Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2017 i Sporting Gun

What better way to celebrate the 40th year of Sporting Gun than by giving the old girl a makeover? We hope you think she looks a bit prettier than before. However, the changes aren’t just cosmetic. We’ve included some new features and there are even more new articles to come, watch this space. In February we will launch our new clay-shooting competition with the Royal Berkshire Shooting School. Make sure you read more about that on page 77. Finally, we want you to get involved in the magazine and that is why we have a new “In the Field Section” of the magazine. This is where we invite you to test a shotgun. Read more about this on page 60 and see how you can become involved. I hope you…

No matter what or where you’re shooting, always remember to double check your barrels are clear of any obstruction before loading up, particularly after negotiating marshy ground or ditches with an un-sleeved gun. It’s easy to pick up mud or even a dangerous blockage of snow in the muzzles, all of which can cause a burst barrel, which can be a disaster. Taking a few seconds to check the barrels are clear before you load can prevent the loss of an arm, an eye – or even your life!…

We are now well into the driven shooting season here on the Honeycombe shoot, having already done 40 days of dog training, walked-up days and driven days, with partridges and ducks predominating earlier in the season. With the main pheasant season upon us, it is important to take stock of how things have gone so far to look at what we have achieved this season. Game mix Weather-wise, the season has been great with largely dry and windy weather making for ideal conditions, with only an occasional wet day here in Dorset – it has been ideal for partridge shooting. We have had a couple of mild frosts and the leaves turned early making for a beautiful landscape. The birds have held well in the gamecrops that have also done…

PIGEONS Rest and recuperation Q After shooting over oilseed rape I’ve noticed pigeons are often back on it the following day. It’s tempting to have another go but I presume it’s best to rest the field. How long do you leave them between visits? A Peter says: If we have had a decent day on rape, the pigeons are seldom back on the same field for several days, if at all. We have found, through trial and error, that if we attempt to shoot the same population of birds more often than once every 10 days, they soon become decoy shy, particularly if you employ rotary machines. Don’t forget that other decoyers may be chipping away at them too, as are farmers with their rockets and gas guns. It is…

Feeding a pond It is best to feed into the shallows to make it easier for all species of duck to feed Using decoys Andrew rarely uses decoys on a pond as birds are usually arriving in to feed The hide build The type of hide doesn’t matter as long as you keep your head down and movement low Signs on the pond You should be able to get a good indication of bird numbers by the signs left on the pond Weighting decoys Make sure you attach a weight to your decoys so they don’t blow over to the other end of the pond Taking aim Andrew shoots his ponds on a two-week rotation, only shooting the first two minutes of the flight…

“The fact is all ferrets will bolt a rabbit given the opportunity” Ferreting is one of those activities that can be as complicated or as simple as you make it. For a newcomer it can seem quite daunting when you consider all the bits and bobs that are collected by those experienced in the art. However, you can still catch rabbits with a minimal amount of gear. The starting point for any level of ferreting is, of course, the ferret! Without such an ingredient you’re not going to be very productive. Everyone has differing views on what makes a good ferret, but the fact is all ferrets will bolt a rabbit given the opportunity. That said, I would prefer to get ferrets from a long line of working ferrets to…

Company gunsmith Tony Curran is shown here working on a Cogswell & Harrison side-by-side. The gun is about the same vintage as Tony, having been made just over 70 years ago. Tony began his career in 1959 as an apprentice at Dublin’s world-renowned fishing tackle and gunshop, Garnett and Keegans (which closed in 1989 following a century of trading). After 20 years he moved to Dublin Gunsmiths Watts Brothers and two decades later he joined Ardee. “I’ve made every part of a gun except the barrels. I love working on a gun that has been handed down through generations, finding out what is wrong and then fixing it. There’s real pleasure in getting an old gun working again and then seeing the customer’s face when you hand it back,” he…

“Flintlocks were difficult to load on windy or rainy days” If you have ever fired a flintlock, you will know that it feels as if the world has suddenly slipped into slow motion when you compare the experience to that of firing your modern shotgun. When you pull the trigger on the flintlock, you are very aware of a sort of “click – fizz – bang” sequence, rather than the modern gun’s apparently instantaneous “bang”. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the cock (which is the hammer-like thing with the flint attached to its nose) swings through a very long arc before the flint makes contact with the steel frizzen to create the spark, which ignites the powder in the pan. Then there is the time it takes for…

