The Ultimate Stalking Handbook - 4th Edition, 2021

GEAR

GREAT SHOOTING KIT

There are so many amazing products out there designed to make your stalking
and shooting life easier

ZEISS DTI 3/35 a 384x288 thermal sensor with
1280x960 HD LCOS display for
The DTI 3/35 offers outstanding crisp, clear thermal imaging
optical performance, combining up to 1,350 yards. It offers the
performance, reliability and
optical excellence that Zeiss

optics are renowned for.
RRP £2,650
Zeiss UK

01223 401525; zeiss.co.uk

DAVROS HEAD INFIRAY EYE SERIES E2N

The Davros Head retrofits to SRP £74.99 Compact, elegant design and detailed thermal images,
many bipod systems, giving Raytrade UK easily operational functions making it much easier to
them the benefit of the Spartan 01635 253344 make the Eye Series thermal search for targets in near or
magnetic attachment system, raytradeuk.co.uk monocular range ideal for
which enables you to swap night target observation. The total darkness.
quickly between different rifles entry-level E2n is embedded SRP £654.95
and optics with standard 1/4in with Iray’s high performance Highland Outdoors
VOx detector which enables 0345 099 0252
or 3/8in UNC threads. highlandoutdoors.co.uk

STALON X SERIES LEICA PRS
5-30X56I
The X108 is a telescopic a low weight, the X108 is an
The PRS 5-30x56i riflescope
moderator for hunting and obvious choice for foxing. features a magnification RRP from £2,375
Leica Sports Optics
shooting in most calibres and RRP £335 range of 5x to 30x and high
thread sizes. With a short GMK light transmission. The large 02076 291351
extension of the rifle and adjustment range of the reticle uk.leica-camera.com
01489 579999; gmk.co.uk in the first focal plane, and 6x
zoom, makes the PRS ideal for

longer-range shooting.

ROE SACK SWAROVSKI EL
RANGE WITH TA
This professional roe sack with
detachable waterproof lining The EL binocular with Tracking
is designed for heavy use in Assistant delivers sharp images
with precise distance and angle
the toughest conditions.
RRP £485 measurement up to 2,000m.
RRP £2,810
Fine Shooting Accessories
01913 233 843 Swarovski Optik
fineshooting 01737 856812
accessories.com swarovskioptik.com

101

GEAR

NM1 LAMPS is done via the tail-switch, QMD MULTI- designed to stay on your gun
there’s a smooth variable DIRECTIONAL
Night Master’s NM1 hunting brightness switch and an light until you remove them.
lights have been developed indicator light that notifies GUN LIGHT RRP £39.95
when the battery is low and MOUNT Night Master
in response to customer when the light is active. 01535 611688
feedback. LEDs are now easier With the QMD mount, there’s
NM1-CL RRP £119.95 no more fiddling with mounts nightmaster.co.uk
to change, beam focusing NM1-SL RRP £149.95 – simply loosen the top screw,
NM1-XL RRP £179.95 reposition the light and then

Night Master retighten the screw. It is
01535 611688 reversible for ambidextrous
nightmaster.co.uk use and the radial inserts are

CASSTRÖM NO TLR-1 GAME TLR-1 Game Spotter STD
10 SWEDISH SPOTTER RRP £172
GUN LIGHT
FOREST KNIFE TLR-1 Gamespotter RMT
The TLR-1 features infrared, RRP £245
With its 10cm-long stainless- so it’s great for night-time
steel blade, this full-tang knife stalking. This gun-mounted Streamlight; streamlight.com
tactical light features the
is great for bushcraft but latest C4 LED technology
dextrous enough for paunching, and provides 1.75 hours of
continuous regulated runtime.
jointing or breasting. The TLR-1 also includes a
RRP £46 shock-proof green power LED.
Casström

