheap ’n’ cheerful but rarely very satisfying. Until now, that is. With the game industry in such a woeful state, there’s never been a better time for sim shoots to shine, to reconsider the dubious appeal of gigantic bags and strive for quality and authenticity instead. Few appreciate this better than Andy Brown, owner of Cotswold Fieldsports. “The biggest compliment I get,” recalls Andy, “is when experienced game shots and gamekeepers come up…

It’s not often that I get to shoot pigeons in the snow, and to be honest I haven’t had a great deal of luck in the past. It can be a cold, dank experience if the weather is Arctic-like, so I usually wait for the snow to melt before going out. I did have an opportunity recently, though, after spotting pigeons feeding on the tips of the rape plants that were protruding from the snow on one particular field. It didn’t take too much encouragement to get me out in the hide. It was never going to be rich pickings, but I had a few hours spare and it was a spectacular winter’s day. The sun was shining, there was a light breeze and it was crystal clear. It did…

When you get to my age, you find that you spend more time reminiscing about ‘the good old days’. For me, this was a time when life seemed easier and less stressful. As I write, we are experiencing the first really cold snap of winter and the news is full of weather warnings. Strangely, we seem to have forgotten that it does get cold in winter and that we will, on occasion, get frost and maybe even some snow. Photos I was recently going back through some old photos of me in my younger days, and I realised how our shoot-day clothing has changed over the years. Back then we had never heard of Gore-Tex, Polartec or DWR (durable water repellent) membranes, and a heated jacket was something that Buzz…

CORRECTION In the January issue of Sporting Gun, we wrongly attributed Linden Broadhead’s letter ‘No more bad news’ to Jim Higgison. We get a lot of mail and read everything sent in to us. Occasionally we make a mistake. Letter of the month Unfair criticism It was disappointing to read of Linden Broadhead’s [wrongly attributed to Jim Higgison] frustration with firearms licensing and the transition to lead shot (Letters, January issue) and his consideration of giving up the sport we all love. I feel his criticism of BASC is extremely unfair. I have been working with BASC as a volunteer Young Shots coordinator for 10 years and I see the immense amount of work it puts in to protect and enhance our sport. It has some of the most passionate…

EJ Churchill Snap Caps Presented in a premium leather case, these engraved snap caps can be used on 12, 20 and 28-bore shotguns for dry fire testing and for reducing tension on firing pins and springs. Price £400 shop.ejchurchill.com Zeiss SFL 10x40 binoculars This lightweight, compact and durable pair of binoculars offers outstanding visibility across a wide field of vision through a variety of technologies. Price £1,600 zeiss.co.uk Lyalvale Express Pigeon Power 12-bore shotgun cartridges Billed as powerful and hard-hitting, this 2¾in (70mm) case cartridge is highly effective over long ranges. Fibre or plastic wad. Price from £274 per 1,000 lyalvaleexpress.com Alan Paine Milwood men’s waterproof coat With an action back for increased mobility, this machine-washable, waterproof and breathable coat is perfect for the pigeon hide. Available in sizes S…

There are two features I love about Alan Paine’s Axford coat. First is the simulated tweed outer that looks very smart with its dark blue windowpane check. The second is the elasticated cuffs, which keep you insulated against the wet and cold. I like to look smart in the field, no matter what I’m doing, and Alan Paine has produced a coat that is flattering to a woman’s figure and has many practical functions. To start with, the coat is waterproof and breathable. The description said it was waterproof to moderate to heavy rain. I can testify that it withstood a heavy downpour for 20 minutes and kept me dry. That’s all I need and the Axford gives enough protection to get home if you are caught by a heavy…

CPSA age changes The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) has adjusted its age categories to fall in line with other national governing bodies. Age categories are now based on a shooter’s age on the 1 January of the year of competition, and are defined as follows: colt (under 16), junior (under 21) and veteran (over 60). Categories differ slightly at CPSA Major events, where the veteran category will then include shooters aged 55 to 64, with those aged 65 and over entering as super veterans. Charity seeks new chairman HighGround, the charity that helps rehabilitate injured servicemen and women through horticultural therapy and rural activities, is looking for a new chairman. Ian Elliott is stepping down after nearly six years in the role and the charity is consequently searching for…

