Innholdsfortegnelse for 12-May-2021 i Shooting Times & Country

BASC has accused the RSPB of using a devastating wildfire in Northern Ireland for its own political advantage. The fire, which is believed to have been deliberately and illegally started, spread across the Mourne Mountains, destroying an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It required more than 100 firefighters, supported by helicopters, to bring it under control. The RSPB was quick to use the press coverage around the fire to promote its own anti-burning campaign. It said: “RSPB NI is calling on minister Edwin Poots to implement an immediate end to the burning on peatlands. The call comes following the fire on Slieve Donard, which... caused extensive damage to wildlife and the environment.” Tommy Mayne, BASC NI director, said: “The controlled burning of heather on peatland undertaken by farmers, gamekeepers and…

Lobbying by land management organisations and scientists has led to vital changes to the new licensing regime for vegetation burning in England. Under the proposed 2021 Heather and Grass Burning etc (England) Regulations, no licences would have been issued for burning of vegetation for scientific research. Licences will be required in England when burning takes place over peat of more than 40cm in depth or on protected areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. This would have brought to an end a number of ongoing experiments focused on the role of burning in managing water run-off and in both capturing and storing carbon. However, following intensive lobbying this has been changed and scientific research is now included as one of the purposes for which a licence can be issued.…

“I’d rather be sporting than just put stuff on the ground,” the end Gun muttered as the horn sounded and his neighbour’s old cocker bumbled over to where the first of her master’s redlegs lay dead. I was on the flank of the beating line, from where I’d watched Mr Mutterer leave anything below 40 yards high and struggle with the rest. His fellow Gun had taken three partridges as they fizzed over energetically at half the height — all folded neatly and pickable. It got me thinking, what does ‘sporting’ really mean… and why do people’s perceptions of the term differ? Pinning down a definition for all fieldsports without straying into the realms of vagueness is tricky, yet most of us seem able to decide whether or not something…

We were having a vermin drive during the first week of April and a stoat ran across the ride. I shot it and it turned out to be cream coloured, not an albino, but one still in its winter ‘plumage’. While it is quite common to see an ermine in the northern parts of the country, it is something of a rarity here. In fact, any stoats are, for we only account for about 20 a year. The same week, Michael Kemp mentioned the total head of vermin killed on a large estate in Hungary. He quoted a figure of 10,000, which seemed very large until you gave some thought to it and realised that there were many large estates in this country which once accounted for numbers equal to…

As plumes of smoke billowed from the rearing field beside his new home, Matt Tipping might have wondered how his first year on a new shoot could possibly get any worse. At the time, he’d have had little idea that COVID-19’s campaign would unfold quite the way it has. Only a few months earlier, Matt had visited a Nottinghamshire hospital for an interview with his new employer, who had fallen from his horse while hunting. It would prove to be a bizarre beginning to an eventful and challenging year. But Matt doesn’t seem interested in dwelling on misfortunes. Now in his 30th season as a keeper, what really shines through is his passion to crack on with a fresh project in the shape of the 2,000-acre Whatton House shoot —…

Latin name: Dianthus gratianopolitanus Common name: Cheddar pink Other names: Cliff pink, clove pink, mountain pink, sweet pink, firewitch How to spot it and where to find it: An evergreen perennial that forms a carpet of greyish-green, narrow leaves, cheddar pink is found on dry and sunny limestone rocks. While that glaucous foliage might be unprepossessing, the flowers that form part of its name are the opposite. A deep, rosy pink, they measure some 2.5cm across and are richly fragrant. Interesting facts: This protected species takes its name from the Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, where it was first discovered 300 years ago. It is also found in several places in the Mendip Hills. The Latin name is derived from the Greek dios meaning ‘divine’ and anthos meaning ‘flower’. The common…

