Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2020 i Shooting Gazette

Follow your dreams boy, follow your dreams My wife, Pat, and I are proud owners of a gorgeous, one-year-old labrador. As I have recently been recovering from a broken leg, my wife dutifully gets up at 6.30am every morning to take our dog out for a long walk, and again in the evening. Rewind 12 months: Tilly, the bitch I was helping to train for a friend, taking her picking-up and competing in competitions, had a litter of pups – nine beauties, to be exact. Her brother was a previous IGL European Champion and the sire a field trial champion. As I didn’t have a dog of my own at the time I approached my good lady and put it to her that it would be nice to have one…

Dear Uncle Giles, I own and run a fledgling sporting art gallery and online shop. A good friend has asked me to showcase his self-absorbed, art school undergraduate son’s shooting-themed lithographs. How to describe his work? Well, a labradoodle with a spray gun or a working cocker with a brush strapped to its tail could do better. How do I let my friend down without causing offence? Just to confirm, the lithographs are truly dreadful. CDB, by email Uncle Giles writes: Every parent thinks his or her child is a genius in his or her chosen field. Tarquin is the new Picasso and Jocasta is the Fonteyn de nos jours. Or, perhaps, the other way round. Any child who is not a genius to their parents has not yet found…

There is much for us shooting folk to look forward to as we, hopefully, start to come out of lockdown: the upcoming game season for shoots that are going ahead; getting back onto clay grounds for some long-awaited and much-needed shooting practice; practical activities on our shoots; and that all-important social aspect of meeting up with like-minded friends whom we have missed so much. For some, however, the latter may be a concern. Lockdown has caused great uncertainty, worry and stress in the shooting community and for some this has led to a downturn in mental health. One symptom can be a reluctance to socialise or return to normal activities. While meeting others and getting back into the swing of things can be an excellent way of lifting the spirits,…

What is the most frustrating and teasing situation for a passionate pigeon shooter? I now know the answer. It is when you see the potential for a very big or even record day but, for a number of reasons, you cannot shoot it. This happened last year during our annual summer holiday on the north Norfolk coast. Readers may recall articles in past issues recounting special days’ sport in a landscape beloved by pigeon, where the beauty of that part of the world provides views from a hide of stubbles, marsh and sea – the stage for some wonderful days’ sport over the years. It all started while travelling the coast road with a car full of grandchildren and family on the way to the beach. As we turned a…

It’s early June and I am in dire need of a hair cut. Some 12 weeks have passed since I last sat in my barber’s chair and I was due for a trim the same day his shop, and a host of other independent retailers I patronise, regretfully informed customers they were closing their doors until further notice. Ever the optimist, I hoped it wouldn’t be long until I was shaven and shorn and thinking about getting my eye in for the coming season. How wrong I was. We have been in lockdown for well over 75 days now, but at times it has felt like 75 weeks. Countless emails from peers and friends across the game shooting community have mentioned their being furloughed, this modest sample illustrating just how…

When Thomas Boss died in 1857, his wife Emma took into partnership one of the gunmakers at Boss, Stephen Grant. After apprenticeship in Dublin, Grant went to work for Charles Lancaster and then moved to Boss around 1850. It was Stephen Grant who guided Boss through the change to breech-loading but his real contribution to Boss was that he favoured the elegant sidelever and even after he left Boss in 1866, Boss continued to build with this design. The sidelever is a lovely action to work with and with the top strap devoid of lever, it looks magnificent as a canvas for engraving. There appears to be only one photograph of Stephen Grant in existence, published in Experts On Guns And Shooting by G.T. Teasedale-Buckell, published in 1900. It is…

To test the B725 we started on one of the 40ft towers, which makes for an excellent partridge simulation. Using some 24gram No 8s all was well — the handling was excellent, trigger-pulls first-class and the timing and reliability of the ejectors perfect, without ejecting the spent cartridges into the next county. I had put in ½ and ¾ chokes, which is my normal combination. It hasn’t been scientifically tested by pellet count or any other method, but seems to do the trick on most shots. On to the 80ft tower with a combination of clay and game loads in a variety of manufacturers. They were all up to the job and the felt recoil was very moderate. A few targets in extremis on the high tower to finish the…