Winter is an exciting time for the airgun shooter, and usually marks the start of a very productive period in the woods. Colder weather and strong winds have thinned the treetop canopy, making it much easier to spot quarry species up their lofty hiding places. At this time of year, my thoughts turn to woodpigeons. Farmers are always keen to have woodies thinned out because of the costly damage they cause when they descend on valuable crops, and the greedy birds have also taken a fancy to the contents of the pheasant feeders on a couple of my woodland shoots. Although the keepers won’t allow shooters to use noisy shotguns to control these flying pests until the game season wraps up, they’re more than happy for me to quietly pick…

 What is the Handicap Challenge? “The system means everyone stands a chance of winning” It is an open, handicapped, 100 target, English Sporting championship held over 11 weeks, with the course built to a “par” score of 94 ex-100. The course, set by Royal Berkshire Shooting School (RBSS) instructors Robert Cross and Steven Turner, will include the renowned high tower as well as the exciting grouse sequence. The Handicap Challenge is a collaboration between the RBSS and Time Inc, publishers of Sporting Gun, Shooting Times, Shooting Gazette, as well as other selected sponsors. Standard Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) rules apply including: no coaching during the competition, hearing and eye protection is mandatory and using a maximum 28g cartridge only. When and where does it take place and how much…

Be basic on the training ground Once a dog has learnt the habit of dropping or even spitting out its retrieves, you will need to go back to basics and re-teach the good habits that you should have instilled in the dog’s early training. This can only be done on the “training ground” and not in the shooting field. Some of the highlighted problems can be easily rectified by slowing everything down and being more aware of what is going on with the dog when working it, but it never hurts to re-enforce the various training aspects that you should have taught the dog as a youngster. The first thing you need to re-enforce to the dog is the “hold” command. Initially, it is easier to start with a dummy.…

“Even at six months old Ted becomes a totally different dog when we are training” Age 6 months Countdown to first shoot 12 months and 26 days I have been involved in gundogs in one way or another for over 30 years, mainly photographing them, however during that time I have read countless numbers of books and watched many hours of gundog training videos. I have also been very lucky through my work to have met, watched and learned from some of the best gundog trainers in the country. And with my new cocker spaniel Whaupley Sharp Shooter aka “Ted” now approaching six months old, it is time to use some of that information and start some “formal” training. From a young puppy, I have been conditioning Ted with some…

Ingredients • 4 venison fillet steaks • Olive oil • 2tsp chopped parsley • 2tsp chopped onion • 2tbsp chopped chives  •¼lb thinly sliced mushrooms • Butter • Salt and pepper Heat the oil until it is very hot and then quickly brown the steaks on both sides without them cooking. Mix the parsley, onion and chives with the mushrooms. Cut four pieces of kitchen parchment paper, large enough to envelope each steak completely, spread with butter and sprinkle with the herb and mushroom mixture. Place a steak on each paper, cover with another layer of the herb mixture, season well and wrap up firmly. Bake in a hot oven for about 20 minutes, until tender. Serve the steaks still encased in the papers.…

Richard Brigham Richard is a keen shooter, taxidermist and naturalist. This month he sets out on his annual quest to bring home a Canada goose for the Christmas dinner. He also takes an in-depth look at the bird in our new Countryman’s Notes section. Patrick Hook This month our fox shooting expert, Patrick Hook, reviews the new Webley & Scott Xocet rifle. He also looks at the right calibre for shooting foxes and tells us about one of the most difficult shots he has ever taken. Read more about that page 74.…

“The atmosphere was convivial, a perfect autumn day in the sunshine” The Easton Shoot, just outside Stamford in Lincolnshire, runs along the A1 – adjacent to RAF Wittering. The shoot covers 800 acres and abridges two counties, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. It is right on the edge of Lincolnshire 10 Guns are shooting on the day. Some of the syndicate members are half Guns, but all know each other well and there’s a very jovial atmosphere. Shoot captain Andrew West has run the shoot for 10 years and virtually all the Guns have been with him from the start. He knew the shoot well, as it was part of the Burghley shoot, so when they split it up he was able to take it on. Keeper Mark Pope has been on…

“Now on day three and the signs of sleep deprivation were starting to set in” This month is the second part of the mad expedition that Chris and I embarked on. The military style operation was to get as many flights in as possible over a few days to get footage for his latest DVD. You re-join the story on the morning of day two after a few successful flights. Our evening flight reconnaissance mission on the river the previous night resulted in a blank, but left us with vital information of what birds were in the area for the following morning. Ducks instead of geese The following day, Chris and I were up early and at the marsh gate ready to embark on a yomp across the marsh. The…

