On Sunday 10th November, Gary Mitchell and I set off to the South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club in Attleborough. It was the final day of the Norfolk County Rifle Association’s Open 10m Air Rifle and Air Pistol Meeting, incorporating the Norfolk County Championships. This was a three-day event, held on the 8th, 9th, and 10th November.
Carole Darnell
Until
2001, Carole Darnell was a healthy, able-bodied woman. Then, when she was 37
years old – and for no apparent reason – Carole collapsed. She was hospitalised
and diagnosed with a progressive neurological disorder.
Now
relying on a wheelchair for mobility, and looking for a new hobby, Carole went
along with her partner, Chris Cook, to St Michael’s Rifle and Pistol Club in
King’s Lynn. Chris was a keen rifle shooter, but when Carole had a go at rifle
shooting, she wasn’t inspired.
“Then
I tried shooting pistol, and I was hooked. This was the sport for me.”
Just
months after Carole bought herself a competition Walther pistol, she became
Norfolk Ladies’ Champion – a title she held for several years.
Through
her performance in postal competitions, Carole came to the attention of the
Eastern Region Training Squad; and at the Welsh Championships, she was picked
up as a promising disabled shooter.
Carole
began training at Stoke Mandeville, and for two consecutive years held the
title of British Disabled Ladies’ Champion. However, at international level,
her disability didn’t fit the classification system. She wasn’t disabled enough
to compete at international level, yet her disability was severe enough to be a
handicap in able-bodied competition.
Having arrived at this barrier to ongoing progress in competitive shooting, Carole had to re-evaluate her situation. She wondered about coaching. The more Carole considered the idea of coaching, the more certain she became that she’d be good at it.
She was right. Chris Dickenson, the club’s Competition Manager, told me, “Carole’s great with working with people and enjoys teaching a sport she is so passionate about.”
After
qualifying as a coach, Carole became a national coach for disabled shooters,
and she coached able-bodied shooters at county level.
UK’s 1st regional training centre for para-sport shooting
In 2013, Carole was approached for help.
“I
was asked if I’d consider starting up a disabled shooting club. There was
nowhere in Norfolk for disabled people to shoot – in fact, there was nowhere
that was accessible with a hefty wheelchair.”
Carole,
along with her partner, Chris Cook, and mum, Merle Darnell, established the
UK’s first regional training centre for para-sport shooting.
“We
were two units down from where we are now. There were four firing points, and
one of those was a hatch, so people could get through to the loo.”
The
club’s first airguns were bought from Pellpax!
Although
the new club provided opportunities for many disabled shooters in the area, membership
was low. Without a reasonable income, it wasn’t possible to grow the club and
to develop. So, five years after founding the club, Carole decided to include
able-bodied shooters, transforming the South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club
into a truly inclusive shooting community.
“We’ll
let anyone in,” Carole said cheerfully.
Chris Dickenson
Chris Dickenson, the club’s competition manager, is really keen to increase the number of face-to-face competitive shooting opportunities within the county.
“It’s lovely to see people come out of their shell,” she told me. “Some of our disabled shooters first come to us at the club with low self confidence. It’s amazing to see how powerful sport is in transforming people’s lives.”
The Olympic Charter
The
more contact I have with people in the world of target shooting, the more
evidence I see of the sport’s innate connection with the fourth fundamental
principle of Olympism:
The practice of
sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of
practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit,
which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and
fair play.
In
support of this principle, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched
the Sport for All programme, which was adopted by the International Shooting
Sport Federation (ISSF). Shooting Sport for All has introduced the Supported
Rest discipline for seniors. This means that anyone over the age of 56 is
permitted to rest their rifle barrel or pistol grip whilst taking 30 shots.
Ray Hart, who took the gold medal for Supported Rest Pistol, cheerfully refers to this discipline as “old man shooting”. (I’ll leave you to muse on that concept.)
Results
Air Rifle (60 shots)
Gold Olivia Hill 567
Silver Ellie Folkard 549
Bronze Jessy Lodge 498
Supported Rest Air Rifle (30 shots)
Gold Peter Bell 280
Silver Paul Budd 272
Bronze Colin Allison 252
Bronze John Lane 252
Air Pistol (60 shots)
Gold George Mees 544
Silver Tim Fawcett 540
Bronze Janis Purins 536
Supported Rest Air Pistol (30 shots)
Gold Ray Hart 273
Silver John Lane 272
Bronze Colin Allison 262
Thank you SNARPC!
It
really was a pleasure to meet the members of the South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club and some of the
weekend’s competitors. We were made to feel very welcome and involved.