Q Now the COVID-19 restrictions are slowly being lifted, I want to make up for lost time. What’s the best thing to do without rushing? A Let’s face it, the majority of us haven’t even picked up the gun in recent months. If we have, it’s probably to clean it. This is where I would suggest you start. As soon as lockdown is lifted, I will be getting my gun in for service as there will definitely be a rush to the gunsmiths and undoubtably a backlog. I think there are still many people who believe that keeping their gun clean is enough. Yes, it obviously helps but it is a bit like washing a car versus getting it serviced: washing it makes us feel like we are looking after…

To feature your event on Gundog Update, email: martin.puddifer@ti-media.com If lockdown has given us one thing, it’s plenty of time to read in the garden with our faithful friend curled up at our side. Dog’s Best Friend: A Brief History of an Unbreakable Bond by Simon Garfield arrived early on in lockdown, so we thought it would be perfect to help pass the time – and we weren’t disappointed. The 272 pages flew by, with stories about dogs of all shapes and sizes, not to mention traits and temperaments, keeping us entertained. Laughs, tears – this book has the lot. We are in no doubt you’ll find a dog in these pages that reminds you of one you’ve been proud to call you best friend, either now or in days…

How to win For your chance to win either a Pintail Explorer II smock (top right) or a Seasons jacket (right), email high-res images to martin.puddifer@ti-media.com. Please put ‘Gundog Picture of the Month’ in the subject line. The winner will be chosen by the Shooting Gazette judging panel. Good luck! The prize will only be posted to winners with a fixed UK postal address.…

The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust (GWT) has said that it will work more closely with gamekeepers on their plans for retirement, striking a work/life balance and other heath issues. The announcement follows the publication of its Raise the Game survey of 329 gamekeepers across the UK. The survey found that: • 75% of gamekeepers work more than 50 hours a week, with more than 90% working more than 37 hours a week; • 25% had not taken a holiday or short break in more than a year, with 50% of the overall total taking fewer than 15 days; • 10% struggled to achieve eight hours’sleep each night, with more than50% needing eight hours to feel well-rested; • 254% were keen to explore planning for retirement, with more than 33% planning for…

Be proactive: We live in an everchanging world, and as a company, brand or individual, you need to be adaptable and willing to change tack with the times. The internet has changed everything and the next big thing is inevitably just around the corner, so you will get left behind if you aren’t willing to embrace new ways of doing things. You won’t get far if you spend all your time looking back. Be fair: I don’t believe that you have to be ruthless in business. There are times when you invariably will need to be firm and stand your ground, but it is important to always be fair to your employees, your colleagues, customers and suppliers. Be adventurous: Nothing great was ever achieved without an element of risk (as…

My dream team would gather on a chilly October morning in Tarset, Northumberland. Walkedup grouse would be the mainstay of the day. The private moor I manage generates a small bag but holds a variety of game, including wild pheasants, partridges and snipe. My guests are always astounded by the beautiful landscape and Roman history surrounding the area. My dream team would be composed of seven Guns, an eclectic international ensemble. First on my list, Dean and Steve Ashworth – a father-and-son team, the embodiment of Northern charm and hospitality. We have shot together for a few years. Elevenses at the Ashworth Gun Café has always been the highlight of the morning, with hot coffee and bacon sandwiches flowing freely. To assist with EU negotiations, Tom Van de Maele –…

Pine martens are making a comeback in Galloway. Driven to extinction in the 19th century, these enthusiastic predators were released into the Galloway Forest Park as part of a reintroduction project in the mid-1980s. The success of the project seemed uncertain at first, largely because the Forest Park sprawls across more than 300 square metres of wild and remote commercial forestry. You could lose an army of elephants in those trees and never find hide nor hair of them again, so it is no surprise that a handful of pine martens should have slipped under the radar. After 10 years, a few pine martens began to show themselves. A handful of sightings were confirmed with growing evidence to suggest they were doing well in the south-west corner of Scotland. Twenty…

