Table of contents for August 2019 in Sporting Rifle

The winners of the Countryside Alliance Awards, known as the Rural Oscars, were announced in a ceremony at the House of Lords on 19 June. The national champions included the Sussex Peasant farm shop in Brighton, Hampstead Norreys Community Shop in Berkshire, Two Farmers Crisps from Ross-on-Wye, Brackley Butchers, and the Iorwerth Arms in Holyhead. The Clarissa Dickson Wright award went to Suffolk Market Events, while Stour Valley Game was crowned the country’s Game Champion. CA chief executive Tim Bonner said: “Despite the difficulties of our current political situation the Countryside Alliance Awards brought together rural people from Anglesey to Norfolk and from Northumberland to Devon. Publicans, shopkeepers, farmers and rural entrepreneurs of all types gathered to celebrate all that is best about the British countryside. “And every winner has…

After the rut, things generally go very quiet very quickly. Bucks can be difficult to find – you can’t blame them, as they have eaten little and spent the best part of three weeks fighting, chasing and generally running themselves to a frazzle. Many of them will have some battle scars – if you see them go at each other, sometimes it’s a wonder there are not more fatalities. All the more reason to get out as much as possible before the rut ends. Here, the rut will continue in an average season to around the second week in August, depending on the weather. Then they disappear into the trees and generally rest up and feed to get themselves back in condition for the approaching winter months. Food is abundant,…

LEUPOLD BX-5 SANTIAM A real top-end set of binos from Leupold, the BX-5s are designed to keep you glassing for longer – whether it’s as light drops at the end of the day, or simply reducing eye strain so you have to take fewer breaks. More time glassing means more deer spotted and more in the larder, of course. The Twilight Max HD light management system keeps the sight picture sharp and bright, while all-day comfort reduces fatigue, headaches and dizziness. The whole package is backed by a lifetime guarantee. Price: From £1,497 Viking 01423 780810 vikingshoot.com ZAMBERLAN PRO HUNTER GTX A half-calf version of Hunter boot, the Hunter Pro is made to support you through challenging terrain and high undergrowth. With a wider-than-average fit, it’s made to be comfortable…

A rifle rest of one sort or another is an essential item, even for a shooter like me who pursues the fox in the main and doesn’t shoot on the open hill. Over time I have tried pretty much all of the different types of rest that have been available. The most basic rest is the monopod. I know many stalkers use these, but personally I could never get on with the single stick, so I moved on to a bipod – better but not brilliant for static shooting. I then got a quad pod, which gave an extremely solid platform to shoot from, but was, for my type of shooting, not quick enough to re-position for a change of direction. Finally, I invested in a set of Primos Trigger…

With the roe rut upon us, and stags on the hill not far behind, now’s the time to invest in some truly top-end footwear to keep your feet dry and well supported no matter what terrain you’ll be traversing. To that end, it’s definitely worth checking out the range Ariat has to offer – having come from the equestrian world, they’re now taking on the shooting industry in a big way, and their flagship Catalyst Defiant boots show they’re more than up to the task. Available in 8in or 10in (pictured) models, the Catalyst Defiant is manufactured with a Gore-Tex membrane and a Vibram sole, plus 400g Thinsulate insulation – in other words, it’s top stuff. In terms of construction, a leather upper meets a protective rtubber rand and molded…

Ostensibly it was a meat hunt. A quick sortie to get venison for the summer barbie and to impress the visiting Aussie sister-in-law and brood. In reality, it was a bit of a soul search as well. The does had just started dropping fawns, so the landowner had closed the area for hunting but trusted me to do what I had to do without disturbing the area. It suited me; I love the stealth aspect of hunting and, in particular, the challenge of taking an animal cleanly without it knowing you are there. I also needed this hunt for other reasons: after a hectic few months, I’d crawled towards the end of the year with low reserves and, unlike Americans who put their restoration in the hands of therapists, I…