GUNDOGS GRAHAM WATKINS A professional gundog trainer for more than 35 years and runs Gamegoer Gundogs. VETERINARY NEIL MCINTOSH A practising vet in Scotland. TUITION JOHN BIDWELL 6 times World FITASC champ and pro shooting coach. LEGAL DAVID FROST Author of Sporting Shooting and the Law. TECHNICAL MIKE GEORGE Engineering author with a deep love of gunmaking. PIGEONS PETER THEOBALD Author of Woodpigeon: The Ultimate Quarry. STALKING GEORGE WALLACE Former National Gamekeepers’ Organisation’s firearms consultant. RABBITS ED COOK Professional rabbit catcher working over 30,000 acres. PEST CONTROL & WILDFOWLING TOM SYKES Passionate wildfowler and pest controller…

“Every club should have a structured course of tuition for new shooters” Fareham CTC boasts an impressive and unique history. It was originally started in 1929 as a gentleman’s clayground for Shots in the area, and in 1963 the chance to buy the 38 acres of land arose. The club was bought by several members, who offered paid membership to other shooters, and when they had recovered their initial loan money through membership fees, they gave the club back to the members thus making it a cooperative. Each member is effectively a shareholder, which has made for a very loyal and welcoming group of shooters and a club of which they are proud. Have a go Club president Brian Coupe said: “I joined the club in 1983 to learn to…

“The guns we make will never go out of fashion and can be used in any country” The name Cogswell & Harrison has a long and glorious history in British gunmaking. Founded in 1770, the company is one of oldest surviving marques from the London gun trade. Company records list more than 85,000 guns manufactured, with many of these still saluting pheasants today. Off the top of my head I can think of half a dozen friends who have a “Coggie” in their shotgun collection. A new chapter in the Cogswell & Harrison story opened in 2008, when the company was purchased by David Brennan and his family. David is well known in the gun trade for his County Louth-based Ardee Sports Company, importers and distributors of many well-known brands…

“Some really nice touches have given this gun real class” 1. In the workshop Sporting Gun’s gunsmith tests the new Sporter from Webley & Scott, but how does the Italian-built gun compare to its popular predecessor? Having sold a lot of Webley & Scott 900 series shotguns over the last few years, I hold them in high regard. So high, in fact, that I bought a 920 game gun for my good lady. When Stuart Grant, Highland Outdoors Southern Sales Manager, popped in on his monthly visit and told me that there were new models arriving shortly, I was looking forward to having a good look at them. Webley & Scott is in the process of releasing two new models to the market. The 950 series Turkish-built entry-level gun with…

“There is little doubt that pigeon numbers are in flux countrywide” Pigeons had to work hard to winkle them out, which meant that numbers using the field continued to increase for more than a week, resulting in two bags of 212 and 294. The crop never fully recovered, and though we didn’t shoot a bag on it during the growing season, we made a massive 380 just before harvest as pigeons polished off the ripening peas. As is usual at this time of year, I like to carry out an end of season report to see if my predictions for our pigeon shooting forays came true. I will also peer into my crystal ball to try and ascertain our prospects for the coming year. Let me say right away that…

It’s patently obvious that when a pest controller has a job to do, it needs to be done both cleanly and quickly. Where foxes are concerned, however, it’s really easy to mess up unless you set about it properly. This subject is therefore one that is often avoided like the plague – but in the interests of encouraging the best possible practice, I think it should be discussed in detail. Successful shooting I consider the main factors governing the success of a shot to be calibre, range and placement, however speed of response can also be critical. After all, it’s no good waiting to get everything absolutely perfect if you take too long to pull the trigger and the fox has run away before a bullet is launched. On the…

Vet’s advice Neil McIntosh SG’s gundog health expert What might a sprightly senior spaniel that is struggling to squat, a lascivious Labrador that has lost his libido and a pent up pointer that is piddling painfully have in common? They might all be suffering from abnormalities of their prostate gland, just like your old pal, geriatric Jock. What is it? The prostate (not prostrate or even protestant!) gland is a bi-lobed structure, present only in male dogs, that sits around the urethra, adjacent to the urinary bladder. It plays a vital role in producing seminal fluid, a complicated mixture of substances that ensures the viability of sperm after they leave the body. What do you see when it goes wrong? Enlargement of the gland can put pressure up onto the…

“Once the dog has made a positive indication, it is time to net up or enter the ferret” For the first time in nearly 30 years I do not have a lurcher curled up under my desk. Just over a month ago, Tilly, my collie x greyhound called it a day. At just over 14 years old she had a good innings, although anyone that has gone through the heartache of losing a dog, who has given years of unquestioning companionship and loyalty, will know that even 14 years is far too soon to say goodbye. I had already made the decision that she would be my last lurcher, because in recent years the legal work of a lurcher has become greatly diminished and I no longer want to creep…