As many regular readers will know, Boss & Co. is my favourite British gunmaker. There are three reasons why Boss guns are top of the list. The Boss gun is a very handsome, rakish and stylish gun; instantly recognisable and although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, to me it is the most elegant gun of all. Secondly, right from their beginnings in the first decade of the 19th century, Boss & Co. has only ever built best guns. Every single Boss gun is a best gun whereas all other well-known makers have built inferior-quality guns. Third and finally, on account of building best guns only, Boss guns are relatively few in number and consequently have a certain exclusivity. After 200 years of production they are still only…

Boss & Co., under the direction of Thomas Boss’s nephew Edward Paddison in the third quarter of the 19th century, used the underlever to a greater extent. Even after snap actions became popular in the 1870s, the underlever was his preferred closing mechanism. When Boss did build snap actions, the firm used three variations. The toplever as invented by Purdey and Scott (1863-1865), was used, as was the variant on this, the Purdey undersnap or thumb-hole. However, of all the snap actions built by Boss in this period, the sidelever snap was by far the most common. The side snap encompassed a small lever connected to a Purdey bolt that curled round from the bottom of the action to the side. Edward Paddison had been dogmatic about the underlever and…

Engineering: 10/10 We use a number of the 725 models at the shooting school in both 12- and 20-bore. We simply don’t get any issues and they are shot pretty much every working day. Looks and finish: 9/10 The action has some game scene engraving which is well executed, the chequering is done by hand and the wood to metal fit is excellent. The figuring in the woodwork is more than you would expect of a gun in this price bracket. Handling: 10/10 I do like the handling of these guns: the little bit of extra weight and the balance in front of the hinge pin makes for some smooth handling. Gun fit as always is very important and makes a significant difference; a smaller bore gun sometimes benefits from…

COTTONWOODS LEIGH VEST BY LAKSEN £158.99 laksen-sporting.com If you want fresh kit for your pre-season preparations then consider the Cottonwoods Leigh Vest. Available at a number of dealers, including Farlows, this classically designed, lightweight shooting vest features quilted shoulder pads and two deep pockets, making it perfect for those early season days on grouse and partridges. This is the camel version, it’s also available in green. BOOMER DOG BOWL BY YETI From £39.99 farlows.co.uk To a dog, a bowl is where food and water can be found. To a dog owner, a bowl is at the epicentre of the chaos that comes with feeding time. The stainless steel Boomer Dog Bowl is a bonny thing and seems almost indestructible. Featuring a Bearfoot™ Non-Slip Ring, the bowl is also puncture and…

Q I have been training my dog to enter into gundog scurries for some time and researched it a little. The first event we entered frightened him and has made him nervous, to the point we could not take part. The dummy launcher was close to us – could that have caused the problem? A That might be an issue if you have not acclimatised the dog sufficiently to be near a launcher, which can be very loud. It pays to vary the distance and proximity of the bang, just as it would for any dog getting used to gunfire. It may also be the noise that launcher made, as they can be different. For example, if you have trained the dog using one taking blanks or a gun/starter pistol,…

The Country Food Trust has delivered more than 1m meals to people in need over the past five years, with HRH The Duke of Cambridge helping to announce this achievement on social media. The first 2,000 meals were delivered to Charlie Mason at FareShare South West in March 2016, and it was to Mr Mason that the Trust took 2,400 meals this May, taking the total past the 1m mark. In March, the Trust launched its Coronavirus Appeal, which has enabled it to supply an additional 100,000 game meat ready meals to those in need. Additional funding has enabled the delivery of around 400,000 ready meals, including more than 35,000 to front line NHS workers. Congratulations to the Trust from everyone here at Shooting Gazette. thecountryfoodtrust.org…

