How to call in rutting moose
Swedish Lapland still has wild places, and that’s where Paul Childerley is headed with his guide Robert Magnstrom. We first met Robert when he took us capercaillie hunting in the snow. It was then he promised us a return trip to call in moose in the rut. Over the past 15 years he has worked […]
Fieldsports Britain – difficult moose
Paul Childerley returns to Swedish Lapland to hunt moose in the rut with the new Sako 90 Peak in .300 Win Mag. His guide Robert Magnstrom uses a roll of kitchen flooring to carry his grunts across vast areas of uninhabited wetlands – but will the moose be impressed? Meanwhile Ollie Williams enjoys a day […]
Gamekeeper anger at politicians – Fieldsports News, 11 October 2023
Here are the links: Scottish gamekeepers sick of being ‘pawns’ – Scottish Gamekeepers Association Call for change to proposed Scottish snare ban – Scottish Land and Estates Wales snare ban in force – Welsh Government, BASC North Yorks police investigate shot buzzard – Facebook post Trout for the table? Spanish hunters go digital – EU […]
Brimpsfield Park Estate game shoot
Ollie Williams enjoys a day at Brimpsfield Park Estate in Gloucestershire. It’s a 350-bird mixed pheasant, partridge and duck driven shoot over four drives. For Eley-Hawk, visit EleyHawkLtd.com For Brimpsfield Park Estate, contact Ben Hughes at Bruern Game Supplies, which you can find on Facebook and Instagram – or visit the Brimpsfield Park Estate page […]
Webley & Scott Pro Comp: an affordable competition clay gun
What do you have to spend on a new shotgun for serious clay competition? £2,000? £2,500? That was the entry level price, but now there’s a contender at little more than half the cost, and with a good solid British name to boot: the Webley & Scott Pro Comp. Dan Bibb of Shooting Sports UK […]
What’s the right shotgun for a left-hander?
You are left-handed, so you need a left-handed gun, right? Not necessarily, says Robin Shedden of Cluny Country Guns. Several of the big shotgun manufacturers offer their guns in left-handed versions, but those aren’t always fully left-handed, he explains. The left-handed Berettas and the Blaser F16 are built on right-handed actions, and fitted with a […]
Trail hunt ban defeated – Fieldsports News, 13 September 2023
Here are the links: Trail hunt ban defeated – Countryside Alliance RSPB accuses gamekeepers – Daily Mail Scottish businesses reject bill – Yahoo Thieves hit clay ground again – JustGiving appeal page Prince Harry charity buys 2,000 rhinos – African Parks Saltwater fly festival – SaltwaterFlyFishingUK.com Clock ticking for capercaillie – GWCT press release Rimfire […]
Fieldsports Britain – Thermal poult protection
youtu.be/14unHSCsVn0 Gamekeepers are busy protecting their vulnerable young birds from foxes, poachers and more – and thermal is a vital and versatile tool. Paul Childerley and his team take the latest thermal kit from Zeiss out on their rounds to see how it performs.Meanwhile Ollie Williams heads to Scotland to experience a thrilling high partridge […]
How gamekeepers use thermal
Keeping their birds alive and well is every gamekeeper’s priority – and the biggest threat to their pheasants, ducks and partridges is foxes. Thermal technology gives keepers the tools to outwit such a cunning predator. German optics company Zeiss has just released a range of thermal spotters and a front mounted add-on for a riflescope. […]
Ollie Williams takes on Aikengall’s extreme partridges
Ollie Williams is excited to shoot at Aikengall & Monynut, not far from Edinburgh. It’s famed for showing high partridges in stunning Scottish scenery. Ollie is shooting his favourite side-by-side, and Eley VIP Game cartridges, with 32g of no.5 shot. He takes a while to find the right lead on the high, fast birds. Meanwhile […]
Tier One Quick Detach scope mount
Tier One are renowned for their precision Monomount scope mounts – but what if you want to swap your scope to another rifle? Their new quick-detach mount is the answer. “It’s got all the bnefits of the Monomount,” explains Ryan Charlton of distributors Highland Outdoors. “It’s made from a single piece of 7000 series aluminium […]
How to get shooting permission
Shooting Girl with an Afro, Nicole Moore, has a knack for getting shooting permission. She has hundreds of acres to shoot and stalk over near her home in Norfolk. It’s not just luck – she has a plan, and she works hard at it, using her people skills learned at work over many years. She […]
British Open Sporting Championships 2023
Browning shooter Sam Green tops off a dazzling season by winning the British Open Sporting Championship with superb shooting at Garlands, where Steve Lovatt has set a typically tricky course that includes a new trap that flings clays at 100mph. While we’re there, we talk to Eley’s Tony Bromwich about the best cartridges to use […]
Best value thermal deals for airgun and rifle shooting
Thermal gear has come a long way, and prices have dropped to the point where it’s a realistic choice for many airgunners and fox shooters. So what do you get for your money, and which is the best deal for you? Ian Hodge of Ian Hodge Fieldsports runs through the options, and picks out some […]