“Every rifled barrel leaves a fingerprint, as distinctive as those of a human hand” One of the key players in the detection and prevention of armed crime is the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS). It was set up in 2008 and since 2014 has been run by Detective Chief Superintendent Jo Chilton. There are four hubs, or laboratories if you like, in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Glasgow. I was recently able to visit Birmingham to see the work that is done. History of ballistics The ability to link a fired bullet to a particular gun or type of weapon goes back a long way. In 1862, the bullet that killed Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson was identified as coming from a musket fired by his own side – an early example…

GWP’s have a long memory and Alfie is no exception, especially where food is concerned! I was out the other morning, it was minus five degrees and I was having trouble with the rear door on the cab, so Alfie, lucky lad, came into the car on the back seat. Needless to say, he liked that! I was picking up a friend of mine, who always gives the big lad a biscuit, so as soon as the bruiser spotted him his outlook for the morning was looking even better! The biscuit was duly given with my friend managing to retain all five digits in the process – a miracle in itself. Off we went and Alfie proceeded to wangle his nose into every bit of clothing my colleague had, he…

Send us an email at sportinggun_ shopfront@timeinc.com and include: • Your name • Your address • Your postcode • Your daytime telephone number • And, most importantly, details about the item/s you have for sale or wish to advertise. To place your ONLINE advertisement (guns only) and add a picture of the gun you are selling go to: www.gunsforsale.shootinguk.co.uk. *There is a fee of £5 for online advertising for guns costing more than £1,000. This feature is not open to members of the gun trade If you don’t have email Alternatively, if you don’t have access to email or the Internet, you can still send your personal details and information about the item/s you wish to advertise to Sporting Gun, Time Inc (UK) Ltd, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough, Hampshire…

“While greylags are far more predominant, I much prefer a Canada” Living roughly halfway along the wide, meandering valley of the River Wensum in Norfolk - bordered by gravel pit lakes and flood plain marshes - I’m lucky enough to bring home a regular goose or two for the table throughout the wildfowl season. But most important, I like to get a fresh wild goose for Christmas. It’s something of an annual quest, and while greylags are far more predominant nowadays, given the choice, I much prefer a Canada, both for taste and texture. Eaten hot or cold, it’s hard to beat a bird that has built up a nice layer of fat, been hung to mature for a few days and carefully roasted with a delicious sage and onion…

“The keeper must be well prepared to ensure the day runs well” Management and organisation of shoot days can often be one of the most challenging tasks for a gamekeeper after a year of quite solitary work. With logistics, staff, clients, game and many other aspects to consider, the keeper must be well prepared to ensure the day runs with minimal hiccups. The Game and Wildlife Management department at Newton Rigg College is ideally equipped to deliver the education of this organisation effectively. With a full-driven partridge shoot based around the college farm, this provides an ideal opportunity for students to experience the types of organisation and pressure that keepers face throughout the season. Shoot days The second year includes a unit named “Shoot Management”. To complete this unit successfully,…

Pheasant scotch eggs Ingredients • Pheasant breasts • Sausages • Eggs • Flour • Breadcrumbs • Garlic powder • Salt and pepper These are a little bit of a faff to make, but they’re well worth the effort. First make up the meat mix by mincing the pheasant breasts and placing it in a bowl. Next the sausage meat needs to be added to give the meat some fat to bind it. Take roughly 250g of sausages to 1kg of pheasant, I personally use cumberland sausages because they give the mixture a nice flavour. Add the sausage meat to the pheasant by removing the sausage skins, add garlic powder and salt and pepper before mixing thoroughly. Boil the eggs for as long as you need, depending on the size and…

“A small pond can provide a great deal of sport and some excellent meat for the table” As all pest controllers know, we work hard throughout the year to manage and control pest species. For most of us this is a pleasurable exercise, even in the midst of a heavy rain shower or those mornings when zipping up your jacket takes all your effort. These days pay off when a farmer allows you to have a go at some flighting geese or to feed a pond for some ducks. The opportunities are the best way any farmer can say thank you for all your help and as sporting folk we are all happy to try something different. One of these great thank yous is the chance to shoot a flightpond,…

Cogswell & Harrison’s stock books are fascinating. Dating back to the mid-1800s these 25 brass-bound ledgers record the making and selling of some 85,000 guns. The early books have sensitive items, such as the price the customer paid written in a mysterious code (broken relatively recently by a previous owner of the company). Reading these records is a like a journey through social history. There are guns made for both royalty and rogues – such as Clarence Hatry, who sparked the Wall Street Crash of 1929. In 1915 the records show guns ordered and never picked up and in 1919, widows returning guns in hope of a refund. Today the records are looked after by Cogswell & Harrison’s Paul Owen, who spends a lot of time helping customers find their…