Scotland’s shooting and gamekeeping organisations are braced for bad news as counting began last week in the Scottish elections. Counting for the elections, which would normally begin as soon as polls close, has been delayed this year due to the Covid pandemic and was continuing as Shooting Times went to press. The exit polls normally conducted by media organisations such as the BBC were also suspended due to the pandemic. There was a massive turnout for the election with lots of tactical voting in play and surprising swings away from the SNP in some areas. “The SGA said an alliance could cost thousands of rural jobs” Over the previous weeks, an increasingly clear picture of the likely result has been emerging and it has been a worrying one for fieldsports…

DOGS Consider a ‘dog cooperative’ for your shoot. With prices for working dogs now sky high, beaters and pickers-up are facing a challenge to get hold of puppies at a reasonable price. One solution is a dog cooperative where an unrelated dog and bitch from the same beating or picking-up team are bred and the puppies sold at a sensible price to other team members. BIRDS Make mud. It is rare in the British countryside to lack mud but, with the persistent dry weather, birds such as swallows and house martins are struggling to find this vital nesting material. A hose turned on a bit of exposed soil, such as a tractor rut, for five minutes could give them a real helping hand.…

South Africa will ban the hunting of captive-bred lions but will not further restrict trophy hunting of wild species. The announcement follows the report by a panel of experts, who examined the role of hunting in conservation and the economy. It concluded: “South Africa needs to be repositioned and promoted as a destination of choice for legal, regulated and responsible hunting of the five iconic species, recognising that this supports conservation and rural livelihoods.” One example of the positive effect of hunting for the economy and conservation cited by the report was the black rhino. “The very little trophy hunting that has taken place has positively impacted on the population, expanding black rhino range through translocation and enhancing genetic and demographic conservation while also generating valuable income to help fund…

At this time of year, there always seems to be a slight lull in the sporting calendar. The main game seasons are well behind us and the focus switches to the one on the horizon. The movement of vast pigeon numbers has ebbed away as the birds begin to nest up, and the stalking seasons have not long closed. While some of the rivers in the far north have begun to see their salmon runs, many are yet to begin, and the main mayfly hatches that mark the real start of trout fishing are still a few weeks off. The beginning of May is a pause in an otherwise busy year. There is, however, one animal that has often stepped into this void. The increase in the activity and abundance…

Highland stags, the royal family and the sport of deerstalking have been long intertwined. An examination of the years 1840, when Albert and Victoria married, to 2020 — when Prince Harry sold his rifles due to his wife Meghan’s disapproval of ‘blood sports’ — shows how the rifle of the hill has developed. The essence of a best stalking rifle has always been the same and to understand how rifles changed over the years, we have to consider the component parts. In the mid-19th century, both double- and single-barrelled percussion rifles were popular. Double rifle actions gradually changed from fixed, requiring loading from the muzzle, to hinged, allowing the gun to be loaded from the breech. Single-barrelled rifles developed several types of breechloading system, including falling-block, like the Farquharson, and…

I never thought I’d miss the fragrant ladies flogging perfumes, the grossly overpriced sandwiches and the security man glaring at the forgotten toothpaste in my hand luggage as if it were smuggled Semtex. But now I yearn for them, along with the 6in-too-short seats, the life jacket demo and my small bottle of varnish-removing Rioja. Domestic lockdown may almost be over, allowing us to freeze over a pint at the local, but skipping abroad seems ever distant. Argentina’s doves will be able to multiply unmolested thanks to the Brazilian variant and even the hardy Icelandic salmon might be spared my efforts to annoy them in August. Yet a form of safe travel does still exist: sitting quietlyin my library. What’s more, it’s pretty luxurious, a reminder of how privileged we…

I’VE ALWAYS thought that the phrase “lies, damned lies and statistics” sums up brilliantly the world of the statistician. It’s a quote widely attributed to Benjamin Disraeli, but it seems unlikely that he ever said it, let alone coined it. For anyone fascinated by statistics, the past 12 months have been exceptional, as we have been given daily statistical updates on the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths. What we haven’t heard so often is that the average age of death in the UK from COVID-19 is 80.4 years, a statistic that reminds us that it’s a disease that has much of its greatest impact on the elderly. Despite this, we have all been locked down, whether we liked it or not. I enjoy a bit of statistic crunching and…