01628 330 330
casstrom.co.uk

PULSAR DIGISIGHT
ULTRA LRF 450

LEICA CALONOX Its superb image quality Thomas Jacks
means the Digisight Ultra LRF thomasjacks.co.uk
Available as a pure observation 450 can be used day and night. Call 017789 264 100 to
device – Calonox View – and as find your local dealer
a clip-on device for mounting SRP £1,379.95
in conjunction with a riflescope
Calonox Sight RRP £3,450
– Calonox Sight. Calonox View RRP £3,950

Leica Sports Optics
02076 291351

uk.leica-camera.com

ELEMENT you the ultimate 30mm optic. LIEMKE KEILER RRP £2,560 (including a
OPTICS NEXUS A variety of different reticle 25 LRF three-year warranty)
Blaser
5-20X50 designs, in both MOA and This thermal optic convinces 01483 917 412
MRAD, caters to shooters with its 384x288 ceramic blaser-group.com/uk
This riflescope combines VOx thermal detector with
features such as tool-free of all abilities. a 12-micron pixel pitch and
tactical turrets, zero stop and RRP £1,334.99 temperature sensitivity of
a removable throw lever with Sportsman Gun Centre <35mK. The integrated laser
precision engineering to bring 01392 354 854 rangefinder enables you to
sportsmanguncentre.co.uk
determine the distance of an
object up to 600m away. This
compact thermal monocular

weighs only 320g.

102



OPTICS

GOING UNDER GRAND

We take a look at 10 of the best rifle scopes on the market costing less than
£1,000, including 5 nominees from the Great British Shooting Awards 2021

BUSHNELL MATCH PRO HAWKE FRONTIER

The Match Pro is Bushnell’s latest entry- for quick dialling on the firing line, The Frontier range of rifle scopes offers a
level competition rifle scope. Features and the locking turrets are large, with wide choice of models boasting supreme
include a first focal plane that is accurate positive clicks, to take out the guesswork
no matter what magnification you are accuracy for all hunting applications.
on, and parallax that goes down to 10 and prevent accidental alterations. The all-new H7 optics offer high-grade,
yards for close-up targets. The Match Pro RRP £784 low-dispersion crown glass with 21-layer
comes with a simple 10-Mil turret system fully multicoated lenses. There’s also a
Edgar Brothers choice of LR Dot and Mil Dot illuminated
01625 613177; edgarbrothers.com reticles – all backed by the Hawke no-

fault lifetime warranty.
RRP from £459
Hawke Optics

0345 345 5555; hawkeoptics.com

NIKKO STIRLING ENDURANCE 30 WA BURRIS FOUR XE

METOR 3-12X56 Designed for all hunting disciplines, the The newly redesigned Four XE features
Endurance 30 H5 optics boast double-spring tension to guarantee
The Metor offers brilliant images
with high-end resolution and perfect an ultra-wide angle field of view with a long life of service. The nitrogen filling
edge-to-edge clarity. Excellent field a generous 100mm eye relief. ensures a clear, bright image in all light
of view across the series allows quick
target acquisition and provides the best Fitted with a choice of illuminated conditions. The illuminated reticle is
overview before and after the shot. reticles – LR Dot and LRC (Long- button adjustable and the magnification
The fine-tuned illumination supports the Range Centrefire) – covering popular
magnifications such as 2.5-10x50, adjustment is integrated into the
shooter to avoid blinding in low 3-12x56 and side focus 4-16x50 and eyepiece area for easy grip and precise
light conditions. 6-24x50. Backed by Hawke’s no-fault adjustment, regardless of the weather.
SRP £271.99 All riflescopes are backed by Burris’s
lifetime warranty.
Highland Outdoors RRP from £449 lifetime warranty.
0345 099 0252; highlandoutdoors.co.uk Hawke Optics RRP from £575
0345 345 5555; hawkeoptics.com
nikkostirling.com GMK
01489 579999; gmk.co.uk

104

OPTICS

KITE K6 SCOPE

The K6 2.5-15x56 rifle scope combines a high level of and assembling process. A thin 4A reticle guarantees the
light transmission with extraordinary image performance fastest, safest and most accurate target acquisition.
Browning
and 6x zoom factor. It is produced from high-precision 01235 514550; browning.eu
components and a state-of-the-art manufacturing

