Innholdsfortegnelse for Jul-2018 i Shooting Gazette

Gleneagles is offering 10 guests the chance to enjoy an exclusive package to mark the Glorious Twelfth through its Gleneagles Grouse Race. Spread over two days, the event will start on August 12 with simulated grouse shooting at the hotel’s Shooting & Fishing School, followed by an informal dinner in the Birnam Brasserie and then fly fishing the evening rise on Laich Loch. The following day, August 13, guests will enjoy a morning’s walked-up grouse shooting and lunch served at a traditional hillside stone bothy on the moor. The first few brace of grouse shot will then be taken back to the hotel kitchen to be prepared for a grouse supper. Once the bag has reached 35 brace guests will return to Gleneagles for drinks on the Glendevon Terrace followed…

TRAVEL The Leaton Knolls shoot is easy to find and lies about four miles north of Shrewsbury and sits on the banks of the River Severn between the A5 and A49. The shoot is about an hour’s drive from Birmingham, and three hours-plus from London using these roads and the subsequent motorways to the east and south of this beautiful sporting county. STAY Whitton Hall in nearby Westbury is a truly superb billet and can sleep up to 16 people, or nine single guns. The beautiful Georgian house offers dinner, bed and breakfast. Host Kate Boscawen specialises in shooting parties, so is not at all phased by the sight of dirty wellies and dogs. She allocates the guns a reception room with an open fire and an honesty bar –…

The Game Fair will mark its 60th anniversary with a bang when it rolls into Ragley Hall, Warwickshire on July 27–29. A 60-gun salute in the main arena will open the three-day fair, and there will be plenty for shooting enthusiasts of all abilities to get their teeth into across the site. Shooting Gazette will be there and we look forward to meeting readers and friends old and new, as well as offering another unmissable subscription deal. Here’s a taster of the shooting events and venues readers should add to their to-do lists… Gunmakers’ Row is the place to view the best and newest products from British gunmakers as well as renowned names from around the world. All of the premier shooting-related companies are here in one place, offering every…

Game dealers seem to come and go with great frequency, often leaving shoots in their area in the lurch in the middle of the shooting season. A good, reliable dealer is often hard to find, and sadly, some – despite being efficient operators – can’t survive in the current climate. This means it can be very tricky for the larger shoots, what do they do with their shot birds? Every responsible shoot owner wants to see their birds enter the food chain. An enterprising group of shoot owners and keen guns across Wales, The Marches and West Midlands have got together to bypass this problem, buying Willo Game Ltd and running it as a co-operative. Based in South Shropshire at the foot of the Long Mynd, the company is ideally…

Henry Nock built a large number of military-style seven-barrelled volley guns for naval use of lesser quality due to their rough usage but still fearsome in action. Often the need would arise at sea whereby a volley of shots was required whilst fighting at close quarters. Generally speaking, the blunderbuss was the ideal solution in the cramped confines of a ship with its short barrel and wide spread of shot. In the 1770s Captain James Wilson of the Royal Marines came up with the idea of a seven-barrelled volley rifle as a sniping rifle for sailors high up on the tops of sailing vessels. These snipers could spray the decks of enemy vessels and could hardly fail to miss, but how on earth they managed to reload seven barrels whilst…

Human We are off to the game fair. Not the big one, because I am of the view that taking a dog to a packed showground – albeit one well dotted with water stations – is never a good idea. On the other hand, a sprint round the local fair is no bad thing. It doesn’t involve a long journey. There will be water stations. There will be other dogs, I have no doubt, but meeting and behaving in the vicinity of other dogs is all part of the growing-up-and-being -a-decent-dog process. I would go so far as to say that meeting a dog who doesn’t want to play, doesn’t want to be your best friend and actually would bite your face off given half a chance is no bad…

There was a time when Subarus were as ubiquitous in the countryside as Barbours or labradors, and almost as much of a cliché. Whether you were asset rich and cash poor, sitting on a few thousand acres of good farmland, a decent house and the odd bit of dark brown furniture that might be worth a bob or two, or whether you simply wished to make absolutely no motoring statement whatsoever, other than you were quietly sensible and weren’t afraid of a little mud, you probably drove a Subaru. A good half of the people that I lived near, shot with or drank with, sometimes all at the same time, had them. Quite a few still do, but their cars are all getting on a bit. Virtually no-one I know…

