Vital coronavirus funding worth £1m has been awarded to more than 100 hard-hit country sports tourism businesses in Scotland. The lifeline cash follows a strong lobbying campaign by two of the sector’s leading representative bodies, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group (SCSTG) and was developed with help from VisitScotland and the Scottish government. Applicants had to demonstrate a minimum revenue loss of 50 per cent as a result of the pandemic, while also proving that 75 per cent of annual turnover was derived from country sports ...

The Game Fair exhibitor, Trailback boots are a blend of traditional and modern, of European skills and technology yet inspired by the stunning landscapes of Cornwall and across the British Isles. These are handcrafted, fully waterproof, leather rigger boots designed initially for rugged dog walking but now finding favour with anyone who ventures outdoors or off the beaten track. The boots are handcrafted by a Spanish manufacturer who has been making Goodyear-welted footwear in the same family since 1899. Combine this with the internationally acclaimed Italian Vibram commando sole and the award-winning German Sympatex waterproof membrane ...

Australian hunter, wilderness adventurer and Rigby enthusiast Brian ‘Wato’ Watson has released an autobiography, re-telling stories of his early hunting adventures in wild Africa and other places right up to present day. Wato’s memories will uncover the depth of his shooting and hunting experiences, having led such a remarkable life. His book documents with characteristic wit, warmth and attention to detail, great hunting yarns told by a true original who has lived a colourful life. It features a forward from Rigby’s managing director, Marc Newton, who recalls how Wato was one of the first to ...

Rural organisation the Countryside Alliance has launched a range of membership packages for equestrians to help them make the most of life with their horses while offering peace of mind and flexibility when out in the field. Its +Equine membership is designed to provide complete comprehensive insurance cover for all equestrian activities from as little as £4 per month. Members will also have access to a huge range of other benefits to help them enjoy their life with horses including: A free subscription to My Countryside magazine Being part of a countryside community with over 100,000 members and supporters Supporting the ...

As the UK starts to emerge from lockdown, there will be even more people venturing into the countryside and a stark warning has gone out from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation regarding ticks and Lyme Disease. Believe it or now, this week is Tick Bite Prevention Week, with the UK’s largest shooting organisation raising awareness about the issue. BASC deer officer Audrey Watson explained that Lyme Disease-infected ticks are especially prevalent in The New Forest in Hampshire, Thetford Forest on the Norfolk / Suffolk border and in the Scottish Highlands. She said: “Ticks ...

With a huge rise in the number of reported dog thefts across the country in the last few months as demand skyrockets following the Covid-19 lockdowns, dog owners are being urged to take care. This topic will be covered extensively in The Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre this July. As we finally head towards an air of normality, it has been pointed out by many organisations that dogs must be ready for the countryside. Keeping dogs on leads is incredibly important in rural areas for the safety of livestock and dogs alike. More recently however, ...

Gundogs have been at the epicentre of The Game Fair since its inception, over 60 years ago. We are delighted to highlight the importance of gundogs at The Game Fair through a significant new media partnership with the UK’s only dedicated gundog publication, Gundog Journal. The Game Fair 23rd – 25th July, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire will once again host the ever-popular Home International and Euro Challenge gundog competitions, showcasing the very best in the gundog world. The hugely popular Gundog Journal, launched by Fieldsports Press in March 2019, is now firmly established as the world’s ...

Extra key features have been added to the market-leading Green Shoots Mapping software that shooters use to prove its sustainability and benefits to the environment. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, which owns and runs the software, has introduced additions to boost sustainability credentials and improve functionality. Users can overlay where designated wildlife sites are situated so they can sort and report their wildlife records, which can now be integrated, mapped and exported, allowing users to provide the facts and figures on the benefits of land managed for shooting. Buffer zones can also be ...

Gigaclear, a leading UK provider rural broadband services and the Countryside Alliance have teamed up to get a better understanding of the challenges many British businesses face due to the state of rural internet. They have launched a short survey for those living and working in the countryside and will use the information and results to raise awareness of the issue of rural internet access among both the general public and those in power. The survey should only take around 10 minuets to complete and, as an added incentive and a ‘thank you’ for taking ...

Dog food brand Hoddy’s has unveiled a new line of balanced and nutritious food for active dogs, using sustainable wild pheasant. After years of testing, the brand says it has perfected a unique formula for a sustainable source of wild pheasant for dogs. Using the latest AI technology to ensure a shot-free product, Hoddy’s dog food ensures that no part of the bird goes to waste, while also providing a naturally nutritious, well balanced dry food for dogs. Mark Hodson, founder of Hoddy’s and editor of Talking Game magazine, which champions game cookery, explained: “We’re ...

