news

Game's On!

2007-10-04T09:47:53Z

In the build up to the Taste of Game Week (w/c 10th November), it's good to hear that the BASC and Sainsbury's will for the second year be working in tandem to promote the consumption of game to the store's customers.

As of Wednesday 17th October, the Game's On logo will be appearing on a range of Sainsbury's game products including whole pheasant and partridge, game casserole and woodpigeon breast fillets. Sainsbury's will also be running a series of game tasting sessions in-store during the Taste of Game Week.
In recent years the BASC has been involved with a number of initiatives to increase the general awareness of game as a high quality, nutritious food source and now working in conjunction with one of the UK's top supermarket chains one can really see their hard work coming good.

For a full listing of the events taking place as part of the Taste of Game Week please check our Upcoming Events section and the Game's On website.

And don't forget that if you subscribe to Fieldsports before the 31st December you'll receive a copy of the highly recommended Wild About Game recipe book.

A Change in the Deer Laws.

2007-10-01T11:06:03Z

As of this morning (01/10/07) the Deer Act, 1991, has been amended. This act deals with the management and control of the deer population and the amendment that has now been introduced provides licensing provisions for deer to be taken or killed during the close season and at night as well as now extending the season for all female deer by allowing shooting until 1 April. The change in the legislation also now permits discharging of firearms or projecting of missiles from a mechanically propelled vehicle that is stationary and without the engine running and allows for .22 centre-fire rifles to be used for shooting the non-native muntjac and Chinese water deer.

The deer population has doubled in the last 25 years and these changes in the legislation should hopefully assist in the smooth management of the herds.

Subscription Offer.

2007-09-20T15:11:28Z

Perfect for Christmas

With Christmas looming, we have the solution to the perennial present dilemma. Give a gift of a Fieldsports subscription... or maybe treat yourself.

At just £20 for a year, it's not just one gift but four.

Moreover, every UK subscriber before December 31 automatically receives a copy of the excellent game recipe book Wild About Game: Favourite Recipes of the Victoria at Holkham.

Plus... exclusive to subscribers is a special free-to-enter competition offering a first prize of a fabulous £5,000 sandgrouse shooting trip in Kenya with Woodward Bailey Sporting International. The trip is fully inclusive, with exception of return air travel to Nairobi. * Terms and conditions apply.
The sandgrouse shooting is sensational - and also included is a three-day safari.
The runner-up prize is a bespoke shooting suit (breeks and waistcoat) from Carters Country Wear of Helmsley. Choose your own tweed from their vast selection.

The third prize is a beautifully mounted brace of sandgrouse.

Subscribe and take part. Is their a better value Christmas present?

To subscribe please click here

CLA agree on refunds for 2007 Game Fair stallholders.

2007-09-20T14:38:52Z

The CLA (Country, Land and Business Association) have offered an improved compensation package to exhibitors from this year’s cancelled Game Fair in recognition of the loss of business suffered by many who had hoped to attend.

The organisers are now offering exhibitors affected a choice of an immediate 50% refund off their 2007 stand fees or 40% now and a 20% discount on comparable stand space booked for 2008.

After the 2006 Game Fair a study carried out by Bournemouth University estimated that orders worth almost £50 million for items like riding tack, sporting guns, fishing tackle and other specialist equipment were placed during the course of the fair.

Hopefully the CLA’s new offer goes someway to lessening the effect of such a loss of income and by offering discounted stands for next year’s fair let’s hope that the show will continue to grow despite this year’s calamity!

Countryside Alliance’s Chief Executive running for the Tories.

2007-09-20T14:25:41Z

Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, has been put forward as a prospective parliamentary candidate for his local constituency of Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire at the next general election.

With the blessing of the CA’s board Simon will continue in his post until the election. We wish Simon the best of luck for the election.

Pheasant, woodcock – should the season be extended?

2007-09-20T14:06:15Z

October 1^st sees the start of the shooting season for pheasant and woodcock.

After changing weather patterns affected last season’s numbers, what are your feelings about the coming season? If events of the past few months have shown us anything it is that our weather patterns are changing rapidly (floods in July anyone!) and as a result the migratory patterns of birds such as the woodcock are also changing. Unfortunately the weather and not our shooting seasons provide the main impetus in the timing of their migratory flights, maybe explaining their relative abundance later on in the 2006/2007season. Coupled with confirmed reports from the woodcock’s home territories of Scandinavia and Russia that they were delayed in beginning their flight due to unsuitable conditions we can only hope that this season the weather holds true and birds arrive at more traditional times. Or will we ever again see a harder winter?

What do you think? Are there fewer migratory birds about or is it that their migratory patterns have been affected by global warming? Do we need a reassessment of the shooting seasons or do we need to reassess if we need that holiday in the sun or all of those appliances left on standby? Unfortunately it seems to be those who already exist in unison with the land and seasons that are set to suffer as the climate changes.

Welcome to the Fieldsports news and comment blog!

2007-09-20T13:54:19Z

What do you think of the new look Fieldsports website? Are there any areas where you feel that the Fieldsports website could better complement the magazine? Send an email to m.barnes@bournepublishinggroup.co.uk or just leave a comment below.