Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2019 i Sporting Gun

The divide between urban and rural life has been laid bare in Liverpool. The city council has adopted a motion condemning all forms of hunting and shooting as “barbaric”. The motion related to a now abandoned plan to hold the Great British Shooting Show (GBSS) in the city. The GBSS had been planning to hold a second show in Liverpool, in addition to the one held at the NEC, Birmingham in February. A spokesman for the Exhibition Centre Liverpool said: “Following an intervention from the directly elected mayor Joe Anderson, the board has carefully considered concerns raised regarding the Great British Shooting Show and have taken the decision not to proceed with the event.” BASC described the council’s decision as a “gross misrepresentation of the shooting community”. Ahead of the…

On the face of it, you could be forgiven for thinking that a grouse moor and a Burger King outlet on the M5 have little in common. But you would be wrong. In a roundabout way, for anybody sporting a Farlows garment, Frankley services in Worcestershire is the connection. More specifically, Peter Sant, the brand manager at Farlows, designed the first Burger King outlet at this somewhat prosaic place between junctions 3 and 4. So, how did the person responsible for ensuring that people cut a dash in the field while keeping warm and dry at the same time complete the journey from motorway to moor? In a broad sense, the common thread is Peter’s grasp of the technical, as well as the passion for fashion he developed while studying…

• A Macnab is the ultimate sporting challenge. It involves stalking and shooting a stag, catching a salmon and bagging a brace of grouse within the hours of dawn to dusk. • It was inspired by the 1925 John Buchan novel John Macnab, in which the three main characters decide to turn to the excitement of poaching to relieve the boredom and overwork that has engulfed them after World War One. One summer the trio turn up at a Scottish estate and warn the owners they intend to poach a salmon, or a stag, from their land and return it to them undetected. • Happily you don’t have to turn to poaching to do a Macnab, but it is a test of sporting skill with a dash of luck thrown…

The big lad had a surprise last month. A new system for the back of my vehicle was bought and it included a kennel. His last kennel in the car was large and he did rattle around a bit. The new kennel is much narrower and as a result, he is more stable in the vehicle. His reaction? Unimpressed! He was used to a palatial space and despite the new dwelling being more upmarket, to Alfie it seemed to be downsizing. Still, a new bed and a few treats got him in and he seems to be gradually accepting that things “ain’t what they used to be”. The equipment was bought through CAB Animal Transit Boxes, based in Oldham. It has a lockable draw and added compartment for my gear…

I realise that I have talked about general licences but I think it is important that I mention it again. I believe that unless all of us involved in country pursuits put a cohesive case forward during the current review, we will face an increasing amount of restrictions that could eventually put our way of life under threat. Following the revocation fiasco and subsequent reinstatement of the general licences in England this year, a ban on the shooting of collared doves and rooks was recently put in place in Wales. This may be the thin end of the wedge. Wild Justice, the campaign group, is trying to ban grouse shooting and is also making a legal case to stop the release of pheasants and partridge. Defra has a questionnaire running…

One of the most common issues that I encounter is the lack or the poor delivery of retrieves. This is often down to the way a dog has been taught in the early stages of its training. Most well-bred gundogs will have an instinct to carry things around and the key aspect is to get them to bring the items back to us, the handler, rather than allowing them to run off and keep the “treasure”. Another contributory factor to a poor delivery is the handler’s body language. It is not unusual for a novice handler to display anxiety when their dog is returning with a retrieve. The dog will sense this and consequently may try to avoid the handler. By breaking down a training programme into the why, when…

I also had another purpose in going up to Cumbria — to pick up a new addition to the Ridley cocker clan. I have been hankering after another pup for a while and my first choice was to have a Ted pup but I had the opportunity of an eight-week-old blue roan dog. It was too good an opportunity to miss. Byrbwll Rocco, aka Percy, is a little dog out of Welsh heritage. His breeder Jon Rees bred the championship winner of a few years ago, so he comes from good lines. I am nervous about the challenge of training another pup, and he has big paws to follow — not only Ted but also my older dog, Harry. The uncanny thing is Percy is almost the spitting image of…

It’s a mixture of luck, skill and opportunity and I got my opportunity when I was invited to The Fife Arms in Braemar, Scotland. It’s been dubbed the Highlands’ hottest hotel, but what interested me more was the chance of doing a Macnab, named after the John Buchan novel John Macnab. The hotel has access to the Invercauld estate where there have been many successful Macnabs in recent years. I didn’t get the magic trio of stag, salmon and brace of grouse, but that doesn’t matter. The fact is a stay at the hotel gave me the chance. I’d always wanted to go stalking in the Highlands and I finally did it. This is the stuff memories are made of and a hotel like this gives you access to shooting…