LEUPOLD THE GREAT KITE OPTICS BINO
BRITISH
RX-2800 TBR APC STABILIZED 30
SHOOTING
Long-range shooting will test your AWARDS 2021 The Stabi APC 30 image-stabilised
limits – which is where the RX-2800 binoculars correct image stability by
TBR/W Alpha IQ digital rangefinder Check out the five
shortlisted products up to three degrees to provide
comes into play. It offers half- for the coveted Optic a shake-free view at high
yard accuracy out to 2,800yd, 7x of the Year Award
magnification and an easy-to-read magnification. A world first, making
OLED display. It makes ranging smaller (Under £1,000) them your best viewing tool in the
targets quicker than ever before. field or on the hill. Available in 10x30

Viking Arms and 12x30 versions.
01423 780810; vikingshoot.com Kite Optics

+32 (0)50 692319; kiteoptics.com

STRIKE EAGLE 5-25X56 FFP HAWKE SIDEWINDER
WITH EBR-7C RETICLE
Redesigned from the ground new locking turret system
This features an illuminated a built-in throw-lever offers up, with Hawke’s H5 optics, with witness window – these
reticle, Rev Stop Zero System easy magnification changes.
and locking turrets. In first Available in MRAD and MOA. the latest Sidewinder are just some of the
focal plane, the 34mm tube models are a huge upgrade reasons to upgrade to the
Shooting Sports UK
gives huge amounts of 01902 850002 on the outgoing range. Sidewinder now.
windage and elevation, while Lighter, stronger, 4in eye Hawke Optics
shootingsportsuk.co.uk relief, better crown glass, 0345 345 5555
improved illumination and a hawkeoptics.com

105

VENISON

“DRY CURING REDUCES
MOISTURE LEVELS IN
FRESH MEAT, WHICH

THEN ACTS AS A
PRESERVATIVE”

106

VENISON

CHEW IT OVER

Dried venison — inspired by a South African staple — makes a tasty snack
to eat in the field and it is quite simple to make, says Steven Lamb

Venison is the perfect ingredient for PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW SYDENHAM In this recipe, the action of the cure
making this field snack from South happens within a few hours, which not only
Africa.The lean, long-grain strands least 30% of its original raw weight it is a quick and effective method but enhances
of haunch lend themselves to the makes the product inhospitable to bad the flavour as well.This recipe is for those
cured, bendy brittleness of biltong but, after bacteria.This often takes weeks, particularly chefs who like the stressless side of cooking as
a couple of challenging chews, it will start to if it is done traditionally, but venison ultimately there is no cooking involved.
soften, giving off a peppery and herbal tang. biltong can be ready to eat within a few
days, especially if you help to accelerate Whether you are looking for an exciting
Dry curing reduces the moisture levels in the drying process. alternative to your usual elevenses basket or a
fresh meat, which then acts as a preservative. tasty snack in your pocket on a long walked-
By allowing it to dry so that it has lost at up day, this is the recipe for you.

VENISON BILTONG

INGREDIENTS METHOD

• 500G OF 1 Prepare the venison by cutting strips following the
VENISON
HAUNCH (THIS grain.Your butcher should help with this.Your strips
WILL MAKE
APPROXIMATELY should be 1cm-2cm in thickness, but don’t worry if
SIX STRIPS OF
BILTONG) they vary – the thinner the strips the quicker they

• 15G OF GOOD- will dry.There won’t be much fat on the venison, but
QUALITY SALT
remove any as you go.You are looking for long, thin,
• 15G SOFT DARK
BROWN SUGAR lean strips.