As
if the lovely company wasn’t enough, Gary and I left with a plate of homemade
cakes!
The
Broadland Community at Heart Awards celebrate the region’s community heroes. Eighteen-year-old
Olivia Hill, who is sponsored by Pellpax, was among those nominated for the outstanding
sporting achievement award. As you can imagine, the whole Pellpax team is
tremendously proud of our protégée for being the winner of that award.
The
judging panel included Mick Parker of Parker Communications, who organised the
event, and Chairman of Broadland District Council. Also on the panel were two
representatives of Price Bailey Chartered
Accountants, regular sponsors of the Broadland Community at Heart Awards.
Matthew Hector (Business Development Manager) and James Elvin (Manager) were
hugely impressed by Olivia’s attitude and achievements.
“The Outstanding Sporting Achievement category was
incredibly hard to judge,” Mr Elvin told me. “Olivia was crowned the winner due
to her outstanding achievements and commitment at such a young age. To compete
at her level must have meant some sacrifices, and to have overcome so many
hurdles, whilst continuing her studies, is commendable.”
Mr Hector added, “Well done Olivia. We look forward to
watching your continued success”.
South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club
Having
followed Olivia’s shooting career for some time now, we thought it was about
time we saw her in action. So, on Sunday 10th November, Gary Mitchell
and I set off to the South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club in Attleborough.
It was the final day of the Norfolk County Rifle Association’s Open 10m Air
Rifle and Air Pistol Meeting, incorporating the Norfolk County Championships.
In preparation for the competition, Olivia had checked
every one of her RWS R10 flathead (wadcutter) pellets for imperfections.
Nevertheless, before loading each pellet, Olivia looked it over carefully,
paying attention to the skirt, where a nick or an indentation might affect the
pellet’s trajectory. Pellets can become corroded as a result of contact with
each other in the tin.
“If it doesn’t look right,” Olivia explained, “don’t shoot
it.”
Norfolk County Champion
Just
a few minutes into the shooting time, Olivia felt that her rifle sight needed
to be adjusted. However, even after carrying out work on her kit, Olivia wasn’t
totally happy. Other competitors were also struggling with vision, and it soon
became apparent that the problem was due to the changing natural light that was
coming through the opaque skylights. As nothing could be done about this, they
pressed on, adjusting their eyes as well as possible to the fluctuating
brightness on the range.
Despite scoring a little below her own expectations, Olivia won Gold in the Open, and Gold in the Confined, meaning that she’s the overall 10m County Champion.
What’s
next for Olivia?
To round off another fantastic year, Olivia will be travelling to Luxembourg, where she’ll compete in the 37th RIAC and IBIS CUP. The competition, which will run from 11th to 14th December, is an annual international event organised by FLTAS (Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Tir aux Armes Sportives). Last year, at this competition, Olivia performed very well in her first mixed doubles event. Her impression of Christmastime in Luxembourg, though, was mostly about the hot chocolate!
Pellpax
is a company well known for a reliable, face-to-face delivery service. Each
weekend, our own drivers cover the whole of England and Wales, delivering
firearms to the doors of our customers. We’re able to do this because Pellpax
is a Registered Firearms Dealer.
The
UK has the strictest firearms regulations in the world. Fortunately, shooting
sports are surviving Britain’s legislative measures to prevent gun crime. If
you’ve ever bought a gun from Pellpax, you’ll be familiar with the procedure.
As a
registered firearms dealer, Pellpax carries a huge responsibility. We don’t
take this responsibility lightly. In fact, we consider our licence to sell
firearms a privilege.
Customers
ask a lot of questions about airguns and firearms and their ammunition. Today
we’re going to have a go at answering five of the most common questions that
people ask about live-fire guns.
1.
Do I need to have a Firearms Certificate (FAC)?
For
a start, you’ll need a firearms licence if you own a live-fire weapon.
Firearms
Act 1968 Section 1 (1)
It is an offence
for a person
to have in his possession, or to purchase or acquire,
a firearm to which this section applies without holding a firearm certificate
in force at the time, or otherwise than as authorised by such a certificate.
to have in his possession, or to purchase or
acquire, any ammunition to which this section applies without holding a firearm
certificate in force at the time, or otherwise than as authorised by such a
certificate, or in quantities in excess of those so authorised.
Firearms
Act 1968 Section 2 (1)
Subject to any exemption under this Act, it is an offence
for a person to have in his possession, or to purchase or acquire, a shot gun
without holding a certificate under this Act authorising him to possess shot
guns.
