Shooting Times & Country Magazine

09/01/2026

📰 Knife licensing proposals draw criticism

The Government has launched a consultation on mandatory licensing for knife sellers, with police fi****ms licensing departments proposed as administrators – a move that has drawn sharp criticism from shooting and rural organisations.

Industry bodies warn the plans could add costly red tape and further strain an already stretched licensing system.

👉 Read the full story: https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/knife-licensing-backlash-fi****ms/

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08/01/2026

📰 Shooting Times owner buys British Shooting Show

The British Shooting Show has been acquired by Time Well Spent Group, publisher of Shooting Times.

Next month’s event goes ahead as planned from 13 to 15 February at the NEC in Birmingham.

Simon K. Barr, chief executive of Time Well Spent Group, said:

“The British Shooting Show is an outstanding event with a loyal audience and a strong reputation built through many years of hard work by John, Annie and their team.

“We are delighted they will continue to be closely involved as we work together to deliver the 2026 show and shape the event’s future.”

👉 Full details: tinyurl.com/262x43me

07/01/2026

The latest issue of Shooting Times is out now!

This week’s issue is packed with the latest news from the world of shooting, including industry updates and regulations that every enthusiast should know.

📩Got something to say? We want to hear it! Write into the editor and have your say in Shooting Times. Share your thoughts, tips, or experiences with the community. You might just see your words featured in an upcoming issue!

🔗 Subscribe now: tinyurl.com/y5tywx3x

07/01/2026

👏 Fantastic to see partridge delivered to food banks and families in need through regional hubs – something we were pleased to report on recently:
www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/game-hubs-feed-families

06/01/2026

🚨 Breaking: The Government responds

The Home Office has issued its response to the petition signed by more than 100,000 people calling for shotgun and rifle licensing to remain separately licensed.

👇 Here is the full response in their own words:

“The Government recognises that shotguns and fi****ms are used for a range of legitimate purposes, such as target shooting and hunting, and the vast majority are used safely and responsibly. We also recognise that shooting contributes to the rural economy.

“The Government is, however, mindful that legally held shotguns have been used in a number of homicides and other incidents in recent years including the fatal shootings in Keyham, Plymouth, in August 2021. It is for this reason that we committed to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns, to bring them more into line with controls on other fi****ms in the interests of public safety. We announced this on 13 February 2025 when we published the Government response to the 2023 fi****ms licensing consultation which had been run by the previous Government.

Recommendations relating to strengthening shotgun controls had been made to the Government by the Coroner in his preventing future deaths report issued in May 2023 and followed the inquest into the deaths of those who were shot and killed in Plymouth in August 2021. Similar recommendations on shotgun controls were also made in the report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following its investigation into the Plymouth shootings, and by the Scottish Affairs Committee in its report following a fatal shooting with a shotgun in Skye in August 2022.

“We intend to publish the consultation shortly. No decisions have yet been made on whether and what changes might be necessary. We will consider carefully the views put forward during the consultation once it is completed, before deciding what further action to take. We will also provide an impact assessment in relation to any changes that the Government intends to bring forward after the consultation, in the normal way.

“Public safety is our priority, and our focus on shotguns and other fi****ms sits alongside the Government’s aim to halve knife crime in the next decade, which forms a part of the Government’s Safer Street Mission. We are driving an ambitious programme of work focusing on prevention and enforcement, as well as strengthening knife legislation. This includes banning weapons that have no place on our streets, targeting irresponsible sellers, giving the police more powers to deal with those supplying and owning weapons for violent purposes, intervening earlier to stop young people being drawn into crime, and bringing together experts through the Knife-Enabled Robbery Taskforce and the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime.”

The petition can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750236

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06/01/2026

06/01/2026

An eight-year-old from Hampshire has been named Junior Gamekeeper of the Year 2025 by the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust.

From helping with habitat work to managing his own rearing shed, Zeph Silk's passion for gamekeeping and conservation reflects a commitment to countryside life well beyond his years.

👏 Read the full story: https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/eight-year-old-junior-gamekeeper-award/

05/01/2026

Forestry policy highlights deer and grey squirrel control, but overlooks the shooting community delivering results on the ground, says BASC’s Ian Danby.

02/01/2026

🚜 Tractor rebellion forces Government U-turn on farm tax

The Government has raised the inheritance tax threshold on agricultural assets to £2.5m after a year of farmer protests.

The change, announced on 23 December, means couples with estates of up to £5 million will now pay no inheritance tax when passing on their assets.

Environment secretary Emma Reynolds said:⁠ "We have listened closely to farmers across the country and we are making changes today to protect more ordinary family farms.”

The success of the farming campaign offers hope to the shooting community, demonstrating that sustained, united opposition can force the Government to reconsider policies threatening rural traditions.

👉 Full story: tinyurl.com/bp4ds9tv

31/12/2025

🏆 Susan Hunton has claimed the 95th Royal Kennel Club Cocker Spaniel Championship title with FTCh Spirocon Cassandra of Novaton.

Forty-nine dogs ran in the trial at Emblehope & Burngrange Estate on 29-30 December, with 28 making it through to the second day's running.

🥈 Simon Dixon's FTCh Riverview Farm Briar Alice took the runner-up spot.

🥉 Third place went to Nigel Partiss's FTCh Tiptopjack Firebug, handled by Ian Openshaw.

🏅 Fran Ardley's FTCh Tarncrags Razzamataz finished in fourth place, and fourteen dogs earned Diplomas of Merit.

Richard Claydon, Justin Lascelles, Ben Randal and Andy Waterhouse judged the championship.

Photo credit: Katie Broers

29/12/2025

📰 Sika could come to dominate Scottish woodlands

A 2025 study warns that sika deer may outcompete native red and roe deer unless culling becomes species-specific.

Current general culling disproportionately impacts native deer, while sika thrive thanks to higher resilience and breeding rates. Hybridisation with native species adds further conservation challenges.

👉 Full story: tinyurl.com/4j635hz4