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.

Fetch and carry

Welcome to our Christmas and New Year issue.

Lead ban consultation ends • All the month’s news, pictures and more

Bird flu spreads across Britain

British success at Abu Dhabi Para World Championships

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ned & Ted

EVENTS

Deer project to support homeless

Game-changer • Having benefited herself, English champion Ruth Mwandumba’s mission is to popularise the shooting sports and make them more accessible to all, as she tells Jasper Fellows

Hard facts • Robin Scott is about to put some lead alternatives to the test and laments not stocking up earlier

BATS

A year to remember • Britain’s female shooting stars sparkled brightly on the international stage in 2022. James Simon speaks with a performance director, a coach and an athlete and asks about the secrets behind their successes

In the bag • Tom Sykes describes some of the essential kit he carries with him on the foreshore during the unpredictable winter months to help ensure a successful outing

Skein after skein • The stars align for Peter Theobald and his friends as their intrepid adventures on Orkney continue

Season’s meetings • Jon Snowdon is busy compiling evidence for a new ground he has been asked to control

Flight time • Ed Cook on ferreting with different hawks and the benefits of adding some aerial power to his armoury

Rook Corvus frugilegus • Highly intelligent and resourceful, the rook is a mythically British bird, writes Charles Smith-Jones

SPORTING GUN’S CLAY SHOOTING CLUB DIRECTORY

Contemporary Cotswold clays • Jasper Fellows discovers how quintissential classic aesthetics unite with modern facilities at Lady’s Wood Shooting School

Cold comfort farms • Malcolm Plant tells of his experience of midwinter game days and braving biting winds off the North Sea

Creatures of habit • Tony Bracci on some common misconceptions in shotgun shooting and how he tries to counter them

Crowd control • Geoff Garrod has a last chance on autumn drillings before winter. At least that was the plan

Top ten rifle faults • Patrick Hook gives advice on the most common problems he encounters with rifles

Following the scent • It’s best not to rush your young dog at this point in its scent line training, advises Fran Ardley

A plan is hatched • Nick Ridley says bird flu and other challenges facing shooting mean that necessity is the mother of invention

The problem: Cushing’s syndrome • “My elderly chocolate labrador has just been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome. I confess to having a bit of ‘red mist’ when the vet discussed it with me. Can you help with my confusion?”

Adventures of Nick & Ted Age 81 months • As ever, it’s all go for Nick Ridley and the crew, though it is the youngster who is setting the pace

Letters • Send us your pictures, letters and pigeon hauls

Sporting Gun

Shooting Answers • The biggest and best shooting answers pages — no question about it!

Win terrific prizes!

New gear • Festive gifts for the fieldsports fanatic in your life

Field fashion • Rachel Draper offers up her pick of...