• 10G CORIANDER 2 In a bowl, mix all the other dry ingredients so
SEEDS, LIGHTLY
TOASTED AND they are evenly distributed.The salt in this cure mix
GROUND
is the agent that will remove the liquid, and the rest
• 10G CRACKED
BLACK is for flavour.
PEPPERCORNS
3 Scatter half of the cure into a box or tray that is just
• 3 TBSP MALT
VINEGAR big enough to fit in the strips of venison so they are

snug.You want to find a container that will be deep

enough to retain the liquid from the meat without

allowing it to spill. Place the strips on top of the cure, The venison strips need to be covered in the cure and
then left overnight in the fridge
and scatter the remaining half on top.
excess cure or liquid before placing them on a clean tea
4 Cover the meat evenly and massage in the towel to pat dry.
7 At this point, you can hang the strips on a hook or
cure so that every surface of the venison is covered. string in a cool, dry and airy space. In summer, you
might want to cover the strips with muslin to deter
Now sprinkle the malt vinegar over the meat and flies – I hang mine in my kitchen from an old laundry
aerator. If you have a biltong box or dehydrator, pop
allow it to cover each strip. the biltong in there. In the past, I’ve hung my biltong
by the open door of my oven’s plate warmer overnight
5 Cover the tray with cling film and this also works well.
8 The biltong will be ready after 7-10 days if air
or put the lid on the container drying naturally or 3-5 days if using the accelerated
method of a biltong box or dehydrator. It does not have
and place in the fridge.You can a shelf life because it keeps drying.The dryer it gets the
harder it is to chew, but some people like that and the
leave it in the cure overnight challenge is always helped with a glass of cold beer. USH

and there’s no need to turn the

strips over or massage the meat –

though you can if you want to.

6 After the allotted time of

This recipe uses only curing (6-8 hours),
a few simple ingredients remove the container
to transform the venison from the fridge, take
into chewy biltong each strip out carefully
and shake off any

107

RIFLES

STALK TALK

A look at some of the best rifles for all your pest control and more
CENTREFIRE

EDITOR’S CHOICE

BLASER R8 ULTIMATE SAVAGE B22 PRECISION

The Blaser R8 Ultimate’s two-piece stock From .22 LR to the punch of .22 piece MDT chassis and 10-shot mag.
ensures a relaxed shooting position and WMR, the Savage B Series delivers Price: £800
optimal control of the rifle. Available with exceptional performance and includes
black elastomer, impregnated leather an 18in heavy-threaded barrel, one- Edgar Brothers 01625 613177
edgarbrothers.com
inlays and an integrated moderator.
Price: from £3,750
Blaser 01483 917412
blaser-group.com/uk

SAKO 85 KODIAK HOWA BRAVO HOWA GRS BIFROST

Grey laminated hardwood and reinforced The precision-made chassis allows the A proven combination that is steady and
with two cross-bolts. The bolt, receiver rifle to adjust while remaining rigid. comfortable in any type of weather. The
and detachable mag are stainless steel Aluminium with a modular design, it is easily adjustable features make it a go-to
Ideal for varminting; in 6.5 or .308.
and reliable in severe weather. rifle for the modern hunter.
Price: from £2,425 Price: from £1,395 Price: SRP from £1,101.99
GMK 01489 579999 Highland Outdoors 0345 099 0252 Highland Outdoors 0345 099 0252
highlandoutdoors.co.uk
gmk.co.uk (Special order for UK) highlandoutdoors.co.uk

SAVAGE MODEL X-BOLT SF MAX RUGER AMERICAN

10 GRS VARMINT PREDATOR

A Savage action, including button rifling, Designed for rough conditions, the Influx A moss-green composite stock and blued
AccuTrigger and fluted heavy barrel. The II recoil pad takes care of recoil. The bolt barrel, it includes Ruger’s Marksman
GRS stock has a beavertail fore-end and head is easy to handle, even with gloves,
and the 24in blued barrel prevents glare. Adjustable trigger and a one-piece, three-
single stud for bipod fitting. lug bolt with 70-degree throw.
Price: from £1,800 Price: RRP £1,299 Price: from £665
Browning 01235 514550 Viking Arms 01423 780810
Edgar Brothers 01625 613177 vikingshoot.com
edgarbrothers.com browning.eu