The CPSA’s top 20s list for 2022 has been released. The list ranks CPSA members based on their hit rates at registered events from 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022. Richard Faulds claimed the top spot in English Sporting, with his average of 95.11 across 2,740 registered targets. Cheryl Hall took the crown for the ladies with her 89.55 over 3,960 targets. Ed Ling beat a tight top three in OT, with his average of 94.55 shot across 550 targets, while Lucy Hall proved she’s one of the world’s best with her ladies’ category topping 92.07 across 1,375 targets. In OS, Arran Eccleston’s hit rate of 94.57 across 700 targets beat out the competition, with Emily Hibbs edging herself on to the top of the ladies’ board with a…

Time seems to be moving rapidly. We are already nearing the last month of the doe season, which ends on 31 March. It is a period when we try to catch up on the more mature animals. The cull is going smoothly and my observations indicate that the deer have, on the whole, been fit and carry reserves of fat. That reserve will be reduced as the season progresses because their food at this time is at its least nutritious. The fat reserve is absorbed, enabling them to survive until new growth emerges in spring. We can only hope it comes when expected and there is not a prolonged winter. If that were to occur, we would see a much higher mortality rate. So far the winter has been mild…

For about 100 years, artificial aerial targets have been used to practise shotgun shooting. The gentlemen and lady Guns of the early 1900s honed their shooting skills using circular clay targets and, indeed, spherical glass balls to get into the swing of things for pheasants and pigeons. The Americans invented a training and competition game with crossing targets, which came to be known as Skeet. The British and Europeans had a go at that and still do. Across Europe, the tradition of ‘walking-up’ gamebirds, with dogs in front of the Gun line, led to the development of Trap clay shooting, with the target going away in front of the shooter, to practise on the rapidly receding bird. In the UK, game shooters were looking for more variation in the flight…

GOT A QUESTION? CONTACT: sportinggun@futurenet.com Sporting Gun, Future PLC, 121 - 141 Westbourne Terrace Paddington London W2 6JR Meet the team 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 PIGEONS 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…

Meindl Peru Lady GTX walking boot When it comes to footwear, finding a good all-rounder can be tricky, but the Meindl Peru GTX walking boot gets my vote. This lightweight, Gore-Tex-lined, waxed nubuck boot offers full weather protection and superb support. It has a shock-absorbing sole and compression padding to reduce pressure walking downhill. The Peru is a functional and preferable option to wellies. Price: £219.99 meindl.co.uk Shuttlesocks welly socks This time of year can be dark and gloomy, so why not add a pop of colour to brighten your day with these fabulous welly socks. They are crafted from a soft-combed cotton with a blend of spandex and nylon for stretch and finished with a terry towel sole for comfort. The vibrant colours and country-inspired motifs are sure to…

I remember when rangefinders came out and people thought them unsporting. Quite the contrary. Knowing the exact range to your target, especially live game, is essential if a shot is to be taken accurately at longer distances. When they first appeared they were standalone units, so something else to carry. Enter the laser rangefinder (LRF) binoculars that combine both an essential observation tool with that of a precise distance finder with the laser rangefinding facility. Steiner has garnered a great reputation in recent years for its riflescopes and has an even longer pedigree for its binoculars. This new LRF forms part of its popular Ranger model offering. These rangefinders are the first integrated LRF binoculars in a roof prism design. You have a pleasing blend of current technology and innovation…

The Ruger M77 is a bolt-action rifle produced by Sturm, Ruger & Co based in Southport, Connecticut. Founded in 1949 and producing rifles, shotguns and pistols, the company is currently America’s largest firearms manufacturer and has a reputation for durable, reliable and no-nonsense products. The M77 is typical of Ruger’s designs. First entering the market in 1968, it started life as a modernised Mauser 98, although the more industrially efficient investment casting method replaced the forged receiver of the Mauser. Additionally, the Mauser blade-type ejector was replaced with a simplified plunger-style design and a new two-position tang safety and trigger system were designed from scratch. It has been in continuous production ever since, undergoing changes to ensure that it still meets the demands of modern shooters. Tight and secure Despite…