Innholdsfortegnelse for 17-Feb-2021 i Shooting Times & Country

Last weekend, I was doing some back-of-a-fag-packet calculations on the cost of having a new pond dug. Roughly based on my last one, it’ll be a sniff over a grand. The spot I’ve identified sits alongside a patch of reedbeds, where an old cock pheasant is often to be found. A thousand pounds is a fair whack but when I think of the goslings that will hopefully fledge there and the duck that will drop in on cold blowy nights it becomes clear that another pond would be worth building if it was going to be £3,000. Over the past century in England and Wales, we have lost almost a million ponds. When you combine that with most counties losing half their hedges and hundreds of thousands of acres of…

FINE DINING Seared pigeon and special fried ricelooksdelicious(Cookery, 3 February). I absolutely understand that Shooting Times is trying to encourage some inventiveness with regards to game cookery, and has long done so. I looked at the ingredients list and my heart sank. I could tick off much of the list as standard cupboard content for a keen cook. But the rest? We’re not all pro-cooks like Tim. There were ingredients here I’d never heard of, let alone stored. Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, rice wine vinegar, jasmine rice, Thai shrimp paste, Chinese chilli oil. I had no problem with the six or eight skinless pigeon breasts, of course. Can we have some rough-shooter friendly, simple, standard ingredient recipes please? A newcomer picking up the magazine might feel an inadequacy attached to…

Manufacturer Steyr Mannlicher Model Carbon CL II Type Bolt action Overall length 44.65in Barrel length 22in, 15mmx1 metric thread Calibre .30-06 Springfield tested Length of pull 14.25in Weight 6.75lb Finish Mannox coating Stock Synthetic, carbon fibre Magazine Detachable, double-column four shot Sights None furnished, open sights optional Trigger Set trigger as standard Safety Three-position safety wheel: trigger safety, bolt handle and firing pin lock Price £3,796 Importer Sportsman Gun Centre, 01392 354854…

The shrill scream of a vixen echoed in the frosty night air. I could scarcely believe my ears. She was moving closer. My mind went into overdrive, “Oh my goodness, quick, I must get my gear. Where’s my little dog? I need to get her back indoors. It will take me ages to get my kit gathered together.” Darting back into the house, crashing and banging around, gathering all my tools and changing into suitable warm clothing, it only seemed like a few minutes, but in fox time it probably was an age. Finally, I was standing in my driveway, straining my ears, listening for any further barks that would reveal the whereabouts of the marauding fox. Not a pin drop could be heard anywhere and, despite another couple of…

Ever since I started collecting guns, I’ve tried to collect original specimens of their ammunition. This hasn’t always been easy, as cartridges are expendables that rapidly become an empty case after a loud bang and a cloud of smoke. Nevertheless, in some 40 years I’ve amassed about 1,500 cartridges to complement my collection of antique military rifles. During lockdown, I’ve taken the opportunity to weed my collection, disposing of duplicates while reacquainting myself with some of the treasures that I acquired years ago. The earliest cartridge I have is a paper musket cartridge given to me by an American friend, now long gone. He was sure it was made in the 1770s, during the American Revolution. Cartridge paper Muskets were loaded from twists of paper which contained the lead ball…

When I’m out exercising the dogs, I often carry a camera. For those interested, it’s an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk II, with a Zuiko 75-300mm lens. It’s a handy bit of kit, as I can photograph anything from butterflies to galloping spaniels. A couple of years ago, I was out with the spaniels when a red kite came over. Kites aren’t common in Suffolk – I see four or five a year – so I took a few photographs of it. It appeared to be intrigued by the dogs as it circled low overhead. When I downloaded the photographs, I was fascinated to see that it was sporting a pair of yellow wing tags, marked 4F, something I hadn’t noticed when I took the photographs. A little bit of research…

Latin name: Ophioglossum vulgatum Common name: Adder’s tongue fern Other names: Adder’s grass, Christ’s spear How to spot it and where to find it: A shy little fern of damp places, adder’s tongue appears singly rather than in groups in unimproved pastures, damp meadows and grassy places, along woodland rides and among sand dunes. It has a solitary oval leaf and spear-like stem, which produces the spores. The spike grows up to 20cm tall, though rarely 30cm. Interesting facts: Adder’s tongue fern is considered rare, but it may simply be that it is hard to spot. It is said that once you have spied one of them, you’ll see lots more! Its name obviously relates to the tongue-like appearance of the spike, but the fern was also once used as…

