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.

Steel yourself

Recently I was invited to an event run by BASC, for journalists and those in the shooting industry, about the transfer from lead to steel shot.

BASC hots up dispute with Wild Justice

COVID scuppers Amber Hill’s Olympics

UK suffers ammo shortage

World English Sporting and Sportrap champions crowned

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ned & Ted

Welsh government under fire for shooting decision

Police urged to protect northern gamekeepers

Moor money • In this extract from Ian Coghill’s new book Moorland Matters, the author argues passionately for the economic case for preserving grouse shooting

In summary

The best of British • New for 2021, British Shooting’s Shotgun Series will now climax with the crowning of British champions. The promise of such accolades could explain why competition in round one was so stiff, reports James Simon

What is the British Shooting Shotgun Series?

Elysian fields in Yorkshire

Lead is dead • Bruce Potts and his son experience a BASC Sustainable Ammunition Day

The joys of wildfowling • With the new season around the corner, Tom Sykes explains why he loves being a wildfowler.

Range finder • Peter Theobald tests the proof of the steel ‘pudding’ with an open mind and is pleasantly surprised

The heat is on • Jon Snowdon says the females call the tune in the roe rut and ‘twas ever thus

Tasks in hand

That’s your Lotte

Venison enchiladas

Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus • This distinctive member of the grouse family is a protected species but, beware, it is no shrinking violet and can be pugnacious if you encounter it in its Highland habitat, says Charles Smith-Jones

CAPERCAILLIE FACTS

Gun, camera, action • Geoff Garrod takes us behind the scenes at The Shooting Show

G is for goshawk • EdCook looks at an ancient procedure used to train this lightning-quick bird of prey to be your trusted companion and ally in the field

Sport for all • Jasper Fellows is guided around the historic grounds of the West London Shooting School by Mark Heath, its general manager

WHO’S WHO

SPORTING GUN’S CLAY SHOOTING CLUB DIRECTORY

This stinks! • Patrick Hook looks at the art of placing bait to entice unwary foxes into your range

Patricks’s top tips

En Hance your shooting • Top Sporting Shot and coach Matt Hance continues his instructional series, in looking at how to create a successful routine.

Matt Hance

Guided missiles • Malcolm Plant highlights the techniques to shoot low and fast grouse and partridge

SAFETY

Like the real thing • Tony Bracci makes sure the clients are asking the right questions as they prepare for their first outing

Shoot briefing

Thermals to give you a lift • Smaller and lighter than ever, thermal imaging can give you the edge – if you can afford it, says Paul Quagliana

Dos and don’ts

Moorland musings • Nick Ridley reminisces about some wonderful times with his dogs and friends on the moors of Cumbria and Yorkshire

Grouse debate

Focus in the field •...