POST-HARVEST FOXING Lamping, NV and thermal tips from the experts HEAD TO THE HILL The magic of stalking in the red deer rut CALIBRE QUANDARY What’s the best round to use for foxing? HITTING THE HEIGHTS Thomas Nissen heads in search of ibex at high altitudes PLUS… • Haenel rifle on test • Night vision from ATN • Late-season roe • How to build a high seat on the cheap • News, views, competitions and offers THE BIG ONE! News and product launches from this year’s Game Fair SUBSCRIBE NOW Never miss a copy of your favourite shooting monthly again – subscribe to Sporting Rifle and save money every month, as well as getting the mag delivered to your door. With a quarterly subscription starting at £12, it’s more affordable…

Organisations have broadly welcomed new general licences, which appear to cover most of the pest bird shooting undertaken in the English countryside for damage prevention, crop protection and to preserve public health. However, there still appear to be gaps in the new legislation, mainly relating to SSSIs. Shooters were left frustrated as the lack of licences wreaked havoc on the trade with no clear legislation between 25 April and 14 June – some 50 days. Thousands of shooters submitted their responses to Defra and BASC’s calls for evidence about the damage caused – and it appears their evidence had an effect, as Defra subsequently issued licences GL34, GL35 and GL36. These cover the taking of woodpigeon, feral pigeon, carrion crow, jackdaw, jay, magpie, rook and Canada goose – though not…

Landowners have expressed concern over the disappearance of two golden eagles in Perthshire – and the way it was reported. David Johnstone, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The disappearance of two eagles is naturally worrying and we would ask anyone who may have information to contact police immediately. “The estate, which has also issued an appeal for information, has been home to these eagles for some time. Police Scotland has told the estate they are not suspected of any wrongdoing. “Finding out what has happened to these eagles is of paramount importance and no effort should be spared in establishing the facts. “We are, however, concerned that news of the disappearance of these birds has emerged through an anti-grouse shooting website rather than through the agreed Scottish Partnership…

I remember the first roebuck I ever took as a solo stalker. An oppressively hot morning at the beginning of August saw me slip into the bottom of Range Hill, an L-shaped wood which had in it clumps of box, privet and bramble. Walking uphill, heel first to prevent cracking twigs, I made slow progress towards a box clump that gave me visibility for a few yards. As I have often felt since then, my position was a poor one, mainly hemmed in by understorey that prevented me seeing let alone shooting anywhere further than immediately in front of me for a short distance, perhaps 25 yards. The disadvantage of moving was that I would likely disturb any deer that were couched in front of me, so in fear of…

In the past couple of months I have been delving deeper into the world of PRS. It’s interesting what you can learn when you broaden your horizons, and my look at the world of PRS is no exception. Nowadays most of my rifle application is hunting-related, and I apply many of the lessons and skills I learned in my training as a sniper and what I learned in the years that I served in Special Operations. Professionally, I have now moved on to the next chapter, and I see Precision Rifle as a way to somehow keep in touch with that world that taught me so much and that I enjoyed so completely. One of the interesting things about Precision Rifle, for me, is how many innovative solutions there are…

Late summer is a really busy time for me and my shooting mate, Callum. In the past three years or so he has become an extremely efficient member of the team, and has picked up the tricks of the trade remarkably quickly. Over the years I have had various ‘helpers’ – some have been better than others, but as a rule they have all been keen, though lacking in certain essentials that are necessary to succeed when dealing with foxes on a fairly large scale. Perhaps the biggest virtue is patience, and Callum has this, which is relatively unusual in a young man. Ferreting can be the acid test where young people are concerned, as this particular field sport can, on occasions, test the patience of a saint! I have…