RSPB hypocrisy row – Fieldsports News, 6 September 2023
Here are the links: RSPB accused of hypocrisy – Countryside Alliance Scotland must protect its rural economy – BASC Europe rethinks protection of wolves – The Guardian Meet the new shadow DEFRA secretary – LabourList South Africa hunters’ vital role in conservation – SA Conservation Imperative on YouTube Trail cam company does support pest control […]
Cheap and quirky .410s are a blast to shoot
Everyone loves the little .410 – and why wouldn’t you? The guns are quirky and fun to shoot, and they’re cheap as chips. OK the ammo costs a little more than a 12 bore, but who’s counting when you’re smashing clays or controlling pests with a gun that’s so satisfying to own and use? Dan […]
Christensen’s FFT lightweight mountain rifle
A big heavy rifle is fine for the range, but what if you’re walking the hills all day and still need to take a precise long shot when the opportunity presents itself? That’s where the Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT really shines. It’s a lightweight, precision bolt-action rifle, available in a wide range of calibres from […]
The Vorn SR10, a hip pack that’s also a shooting platform
youtu.be/slekeV41hbY There’s enough to carry when you’re out stalking or doing vermin control – so anything that can do two jobs at once is a bonus. That’s the idea with the Vorn SR10 hip pack. It’s a practical 10-litre waist pack with plenty of space for all your gear. Plus it provides a stable platform […]
Who is the best sporting clayshooter in the world?
Who is the best sporting clay shooter in the world? Maybe the legendary George Digweed? Or Olympic gold medallist Richard Faulds? Perhaps one of the top American shooters, like Anthony Matarese. We’re about to find out, because the world’s best shots are at the EJ Churchill shooting ground in Buckinghamshire to battle it out for […]
Maven RS4 5-30×56 riflescope
Click here for 10% discount offer for Fieldsports Channel viewers – use the code FSTV at checkout by James Marchington Ryan Charlton from Highland Outdoors, which imports the new RS4 5-30×56 scope from Maven Optics in Wyoming, USA, says why he likes it. “The company’s philosophy is founded on no-compromise optics for hunting the back […]
How to find the best pellet for your air rifle
youtu.be/bfEA-6_QZGU To get the best out of your air rifle, you need to find the pellet that works best in your gun. Some air rifles seem to ‘like’ some pellets – and not like others. James Head, from Devon-based airgun shop Crackshot, heads to the range above the shop to try a selection of pellets […]
GPO Passion ED 8×32 binoculars on test
As a keen rifle shooter and deer stalker, Ryan Charlton of Highland Outdoors has used a lot of binoculars, and he’s particularly impressed with the latest offering from German Precision Optics: the GPO Passion ED 8×32. The first thing that catches his eye is the packaging. “It’s all recyclable, which is in line with GPO’s […]
Best scope for airgun hunting 2023
What’s the best scope to put on your airgun for hunting, and maybe a bit of HFT competition? James Head, from Newton Abbot, Devon, and online airgun specialists Crackshot UK, says that two models stand out as the most popular in 2023: the £279 Hawke Airmax, and the £295 MTC Copperhead. They’re both packed full […]
Night vision & thermal showdown – Fieldtester, episode 13
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldYBCDAp6qk It’s the ultimate test of thermal and day-night riflescopes. We’ve brought together the experts, and we’ve got £38,500 worth of the latest high-tech kit to put through its paces, with scopes ranging from £700 to £4,500. Will the most expensive scopes come out on top? Can the budget models hold their own? There’s only […]
Fieldsports Britain – farmyard pests
youtu.be/VbbQbdiUFh4 With a new permission to shoot, Elliot Roberts is out after ferals, rooks and hooded crows. It’s a farmyard in the north of Scotland and the farmer wants his crops and cattlefeed saved from the marauders. Meanwhile, rifleshooting instructor Andrew Venables explains how to take a moving shot on a deer, for those occasions […]
Freehand shooting: how to bring down an injured deer
You’ve shot it, but then it stands up and starts running off. You have a few seconds to take a second shot and bring it down, usually under much more demanding circumstances than your first shot. Andrew Venables from WMS Firearms Training believes hunters need to dump their comfort blankets. Meaning they need to bin […]
Proof the UK has wild panthers – Fieldsports News, 17 May 2023
youtu.be/t2KpGl58b_A Here are the links: Black panthers exist in UK countryside – Panthera Britannia documentary on AmazonDevon and Cornwall Police promise detailed review – ITV News reportPackham Three libel case concludes – Guardian news storyGlencoe deer cull clash – Scottish GamekeepersUK venison feeds Ukrainians – Country Food TrustScientists say meat essential for health – Animal […]
Scottish feral pigeon shoot
A new permission is a blank canvas. Elliot Roberts has a farmyard in the north of Scotland that he hasn’t tried before. He gives it a walk-about with shotgun in hand to see what’s there. This video appeared in Fieldsports Britain 703. For more from Browning, go to Browning.eu Find Elliot Roberts on Facebook and […]