Scientists are riding to the rescue of humankind. The UK’s scientific community is playing a globally recognised role in developing vaccines to combat the pandemic. Public and private money is being poured into research and manufacturing facilities. So why are we in the shooting community leaving the GWCT short of funds? I cannot recall exactly when I joined the GWCT. Some years ago, I carried out some work for the organisation. They were great people to deal with. They had an intrinsic respect for professional advice and were assiduous in assessing facts objectively. I suspect this has something to do with a grounding in scientific integrity. In 2018, Quiller Publishing produced my book, Sharpshooter — a selection of my columns from Shooting Times. It received some very kind reviews. Yet…

CROW CONTROL Try calling crows. As the corvids get more territorial, they may become easier to call in. Use of electronic calls is illegal, but handheld crow calls can be used to equally deadly effect. Like any form of crow shooting stealth and fieldcraft are essential, but with effective calling a crow could be lured within air rifle range. CALL FOXES If you have been struggling to call foxes with a squeak, this is the time to try a vixen call. Dog foxes distracted by thoughts of love can be very foolish.…

Major land transfers in Scotland, particularly those of sporting estates, may face a ‘public interest test’ under new proposals from the Scottish Land Commission. In a discussion paper the body, which was established and funded by the Scottish government, suggested that any acquisition of an area of land of more than 10,000 hectares would only be allowed to go ahead if it was “in the public interest”. Transfers of smaller areas of land may also be affected but only if they were of estates, not family farms. Under the proposals, ministers could block any transfer of land, including an inheritance, if it did not meet the test. The proposals form part of a programme intended to change the historic pattern of land ownership in Scotland. Hamish Trench, chief executive of…

I am fully in agreement with Graham Downing regarding the assistance of a young, strong pair of hands (Cull before the storm, 20 January). Recently, my wife spotted a deer in the middle of the 18 acres below our house at midday. I was summoned to find a large fallow pricket, which appeared lame in front, out in the middle of the recently drilled field, picking out spilled beans. Though raining, it was an opportunity not to be missed. I grabbed my 42-year-old BSA CF2 7x57mm rifle from the gun cabinet, picked up my camouflage jacket and binoculars and made my way the few hundred yards down to the grass field. I kept below the hedgeline till I reached the hedge bordering the bean field. Having found a gap and…

I have three treasured cooking pots, none of which cost a single penny because I found them at our local recycling centre, the place we affectionately know as ‘the dump’. One is a Le Creuset grill pan, approximate value when new, £99. The other is a gratin pan, for dauphinois potatoes, macaroni cheese and so on, of similar value. The third is a small cast-iron casserole with a lid, which has become a favourite pot because it is small enough to cook pot roasts and stews for two. Why this preamble? Because it amazes me that anyone would dispose of something as valuable as a cast-iron cooking vessel. They are the true heirloom kitchen pan and they last for ever. The thickness of the metal and the even heat distribution…

THE ULTIMATE SHOOTING QUIZ TEAM BILL HARRIMAN BASC’s head of firearms and global authority on guns MAT MANNING Airgunner and journalist from the West Country DIGGORY HADOKE Vintage gun expert, firearms dealer, author and journalist BRUCE POTTS Shooting Timesrifle reviewer and stalker DAVID TOMLINSON Highly regarded writer and ornithologist LIAM BELL NGO chairman, Shropshire gamekeeper and keen wildfowler GRAHAM DOWNING Shooting consultant and sporting author TONY BUCKWELL Veterinary surgeon with a special interest in gundogs TOM PAYNE Professional shooting instructor and avid pigeon shooter ELLENA SWIFT Award-winning gundog trainer and canine behaviour specialist TIM MADDAMS Former head chef at River Cottage and runs a shoot in Devon SIMON WHITEHEAD Author, professional ferreter and rabbit controller IAIN WATSON Keen stalker and senior CIC international trophy judge Contact the team Email: stanswers@futurenet.com…

BGA offers associate membership option The British Game Alliance (BGA) is to introduce associate membership for small shoots that do not sell game. The membership will cost £62.50 plus VAT and will include access to BGA member benefits, such as discounts with the BGA’s brand partners. Associate members will also be able to advertise their days as a BGA associate member shoot, allowing them to attract the growing number of discerning Guns choosing only to join shoots that can boast accredited best practice. Sparrowhawk study needs your photos Leading ornithologists have asked for Shooting Times readers’ help with understanding the diet of the sparrowhawk. Arjun Amar and Connor Panter want your photographs of sparrowhawks with prey. They are building on previous research that used photographs sourced from the internet. Professor…

The days are lengthening — though, as we have not seen the sun for a week, it doesn’t seem to make much difference under murky winter cloud. Skeins of geese are buffeted across the skies, strangely silent unless you happen to be downwind of them, and even the dogs are uncharacteristically reluctant to venture outdoors. Still, there is hope. I have a simple winter algorithm that keeps my spirits up. I count the number of days back to the solstice, then double it. You wake on Christmas morning knowing you have had the darkest week of the year and by 4 February you have had the darkest quarter. The snowdrops are doing their best, but seem a little behind most years and have yet to turn the woodland floors white.…