CHILDERLEY SPORTING With over 30,000 acres of land in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, Sporting Rifle contributor Paul Childerley offers some of the country’s premier Chinese water deer and muntjac stalking, and can arrange hunts for other species besides. Childerley Sporting offers 1:1 guided stalking that can be tailored to all capabilities, as well as training for beginners. There’s a zeroing range up to 250 metres on site, along with a simulated stalking area. 07715 638934 paul@childerleysporting.co.uk childerleysporting.co.uk MACINTYRE & THOMSON MacIntyre & Thomson are a traditional sporting agency, priding themselves on the service they provide to clients, who become friends and return year after year. Providing sport of the finest quality in the most stunning of settings, Macintyre & Thomson can arrange hunting outings of any type, location or budget. Non-stalking…

BIRMINGHAM 2022 SNUBS SHOOTING Prominent nations are considering a boycott of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after it confirmed that shooting will not be a part of its programme. After hearing representations from five sports not originally included, Birmingham 2022 organisers have opted to add women’s cricket, beach volleyball and para table table tennis to the line-up but exclude shooting and archery – a move already ratified by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Since plans for the Games were initially released in 2017, shooting had made a number of attempts to get restored to the programme, centring on the use of Bisley as a venue. According to British Shooting, the ISSF had even offered “to contribute to the costs” of renovating Bisley for use in 2022. The ISSF’s chief…

ENGLAND CHILDERLEY SPORTING Chinese water deer and muntjac specialist. We manage over 30,000 acres of land in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. We can offer 1:1 guided stalking to all capabilities and training for beginners. We have a zeroing range up to 250 metres along with our simulated stalking area. Contact: Paul Childerley 07715 638934 paul@childerleysporting.co.uk www.childerleysporting.co.uk MARK BOULTON Driven boar hunting throughout Europe and night shooting in Sussex. Groups or individuals. Various packages offered from day trips to France to six-day all-inclusive trips to Hungary. Contact: Mark Boulton 07854 985006 markthedeerstalker@hotmail.co.uk SHOOTING SH A long-established syndicate of 15 years with 19 varied blocks. Red, roe, muntjac and fallow deer with 10 walked-up days as added value plus rough shooting in your annual fee of £750 first year, dropping to £600…

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) CZ 452-2E ZKM American .22LR complete with sound moderator, sling and Simmons 4-12x40 scope. £200. Andrew Sharp 01246 467180 07919 345050 sharp.a6@sky.com (Derbyshire) CENTREFIRE Remington .22-250 Model 700 with silencer. Beautiful laminated thumbhole stock with bipod fitted, ribbed barrel. £475. Trevor Fidler 07989 222818 freshlinecarsales@hotmail.com (Cambridgeshire) Heym 44B…

There some who will forever be regarded as heroes of conservation, held by all who knew them in high regard. Dr Ian Player was one of those people. Born in South Africa in 1927, he would serve as a young man in the SADF – 6th South African Armoured Division, attached to the American 5th Army, during the Second World War. Returning from the war, he took a job in the gold mines. Soon, he moved on to work for what was then the Natal Parks Board. He rose through the ranks over the years to become the Chief Conservator of Zululand, and by the time he retired in 1974, had been voted on as a member of the Parks Board on three separate occasions. Dr Player was involved in…

As of 31 March 2019, there were 159,745 firearms certificates on issue in the UK – the highest number on record since 1987. This continues a general trend of growth in firearms ownership – FACs have now risen for three years in a row and eight of the last ten years. The average FAC holder also owns more rifles. Though the number of FACs rose by around 2,000, the number of firearms covered by these certificates increased by 19,000 and now stands at 596,661. This equates to an average of 3.7 firearms per certificate. The number of shotgun certificates also rose slightly, according to the latest government figures. Of the total 591,302 certificate holders (firearm or shotgun) in the UK, 94 per cent were male, though the number of women…