108

RIFLES

PRODUCT NEWS

REMINGTON 700 AWR BERGARA HMR FRANCHI HORIZON

This features a black Cerakote finish and The award-winning HMR offers a rifle for The updated Horizon benefits from
stainless-steel action. Solidly anchored hunters and competition shooters. It’s the same excellent design, quality
outfitted with a Bergara curved trigger, and fantastic value for money but
within a high-performance Grayboe has a couple of useful new features.
stock, it delivers the ultimate in strength, designed to guarantee a clean pull.
Available in a variety of calibres. The rifle now has a detachable
precision and all-weather durability. magazine and a fluted bolt, and
Price: from £1,389.00 Price: from £1,130 with the same ergonomic synthetic
RUAG Ammotec 01579 362319 stock and blued barrel, this is a
Raytrade UK 01635 253344 tough yet attractive rifle. Available
raytradeuk.co.uk ruag.co.uk
in .243, .270, .308, .223 and
RIMFIRE 6.5 Creedmoor.
Price: £750
RUGER LONG- TIKKA T1X
RANGE TARGET GMK 01489 579999
Tikka T1X’s cross-over barrel offers gmk.co.uk
This .22 includes a flush-mounted BX-1 lightweight stability. It’s threaded for
10-round rotary mag for all a moderator, topped with an 11in rail REMINGTON
10/22 loads. PREMIER ACCUTIP
Price: RRP £780 and interchangeable stock.
Viking Arms 01423 780810 Price: from £645 These rounds are optimised for
vikingshoot.com stunning performance, offering
GMK 01489 579999 devastating terminal energy. The
gmk.co.uk go-to choice for serious hunters. In
calibres from .204 to .30-06.
CZ 457 RIMFIRE HOWA M1100 Raytrade UK 01635 253344

The CZ 457 features a new This bolt-action rifle has a smooth raytradeuk.co.uk
trigger mechanism, allowing action and comes with a ‘Sub-MOA’
users to adjust pull weight, X-BOLT MOUNTAIN
accuracy guarantee – rare for a PRO BOLT-
30-degree bolt throw and rimfire. The .17 HMR version is a solid
interchangeable barrels. ACTION RIFLE
varmint rig for foxes.
Price: from £535 Price: SRP £539.99 Standout features include a
Sportsman Gun Centre 01392 354854 Highland Outdoors 0345 099 0252 lighter carbon-fibre stock and the
highlandoutdoors.co.uk Browning Recoil Hawg muzzle brake
sportsmanguncentre.com
that reduces recoil up to 77%.
MARLIN XT-22 Price: from $2,399.99
Browning 01235 514550
A seven-round magazine, adjustable Price: from £269 browning.eu
triggers and threaded for a moderator. Raytrade UK 01635 253344

Synthetic/timber stocks available. raytradeuk.co.uk

109

RIFLES

AMMO

HORNADY SUPERFORMANCE SAKO GAMEHEAD PRO

The Hornady Superformance optimum performance. These combine the accuracy optimum ammunition for
range contains premium Edgar Brothers of Sierra’s MatchKing bullet medium-sized quarry.
01625 613177 with the traits of a big-game GMK 01489 579999
propellants custom blended to hunting round, creating the gmk.co.uk
deliver maximum velocity and edgarbrothers.com

RWS .243 WIN BLASER 8.5X55

RWS .243 Win are ideal for transfers energy uniformly Ideal for moderated rifles, of less than 50cm the calibre
hunting light game. The into the quarry. offering a long-range reaches ideal ballistic values.
projectile mushrooms in
a controlled manner and RUAG 01579 362319 trajectory and wide field of Blaser 01483 917412
ruag.co.uk use; even with barrel lengths blaser-group.com/uk

WINCHESTER .22 LR SUBSONIC FEDERAL V-SHOK

These hollow-point bullets designed to function well with The V-Shok uses a thin- Nosler and Sierra designs with
with a truncated nose give moderated rifles. jacketed bullet for high- calibres from .204 to .270.
effective energy transfer energy release at short GMK 01489 579999
when shooting small game; Browning 01235 514550 distances. Available in Speer, gmk.co.uk
browning.eu/winchester

