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.

Bird up

New general licences unveiled

‘Why we shoot’ is at the heart of a campaign we are running over the next few issues.

Defra concludes gamebird release review

Home Office tightens law regarding antique firearms

Ned & Ted

NEWS IN BRIEF

Locked, stock and barrel! • Robin Scott bemoans a lack quick access to his gun for some impromptu pest control, and the pesky Wild Justice

Dead cats and monkey business • Charles Smith-Jones ponders the rhetorical devices and distractive tactics employed by those with an agenda

Never had it so good • Tom Sykes recounts a flight to remember, an epic morning chasing pinkfooted geese on the foreshore with his dad and brother

On manoeuvres • Nick Ridley hails the foot soldiers of the beating line, who go into battle with military precision to make every drive a success

Turn-up for the books • Peter Theobald tells how he and his shooting partner, Paul, have fared on the pigeon during the past, mostly very strange 12 months

A Gun to inspire • Richard Faulks speaks to Jean-Paul Gaudin, who has overcome adversity to become a trailblazer for wheelchair shooters

Selection criteria • Jon Snowdon recalls two memorable outings in the coronavirus-curtailed season

Tasks in hand

Winter venison casserole • A Yuletide warmer

That’s your Lotte

Power struggle • EdCook warms to the task of dealing with rabbits in and around solar farms

Quail Coturnix coturnix • Charles Smith-Jones looks at this elusive migratory bird that is no longer legal quarry in the UK but was much desired by Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife

QUAIL FACTS

Behind the scenes • Geoff Garrod says you can never do enough reconnaissance for your day, especially at this time of year when pigeon can be elusive

Bring me my bow… • Patrick Hook has a flight of fancy about his Christmas wish list

Short stories and tall tales • Malcolm Plant gauges the different fashions in barrel lengths over the years and in different historical eras, and how a good Shot would apply them

Dr Malcolm Plant is chairman of the Institute of Clay Shooting Instructors and a Clay Pigeon Shooting Association senior coach.

Out in the country • Tony Bracci looks at some of the jobs you can do if you want to become involved on a shoot day

Get the picture • David Turner says if shooters learn to visualise shots in their mind’s eye then they will progress

HOW FAR? HOW MUCH LEAD?

Methods

For more information

A whole new ball game • Fran Ardley takes you through the transition from training your dog with dummies to the real thing

SPORTING GUN HIGHLIGHTS 2021

The problem: Food allergies • “My three-year-old red labrador bitch is pretty much itchy all the time. I am considering trying a low allergy diet. Is this worthwhile?” LAURA POLLOCK, LANCASHIRE

Adventures of Nick & Ted • It was fun while it lasted, says Nick Ridley of the season so far and, like the rest of us, he hopes to be up and running again by Christmas, admiring Ted’s prowess and monitoring Percy’s progress

Letter of the month

Letter of the month...