Let’s start by noting the words ‘predation control’, rather than predator. In managing game and wildlife, how many predators you kill is of no great relevance; rather it is the predation that you prevent that matters. As a consequence, shooting odd random predators is of no great moment. What is needed is an integrated plan that addresses all the main issues for the species that we wish to protect. Nesting wild pheasants can lose eggs and chicks to birds such as crows, magpies, rooks, jackdaws and jays, as well as mammals including rats, stoats, weasels, mink and foxes. All these mammals can kill hens on the nest, too, and foxes will take adult birds at any time of year. Simply picking a single species to control, or even the two…

The Steyr Carbon CL II is one of those rifles that once sighted in with your favourite ammunition, you can forget about, other than cleaning. The well-designed, lightweight and impervious stock keeps the Steyr accurate, allowing you to concentrate on stalking. In fact, regardless of the temperature and weather conditions, the Carbon CL II puts that first bullet exactly where you aimed it, which is what it’s all about. 18 /20 Accuracy Consistent accuracy in any weather conditions 18 /20 Handling Lightweight and, with a 22in barrel, balances well too 18 /20 Trigger Steyr triggers are always very precise and predictable 18 /20 Stock Bit slippery but tough and lightweight with a comfortable design 16 /20 Value Pricey, but if you only want one rifle this is a good choice…

1 Hawke Sidewinder 30 SF 6-24x56 SF rifle scope RRP: £459  uk.hawkeoptics.com Thermal and night vision are all well and good but there are plenty of us who still like to control foxes the old-fashioned way with a lamp and standard scope. Introduced in 2020, the Sidewinder is the perfect all-rounder, with a zoom magnification throw lever that allows you to react at speed. 2 FoxPro Inferno caller RRP: £199.95  bushwear.co.uk FoxPro has been making predator control kit for more than 20 years and is a stalwart of the industry. The Inferno is an essential tool for foxing, developed through listening to the requirements of those at the coalface. Programmed with 75 sounds — and with the capacity to hold 125 more — the FoxPro Inferno has your…

ONE FEATURE common to every breed of gundog is floppy ears. Spaniel ears flop considerably more than those of, say, labradors or German shorthaired pointers, but all the gundogs have ears that flap downwards, unlike such breeds as German shepherds, greyhounds and Pomeranians. It’s a physical feature that we take for granted, but it’s the result of selective breeding that took place centuries ago. We humans like floppy-eared dogs, as it gives them a friendlier, less intimidating look. However, it’s notable that all wild canids, without exception, have pointed ears. Ears that prick rather than flop are more efficient, which is why wolves and jackals have evolved with them. If you watch a wolf (do so on YouTube), you will note that the animal is continually turning its ears in…

Ingredients 2 DUCK LEGS FINE SEA SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER 4 MEDIUM-SIZED MARIS PIPER (OR SIMILAR) POTATOES, PEELED AND HALVED TWO SMALL EATING APPLES THE METHOD Serves 2 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/ gas mark 4. Season the duck legs with salt and pepper, then use a skewer or carving fork to prick the fattier places on the legs. This allows the fat to render during roasting, which will help to cook the potatoes. 2 Place the casserole over a medium to high heat and put the duck legs into it, skin side down. Baste if they are from a wild duck. Allow to cook for about three minutes, then turn them over. Cook the other side for two minutes, then add the potatoes, moving them around…

Turn-screws crop up in many shapes and sizes. They are most often encountered when buying a gun in a case, which may contain one or two. A standard gun case was not supplied with turn-screws, because most gentlemen returned their guns to the maker at the end of every season for a service and for storage until the next season. Some guns and rifles were cased with cut-outs for every possible accessory, including turn-screws.  While turn-screws are considered classic gunmaking tools, most gunmakers actually use more ‘normal’ screwdrivers, which they grind to fit as needed. A turn-screw needs the head to be hollow-ground to fit the slim slots of a well-made gun. A common, wedge-shaped screwdriver head is what burrs and enlarges these slots — damage often seen on old…

Speak with a dozen gamekeepers about various aspects of their jobs, from rearing and releasing to predator control and driving birds, and they’ll all have their own way of doing things. But the best of them tend to share common goals that go much further than return figures for the birds they put down. I first met Miles Bentley when I was a teenager on a college trip to Pollybell Farm in the Isle of Axholme. Fifteen years later, I still distinctly remember his infectious passion for biodiversity as he showed us around the shoot. Miles’s open-minded approach is inspired by a varied career. He started out on a YTS (the now-defunct Youth Training Scheme) gig at Bartlow estates in Essex after leaving school. Later, he studied game and wildlife…