The largest of our resident geese, the Canada goose, is widespread throughout most parts of the British Isles, except the far north of Scotland and southern Ireland. Found on lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and freshwater marshes throughout the country, it is equally at home in the relative safety of public parks in large cities, where it has learned to take advantage of handouts of food from the human residents. Identification The Canada goose needs little introduction. Easily identified, adults have a distinctive black head, neck and tail, white cheek patches, grey-brown back, darker wings and a conspicuous white rump and vent. The breast is a light grey-buff, darkening towards the belly, and the beak, legs and large webbed feet are black. Although the plumage is identical in both sexes, females…

THE AIMSPORT MODERATOR We were all keen to find out how the Aimsport moderator would perform – it certainly looked the part, being well made and nicely proportioned. We were not disappointed, it reduced the sound of the rifle being fired such that the bullet hitting the target 40 yards away was louder than the discharge. Both my shooting partner, Paul, and I were intrigued to find out what the new, affordable Xocet from Webley & Scott would be like. Coming from a famous stable with a background of solid, dependable guns, I really hoped that it wasn’t going to be a cheap item hiding behind a good name. My fears were quickly put to rest when I saw and handled this German-made rifle for the first time. For a…

“it never hurts to re-enforce old aspects of training” The solution Graham Watkins SG’s gundog guru The causes As with all retrieving problems, it is worth looking at some of the potential causes before deciding how to rectify the issue. I would have to assume that your dog is normally a good retriever. These are by no means the only causes, but they do represent the more common reasons. •The problem of poor retrieving during the shooting season can quite often be a result of “handler error”. In a training situation we are normally very focused on the dog and everything we do is in slow time, that simply means we are taking our time and not rushing. Transfer this to the shooting field and we have any number of…

There are many lurcher clubs throughout the UK to promote lurcher work and give handlers the chance to learn and socialise with like-minded people. Listed here are a few clubs available. The National Lurcher & Racing Club The NL&RC was started in 1980 and today is the largest lurcher club in the world, having members both in the UK and abroad. Visit: www.nationallurcherclub.co.uk/ Lure Crazy Lure Crazy is a dedicated team of Lurcher enthusiasts headed by Kevin Mumford from South Devon. It runs a number of field events at shows across the South West, but also the Living Heritage lurcher showing and field events at shows across the country. Visit: lurecrazy.myfreesites.net / The Association of Working Lurchers/Longdogs Founded in 1996 to unite the lurcher world,…

“The most humane shot to take deer is the heart lung shot” A letter sent to the Sporting Gun head office and subsequently forwarded to me spurred me on to write about shot placement. The writer of the letter commented that he had heard of an Internet channel advocating the headshot on a deer and that he was concerned that this may content. But, those of you who are regular readers of Northern Notes will know I have covered shot placement in the past and always confirmed that the most humane shot to take on any deer is the heart lung shot – with the animal standing broadside on and taking the shot into the centre of the chest. This shot, taken accurately, will certainly penetrate the lungs but should…

INGREDIENTS Serves 1 (double the quantities to make a meal for two) •1 whole partridge •1 carrot •1 parsnip •2 sprigs of thyme •1 large clove of garlic •1tbsp honey  •½ red onion •Salt and pepper •25g butter For the Sauce: •1 red onion •2tbsp white wine •Handful of chopped parsley •150ml of double cream Cooking method Cooking time 8 mins • Preparation time: 25 mins 1 Season the partridge and then rub with a clove of garlic. Sear the partridge in a pan, browning the skin. Transfer to the oven and roast for eight minutes at 180 ° C/350 ° F or gas mark 4 and rest for four minutes. 2 Parboil the parsnip and carrot until almost soft, add to a roasting tin with the honey and thyme…

• MAX PRICE £1,200 • TYPE O/U • MAIN PURPOSE CLAYS • PREFERRED MAKE BROWNING Mike George’s buying advice This reader’s Browning B325 could date back to 1995 when the model was introduced, and I am guessing it is around 25 years old. These guns keep their value, and a reasonable example is worth at least £500 on the secondhand market. However, this gun’s owner tells me it has definitely seen better days. The woodwork is scratched, the blacking has rubbed thin in a few patches on the barrels, and the jointing is coming loose after firing many thousands of cartridges. The gun could have a make-over. The barrels could be re-blacked, the jointing tightened (probably by fitting an over-sized cross pin), and a stocker could re-finish the woodwork. And, considering the gun’s age,…