GECO .223 REM DTX WINCHESTER VARMINT-X

These reasonably priced .223s target shooting and Developed for use against near-instantaneous expansion
from RUAG Ammotec weigh small quarry. varmints. In calibres .22-250 that’s lethal at any range.
55g and boast a full metal Browning 01235 514550
jacket, making them ideal for RUAG 01579 362319 Rem, .223 Rem and .243 browning.eu/winchester
ruag.co.uk Win, the polymer tip delivers

110



Q&A

ASK THE

EXPERTS

Your questions answered from criminal
records to scopes and loading

LEGAL a firearm, has good reason for having a rifle evidence of permission for you to stalk deer
and can be permitted to possess a rifle and on a farm and the presence of deer there.
QI have recently got into stalking ammunition without danger to the public
and want to buy my own rifle. safety or to the peace. Overall, I think it unlikely that one such
I am 40 now and have an assault ancient offence is going to adversely affect
conviction from 21 years ago. Will There are many different factors that your chances. Providing there are no other
this affect my chances? may cause the police to refuse an application. issues, you should be granted a firearms
These include the applicant having previous certificate. If your application is refused,
ADavid says: Until now you have been convictions, failing the fitness test, having you could appeal with a reasonable prospect
stalking without holding a firearms criminal associates and/or having intemperate of success.
certificate. I assume this has been on private habits, being mentally ill or being involved
Artem Avramenko; Getty Images; Flickr; Michael Pollak; Byron Pace land and that you have borrowed a rifle in domestic violence. None of these are
from the owner or occupier of that private applicable in your case, except your conviction
land and used that rifle in his presence? The for assault.
exception to the law requiring you to hold
a firearms certificate is a useful one for the You must disclose this conviction on your
occasional stalker. application form for a grant. It is so old,
however, that it is unlikely to cause the police
Now you want your own rifle, you must to refuse your application because of it. If it
make an application for a firearms certificate. was one of the lesser assault convictions, such
You can obtain a form from your local police as common assault or assault occasioning actual
force, and once you have complied with the bodily harm, then they would ignore it. If a
formalities you will be assessed.A firearms grievous bodily harm or malicious wounding,
certificate application shall be granted if then they might just make further enquiries.
the chief officer of police is satisfied that As it is, you will be unlucky to be considered
the applicant is fit to be entrusted with unfit because of it.You must have good reason
for having a rifle and this could consist of

OUR EXPERTS

FOXING: LEGAL: TECHNIQUE/KIT:

Mike Powell David Barrington Barnes Mark Ripley
Professional gamekeeper Solicitor turned specialist YouTube star and
extreme-range foxer
and foxing expert firearms law adviser

112

Q&A

SCOPES

QCan you advise me on a new
scope for my .243? I want
something that’s good for lamping
foxes but can also be used for daytime
shooting at longer distances. Ideally,
I want a variable zoom magnification
and something that I could dial in
accurately if I wanted to. The snag is
I have a maximum of £800 to spend.

AMark says:You may be lucky to pick
up a second-hand top-name brand such
as Nightforce or Zeiss, though for something
with that spec you will probably need to up
your budget by a couple of hundred quid.To
remain under budget, may I suggest a look at
the Element Optics range?

I recently tested their mid-range Titan
model, which offers exceptional value for
money. Its features include: zero stop, 34mm
tube, variable magnification from 5-25x56,
first focal plane, 25 MOA per turret revolution,
target turrets, illuminated reticle with various
power settings and a lifetime warranty.These
scopes are high quality and track perfectly. I
use the top-of-the-Element-range Nexus
scope on my .260 rifle and can’t fault it.

