Sporting Gun

Sporting Gun is the leading monthly magazine for clay, game and rough shooters. With editorial offices in the Lincolnshire countryside, it can justifiably claim to be at the heart of the shooting community. Monthly features range from gundog training to pigeon shooting, game shooting to wildfowling – along with sound, practical, advice on equipment and techniques to help the beginner, intermediate or experienced shot get more enjoyment from their sport. Sporting Gun is a must for anyone who invests time in and money on their shooting.

Pump it up

SNAPSHOTS • It’s that time of year when we put away our game guns and reflect on the season past.

British Schools & Young Shots Championships

Defra clampdown on illegal coursers

Lateral thinking to defeat Lyme disease

GWCT’s Big Farmland Bird Count begins

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ned & Ted

BASC scholarship fund accepting applications

Firearms licensing delays continue

Food for thought • Devon farmer Andy Gray talks about employment in the countryside and how short-termism in government policies has led to a crisis in rural employment that could affect us all in the near and distant future

Pigeons at any price? • These days you need to ensure your kill ratio is up to scratch, unless you have deep pockets, says Robin Scott

How you can improve your accuracy • Tom Sykes provides some pointers he follows to ensure the shot finds its target in the field

Catch your pigeon • Paul Quagliana gives some invaluable tips and tricks for the roost shooter

No time to die • A rodent visitor was neither shaken nor stirred by the efforts of special agent Charles Smith-Jones

Town and country • Peter Theobald ponders the difference between urban and rural birds and whether either presents an easier opportunity for him and his shooting partner

New horizons • The changes to woodland wrought by Storm Arwen has called for a rethink and change of approach, says Jon Snowdon

Whisky venison steaks

Tasks in hand

Tips

That’s your Lotte

Basic instinct • Ed Cook gives a personal view on hunting with dogs

Greylag goose Anser anser • The bird that made the Romans and Elizabeth I sit up and take notice is worthy of respect, says Charles Smith-Jones

GREYLAG FACTS

Passion at play • Jasper Fellows discovers how the Florent family has spread the joys of shooting at The Oxford Gun Company

WHO’S WHO

SPORTING GUN’S CLAY SHOOTING CLUB DIRECTORY

The generation game • Young Gun Ryley Barrett tells Jasper Fellows how coach Ben Husthwaite is helping him to become the next shooting star

When the going gets tough … • One of the hardest sports, the biathlon, promises to be a highlight of the forthcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing. If you are young, fit and a good shot you could be a contender for Team GB in Italy in 2026, says

BRITAIN’S FINEST

The rifle of choice

NEWBIES NEEDED

Pull a fast one • Malcolm Plant looks at the Victorian sport of trap shooting at live pigeons, which has long since been banned in the UK but was the foundation of much of today’s clay shooting

Land a permission • Tony Bracci looks at what to do for those who can’t get enough shooting but for whom the opportunities are thin on the ground

Attention to detail • There is nothing wrong with being very organised and making a list for what you need for a day’s shooting, says Geoff Garrod

Orderly conduct • Patrick Hook talks about best practice in the field, with especial regard to clean kills

Patrick’s top tips

Mud, sweat and fears • Nick Ridley reflects on the challenges and enjoyment of the past season, and...