Two outdoor major organisations – the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) – have joined forces to condemn Government proposals to restrict airgun use for under-18s. Members of both organisations will be severely disadvantaged by the Home Office’s proposal within its current Firearms Safety consultation, they say. If approved, the proposal will see 14 to 17 year-olds in England and Wales lose their ability to use airguns unsupervised on private premises. This will impact on thousands of under-18s who use airguns as part of their ...

The British Game Alliance (BGA) has introduced an Associate Membership category, designed to widen access to the organisation for smaller shoots. The move comes amidst growing recognition of the value of self-assurance to protect the future of shooting. Until now, many smaller shoots have felt unable to join the BGA, as they do not sell their game and only shoot for personal consumption, despite recognising the need for a self-regulating shooting sector with independent shoot assurance and supporting the goal of a thriving market for game meat. The Associate Membership will bet at a lower ...

The Great British Shooting Awards give recognition to the products, organisations and people that make our industry tick. The people and products chosen as the winners in their category by our panel of high-profile judges and a public vote will be featured in Airgun Shooter, Shooting Gazette, Clay Shooting, Shooting Times, Sporting Gun, Sporting Rifle, Gun Trade News and Shooting UK, and will receive a trophy for display.  Submit your nominations now for your brands and products to be in with a chance of winning.  https://www.futureevents.uk/gbsa-nominations/begin

The Country Food Trust, this year’s chosen Game Fair charity, will be helping thousands of children who would otherwise go hungry thanks to its Winter Appeal, which has raised more than £130,000. It is a sad reality that the number of children experiencing the debilitating effects of food poverty is on the rise in this country and the uncertainly of 2020 has really thrown this into sharp relief for many. The CFT’s work with its charity partners has highlighted the real need for wholesome and nutritious food to support these children during the incredibly important ...

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation has stepped in over fears of significant delays when Northern Irish gun dealers try to honour warranties from British distributors or suppliers. BASC has highlighted concerns about the negative impact of Brexit on firearms dealers to Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Economy, Diane Dodds MLA. Prior to Brexit, dealers in NI and Great Britain simply exchanged copies of their firearms dealer’s certificate before the dealer in NI sent the firearm via the contracted courier. However, post-Brexit, Trader’s Support Service (TSS) and the Department of International Trade (DIT) have ...

Steven Frampton and Michael Canon set up Wild & Game in 2017 with the aim of boosting the sale of game meat. Steve explains how it all started and why the sector looks set to continue flourishing. Wild and Game founders Steven and Michael wanted to address the issue that far more game is produced in the UK than is consumed, mainly they felt because many people were not familiar with it as an ingredient and did not feel confident cooking with it. Their solution was to create a food range based around some of ...

Oldsport Outfitters might be a new name at The Game Fair but, like the opportunities it offers, founder Tom Cosby believes his business’ presence is just another exciting adventure. How did Old Sport Outfitters get started? What’s your background? I have been working within the gun trade since I left school, for companies such as James Purdey & Sons and Atkin Grant & Lang in a sales capacity. Earlier last year I decided to leave standing behind a counter and pursue my passion for hunting, trying my best to turn it into a business. I ...

The British Game Alliance is hosting a free virtual cook along on Thursday 28th January at 6.30pm. Hosted by BGA Chef Ambassador, Leon Davies, who will be joined by the BGA’s Head of Operations, Louisa North, attendees can learn how to cook a recipe for Pheasant Katsu Curry to enjoy at home. The cook along is free to join from the comfort of your own kitchen, with the chance to ask Leon questions during the live event. To join, attendees can register on the link below and if they wish to cook along, purchase ingredients ...

The Environment Agency invested more than £48 million in projects to enhance fisheries and make improvements for anglers, angling facilities and the environment during 2019-20. The organisation’s Annual Fisheries Report, which has just been released, shows that over £20 million was raised from rod licence sales in England and Wales, with almost a million (940,974) fishing licences sold between April 2019 and 31 March 2020. This was supplemented by partner contributions and additional government funding, allowing the EA to spend over £48 million to support the management of fisheries. Environment Agency fisheries staff also used rod ...

Game specialist Wild and Game is encouraging people to give Burns Night a twist this year by putting game on the menu. The company, which is on a mission to get game more widely enjoyed all year round in the UK, has released three recipes that re-work Scottish classics with game as a key ingredient, just in time for Burns Night on Monday, January 25th. The recipes include pheasant cock-a-leekie soup, haggis and venison Wellington and home-made venison haggis with roasted tatties and neeps and buttered kale. Since it was launched in 2017, Wild and ...