SCOPES

SCOPES a big difference.The further QMark, I’ve seen on range and direction, and the
you shoot, the more apparent several of your videos unit will instantly give a
QWhat are the this inconsistency will be. you using what looks like predicted correction in MOA
key things to a wind meter to work out or Mils so you can adjust the
look for when doing When doing load your shots. What exactly does scope and take the shot. Of
load development? development, I will try to test this thing tell you? Is it just course, you will also need
each batch of ammo as fairly for wind? And how do you a rangefinder to use this set-
AMark says: The key to as possible by allowing the use it? up unless you are shooting at
an accurate long-range barrel to cool between groups predetermined ranges.
cartridge is consistency. Of and do all my testing on a AMark says: You’re quite
course, the load needs to be calm day. I also chronograph right, it is a wind meter, The Kestrel wind meter is
able to group well at 100 all my shots and write the but it’s also a lot more than a brilliant gadget with several
yards, which isn’t too hard to group size and extreme that.The unit I use is a Kestrel models available, and with the
achieve with an accurate rifle, spreads in velocity on the 4500 NV wind meter. Not only correct information entered
but while small variations in targets for future comparison, does this measure wind speed, it is a surprisingly accurate
velocities between shots at before narrowing down the but it also takes into account ballistic calculator.
100 yards will have little effect best loads and repeating them all other environmental factors
on group sizes, at 500 yards with more shots to gain a that will have an effect on your
this variation could make better picture of what will shot, including temperature, air
become the final load. pressure, humidity and even the
rotation of the Earth.

It also gives you the ability
to enter the ballistic information
for your chosen rifle and
ammunition, then the target

113

Q&A

FOXES

QI have a fox or two that are
coming into my garden and have
tried to get into my daughter’s rabbit
hutch. I own a .22 rimfire rifle and it’s
safe to shoot where I am, but I’m not
sure a .22 is a big enough calibre to
use on a fox? I also have a shotgun,
but noise is an issue.

AMark says: At close range (less than NIGHT VISION setting up than front-mounted versions as
50 yards) a .22 will humanely kill a fox you are having more effect on the scope’s
provided the bullet is accurately placed.The QI’m thinking of getting a night- optics. However, most of the current crop
best target is a brain shot ideally from behind vision add-on for fox shooting. of rear add-ons are very forgiving and the
the ear or through the top of the head. Using My question is, which is best – front PARD 007, for instance, works well. Eye
a .22, even on your own ground, can only mounted or rear mounted? relief can be a problem with rear add-ons,
be done if the ground is cleared for its use but there are many ways to get round this;
or you have an ‘open ticket’. moving the scope forward, extending rails
or even a slip-on butt-pad will help.
The best way to shoot a fox safely like this
is to bait a safe area with a backstop. I tend to I quite like the front-mounted add-ons,
use a couple of bags of sand with a half-bag but some say their added weight can upset
in front to form a sort of table. I put the bait the balance of the rifle; this isn’t a problem
on this and take the shot when the fox is if you’re using a rest. I suspect, as with many
feeding.The best and safest approach is to things, it comes down to personal choice.
shoot from an upstairs window if possible.

AMike says: I’ve used both and to be
perfectly honest they both work well.
The first rear-mounted add-on I had of any
quality was a Starlight Archer, which I still
use many years later.The latest add-on, and
one I’m using at present, is a Pulsar F455,
which is front mounted.

I suppose it would be fair to say that
rear-mounted night-vision optics take more

LEGAL

QI am 16 years old and Secondly, as the borrower, with any of the conditions A .22 is not a compliant
really keen to start you cannot simply go stalking on his firearms certificate. calibre for shooting any of the
stalking. A friendly local on your own with the borrowed deer species present in the UK
farmer will let me borrow his rifle.The use of the rifle is However, he definitely and it would be illegal to deploy
.22 rifle and stalk on his land. restricted to use on the land could not take you stalking a .22 against deer. USH
Do I have to tell the police occupied and does not extend with a .22 rimfire rifle.
about this arrangement? to other land.

ADavid says:Your plan Thirdly, the occupier or his
is illegal on at least three servant must be present. Either
counts. First, Section 16(1) of the the occupier or his servant must
Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 hold a valid firearms certificate.
enables a person over the age of Whichever one of them
17 without holding a firearms accompanies the borrower must
certificate to borrow a rifle from be aged over 18 years. If you
an occupier of private land.At 16, were over 17, your farmer friend
you are still too young to do this. could take you out, supervise
you and ensure you complied

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