Club: United Retriever Club – Hampshire & South West Event: Open working test Venue: Hawker Hill Farm Judges: Robert Atkinson, Peter Castleman, Sarah Miles & Wendy Neville Sponsors: Skinner’s When you want to test the best you need a set of challenges. With the kind permission of Phil Lever, Chris and Clem Martin, judge Robert Atkinson created six open tests which included water, ditches, hills, woodland and a two-dog walked-up. Twenty labrador retrievers, seven golden retrievers and one flatcoat retriever enjoyed a first class day which was organised by Sarah Winter and run by Peter Leyden. Test one included a two-dog walked-up with two retrieves, one in front, approximately 80m and one to the side which was thrown at the bottom of a hill. Working test judge Peter Castleman enjoyed…

Club: Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Club Event: Novice, open and veteran working tests Venue: Standon Judges: Phil Allen & Jim Collins Sponsors: Skinner’s REPORT BY: DI EWINGS The club’s main working test day this year was held by kind permission of Philip Smith. The novice and veteran tests were run in the morning with the majority of the tests being given just a little more length for the more experienced dogs. We started with a mark over a ditch and through a hedge, which handlers had difficulty in spotting down but most of the dogs had no such issues. Then we moved on to a mark on the brow of a hill which caused some canine confusion. This test was followed by a blind in cover, which had a natural…

Event: Kintbury Inter Club Team Spaniel Challenge Venue: Faccombe Estate, Hampshire Judges: Andy Robinson, Jeremy Organ and Simon Jones Headkeeper: Bobby Heaver A welcome return of the challenge took place after a break of two years which attracted seven teams from as far afield as Cornwall and Coventry. It was held at this new venue by kind permission of the estate owners and headkeeper. The venue proved to be an excellent choice, providing ideal ground for spaniels, with good ground cover in woodland, allowing handlers to show off their dogs. The woodland rides were well utilised by the judges, which meant handlers had to be in full control of their dogs. The weather was favourable and all involved enjoyed one of those rare spring days which could be enjoyed without…

Spread your visit across the whole three days By Ben Samuelson Over the years, the Game Fair has grown to the extent that a fairly sizable town now springs up made up of hundreds of stalls with our sort of stuff, and thousands of our sort of folk pottering between them. There is far too much to see, and far too many folk to catch up with, to spend just a day there. If you get yourself into your best Mo Farah shape so that you can pour yourself into a tight Lycra® outfit, you could probably do the whole Game Fair in just a day. You wouldn’t be able to stop anywhere, but the marshalls could hand you the occasional bottle of water. But, what would be the point…

Leading figures from across the shooting community came together at Westminster Kingsway College, London, in May for the launch of the British Game Alliance (BGA). The BGA aims to act as the national marketing board for game meat, running a ‘British Game’ assurance scheme similar to the Red Tractor labelling commonly seen in supermarkets across the UK. The BGA intends to broaden the game market in a number of ways: by working with commercial enterprises to help them market and sell game more effectively, by running national marketing campaigns and by implementing the quality assurance scheme. It plans to work on a national scale and says it will not be in competition with other initiatives such as Taste of Game (run by BASC) or Game-to-Eat (run by the Countryside Alliance).…

James Purdey & Sons claimed the top spot at the inaugural Schöffel Ptarmigan Trophy, held on May 1 at West Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire. The event was held to celebrate 25 years of Schöffel’s iconic Ptarmigan coat collection. Following five drives of simulated game and a shoot-off, the James Purdey & Sons team, comprising Jonathan Irby, Simon Rood and Owen Hastings, beat off 23 other teams to post a winning score of 457x500. The team headed back to London with a stunning ptarmigan sculpture made by Jason Sweeney.…

How many barrels does your rifle have? Stupid question. How many barrels does your shotgun have? Same again. Let us rewind to the late 18th century and having asked the same question the answer might be seven barrels – yes, seven barrels, and they all fired simultaneously. And if seven barrels were not enough, there were even examples with 14 barrels firing together. This is the volley rifle. “A sitting shot would surely prove successful, such was the hail of bullets that hosed out of the muzzles.” I am sure we all know somebody who has experienced a double discharge when both barrels of a shotgun go off at the same time, let alone seven barrels at once! To understand the rationale behind the volley rifle, it is necessary to…

Samuel Nock is one of my favourite gunmakers. Not only did he build guns of very high quality, his designs exhibited a quirkiness that makes his guns distinctive. Like his uncle Henry, Samuel Nock also built volley rifles. Although he built some flint guns, his era was the percussion period, hence the percussion volley rifle shown, dating from around 1835. This percussion volley rifle shown is a 60 bore goose rifle no. 7079, built around 1835 by Samuel Nock. It has 20” rifled Damascus barrels, all firing simultaneously, and with a three-position rear sight. The tang features engraving of waterfowl and the back action lock is engraved “Sam’l Nock, Invenit”. This is a top quality rifle and would have been very expensive in its day.…