That
covers all rimfire and centrefire guns and their ammunition. For possession of
both a shotgun and a live-fire rifle, you’ll need an FAC (firearm certificate)
for each. The licence will specify the calibre and action of your gun, and
there’ll also be a restriction on the amount of ammunition you’re permitted to
possess at one time.
Firearms
Act 1968 Section 57 (1), defines a firearm as
a lethal barrelled
weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be
discharged.
Clear
as a bell – apart from the word lethal, which is a matter of
interpretation. For the purpose of this law, a lethal weapon has the potential
to discharge a missile with 12 ft/lb or more of muzzle energy. This definition,
of course, includes some air rifles.
There’s
no central issuing authority for firearms licences. Each regional police force deals
with application, issue, and renewal of FACs. Although the Firearms Act 1968 presents
clear guidelines, much of its execution is down to interpretation by
experienced police officers who have in-depth knowledge of firearms and a clear
understanding of firearms law.
The
Firearms Act 1968 Section 27 (1) says
A firearm
certificate shall be granted where the chief officer of police is satisfied
that the applicant is fit to be entrusted with a firearm …
and is not a person prohibited by this Act from possessing such a firearm
that he has a good reason for having in his possession, or
for purchasing or acquiring, the firearm or ammunition in respect of which the
application is made
that in all the circumstances the applicant can be
permitted to have the firearm or ammunition in his possession without danger to
the public safety or to the peace.
Basically, you must have a
legitimate reason for owning a gun, and the licencing officer needs to be
satisfied that you’ll abide by the law and not put anyone at risk … and you
have to be a ‘he’. Just kidding.
2. How does a shotgun shell work?
A shotgun shell – or cartridge – is
made up of the following components:
Case
The plastic casing (or shell) of
the cartridge holds everything together and forms a seal within the barrel,
allowing the pressure of expanding gasses to build. At the base of the casing,
a protruding metal (usually brass) rim acts as an anchor. The crimped top forms
a lid to keep the contents secure, and when the gun is fired, the leaves form a
sort of funnel for the shot.
Primer
A small amount of primer is contained
within a central recess of the cartridge’s flat base. The firing pin crushes
the primer, and the impact causes a chemical reaction that ignites the primer,
creating enough heat to ignite the propellant.
Propellant
The propellant is the exploding black
powder or smokeless powder (a term used chiefly in the US). When black powder
burns, the product is approximately half gaseous and half solid. When smokeless
powder (‘propellant’ in the UK) combusts, the product is mostly gaseous, and
therefore a lot less smoky than traditional gunpowder.
Wad
The wad, which is made up of three
plastic (or fibrous) components, serves multiple purposes.
Wadding separates the explosive
from the shot and creates a seal to prevent the propellant gas from passing through
the shot and thus losing power. The centre piece of the wad is the cushion,
which acts as a shock absorber by compressing under pressure; this helps to
prevent deformation of the shot. Another part of the wadding cups the shot,
keeping it together as it’s propelled down the barrel.
Projectile
Shot cartridge projectiles come in
various forms – from a single slug, to a dozen buckshot pellets, to hundreds of
tiny birdshot. Shot pellets are usually made of lead, but can also be of other
metals, such as tin, zinc, bismuth, or steel.
3.
How does a rifle cartridge work?
A rifle cartridge is made
up of the following components:
Case
A
rifle cartridge case is made of metal – usually brass. The case contains the
primer, propellant, and projectile.
Primer
The
primer is a shock-sensitive substance that combusts when hit by the firing pin.
Its purpose is to ignite the propellant.
Propellant
The
propellant is an explosive substance that quickly produces hot, expanding gas
as it burns. The pressure of this explosion propels the bullet in the direction
of least resistance – i.e. down the barrel.
Traditionally, the propellant was gunpowder (also known as black
powder), and it’s still used today. However, it’s now more usual for the
propellant to be smokeless powder (in the UK, known simply as ‘propellant’).
Projectile
The
projectile in a rifle cartridge is a bullet, which is usually a single
flat-bottomed dome, made of lead or lead alloy, weighing between 15 grains and
around 750 grains. Some are long and narrow, and others are squat. Some bullets
have pointed tips, and others have tapered bottoms.
4.
What’s the difference between rimfire and
centrefire?
The
difference between a rimfire and a centrefire cartridge is down solely to the
way in which the firing pin strikes the primer.