Roebuck and bark damage STALKING Q This spring, I have noticed fresh bark damage on small trees around the woods in which I stalk. Is this likely to be the result of roebuck cleaning the velvet from their antlers or from muntjac? How can I tell the difference? Both species are present in the area. A From February until the end of May, you can expect to see fraying damage to small trees where the bark has been removed by roebuck that are cleaning their antlers. Territorial muntjac fraying can also occur throughout the year, when muntjac are establishing or marking out their territories. However, roe are taller than muntjac and roe fraying will usually be seen around 80cm from ground level, whereas muntjac fraying normally occurs between 15cm and…

A friend of mine, who lives in a small village, was mildly disconcerted to hear a sound like a panzergruppe emanating from nearby woodland early one morning. It turned out that the long-disused quarry in the wood was disused no more. Demand from the construction industry had transformed the financial viability of the quarry, so it was being worked again. Now, my friend is not a Nimby. Nor is this a case of ‘incomer versus church bells’ syndrome. He accepts that if you buy a house near a mothballed quarry, you have to live with the prospect of it being reopened some day. And yet… most of us accept that noise is a form of pollution and we’re meant to be reducing pollution, aren’t we? Levels of pollution that may…

A Borders huntsman has been found not guilty of charges under Scotland’s foxhunting law. David Lee Peters was using a pack of hounds to flush foxes from cover to Guns when he was filmed by a League Against Cruel Sports investigator. The investigator claimed that during the hunt he saw no one with a gun and heard no shots; however, four men came forward to say that they were on hand with shotguns. The Crown’s case rested on two pieces of video, one in which hounds were seen hunting an area of gorse and another where they were seen pursuing a fox across open country. However, advocate Mark Moir successfully argued that Mr Peters was legally using hounds to flush foxes to guns. A Borders hill farmer, who asked not…

Domestic demand for shooting may well outstrip supply by the time the 2021-22 season starts. However, worries over travel arrangements and the possibility of quarantine is putting overseas shooters off travelling to the UK. Growing optimism about an approaching end to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a desire to get out and about again, drove strong demand for shooting early this year which translated into a surge in sales in the first few months of the year. Digby Taylor, shoot account manager at Guns on Pegs’ ShootHub, told Shooting Times how he saw the domestic market. “Every week things are getting closer to normal, but we are still feeling the impact of Covid,” he said. “Around 12% of shoots that are members of ShootHub, our information service for shoots, are not…

Gundog fundraiser for ‘caring hospice’ The annual charity working gundog test to raise funds for St John’s Hospice is to take place on the Pheasantfield estate, Capernwray. The puppy and novice tests will take place on Saturday, 20 May with the open the next day. The event was set up by John Lupton, who said: “The staff and volunteers at St John’s hospice nursed my dad up to the end with excellent care and compassion.” Urgent appeal as eagle is found dead A major Scottish sporting estate has appealed for information after the body of a poisoned golden eagle was recovered. The bird — whose body was found to contain pesticide — was recovered from an area of Invercauld estate in Aberdeenshire , which is managed for sheep farming, not…

I found the article by Mary Colwell both interesting and informative regarding the decline of the curlew (At the heart of curlew recovery, 14 April). However, there is one area I think that has been left out and that is quite important, so pertinent to the Curlew Recovery Partnership England (CRP) not only for the curlew but also for the lapwing. I am a gamekeeper on the North York Moors and we have quite a number of tourists and day visitors in cars, all on our narrow roads that criss-cross the moors. Most of the motorists drive too fast and/or gawp about without watching what is on the road in front of them. They squash and kill a very great many curlew and lapwing chicks, especially when they are just…

Andreas Jensen has not even reached the high seat when the first shot from a moderated rifle snaps on the other side of the forest. A few seconds later, another shot is heard, followed by the sound of a bullet hitting its target. Confirmation of the kill comes a little later when Andreas’s hunting buddy Daniel Smith sends a photo of two dead wild boars at the edge of a raised rye field. Half an hour later, Andreas is picked up by the local wild boar cull hunter, Nicklas Gunnarsson, who has arranged the hunt for him and Daniel. For the next two nights they will help him cull wild boar in the bright July night. Nicklas reassures Andreas there is a burgeoning boar population in the area, so many…

