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Shooting Times & Country Magazine

Trusted by generations: Breaking news and expert analysis for the shooting community since 1882. Save when you subscribe to any of our packages.

Pay just £2.60 per issue - 35% cheaper than buying in-store. To subscribe go to https://shop.twsgroup.com/ page for Shooting Times & Country Magazine. Follow us for news of what's coming up in the magazine, news stories, readers' photographs and more.

24/08/2025

Grouse counts show mixed fortunes across Britain

The GWCT’s July brood counts, published on the Glorious Twelfth, show grouse breeding success varied dramatically across Britain despite overall populations remaining critically low.

“Where counts are poor, some shoots have started scaling back,” said Andrew Gilruth, chief executive of the Moorland Association. “This has economic implications for rural businesses that rely on the shooting season, but most estates recognise the need to protect grouse stocks for future years.”

🪶 Full story: tinyurl.com/5ezyce8j

Photo credit: Kirk Norbury Photography

23/08/2025

Defra enhances measures to combat bird flu

Already stretched keepers and bird rearers are being urged to implement enhanced biosecurity measures following Defra's updated bird flu guidance issued on 20 August.

The additional measures come amid ongoing debate about the stringency of bird flu restrictions, with some considering current rules overly strict.

👉 Learn more: tinyurl.com/dk9cxsbn

Photo credit: Alamy

22/08/2025

Durrell Wildlife Trust to end paid stalking at Scottish estate

Guests currently pay approximately £700 to stalk a stag. But after November, all population management will be handled solely by Durrell staff.

The move comes amid sustained pressure from animal rights campaigners, including Protect the Wild, who have opposed the practice.

🗞 Read the article: tinyurl.com/2k8mv3he

Photo credit: Alamy

21/08/2025

Masked sabs disrupt Glorious Twelfth shoot

A gang of around 30 hunt saboteurs launched a coordinated attack on a walked-up grouse shoot in the Forest of Bowland, waving banners, shouting abuse and surrounding the syndicate.

Shooting Times spoke exclusively to a source from the shoot to get the full story.

👉 Read more: tinyurl.com/yck542rv

21/08/2025

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

18/08/2025

💥The 25th anniversary issue of What Gun? is out now to purchase for just £9.99!

As always, the What Gun? 2025 annual is packed to the rafters and represents superb value for money, with this year’s edition offering over 40 reviews.

We've got tests on airguns and fi****ms, plus guidance and brand guides for those new to the world of shooting. There's also reviews on some of the latest accessories to hit the market along with scopes, optics, ammunition and clothing.

Everything you could possibly want to read about in one magazine!

👉Order your copy now for just £9.99 at shop.twsgroup.com/products/books

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17/08/2025

This amounts to ‘hate speech’, says Gilruth

Andrew Gilruth, chief executive of the Moorland Association, went head-to-head with presenter Rod Liddle during a heated Times Radio debate on 9 August, after Liddle launched a sustained attack on grouse shooting.

Liddle repeatedly accused gamekeepers of illegally killing hen harriers, prompting Gilruth to challenge him: “Where’s your evidence for that?” When Liddle cited RSPB and wildlife council reports as “loads of evidence”, Gilruth dismissed them as “unproven, unverified smears from organisations with obvious fundraising agendas”.

Find out what else was said: tinyurl.com/5xkr9tz9

16/08/2025

Army shoot faces closure after gamebird licence refusal

Natural England’s latest licensing decisions threaten to destroy not only rural communities around Salisbury Plain, but also the livelihoods of members of the Bulford and Tidworth Garrison Shoot.

The 250-member club faces closure after Natural England rejected its gamebird release application – despite a government minister explicitly stating its biosecurity measures “exceed requirements”.

👉 Read the full story: tinyurl.com/4eyz9dja

Photo: ©️ BBC Photo Archive

14/08/2025

Next generation shines at young handlers’ event

Twenty-six young handlers, some as young as five years old, demonstrated remarkable natural ability at Muntjac Trading‘s inaugural Young Handlers Day on 3 August.

Sessions ran simultaneously across three estates, with professional trainers putting the children through exercises involving heel work, water work and mock beating lines.

🐕 Find out how they got on: tinyurl.com/mr33cwr5

Photo credit: Rachael Childs Photography

13/08/2025

RIP Jim Albone

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Jim Albone, a passionate pigeon guide and true inspiration to many in the shooting community, passed away on 30 July at the age of 69.

Born and raised in Biggleswade, Jim spent most of his life working in the countryside across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire. He had shooting rights on a huge amount of farmland and knew those landscapes like the back of his hand.

Jim was widely recognised for his expertise in pigeon shooting and his popular Red Letter Days DVD, which showcased his exceptional skill and deep love for the countryside. He was a regular contributor to Shooting Times over the years and will be remembered by many readers for his knowledge and passion.

🕊️ Jim’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 20 August at 2:30pm at Bedford Crematorium. In keeping with Jim’s wishes, mourners are invited to wear shooting attire alongside traditional funeral dress.

Photo credit: Hannah Albone

13/08/2025

The Glorious Twelfth special 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

13/08/2025

Hope for game sector as bird flu vaccination under consideration

Gamebirds could be included in future bird flu vaccination programmes, offering protection from a disease that has “pulled apart” the industry.

🪶 Learn more: tinyurl.com/3w6tf9yp

Vaccination for gamebirds – what are your thoughts?

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page for Shooting Times & Country Magazine. Follow us for news of what's coming up in the magazine, news stories, readers' photographs and more. Send us your news and views! We want to hear from you. Email letters to [email protected] or write to Shooting Times, Pinehurst II, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hants, GU14 7BF. Send any news stories or feature ideas to [email protected].