Three key players in the shooting industry – The Game Fair, the Gun Trade Association and Gun Trade News – have come together to support those working within it by delivering a Trade Pavilion during the show. Alongside all of the other major attractions at the much-loved event – taking place at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire from July 23rd to 25th – the purpose-built pavilion will offer a mix of public access trade stands and industry-only exhibition space. There will also be meeting rooms, business services and even a new product showcase, looking after manufacturers, wholesalers, ...

Antique tackle dealer Victor Bonutto is one of the longest-running ‘fixtures’ of The Game Fair, having exhibited at the event for more than 30 consecutive years. We caught up with him to discuss his passion and what keeps him coming back. You have exhibited at The Game Fair for more than 30 years in a row – what’s the appeal of the event? It’s the number one event for me. I have exhibited all over the UK and nothing, absolutely nothing, has the buzz of The Game Fair. Past customers and friends know I will ...

The much-loved celebration of the great British Countryside returns in 2021 taking place in the familiar surroundings of Ragley Hall from 23-25 July. In the spirit of progression and innovation The Game Fair are delighted to announce our new partnership with ‘LAPADA’ the UK’s largest association of professional art and antique dealers. The LAPADA Pavilion will showcase an exquisite range of works across an array of disciplines; from fine art, furniture and contemporary works of art to decorative arts, jewellery and antiquities. Complimenting the fabulous art exhibitors already scheduled to attend. From its inception in ...

A Scottish Government Minister has condemned “the abuse and unfair harassment” of gamekeepers and their families in Scotland, after research commissioned by the Scottish government showed that almost two thirds had experienced abusive behaviour. In a letter to the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the newly appointed Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, Ben Macpherson MSP, said he was “appalled to hear of the experiences” reported by Scotland’s gamekeepers, which were documented in a study by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). Mr Macpherson added that he “would work to ensure that no ...

The British Game Alliance (BGA) is on the hunt for young people who love cooking game and has launched an exciting competition with some amazing prizes – do you know someone who might make the grade? The Game Chef Hunt contest will showcase and celebrate great game recipes and the talent of people aged under 21 and will run until February 10th. Entries can be any game dish, fur or feather, that you love to cook and eat at home. If relevant and with the shoot and head keeper’s permission, let the BGA know the name ...

Health Secretary Matt Hancock wants the UK to get back to normal quickly and told the nation this week: “I want us to have that Great British summer. And my team and I are working hard to deliver this as fast as possible.” With the promise to vaccinate every over-50 against Covid-19 by the start of May – that’s 32 million people in all – the Government is doing everything it can to put a summer smile on our faces. The vaccine has already prompted The Game Fair regulars Colin and Carol Letch, who run ...

Falconry is more than just a popular pastime in Qatar – it’s a national treasure with a celebrated history and a very bright future. It is no wonder then that through Doha’s cultural village Katara, under the patronage of His Highness The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, a wonderful partnership exits to celebrate falconry. Two spectacular events, The Game Fair in the United Kingdom, a celebration of the countryside since 1958 attracting 120,000 visitors each year, and S’Hail - Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition, Qatar’s annual showcase promoting the pursuit and preservation of hunting ...

Once Britain has left the European Union you can no longer sell birds in-feather direct to buyers from Europe. From January 1st, 2021 game birds in-feather cannot be exported to Europe without certification by an official veterinarian and must be exported through an Approved Game Handling Establishment, just like processed game meat. What do you need to do? If you are currently exporting birds in-feather directly to Europe, you will need to make contact with a game processor to make alternative arrangements. You can find a list of British Game Alliance registered processors here, or contact ...

The Country Food Trust, The Game Fair’s charity for 2021, is inviting you to host a dinner party at your home on Friday February, 26th for as many guests as space allows, or as Covid-19 rules permit. The goal is for over 2,000 people to attend individual dinners across the country, with each party raising vital funds to ensure another 250,000 meals can reach those in need, including children and their families. There will be online access to both a silent and a live auction for everyone attending and a prize for the group who raises the ...

Cotswold MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown is the latest in a long line of well-known faces who can’t wait for The Game Fair 2021, having been saddened to miss the 2020 postponed event. In an interview with Gun Trade News editor Steve Faragher, the Conservative MP, who is also chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Shooting and Conservation and treasurer of the influential 1922 Committee, admitted he loves the event for many reasons. He revealed: “I was due to go this year (2020). I love The Game Fair. I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to ...