Resurrecting a Purdey rook rifle

After searching for a decade, the writer finally acquired a now-obsolete rook rifle. But could the Purdey, formerly the property of a 19th-century playboy, be adapted for muntjac?

Letting our oldest vertebrate back in

Glaciers and waterwheels have blocked the path of the salmon, our oldest native vertebrate. Can it, yet again, stage a comeback?

Rage against the machine

Do those ‘Buy’ buttons really conspire against you, wonders Roger Field. Or is it just that too many of us have the same impeccably good taste?

Of love and lettuces

As we hand over Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies, it’s timely to consider the worship of fertility throughout the ages

FAIR Iside 20-bore

This lightweight, Italian side-by-side won’t break the bank – but it had no trouble breaking clays. Michael Yardley is impressed

Battle for the uplands

The cessation of grouse-moor management will end a way of life – and perhaps call time for a number of our iconic species, too

Barnstorming businesses

The cows and threshing machines have gone but a diverse range of businesses is breathing new life into our derelict farm buildings

Putting Britain on the map

Ordnance Survey owes much to the remarkable work of William Mudge, who died 200 years ago this month.

1750-1930 Creating the foxhunting interior

Great halls, libraries, art and furniture have been used to venerate venery, creating the perfect environment for reflecting on the day

Mountains high

Upper Donside’s mountain hare population is thriving, thanks to the work of grouse keepers like Alex Jenkins

Rizzini ‘Grand Regal' 20-bore

The Regals represent a significant step in the evolution of the Rizzini range, says Michael Yardley, offering good shooting qualities as well as value for money

It's my obsession

Collecting is an admirable hobby, agrees Roger Field, as a collection of Winchesters came to the market. But to what lengths should you go to add to your hoard?

The battle over saving the hen harrier

A Government-backed recovery plan should have ended the controversy surrounding this bird of prey; however, the conflict continues

Securing wildlife habitat for the future

Since its inception in 1986, the Wildlife Habitat Trust has helped clubs and projects across the UK to acquire land and enhance conservation

Create your own nature reserve

With a little effort and for minimal cost, we can all have more wildlife in our countryside and towns

Riding the high moor

Once a year, the Two Bridges Hunt Club unites the four hunts that call Dartmoor home, for dinner and a day’s challenging sport

Ashes to ashes: the devastation of dieback

This much-loved native species faces an uncertain future due to a relentless pathogen, which is damaging landscapes and wrecking our woodlands

Driving Ireland's grouse moors again

The Irish Grouse Conservation Trust has produced driven Lagopus lagopus hibernicus for the first time in more than 60 years – and won the 2019 Purdey Awards

A helping hand for wild trout

The Wild Trout Trust provides hands-on advice for fishing clubs, landowners and other groups on providing the perfect habitat for this iconic fish

Shooting sprites with Clint Eastwood

For the modern bounty hunter, wild and westerly Ireland provides a worthy opponent in the snipe. Missing, however, is unforgiven

Purdey Trigger Plate Sporter

This latest, all-London-made iteration of Purdey’s over-and-under is the gunmaker’s response to a collective interest in sporting clays. Superlatives are in order, says Michael Yardley

Handsome was as handsome did

Before the Victorians created the concept of pedigree, working dogs were defined by their purpose and bred accordingly

THE KENT FANTASY FOUR

The winning ticket in a GWCT raffle proves to be the perfect prize: four fabulous drives on shoots in Kent to share with friends

Cigars to savour

Churchill likened smoking one to falling in love; lighting a cigar certainly adds an air of celebration

A touch of quality

A traditional pack, the Midlands-based Grove & Rufford offers proper country and exceptional resilience

Rugged up and raring to go

You’d rug up a thoroughbred after a race, so why not a gundog after a drive or day on the foreshore? David Tomlinson finds in favour of dog coats for working breeds

A mid-winter Macnab, on a fly

Tempting a pike from the depths to satisfy an American guest’s New Year wish proves tricky – but not impossible…

The Field Christmas

There is something about Christmas traditions that transcends even the most Scrooge-like demeanour. Whether in town or country, there are some that a proper Field Christmas cannot be without. Alexandra Henton picks the best of this season’s festivities

The ‘Gold Standard' Christmas Turkey

Tired of turkey at Christmas? You haven’t tasted a traditional, free-range, organic bird

Party Pieces And Festive Spirits

For long-term sufferers of CADDAD (Christmas Affected Doom, Depression And Despondency), the solution is a well-stocked drinks cabinet