Centrefire cartridge
In a
centrefire cartridge, the primer is contained in a metal cup within the centre
of the base. The primer is all in one place, so when it’s struck by the firing
pin, the resulting combustion is consistent and predictable. A centrefire
cartridge is more expensive than a rimfire cartridge, but it’s safer to
transport, store, and handle, because of a thick metal casing and protective
position of the primer.
All
shotguns are centrefire.
Rimfire cartridge
With
its thin-walled case, a rimfire cartridge is easier and cheaper to manufacture,
and therefore cheaper to buy. The rimfire cartridge, though, is not as reliable
as its centrefire equivalent. With the primer spread around the rim of the
cartridge and struck by the firing pin at just one point, the level of chemical
reaction is inconsistent.
5.
What do the numbers on a shotgun shell mean?
Gauge/Calibre
The gauge, or calibre, of the shell case is a measurement of its diameter, which is represented in this way:
Imagine a pure lead
sphere that fits perfectly into the barrel of a specific gun. The weight of this
imaginary sphere is expressed as a fraction of a pound – e.g. 1/12 or 1/20.
A 12-gauge cartridge is
the right size for a barrel that would, in theory, be a perfect fit for a lead
sphere that weighs 1/12 of a pound. A 20-gauge cartridge fits a barrel that
would hold a lead ball that weighs 1/20 of a pound. So, the 20-gauge cartridge
is smaller than the 12-gauge cartridge.
Shot
Pellet size is expressed
as a code. Below are a couple of examples.
Shot Pellet Size
Pellet Diameter
Pellet Weight
Count per 28g
7 Shot
2.5mm
0.08g
340
6 Shot
2.6mm
0.1g
270
In a Hull
Cartridge Imperial Game
6 shot cartridge, with a 26g load, there’ll be approximately 250 (270/28
x 26) to 260 (26/0.1) pellets.
A Hull Cartridge
ProSteel 7 shot cartridge, with a load of 19g, will contain approximately
230 (340/28 x 26) to 237 (19/0.08) pellets.
Load
The load is the combined
weight of the shot.
A birdshot cartridge containing
approximately 460 pellets might have a total weight of 492 grains (32g); each
pellet weighs 1.07 grains (0.07g). Nine 60-grain (3.9g) pellets in a buckshot
cartridge will have a combined weight of 540 grains (35g). And a single slug
weighing 383 grains (24.8 grams) carries the shell’s total weight in one unit.
Length
The measurement given is
the length of the cartridge with crimps open – its length after being
fired.
Using a shell that’s too
long for the chamber can cause serious bodily injury and considerable damage to
a gun A shorter shell, though, is fine.
There’s usually a
manufacturer’s warning on the cartridge box – e.g. Use only in guns with a
minimum chamber length of 76mm or These cartridges are suitable for use
in guns with a chamber of 2 ½” (65mm) or longer.
Contact us
These are just a handful
of the questions that people ask about live-fire guns. For more information
about firearms or any of the products we sell, just give us a call on 01263 731
585 or email [email protected].
For most of the year, most of our customers are shooters. They know what they’re looking for. At Christmas time, however, non-shooters are shopping for shooting-related gifts.
With
non-shooters in mind, Pellpax has created a range of accessory bundles designed
for the seasoned shooter. Each bundle contains a selection of shooting
accessories and gun-care products tailored to vermin control, target shooting,
or pistols. Everything in a Pellpax accessory bundle will be useful to the
shooter who opens this gift on Christmas day.
This
specially selected assortment of accessories includes pellets suitable for
vermin control and a set of life-size prairie dog targets from Woody’s.
The
bundle also includes ProShot Precision gun and rifle oil. This water-repellent,
rust-inhibiting, low-viscosity oil will protect metal surfaces and moving
parts. The oil comes in a dropper bottle, so it’s easy to apply tiny amounts to
small, fiddly parts of the gun.
ProShot
Precision’s Optima Mk3 scope cleaner is designed for all optics. Supplied in an
easy-to-use spray pump, this product removes dust and stains, leaving no
residue or smears. Besides scopes, sights, and night-vision equipment, Optima
Mk3 can also be used for cleaning other glass surfaces such as phone, computer,
and television screens.
Abbey
gun grease is a superb product for maintaining the condition and performance of
a rifle or pistol. Providing protection from corrosion, this gun grease
lengthens the life of component parts and reduces wear and tear on the gun.
Regular use of Abbey gun grease will improve any gun’s performance and
reliability.
The
Pellpax cleaning cloth is a marvellous all-rounder for any equipment-cleaning
task. Made of a strong, absorbent microfibre material, the cloth can be used
and washed again and again over many years.