Police have raided one of Scotland’s most renowned shooting estates as part of an animal cruelty investigation. The operation was led by the Scottish SPCA charity and involved the Millden Estate in Angus. Two properties on the estate were targeted after reports of dogs fighting wild animals. The charity said several animals had been seized during the operations. The Millden Estate said that following the raid an employee had been “immediately suspended in accordance with our procedures”. A spokesman for the estate said it was carrying out its own investigation, and would “ liaise with the appropriate authorities”. The spokesman added that the estate had a “zero-tolerance approach” to any wildlife crime and had a “robust system of compliance” with the law. The SSPCA said it was working with Police…

• It took several years to restore the hotel to its former glory. The Fife Arms, named after the Duke of Fife, has undergone a major refurbishment with extensions, remodelled bedrooms and amazing artwork. It was recently named British hotel of the year by The Sunday Times. • Built originally for the increased demand for accommodation when Queen Victoria was in residence at Balmoral, which is a few miles down the road, the massive hotel dominated the small village of Braemar. It just goes to show what a tourist mecca the place was in the 1800s. The hotel was the centre of the place and is now back in business as one of the hottest hotels in the world. Even so, the hotel isn’t stuffy. When I stayed there, sportsmen…

December. One of my favourite times of the year, not only to catch up on the doe cull but also just being out there is an absolute pleasure. Cold, frosty days and clear, bright skies and the ground sprinkled with snow. With a bit of luck we might have had an early week of snow in November … I woke up this morning to a bright sun and a distinctly late-autumn feel to the air. Perfect for my job as a deer manager . If we do get a fall of snow, the cover from all of that abundant growth during the wet summer will be flattened and all will be revealed. However, in recent years the climate has become warmer and wetter, which has left cover standing into January…

The stoat has a special reputation for ferocity that is well out of proportion to its small size. It shares this trait with some other members of the mustelid family, which includes badgers, weasels and otters. It is quite capable of hunting above ground, but the stoat’s slender body is adapted to pursuing its prey through tunnels, burrows and other confined spaces, where it will not hesitate to take on a fully-grown rabbit up to ten times its size. Some have been recorded killing hares. The stoat is one of several animals that can grow a white coat in winter. Not all do, however, and you are more likely to encounter a white one the further north you go. Some southern stoats do not change colour at all, and it…

Fran is based near Penrith, Cumbria, and has recently realised her ambition of training gundogs for a living. She has already made a name for herself producing highly trained dogs for her clients. Fran, 27, has undergone a long apprenticeship in the shooting field and this has given her a practical perspective on what is needed in a competition, beating, picking-up or shooting dog. She is also an experienced Shot, which means she has the facility to give her trainees practical shooting experience; she also has a well-developed ability to read a dog when it is hunting or out on a retrieve. In this article she goes through the steps needed to get a gundog to work and hunt an area, a useful skill to have when working a dog…

Ptarmigan Tweed Coat Schöffel Country Made from British Buckingham tweed, this coat from Schöffel takes the ever-popular Ptarmigan jacket to the next level. Even though it is made of wool, the coat is waterproof and has a Gore-Tex lining to aid breathability. It is also lined to make the jacket super warm. Price: £649.95 www.schoffelcountry.com Able raw dog food Able meals are sold in seven pre-portioned sizes, from 150g to 500g. Protein includes beef, lamb, chicken, turkey and duck. All meals are suitable for adult dogs, some for puppies and younger dogs. Prices: vary according to size www.able.dog LandsboroughTrousers An Air Permeable membrane inside Frostline Fabric enables Landsborough Trousers to regulate your body temperature, ensuring it remains constant whether you’re pushing up hills or glassing. Landsborough Trousers will keep you…

The shooting season seems to be getting warmer and wetter. If you wear waterproof trousers you tend to overheat, but treggings are a useful because you can fit them over light cotton trousers in seconds. Made from rip-stop nylon, the Buckthorne treggings are durable and will survive encounters with brambles and branches. To get the best protection, wear treggings with wellington boots – the adjustable cuffs allow you to fit them over your boots. The nylon belt on the waist was readily adjustable and made putting them on a cinch. When fitted you still have access to your trouser pockets through slanted side slits, designed so that no water gets through. The treggins also have the Seetex waterproof and breathable membrane, which will keep you comfortable in warm, damp weather.…

