Shooting, hunting, fishing, field sports, deer stalking | Shooting Times

October caption competition - Just for fun!

This month's competition picture was taken by Becky and Jason in Kent. Burma, their plucky young black cocker spaniel is seen here jumping off a jetty into a lake. But what do you think the bemused yellow lab is thinking?

Readers' picture gallery

A collection of pictures sent in by readers, out and about in the field.

Top tips for buying at auction

To the amateur trader, a sale room can seem like a daunting place. Shooting Times asks experienced auctioneer, David Porter, for his tips on buying at auction.

How important is the barrel length of a rifle?

To what extent does barrel length affect the velocity of your full-bore rifle? In the name of science and with some trepidation, we take up the hacksaw...

Counting deer in the dark

The Deer Initiative is using high-tech thermal imaging equipment to monitor deer populations.

The 2007 pointer and setter Champion Stake

With great weather and high quantities of game on the ground, this year's pointer and setter Champion Stake kept dogs and competitors busy.

The risks of riding quad bikes

Quad bikes may have revolutionised keepers' and stalkers' lives, but the accident rate is alarmingly high. Here we look at the risks of driving ATVs and how easily injury can occur.

The fight to save County Cork

Housing projects are posing a threat to shooting in County Cork. Ian Valentine meets the chairman of a gun club desperately trying to save its grounds from the bulldozer.

Changing faces of gundogs

Would an Edwardian gentleman recognise the gundogs of today? Paul Rawlings considers the influences and changes to our gundog breeds over the past century

Thought for food

With an ever increasing concern for health and expanding waistlines, could huge shoot lunches be a thing of the past? Robert Cuthbert suggests a lighter alternative

Wildfowling on the Medway in Kent

Continuing in her quest to find the best fowling sites in Britain, Kate Gatacre goes out with Alan Jarrett, chairman of the Kent fowlers, for a taste of Medway magic

The history of Shooting Times magazine

Tony Jackson traces the fascinating 125-year history of your favourite magazine, including the changes of content and contributors — and the antics of past Editors

Wildgame prospects

After the wettest summer since records began, what are the prospects for wild game this season? Mike Swan delivers the UK round up from the Game Conservancy Trust

Scope mounts

Quick-detach scopes obviate the need for two guns, but are these handy gadgets really as accurate and easy to use as their manufacturers claim?

Are you fully covered?

Does your insurance cover you if a pheasant falls through a conservatory roof or a beater falls off a wobbly bridge? ST looks at the importance of taking out adequate cover

Novice on shoots

The arrival of the new season will be a crucial test for any novice dog and its handler. Joe Irving offers expert advice on how to avoid jeopardising all your summer training

The dynamics of estuary life

In the first of a new series exploring the best fowling sites around Britain, Kate Gatacre visits the changing landscape of the Severn Estuary with the Gloucestershire WA

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Readers' picture gallery

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The beauty of the Bassett

Recognised by the Kennel Club in the same year as ST was first published, the basset has a noble history. Sue Knight enjoys an outing with these short-legged hounds

A Sporting Century

"A Sporting Century", by Graham Downing, is a book celebrating the founding of WAGBI, a century ago, and the life of Stanley Duncan — ST presents an extract

Heading for cover

You could well find yourself on a steep learning curve if you are a covercrop novice. David Lyles offers expert advice on planting and growing, with a view to fine sport

All eyes on the Humber

Is legislation intended to conserve birds fowling's biggest threat? Alastair Balmain reports on a local battle that could have a direct impact on the sport's future

Is there a need for new coastal access?

Should Britain's coast be more accessible?

The Shooting Industry Awards

The 2007 Shooting Industry Awards were announced on 15 May at a presentation held at E. J. Churchill Shooting School. Here are the winners.

Batsman "KP" goes shooting

Star England batsman Kevin Pietersen knocks clays for sixes, fours and even a few singles, too, as he takes on ST’s Ian Valentine at the West London Shooting School

The pros and cons of rape seed

The English countryside seems to have been daubed in the yellow paint of oilseed rape. Robin Marshall-Ball investigates the pros and cons of this booming cash crop

A perfectly legal hunt

Tony Jackson follows a unique pack of Griffon Vendeen hounds on the hunt for rabbits in Devon

The history of camouflage

Graham Roberts slips unseen into a new exhibition devoted to camouflage and learns more about its history

Gunmaker's solo success

Tony Jackson meets a highly skilled and versatile gunmaker from West Dorset, Michael Rainback, and discovers that the gun trade is still thankfully thriving

Rebel with a cause

Charles Williams is a man with the ambition and drive to make his vision of a thriving countryside community into a reality. Robin Page encounters a true Cornish rebel

How to treat allergies

Harvey Carruthers discusses some of the most common skin allergies in dogs and the best way to treat them

Doing the rifle rounds

Shadowing keeper Mark Round, Pete Wadeson discovers it is a full-time job controlling the vermin on this shoot

Boom time for Best guns

Ian Valentine asks industry leaders their opinion of the current state of the gun market. It is buoyant, especially at the top end, but are smaller businesses suffering the consequences?

Antler growth and healing

Spurred on by a question to ST’s “Letters” page, deer specialist Mark Malins explores the phenomenon of “self-healing” antlers

Are foxes being dumped in the countryside?

Ian Valentine investigates allegations that urban foxes are being dumped in the countryside - a wildlife crime or rural myth?

Human beings cannot beat the weather

Will human beings ever master the climate? Shooting Times discusses

In awe of Loch Awe

Ian Valentine is taken out on the majestic Loch Awe by seasoned fisherman Alister McKellar, in search of the trout that inhabit its dark waters

On the dummy run

How did the canvas dummy come about and is it really necessary?

Stay vigilant against ticks

With as many as 2,000 Brits expected to suffer a tick-related infection this year, Ian Valentine investigates whether tick numbers are spiralling out of control