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.

Fields of fire

SNAPSHOTS • All the month’s news, pictures and more

Doubts expressed about deer action plan

Official call for evidence on gamebird releases in Wales

Fair given royal seal of approval

NEWS IN BRIEF

EVENTS

Shooting hit by higher costs

BBC rural coverage criticised

Ned & Ted

Another fine Ness • Robin Scott finds time to reflect on a number things while fishing in Scotland, least not the move away from lead ammunition

Firearms law: an update • David Frost looks at the latest legal changes and how they affect FAC holders

Two wheels good • Electric mountain bikes (e-MTBs) are already a popular feature of the US shooting scene and are gaining ground for estate management in the UK. Are two wheels better than four, asks James Simon?

Lure of the light • Tom Sykes details how he hunts without the aid of decoys and how he optimises his chances with various tactics

Hard ground, hard going • Peter Theobald braved the hottest day of the year to take an opportunity on rape stubble, but did the birds join him and his shooting partner?

Welcome to fight club • Jon Snowdon on the roe rut – or should that be the roe ruck? – as the deer compete for a mate

Venison loin steaks with a blackcurrant sauce • This year has also seen a bumper blackcurrant crop. This recipe is the result.

Long live the rabbit • Ed Cook looks at the various diseases this member of the Leporidae family has overcome and marvels at its resilience

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus • Woodies are arguably the most prevalent of birds to appear on these pages, but their familiarity should not detract from their desirability, says Charles Smith-Jones

SPORTING GUN’S CLAY SHOOTING CLUB DIRECTORY

Knowledge base • Jasper Fellows visits West London Shooting School and discovers how 121 years of coaching excellence continues to benefit its customers

Pen state of mind • Paul Quagliana speaks to Mike Appleby about how to look after your poults once they are in their release pens

Ready for action • Tony Bracci on the value of sharpening your technique before heading out for the first day of the season

Hot stuff! • Geoff Garrod on the recent heatwave and its consequences for how he goes about things

Scope for improvement • Patrick Hook does not altogether get on with the Spectra TI 35 riflescope

Handheld spotters: night vision or thermal? • Patrick Hook highlights what to consider to make the right choice for your needs

Return to sender • Fran Ardley sets out how to work on your dog’s recall, sometimes going back to basics

The trials and tribulations • Nick Ridley gives a preseason round-up of the issues caused by disease and drought, plus his thoughts on the challenges shooting faces in months ahead

The problem: lungworm • “My young spaniel was coughing recently and I was advised to treat him for lungworm. Is that actually a thing?”

Adventures of Nick & Ted • Nick Ridley is excited by Twig’s early progress and what is in store for her and his two more experienced hands over the coming season

Letters • Send us your...