With the Class LX, not only do you get a gun that performs, you also get one that looks classy. On both fronts it performs well above its price bracket, proving that you don’t have to spend thousands on a shotgun. The Fausti will appeal to those who want a gun that is not as ubiquitous as a Browning or Beretta, but gives the same performance as those giants of the gun trade. SCORES ON THE DOORS Build quality 22/25 Handling 23/25 Styling 24/25 Value for money 24/25 Total: 93/100…

Sportsmen have been warned not to overshoot grey partridges this season. The Game Wildlife & Conservation Trust (GWCT) said that data gathered by its scientists from the Partridge Count Scheme showed that the gamebird had experienced a poor breeding season. Dr Julie Ewald, a senior scientist at the trust, said: “In order to shoot sustainably, it is important to know what numbers of birds you have on the ground. Many coveys seen this year have few young and are being joined by barren pairs or single adult birds, making the covey size appear closer to normal. Make sure you spend time identifying both young and old in a covey, to ensure you don’t overestimate the number of chicks produced.” Grey partridge numbers have been hit by poor weather and falling…

‘Legend’ Tom Fell dies Shooting stalwart Tom Fell has died, writes Tom Whitworth. He had been suffering with Parkinson’s disease for a long time. He had been an area director of the Countryside Alliance and promoted it and shooting at many events over the years. He was the best ambassador for shooting I had the privilege of knowing. Tom’s shooting skills were legendary and he was the shoot captain for Wyegill syndicate in Cumbria for 35 years, a record few could match. He was one of the best shots at game and clays in his county. He was a legend in his lifetime and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. BASC Shotgun Coach of the Year Lawrie Stewart has won BASC’s Shotgun Coach of the Year award.…

Talking of Christmas presents, any day now, 96-year-old Irvin Jones will be delivering gifts to farmers in East Yorkshire on behalf of the Northgate Gun Club. Amazingly, Irvin has been doing this “present drop”’ ever since his friends Chris and Alan Grimbleby had the idea of forming the woodpigeon club 50 years ago. “We started off with nine members and permission to shoot over three farms. We now have 79 farms covering 47,000 acres and 36 members,” said Irvin. In its heyday, the club, which has a limit of 50 members, had a waiting list of up to three years. When it started membership cost 10 shillings (50p now), which bought insurance through the Wildfowlers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland — now known to us as BASC. Much of…

• Prices for a Croft Room off peak are £130. These rooms are limited and must be booked directly through the hotel. • Guest rooms start from £260 year round. • Picnics are bespoke, so prices vary. • Walked-up grouse shooting costs: £150+VAT/Brace, with a 20-brace minimum day. The normal party size is about eight Guns and works out at around £450 per Gun. It is much easier to book as a group because the hotel does not put groups together. • Salmon fishing on the Dee starts from £150pp guided with a maximum of four people per beat. • Stalking a stag costs £525+VAT and includes pony extraction, which is something rather special. • You can bring your own guns because the hotel has a state-of-the-art gun room set…

Ingredients Oil 4 venison fillets 1 onion 2 cloves garlic Brandy 5fl oz double cream 2 oz Blue Stilton 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard Juice of 1 lemon 1 bunch of chives (snipped) Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and quickly sear the venison fillets so that they are brown on both sides. Remove from the pan and keep warm on a plate. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook until translucent. Mix in the brandy, cream, mustard and the Blue Stilton, stirring until the cheese has melted. If the sauce looks too thick at this point, add more cream or brandy, or both. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and chives. Put the steaks on a serving plate and cover with…

DISTRIBUTION: Found across much of the northern hemisphere. Also introduced to New Zealand. UK DISTRIBUTION: Occurs naturally throughout mainland Britain and Ireland. Also found on the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man, and some of the Scottish islands (Bute, Islay, Jura, Mull, Raasay, Shetland and Skye) IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Least concern OTHER NAMES: Ermine, weasel (Ireland), short-tailed weasel (USA) COLLECTIVE NOUN: Gang or pack FOOD: A carnivore whose main prey is the rabbit. Also commonly takes small rodents, gamebirds, waders, chicks and eggs HABITAT: Occupies a wide range of habitats, including woodland, hedgerows, marshland and riverbanks BREEDING: Mating tends to take place between May and July, often between multiple partners. Males play no part in rearing the young GESTATION PERIOD: Litters of between five and 12 kits are…