You do not speak for me I am appalled that organisations such as BASC have decided lead should be withdrawn without full discussion with cartridge manufactures and, more importantly, the membership. Its governing body is elected by members and before making such an important decision they should have been balloted to ask for their views. Instead, BASC has acted on the views of a few committee members. I have been a member of WAGBI/BASC for 55 years and I have never known such a decision being taken without first consulting the members and, frankly, there is no justification to ban lead other than perhaps over wetlands. As a result of this decision many shotguns will be defunct as they cannot be proofed for steel, so becoming almost worthless overnight. This…

Pheasant and pork burgers SERVES TWO PEOPLE Ingredients • 200g pheasant mince(70/30 breast/thigh)• 200g pork mince • 2g garlic powder• 2g onion powder• 20ml water• 20g rusk – available from most high street butchers• 2g cracked black pepper• 2g sea salt Method Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Using scales, or roughly eyeballing it, split the mix into two 210g balls and then flatten out the burgers. Light the barbecue and grill each burger for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Ensure the burgers are cooked thoroughly before serving. Serve in a brioche bap with cheese, lettuce, red onion and tomato slices.…

The Hunter GTX Evo Extreme from Lowa is the boot of choice for Guns and keepers who demand strength and comfort when out in the field. Handcrafted in Germany using the finest leather, SPS midsole technology and Vibram outsoles, these boots will look stylish and your feet will be well supported, while the Primaloft insulation and Gore-Tex waterproof lining will keep them warm and dry. For more information, visit lowa.co.uk. To win a pair, find the 11 words listed and send the completed entry form to: Wordsearch, Shooting Gazette, TI Media Ltd, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough GU14 7BF. Entries to arrive no later than 31 July. The first correct entry to be drawn will win. Note: May’s winner will be drawn at a later date due to lockdown. •…

How does it feel to be the new CEO of the BGA? I’m delighted, because the BGA is something I really believe in. When I worked at the Countryside Alliance I supported the launch of the BGA as a vital initiative for the shooting community. The vision is so exciting but, of course, there are challenges to overcome in the execution. These are challenges I am facing with relish, but also a good dose of realism. What are you looking forward to the most about your role? Are there any objectives you want to achieve, both as the CEO and for the BGA as a whole? The first objective, COVID-19 aside, is to ensure everyone knows what the BGA does and how we can support the whole game meat supply…

Traditionally, July has been the month in which – gamekeepers and game farmers aside – holidays are taken, preparations made and new kit and caboodle purchased for the coming season, but with the spectre of the Game Fair buying-fest slipping over summer’s horizon into autumn, this year not so much. So it was that, incarcerated by government edict within the family demesnes, The Back Gun became temporarily frustrated in this mission to spend money by more than the predicted annual uxorial veto. Thus, replacement of the German 4x4 that has carried him and his chums so efficiently around the country these past 10 years, the purchase of that pair of Italian over-unders and the smartly cut tweed apple-catchers from Savile Row were put on hold in the hope that they…

As part of John Robertson’s streamlining, he developed a very stylish gun in the 1890s, the round-body action still built by Boss & Co. today. The round body has exactly the same internals as the square body apart from the lockplate locating peg that is sunk deeper in the action. The entire lockplate is on a gentle curve and the action rounded underneath with no bead to give a graceful effect. The stock likewise is rounded at the wrist with no drop points. Boss was the first gunmaker to promote the round body; many other makers subsequently copied this style. The first mention of a round body in the Boss order ledgers are nos. 4251/2 ordered in 1893 “to be well rounded at top over locks and bottom of action,…

It’s odd how cats stare at people who don’t like them. Indeed, a cat may look at a king. To make it go away, His Majesty should stare back at it, screw his eyes up and then deliberately turn his head away. The cat may not leave but it will probably stop bothering him. If the king ever uses the Underground he would do well to avoid eye contact (that’s a telling expression) with the drunk in his carriage. To engage or disengage, that is the question, as in: “What you lookin’ at? You lookin’ at me?” or “Our eyes met at a party and we both just knew” or “Don’t look now but so-and-so is over there”. And, of course, you just have to look and so-and-so somehow senses…