Go Fishing Worldwide is one of the best-known specialists in saltwater and freshwater angling holidays, offering trips to countless countries in almost every continent. It’s also been a regular exhibitor at The Game Fair for many years so we grabbed two minutes with founder Maggi Smit to find out more and what you can look forward to when you visit its stand in the Fishing Village at this summer’s event. How and why did Go Fishing Worldwide start? I started Go Fishing Worldwide because Canada was keen for someone to sell fishing holidays over there ...

This month is Game Meat March, a campaign to promote the sustainability, health and environmental benefits of game in response to anti-meat campaigns. The British Game Alliance has been liaising with its BGA-assured stockists to offer a discount on game throughout March to celebrate the #GameMeatMarch campaign, as well as further spread the word to get the general public involved. #GameMeatMarch is being run and supported by The Exmoor Game Company, with the aim to promote the health and environmental benefits of game for the whole month of March. The campaign is asking people to ...

An enhanced trade shopping portal for B2B customers, gallery area and full details of all products and range are now available on the new website from gundog training equipment supplier Sporting Saint. The site went live on Friday and has taken months of work to ensure everything works brilliantly, making it easy to place orders, find the latest gear and access a range of services. Accessing the improved and interactive site not only allows you to browse the latest dummies, whistles, lanyards, game bags, coats, beds, dummy launchers, leads and other training kit but you ...

Traders and the shooting industry at large is being urged to keep an eye out for a shipment of Webley airguns which was stolen in mid-February. Leicestershire Police say the consignment of Webley Nemesis X Combo airguns was taken from a lorry in South Leicestershire overnight on Wednesday, February 17th. A spokesman for distributor Highland Outdoors explained: “These products are the only ones in the world and we have a full listing of every serial number from this shipment. Anyone in possession of one of these – or considering purchasing one – will be in ...

Shooting and farming organisations have joined forces to urge the Government’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee to review the Home Office’s proposal to restrict airgun use by teenagers. In a letter sent last week, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) have asked the chair of the EFRA committee, Neil Parish MP, to use his power to review and scrutinise the proposal. The organisations raise the lack of evidence provided to justify the restriction and the undervalued impact the proposal will have on ...

One of the UK’s best-known shooting distributors, Highland Outdoors, has signed up for this summer’s Game Fair, with the promise to bring some of the biggest brands in shooting. The firm, which was established back in 2007 and specialises in providing a great range of products to the firearms and related industry, is planning a large stand to enable it to display many of these names while also revealing a number of exciting developments. It will showcase new brand partnerships and concepts, including the latest shotguns from Webley & Scott, innovative ear protection from Vario ...

John Rigby & Co has expanded its sporting goods clothing line with a bespoke necktie collection, created with hunting enthusiasts in mind and designed to complement any outfit whether in the field, at the office or around the dinner table. A first for the London gunmaker, the tie collection is made of the finest silk, with rolled edges and finished with the Rigby name on the inner keeper’s loop. With four ties to choose from, customers can choose between the company’s traditional signature tie or one of three classic wild animal designs. The traditional company ...

Wild and Game, the Bristol-based company on a mission to get more people in the UK enjoying wild game, is celebrating British Pie Week (from March 1st to 7th) by launching its Huntsman’s 1lb pie alongside its Premium Pie Collection. The Huntsman is a cold chicken, pheasant and pork pie with a wild boar herby stuffing and a traditional hot water crust pastry casing – a delicious take on the more familiar pork pie. Its Premium collection is a selection of pies from its award-winning range and the pack includes a steak, pheasant and ale ...

Global tackle giant Shakespeare Fishing has joined forces with angling education leader Fishing for Schools (F4S) to bring the sport to future generations. Not only does this partnership offer young anglers a real sense of belonging to an ever-growing “family” of committed fishers but it also provides exciting opportunities to learn through various media platforms and gain practical help through F4S’s cohort of experienced and coaches. Dave McCartney, Shakespeare’s European brand marketing manager, said:  “I have been looking for the right grass roots initiative to support for several years. Fishing for Schools caught my attention ...

Many in the shooting community and across the industry have recognised the need for a voluntary move towards sustainable ammunition, in the form of lead-free shot and single-use plastic, over the next five years Despite the uncertainty caused by Covid-19, many have embraced technological developments in ammunition and, as far as the shooting season allowed, used new cartridges to great effect on all species of live quarry. The arrival of these effective, field-tested products in the marketplace is to be celebrated and lays the foundation for a continued transition away from single-use plastic and lead ...