“Once visited by fly-tippers, any tracts of land attract others like flies round a cowpat.” In the decades immediately after the Second World War, the BBC provided as informative and fair-minded reportage of events and news as one could wish for, and rarely were its views challenged as anything other than holy writ. Neither was the countryside ignored, and the bucolic West Country burr of Ralph Wightman and Arthur (A.G.) Street gave regular updates on how the British countryside was recovering from the hostilities that had robbed the land of many of its sons and daughters and the wider population of its preferred diet. Son of a Wiltshire tenant farmer, Street began writing in 1922 and broadcast on the BBC throughout the war, joined later by Dorset-born Wightman, both becoming…

In ancient mythology the sister of Daedalus placed her son, named Perdix, with Daedalus to learn the mechanical arts. Perdix, legend has it, was an extremely successful scholar to such an extent that Daedalus became envious. One day they were both on the top of a high tower (though not one at West London Shooting School) and Daedalus pushed Perdix off. Athena, who was nearby, saw this and changed Perdix into the bird after which he was named. The William Powell Perdix is not the work of Daedalus but a collaboration between William Powell and Rizzini. Founded in the Italian gunmaking region of Brescia in 1966 by Battista Rizzini, it’s a family-run business that produces guns well known throughout the shooting world. Its products include game and competition shotguns together…

The Empire (1910); the Three Star (1927); the Smokeless (1920); and the Super AA (1927), all from Arthur Allan of Glasgow. The Three Star Smokeless (1927); the Sixteen Special (1910); and the Special Twenty (1910), all from Arthur Allan of Glasgow, and the Gastight Brown Case from J.D. Dougall of Glasgow (1900). The C.I. Special (1910); and the Ingram from Charles Ingram of Glasgow (1927); the G&S Special from G. Coster & Son of Glasgow (1922); and the Russell Special from James Russell of Elgin (1927). The Moray and the Sniper from David Emslie of Elgin (both 1927); and the Brown Quality from W. McIlwraith of Elgin and Moray (1900). Dates in brackets are the first year the cartridge was manufactured. Tom would like to hear from anyone who is…

Exhibitors and visitors alike always say there’s no event like the Game Fair, and this year the action-packed programme will not only give you the chance to watch the top dogs and handlers, but also to enjoy the range of have-a-go events. Gundog Row Make sure you grab yourself a show guide so you can easily find your main interest. No prizes for guessing where you need to head to first: Gundog Row! Moving from stand to stand you’ll be spoilt for choice, and finding the right choice of dummy, lead or dog bed does not take very long. However, be warned, there are a vast number of trade stands and lots on offer, so take it steady and don’t be too quick to part with your pennies. The advent…

Club: United Retriever Club – Essex Area Event: Special puppy/novice and veteran tests Venue: St. John Bosco, Aldham Judges: Roy Tomlinson, Tracey Chesser, Brian Chesser & Paul Wheeler Stewards of the Beat: Sue Palmer & Fred Rice Sponsors: Masters Dog Foods Our first working test of the year saw us returning to Aldham by the kind permission of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. There were four good tests set by the stewards of the day. We had Gordon and David our two ‘star’ dummy throwers, and help from non-committee members, which is always appreciated. Test one, which was judged by Tracey Chesser, consisted of a mark into water to gunshot followed by a blind without shot to an area of cover to the right and slightly short of the…

Club: The Arfon Working Gundog Club Event: A.V. spaniel test (excluding cockers) Venue: Checkley Wood Shoot Judges: Mark Whitehouse & Gary Smith Steward of the Beat: Jim Worthington Guns: Leanne Deering, Rob Jones, Colin Caldecott & Lee Murphy Sponsor: CSJ Canine Feeds, and Gundog Gear We held our 16-dog a.v. spaniel trial in Cheshire by kind permission of Ivor Beavis. We would like to thank our host, the judges, helpers, competitors and the guns and our sponsors for their generous support. Results 1 Chris Thurston-Woolnough with Ess.b. FTCh Woodash Akiki 2 David Horseman with Ess.b. Marchwood Hattie of Cornermarch 3 Chris Thurston-Woolnough with Ess.b. FTCh Springerville Rosie Girl 4 Stephen Littler with Ess.b. Dainty of Birlingham CoM Lee Marson with Ess.d. Sharmesople Stuka CoM David Ross with Ess.d. Ffynonlas Smudge…

Make a plan: Seasoned exhibitors will remember to bring the kettle, pack the tent and have pre-ordered WiFi, but making a plan is more than that. It is always beneficial to tell your existing customers that you will be at The Game Fair. So, communicate via social media, offer an incentive and encourage them to come along. It can be good for sales but great for networking, meeting and rewarding loyal customers and creating a buzz around your stand. Share: If you’re planning any new product launches on your stand, making an announcement or inviting a celebrity along, do inform the organisers and their press team. For significant announcements, the organisers may include your plans in their official schedules and help you to pull in a crowd of very useful…