Welsh Minister attacks shooting – Fieldsports News, 3 May 2023
Here are the links: Welsh Minister attacks shooting Hunters threaten to sue MPs Packham 3 in court Farmers’ fury at lynx plans Beware of anti-fieldsports councillors Ireland firearms law changes Venison quality assurance scheme Tech tycoon relocates deer Cost of living in the countryside Black fox recaptured To watch all of #FieldsportsBritain, episode 701, visit […]
Serious clay guns: Browning 725 Pro Sport vs Beretta 694
If you’re serious about clay shooting competition, you need a proper clay gun – it really will make a difference to your scores, says West Country gunshop owner Ian Hodge. You don’t need to spend a fortune though. He picks out two guns that are more than up to the job: the Beretta 694 and […]
Faulds wins the Essex Masters 2023
Richard Faulds set the pace at the 2023 Essex Masters, the big Sporting clay shoot that kicks off the season. He shot a scorching 193 on the demanding 200-bird course set by John Dyson at Hepworth Hall Shooting Ground. With more than 2,000 shooters competing over the week, including many of the UK’s top shots, […]
How NOT to shoot off sticks
Andrew Venables of WMS Firearms Training has seen too many shooters using sticks badly. He explains where people go wrong, and how you should position yourself – and the sticks – to get a really stable shooting platform and maximise your accuracy. For the kit showcased in this film, visit Kitfinder.co.uk To watch all of […]
Fieldsports Britain – Essex Masters
And they’re off! The clay shooting season gets under way with a bang. We bring you thrills and spills from the Essex Masters, where the top shots are battling to beat the scorching score set by Olympic medallist Richard Faulds. Andrew Venables of WMS Firearms Training explains why you’re using your shooting sticks all wrong, […]
Hunting monster boar in Scotland
youtu.be/RTnNVc-aTdQ Wild boar are rampaging across northern Scotland, ripping up turf, destroying nests and eggs, even killing lambs. We’re out at night trying to outwit the new monsters of Loch Ness with Browning shooter Elliot Roberts, guided by Grant Clark and Bobby Sanderson of Highland Deer Management. For more about Browning rifles see Browning.eu For […]
Wildfires burn out of control – Fieldsports News, 26 April 2023
Here are the links: Wildfires – www.obantimes.co.uk/2023/04/21/kinloch-moidart-wildfire-under-control/ Botham knocks RSPB for six – www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/23/rspb-contractors-kill-foxes-crows-hide-from-public/ Farmer jailed for river damage – www.fieldsportschannel.tv/river-lugg-battle/ Antis post fake reviews – www.countryside-alliance.org/resources/news/tackling-online-bullying Rural crime on the rise in Scotland – www.countryside-alliance.org/resources/news/scottish-alliance-talk-to-the-times-following-reported-rise-in-wildlife-crime-incidents Fishermen’s protest song secures top spot – news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/skipinnish-protest-song-compares-proposed-scottish-fishing-ban-to-highland-clearances Welsh gamebird consultation response – basc.org.uk/your-guide-to-the-welsh-gamebird-releasing-consultation/ More eagle nests where gamekeepers […]
Fieldsports Britain – Loch Ness monsters
youtu.be/nbhALjhkYF0 Wild boar are rampaging across northern Scotland, ripping up turf, destroying nests and eggs, even killing lambs. We’re out at night trying to outwit the new monsters of Loch Ness with Browning shooter Elliot Roberts. Charlie is flyfishing for catfish in the Northern Cape of South Africa, where every angler’s new favourite predator can […]
Catching big African catfish
Charlie is flyfishing for catfish in the Northern Cape of South Africa, where every angler’s new favourite predator can grow up to 50lbs. They’re not like chalkstream trout – Charlie learns to use a huge fly and attract the fish by ‘slapping’ the water with his line. For fishing at Vanderkloof, visit Selous.co.za To watch […]
Complete Tikka stalking package for £750 off
youtu.be/GP_uJAlAFPI Fancy a new Tikka? Staffordshire and online gunshop Shooting Sports UK is offering a saving of £750 on a complete stalking package that includes a Tikka Superlite rifle in your choice of calibre, mounts, Steiner scope, Stalon moderator, carbon fibre bipod, shooting sticks, and an Outdoor Edge knife, all for £2,400, down from £3,150. […]
Beretta or Browning? Ian Hodge compares the Silver Pigeon and B525
youtu.be/A8DChKhmu58 They are the mid-priced BMW and Audi of shotguns – solid, reliable, good value, and they’ll go on for ever. The Beretta Silver Pigeon and Browning 525 are the biggest selling shotguns in Ian Hodge’s gunshop in the West Country. But which one is right for you? There’s just £2 difference in price between […]
Steiner Ranger 8 4-32×56 riflescope
Deer stalker Ollie Williams is a sponsored Steiner user, and he’s been using the Steiner Ranger 8 4-32×56 riflescope. He acknowledges that it’s probably more scope than he needs. “I rarely shoot anything over 100 yards,” he says. “I zeroed it once, maybe six months ago, and never had to touch it since.” He knows […]
Why use Steiner LRF binoculars for hunting?