Conservative leadership candidates have promised to put rural issues at the centre of government – but those living in the countryside are skeptical about their claims and about the trustworthiness of politicians in general. As the race to become leader of the Conservative party – and therefore prime minister – was narrowed down to two, the Countryside Alliance revealed the results of a new survey that concluded that nearly every rural dweller feels neglected by politicians. Only 8.5 per cent of people think life in the countryside has improved in the last five years, the survey found. However delivering a new agricultural policy emerged as the top priority for the next Prime Minister in the survey, followed by tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, and addressing the housing crisis in rural…

STAR LETTER  Dear Sporting Rifle, With rural dwellers descending on London for a countryside rally, and stats revealing that only 8 per cent of people think life in the countryside has improved in the last five years, it seems our faith in politicians is at an all-time low. Can any of us say we are really surprised? It seems that no politicians care about defending field sports or even want to be associated with it, as the General Licence fiasco demonstrated. The Conservatives used to be a trusted party, but few of us would really put our trust in the current government (not that it is up to much as we await the appointment of a new prime minister – whether Boris or Jeremy will have much to say in…

My phone buzzed with a text from Gary. “Any chance you can get around this eve for few hours? Got a fox that’s taken some geese.” I knew the ground in question well enough – Gary and I had shot numerous fallow deer there. The smallholding is only a few small fields in a row that fall away to a wood at the bottom, where every evening a good number of deer venture from the wood to graze on his fields and those on the other side of the lane at the top. The owner and his wife live next to the barn, in which their geese had recently had around a dozen goslings hatch, much to their pleasure. Though they had shut up the barn, they had unfortunately neglected…

DD Optics have jumped into the UK optics market thanks to importer RUAG making a shrewd move to distribute and promote the German brand before anyone had even heard of it. As well as a varied mixture of hunting glassware, they showcased the DDMP Tactical optic in prime position at the British Shooting Show, hoping to capitalise on the accelerating enthusiasm for Precision Rifle Shooting (PRS), which is moving to the ‘PRL’ league format in the UK. RUAG’s own association with rifle maker Bergara is helpful here – Bergara’s HMR and BMP rifles (already tallied with Tier One accessories for scope mounting and bipods) combine with the optics for a one-stop shop to feed your appetite. This reasonably compact scope with 368mm overall length shows a smoothly anodised 34mm tube,…

Bushbuck, in my mind, is like the muntjac of Africa. It is so elusive and will never show up quite where you would expect, and their behaviour patterns can be random, especially when rutting. I’d seen bushbuck in the Limpopo region but never actually tried to hunt them, so finding out that Nico Els of East Cape Bushveld Hunting had a good number on his ground made the trip out there even more exciting. The Eastern Cape is renowned for good quality and real hunting. Deep gorges hanging down the mountainous region, river beds engulfed with thorn and thicket, surrounded by scrubland laden with barbs probably sharp enough to use in battle. This landscape is brutal and is impenetrable by most animals, apart from the sneaky bushbuck, which thrives throughout…

We’ve assembled the best writing team from all over the British Isles – Chris Dalton, Peter Carr,Will O’Meara, David Barrington Barnes and more besides – to recount what stalking is like in their part of the country and the kit, fieldcraft and knowhow you need to make them a success. Editor-in-chief Peter Carr said:“Stalking is without doubt my personal favourite pastime. I’ve stalked both professionally and as a hobby stalker, but always with a sound management model in mind. Stalking plans differ from ground to ground, and smaller patches may need a collective plan with neighbours. Everyone must take part honestly and do their bit if any such plan is remain sound. “This handbook should provide you with all the necessary advice and kit choice to get stalkers new to…

As I write this Almanac, a new set of General Licences has just been released – hopefully this means we can get back to managing the countryside as it should be. Personally, I feel that the gulf between those who know what is needed in the country to ensure a correct balance between agriculture, sport, and vermin control, and those who think they know, widens all the time. Hopefully common sense will prevail but looking at what has been going on in this country over the past few years, I have my doubts. The end of July will see The Game Fair being held at Hatfield House – possibly the show highlight of the year for many people. Let’s hope the weather is kind and all goes smoothly. On the…