“Standing waiting for the birds we were able to take in the beauty of our surroundings and the absolute silence – you could have heard a pin drop.” Shropshire is renowned for its shooting, with its beautiful rolling hills and woodland lending itself perfectly to the sport, along with easy access to cities such as Birmingham and Manchester. There are many well known shoots in the county, but also a few hidden gems, such as Leaton Knolls where we were headed. Just a few miles from Shrewsbury, this 1,500-acre estate has the River Severn running through it along with many steeply wooded banks. Owned by the Hon Charles Bridgeman, brother of the Earl of Bradford, there has always been shooting on the estate. But five years ago Ivor Fox took…

I have Scott Wicking to thank for introducing me to Jerry Moffatt, a former elite climber who has a boundless passion for shooting. And life. Scott, a native of Whitby who had met Jerry while they were both surfing there, can always be relied upon to throw some interesting pitches my way, and his email about Jerry’s sporting background was intriguing. Here we had a man who, I was soon to discover, has the same kind of legendary status in his field as any Ripon, Digweed or Walsingham has in shooting, even in retirement. After some extensive research, which involved examining photographs and watching films like The Real Thing , showing Jerry climbing, training and enjoying downtime across the world in the 1980s and 1990s, I quickly…

Let me tell you how it used to be done. We were all in the VW Microbus, which was the family car back then, and as we turned into the great estate where the Game Fair was being held that summer we followed two Bentleys. His was the two-door coupé, hers the four-door sedan, both with matching number plates. Ignoring the frantic arm-waving of the parking marshals they glided to a halt some several yards apart. There followed what must have been a frequently rehearsed procedure. Several stout bags were removed from the boot, poles were slotted together, there was clipping on and adjusting and tightening and tensioning; and in the space of about 10 minutes a generously proportioned marquee had been erected between the two cars with a picnic…

I first penned a cat-condemning article more than 20 years ago and have continued with a somewhat scathing trend ever since. Unclear of the accurate dynamics of our cat population, I have nonetheless attempted in the past to quantify the damage to British wildlife, which annually runs into countless millions of creatures across a broad spectrum of species. It is no doubt because of my ongoing concern over our feline impact that one of my sons forwarded an article from Smithsonian in the US. Entitled The Moral Cost Of Cats, it highlights the work of Peter Marra, head of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre. Rather like me, Peter states that he does not ‘hate’ cats, nor for that matter do I ‘hate’ foxes, corvids, even the sparrowhawk that visits my…

With a vast array of properties and a footprint covering 1,523 acres of beautiful rolling countryside in one of the most desirable areas of the UK, the sale of this significant farming and sporting estate is a mouthwatering opportunity for the right buyer. Those with an eye for agriculture will find much to draw the attention on the Neatham Estate, with almost 1,200 acres of productive arable land, a significant proportion of which is irrigated, sitting alongside extensive areas of pasture and woodland. There are four sets of farm buildings to service a successful in-hand farming enterprise, alongside a portfolio of 13 residential properties providing substantial rental income. However, of particular interest on the Neatham Estate is the fact this ringfenced ground is also home to a successful driven shoot,…

Q How can I best practise my shooting during the summer months? A I am a big believer in the old theory that practice makes perfect. Those of you who know me well will know I am a fan of a book by Matthew Syed called Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice – the title of which says it all. There is no question in my mind that the clients I look after, who never really stop shooting, are always the ones who perform best during the season. As I have stated many times before, I am a big believer in getting the basics right and the rest will follow: gunfit, gun mount, footwork all combined with a consistent technique, followed up by plenty of practice…

Club: Utility Gundog Society (Eastern Counties branch) Event: Open qualifier Venue: The Decoys, Nacton Judges: Phil Askew, Rodger Ketley & Julia Reed Sponsors: Skinner’s and Dog & Field We had to rearrange the open qualifier due to the snow, and held it at The Decoys near Ipswich by kind permission of John Norris. There was a very good field of dogs with experienced handlers, which made for some close competition. Peter Fulcher, the working test secretary, set some interesting tests. Phil had a mark which was into water down a slope through woodland but the fall was hidden by trees. A shot was fired as the dog returned, and it was then sent for a hidden blind across a small area of water. Rodger’s test consisted of a mark followed…

How to win For your chance to win either a Pintail Explorer smock (top) or a Seasons jacket (right), email high-resolution pictures to: katemaxim@outlook.com. Please put “Gundog Picture of the Month” in the subject line. The winner will be chosen by the Shooting Gazette judging panel. Good luck! The prize will only be posted to winners with a fixed UK postal address.…