Steiner is the brand of binoculars that the UK government chooses for the British Army. That says a lot about their quality and ruggedness. But are they suitable for hunting? Deer manager and sporting agent Ollie Williams reckons they are. He’s a sponsored Steiner binoculars user, and uses Steiner’s Ranger LRF model for deerstalking. He […]
Which airgun calibre? .22 or .177?
youtu.be/QUxYU5bz4AE It’s the age-old question. Which airgun calibre is best, .22 or .177? South-west of England Field Target Association champion James Head, of Crackshot UK, says it’s largely a matter of personal preference. “The two calibres are equally accurate. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be,” he explains. “The difference is that the .177 flies […]
What’s the best rimfire rifle in 2023?
Rimfire rifles are still as popular as ever, says Ian Hodge of West Country gunshop and online retailer Ian Hodge Fieldsports – and his two best sellers are the semi-auto Ruger 10-22 and the Browning T-Bolt. The Ruger is in .22 calibre, while he picks a T-Bolt in .17HMR. Both are relatively short in the […]
Avon Vale Hunt expelled over video – Fieldsports News, 15 February 2023
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT5uZchuvGc Here are the links: Avon Vale Hunt incident – BHSA RSPB cash for dog training – Welsh Government BASC fight lead airgun pellet ban – BASC Fieldsports excluded from national recreation strategy – Countryside Alliance Sabs slam vegans for supporting RSPB & WWF – Vegan Markets Elon Musk reinstates Senator’s Twitter after hunting photos […]
Saudi falcon racing
youtu.be/hjpTuxWaD7A Saudi Arabia is mad about falcon racing – so much so they’ve built a huge stadium to host it in the middle of the desert. We join a GB falcon racing team as they put on an exhibition event showing off a new style of simulated hunt racing, developed in the UK by Dr. […]
Fieldsports Britain – Shooting long range gongs and deer
youtu.be/Ez3lp4FzZd4 Paul Childerley needs to cull Chinese water deer in a field so big he can’t stalk close enough. Perhaps Zeiss ambassador and PRS shooter Andy Simpson-Nix can help – and convince him to give PRS competition a go too. We’re in Saudi Arabia to see how British falcons compete in a race under the […]
Best spring air rifle: Air Arms TX200 vs Weihrauch HW97
They’re two of the finest spring-powered air rifles ever made – but which is the best, the Air Arms TX200 or the Weihrauch HW97? James Head of Crackshot UK, the Devon and online airgun centre, is in no doubt. “There’s pros and cons for both and in the end it comes down to personal choice, […]
PCP airgun outfit for under £500 – is it any good?
Thinking of upgrading to a pre-charged pneumatic airgun? Good choice – but won’t that cost you something north of £1,000? Not necessarily, says Matt Clay at Shooting Sports UK, the Staffordshire and online gun shop. He’s offering a complete PCP outfit for under £500. It’s built around the Stoeger XM1, a smart, modern looking pre-charged […]
Browning’s new BAR 4X semi-auto rifle
Browning has unveiled the latest version of its hugely successful Browning Automatic Rifle, the BAR 4X, which promises improved accuracy and a modular sighting system so you can personalise the rifle to your needs. It comes in four grades of finish, with a choice of engraving, stock shapes and wood, magazines, open and reflex sights, […]
CPSA looks to drop the pigeon
The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association wants to drop the word “pigeon” in its name, in a bid to “modernise our sport’s brand image in order to help attract new shooters, members, and sponsors from outside the sport.” The organisation, which is the sport’s governing body in England, is asking its 25,000 members to comment on […]
