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.

Powys mad

As we embark on the new season, many of us are having to adjust the way we shoot to suit the opportunities available to us.

EU lead ban over all water closer

Defra says general licences are almost ready for public scrutiny

Impacts of gamebird releases highlighted in new study

Fowlers asked to heed duck call

EVENTS

NEWS IN BRIEF

Overhaul gull control, says GWCT

Ned & Ted

Plea to Sturgeon over muirburn

On whose authority? • David Frost looks at the approach of different police forces to firearms licensing during the months of coronvirus restrictions and some of the issues that have arisen

Sabotage! • If confronted by protesters on a shoot day, what should you do? Philip Reynolds explains

What to do

Sold a pup • Robin Scott bemoans the current inflation in breeder’s prices for puppies, as well as his sketchy memory

How keen was my valley eye • Can a simulated day be a game-changer and improve your shooting when it comes to the real thing? The editor puts theory into practice

Bargain shoot

Where to stay

Pattern of behaviour • Peter Theobald says believe what you see when it comes up to setting up a successful decoy pattern

Just the meal ticket • Tom Sykes explains how he sources the majority of his meat from the field instead of supermarket shelves

Crowd control • As the pandemic extends its reach into the autumn, Jon Snowdon prepares himself for the unexpected

Tasks in hand

Venison Korma • A twist on an Indian classic

That’s your Lotte

Red fox Vulpes vulpes • You have to have a grudging respect for this fine predator, says Charles Smith-Jones

RED FOX

Air force manoeuvres • EdCook says airguns can be efficient in dealing with his old foe in many situations

Dog whistle politics • Geoff Garrod on what he does to condition his trusted companions to his way of doing things

Going live! • Rachel Draper gives her advice on how to transition seamlessly from the clay ground to game shooting

The right profile • Make sure you don’t clash with your surroundings and have all potential problems covered when in pursuit of your fox, says Patrick Hook

Patrick’s top tips

Driven to succeed • Tony Bracci highlights some technique issues that Guns about to venture into the field may face and what to do about them

The highs and lows of pheasants • Malcolm Plant weighs up the options of the appropriate loads to use when you go long distance

How to gauge which bore • David Turner gives some sage advice to shooters about the need to lighten up with a 20

Is height and reach important?

For more information

Adventures of Nick & Ted • As Ted works away diligently in the background, the pup develops a fetish for footwear – expensive and worrying

The problem: Knockout advice • “I need to have my old girl spayed and confess (having had a bad experience many years ago) to being slightly apprehensive about this. What are the risks involved?” GORDON DUFF GORDON, PERTHSHIRE

There’s more

A price to pay • Nick Ridley bemoans the cost the lockdown has...