• To zero the rifle, I set up a target at 30 yards on a sheet of A4 paper. The rifle was already boresighted, so getting it on the paper was guaranteed. Next I fired a bullet at the circle I’d drawn in the middle of the paper. The shot was low and right. I gave the elevation turret 30 clicks up and the windage turret 20 clicks left and put a patch through the barrel. The next shot was far closer and I repeated the process until the bullets were all hitting the black dot. Getting the rifle “spot on” at 30 yards takes away the chance of wind affecting the zeroing process on the day, though a still day is always preferable for zeroing. • Next I set up…

• Foxes infected with sarcoptic mange can sometimes chew their own tails off as the result of the irritation caused by the constant itching • The loss of body hair can lead to infected foxes hanging around farm buildings in an attempt to stay warm and find an easy source of food • Sarcoptic mange can spread to dogs, but is easily treated by a competent vet. The best approach is to minimise the contact your dog has with fox carcases • There are many different subspecies of mange. The one that affects the dog family (Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis) can be transmitted to humans, but cannot last — at worst usually resulting in a rash for a few weeks • To minimise the risk of catching anything nasty, dead…

In 2012, I was lucky enough to photograph the shooting events at the London Paralympics. It was a reminder that none of us should take our health for granted but more than anything, a remarkable lesson in seeing people with varying levels of disability overcoming their conditions through sheer determination to participate in their chosen sport. There are thousands who do the same every day. Laurie Greening is one such shining example of this fortitude. I recently joined Laurie and her tutor, Graham Brown of the Purbeck Shooting School in Dorset, plus a team of shooters for a day at the National Clay Shooting Centre at Bisley to shoot some Down the Line (DTL). Crash Laurie: “In 2008 I was involved in a head-on car crash that left me with…

Age 44 months Our shooting is well under way and the early-season partridge days were a tad warm to say the least, both for man and dog. It can be difficult to get the dogs “match fit” before the season but at the beginning of September Mrs R, the dogs and I had a week’s camping at our favourite haunt on the river Wye in Herefordshire. I took the opportunity to give Ted daily swimming exercises. It is a great way to tone the dogs and Ted has always loved the water. This aqua-workout, along with some last-minute hunting and long-memory retrieves really did get his heart rate going. Our first couple of shoot days were over at one of our favourite shoots near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire and we had…

A special gun I have read Sporting Gun since the 1980s and during this time the articles on the Beretta 686 have been of interest to me. The most recent piece on the S686 Special in the September issue caught my attention, as did the letter the following month from Ralph Stimson, who owns an early example. I bought a 686 Special in 1985 and still use it today. It is also choked ¼ and ½ with nice wood. The proof marks are AN (1985), which also make it an early model. The magazine is always a pleasure to read. G Chowne, via email…

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. MARC BULL COVER CROPS Marc is our plant expert and is the Midlands and Eastern adviser at Bright Seeds.…

Ask someone to name a lever-action repeating rifle and most people will think of a Winchester or possibly a Marlin. Whatever the name, I would wager it would be that of an American manufacturer. Ask the same person to name an English lever-action repeating rifle and again I would bet that they would unable to. To the best of my knowledge, there was only one, the Atkinson & Needham 1881 patent. Winchester Repeating Arms in the USA was the world leader in lever-action repeating rifles in 1881. The advent of the rimfire cartridge facilitated the design of their first successful repeating rifle in 1866, the model that became known as the “Yellowboy” because of its brass frame. The .44 rimfire that it was chambered for was comparatively weak, however, and…

FOR SALE GUN TYPE: SHOTGUN Make and model AYA Yeoman Choke full and 1/2 Calibre 12-bore Barrel 28in Age 1980 approx Price £250 CONTACT DETAILS Name Steve Want Tel 07594 294733 Email stevewant@hotmail.co.uk County Oxfordshire GUN TYPE: SHOTGUN Make and model Winchester Sporting Energy Select Choke Brierley multi Calibre 12-bore Barrel 30in Age 3 yearsPrice £875 ono CONTACT DETAILS Name Sean Oriel Tel 07901 512437 Email sean.oriel@networkrail.co.uk County Pembrokeshire GUN TYPE: SHOTGUN Make and model Miroku MK 38 Sport Choke ¼ and ¾ Calibre 12-bore Barrel 30in Price £650 CONTACT DETAILS Name B Harris Tel 0121 4306534 County Midlands GUN TYPE: SHOTGUN Make and model Ilsley side-by-side, non-ejector Calibre 16-bore Barrel 30in game Price £220 CONTACT DETAILS Name J Lacey Tel 07504 139433 County Northants GUN TYPE: SHOTGUN Make and model Miroku…