The 1840s and 1850s: Rifles of this period were already impressively accurate. John Dickson made them with two-groove rifling, firing pear-shaped bullets with ‘wings’ that fitted into the grooves. They were effective at ranges up to 200 yards. Remarkably, telescopic sights were being fitted to these rifles as early as the 1850s. The pinnacle of percussion stalking rifle development was a double rifle of 30-bore, with leaf sights to 100, 200 and 300 yards. The external hammer had a safety bolt to prevent the gun firing inadvertently. The stock had a cheekpiece and patch box. These were built to the very best quality by makers such as Purdey and Dickson in the late 1850s. It wasn’t until then that we really see the impact of breechloading rifles in the order…

OUR VERDICT In this world of fast food and high-tech gadgetry, it is nice to see that some firearms manufacturers still move with the times — but not at the expense of real quality and engineering. Schultz & Larsen (S&L), whose rifles are distributed by Alan Rhone, continues to offer superbly made, well-priced firearms that are meticulously tested to produce excellent accuracy, handling and reliability straight out of the box. The premium Victory bolt-action model from this Danish manufacturer is known worldwide for its strength and smooth operation. The cut-rifled barrels (built in-house), unlike the button-rifled barrels of other makers, have an interchangeable calibre facility yet still achieve consistent and tiny groups downrange. “This attention to detail could only come from a company that truly knows shooting” Now, with the…

“I can only imagine those glorious days, filled with adrenaline-soaked fishing” “This is Green Bank and this is your best chance today,” said Robert Harper, long-time gillie on Lower Crathes and West Durris, as he pointed out the pool. A beguiling run hugged the far bank of the river Dee, with the speed of current that salmon like to rest in. Despite a desperate lack of rain that had the local farmers worrying and the gillies in despair, Robert’s soothing Aberdeenshire accent inspired hope. “Just below that patch of daffodils, that’s where you’ll get him,” he said. Right on cue, a lithe silver torpedo leapt from the water, pulsing with oceanic energy, before plunging back into the flowing water. Full of excitement and expectation, I slowly waded to the top…

Situated in the north-east of Scotland, the Grampian region is renowned for its dramatic scenery and fine malts. But the quality of its wild brown trout fishing is perhaps something often overlooked. Fed by high springs and snow melt, the rivers Deveron and Don in Aberdeenshire possess quality wild brown trout little matched in the UK today. With abundant insect life, and a genetic propensity to grow large, brownies in excess of 7lb are not uncommon here. Thickset and beautifully spotted, Salmo trutta on my local river Don are wonderful to behold and a quarry fit to quicken the pulse of any fly angler. These wild fish are preserved by a laudable policy of catch-and-release, for the quickest way to destroy any fishery is the indiscriminate killing of mature fish.…

My articles on hip scoring (17 March and 21 April) provoked interesting correspondence. One labrador breeder pointed out that what I wrote was misleading, as I only quoted the cost of having the hips scored by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and didn’t mention that the dog’s owner also has to pay a fee to the vet who undertakes the initial X-ray. This is a tricky job done under anaesthetic and real expertise is required to get consistent results. The costs reflect this. Most vets charge anything between £250 and £350. Add in the £127.20 for scoring and you can understand why many amateur breeders don’t bother to submit their dogs. Another correspondent, a retired veterinary surgeon, wrote to say that he thinks that “the hip-score business needs a serious…

With gatherings of up to six people allowed outside, and the very real chance — if everything goes to plan — that by 17 May we will be allowed to meet outside in groups of up to 30, shoots have been given the green light to crack on with their bigger jobs. Many of those chores will have been on the back-burner since last year. The bigger jobs, such as carrying out pen repairs, are so much easier when there is plenty of help. But to get the most out of a work party, it needs to be properly organised and someone must have some sort of plan, or you will just end up with three or four people doing the work and the others looking on and getting fed…