Shooting Times & Country

Since its launch in 1882, Shooting Times & Country Magazine has been at the forefront of the shooting scene. The magazine is the clear first choice for shooting sportsmen, with editorial covering all disciplines, including gameshooting, rough shooting, pigeon shooting, wildfowling and deer stalking. Additionally the magazine has a strong focus on the training and use of gundogs in the field and, because it is a weekly publication, the magazine keeps readers firmly up-to-date with the latest news in their world.

Unlikely locations

Shooting victims’ families declare system ‘shambles’ • Relatives of those killed by the Plymouth gunman criticise police “failings and incompetence” after a five-week inquest into the tragedy

Celebrating the very best

Licensing details released

To do this week

Europe moves closer to a total ban on lead • A law banning the use of lead ammunition on wetlands came into force in February, while a further restriction is also being worked on

Poult prices set to increase further amid rising costs

Sturgeon’s exit is welcomed by the fieldsports sector

The hunt is on for a missing trophy

Rare stag head sells for bargain price

SHOOTING TIMES & COUNTRY

LETTERS

Country Diary • Wildfowling clubs are a sanctuary for those who live by the coast, and their members know the winter foreshore better than any organisation

Gamekeeper • Budgeting for a shoot can be a difficult business nowadays as ‘normal years’ are few and far between; finding a sensible middle ground is key

Stalking Diary • A trip to the BSS is a short distraction from the important muntjac cull, but a fierce storm means that progress would have been tricky anyway

JOTTINGS FOR WILDFOWLERS • Taking the chance to get out there right at the tail end of the fowling season is always better than mourning what could have been

The trickiest sporting test • Creating a sustainable population of grey partridges is a real challenge, and shooting them isn’t much easier, says Richard Negus

Learning to take your chances • An evening’s pigeon flighting in the woods with the estate keeper goes off in an unexpected direction

We don’t want to catch the last crow • But if we want to rear birds we have to reduce predators and it is vital that we do so humanely and effectively, advises Liam Bell

A traditional job today • Being able to stand your ground and remaining adaptable are essential to being a great gamekeeper in 2023, says Mark Fitzer

Keeper of the month • John Bates has been central to one happy syndicate for the past 40 years, discovers Will Pocklington

For going full Rambo • Has the tie become an anachronism in 2022? Definitely not, says Giles Catchpole, it is all about respect — and the zombie apocalypse

Why it’s time to eat more venison • Will Martin goes behind the scenes at a local gamedealer and discovers a plan that could very well get more meat on the table

On the job — no sex please, we’re ferrets • The hobs are left in the van as a team of jills and three dogs gets ready to work some ancient roots, supervised by Simon Whitehead

ABC OF FERRETING

Serious matters • Considering the rigours of roost shooting

Woolly ramifications • With sheep worrying once again on the rise, livestock familiarisation must be an essential part of any dog’s training, says David Tomlinson

THE SILENT TREATMENT • The best advice is always to ignore antis completely

Crustacean catches all across the coast • While some prior planning is required, you should have little trouble finding the brown shrimp and common prawn, writes John Wright

When the rose-tinted spectacles come off • Despite idolising the local...