The solidly built steel pellet catcher can be free standing or mounted on a wall. It measures 17cm x 17cm, and the back is specially angled to deflect pellets and prevent ricochet. In the front, there’s a slot for holding paper targets.
For
use with the pellet catcher, this bundle contains 50 practice targets and 50
match targets, as well as a tin of pellets in a choice of .177 or .22 calibre.
To
finish off a fantastic assortment of shooting accessories, this bundle also
includes an optics cleaner and a soft, hard-wearing polishing cloth.
ProShot
Precision silicone gun oil is a top-quality, non-toxic oil, specially
formulated to protect the exterior of guns and to lubricate plastic washers and
seals. This anti-corrosive, water-repellent oil comes in an easy-to-dispense
dropper bottle.
Merry Christmas!
If you would like to know more about any of the products on the Pellpax website, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Email [email protected] or give us a call on 01263 731 585.
All
species of deer are prolific breeders, and numbers need to be kept in check
through careful management of deer populations. Damage done to farmland can
become a problem to the economy, and it’s often necessary to cull some deer in
order to protect valuable crops. The problem isn’t confined to the fact that
deer are eating crops, but also to the damage done by large herds of deer – red
and fallow in particular – trampling over crops and saplings.
Growth
in numbers brings with it an increase in disease and starvation. In order to
protect the six species of deer in the UK, and for the
welfare of individual animals, population control is essential.
BASC deerstalking Code of
Practice
The Deerstalking Code of
Practice, written and published by the British Association for Shooting and
Conservation (BASC), is based on a few golden rules:
Always
show respect for the countryside, consideration for others, and due regard to
health and safety.
Always
ensure that there’s a solid backstop behind the deer before taking the
shot and that you have an uninterrupted view of the foreground.
Always
remember that your quarry has a strong emotive appeal to many people who
have little knowledge of deer management. They will judge deer management
by your behaviour.
Ignorance
of the law is no excuse. If in doubt, always ask.
Image courtesy of Lowland Stalking
The
Code of Practice emphasises the deerstalker’s responsibility and his/her
obligation to be familiar with, and to adhere to, the Code of Practice. Anybody
who shoots deer must be compliant with UK firearms law, must be a competent
shot, and must be familiar with firearms safety procedures. A deerstalker must
also be able to recognise each species of deer and distinguish between the
sexes – although the Chinese water deer is an exception, as the bucks and does
look so much alike.
When can you shoot deer?
Image courtesy of Pixabay
All
deer in the UK are protected by the Deer Act 1991. In addition to statutory
closed seasons for each species (with an exception of muntjac), the Act also
prohibits the shooting of deer at night (one hour after sunset to one hour
before sunrise).
Below is a summary of shooting seasons for deer in the UK:
Red deer
STAG
HIND
England & Wales
1 Aug – 30 Apr
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Scotland
1 Jul – 20 Oct
21 Oct – 15 Feb
Northern Ireland
1 Aug – 30 Apr
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Red/sika deer
STAG
HIND
England & Wales
1 Aug – 30 Apr
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Scotland
1 Jul – 20 Oct
21 Oct – 15 Feb
Northern Ireland
1 Aug – 30 Apr
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Fallow deer
BUCK
DOE
England & Wales
1 Aug – 30 Apr
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Scotland
1 Aug – 30 Apr
21 Oct – 15 Feb
Northern Ireland
1 Aug – 30 Apr
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Sika deer
STAG
HIND
England & Wales
1 Aug – 30 Apr
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Scotland
1 Jul – 20 Oct
21 Oct – 15 Feb
Northern Ireland
1 Aug – 30 Apr
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Roe deer
BUCK
DOE
England & Wales
1 Apr – 31 Oct
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Scotland
1 Apr – 20 Oct
21 Oct – 21 Mar
Northern Ireland
No roe deer
No roe deer
Chinese water deer
BUCK
DOE
England & Wales
1 Nov – 31 Mar
1 Nov – 31 Mar
Scotland
No Chinese water deer
No Chinese water deer
Northern Ireland
No Chinese water deer
No Chinese water deer
Reeve’s muntjac deer
BUCK
DOE
England & Wales
1 Jan – 31 Dec
1 Jan – 31 Dec
Scotland
No muntjac
No muntjac
Northern Ireland
No muntjac
No muntjac
In
exceptional circumstances, a special licence might be granted by Natural
England, giving permission to shoot deer outside of restricted times. In these
unusual circumstances, the temporary exemption (licence A16) will specify the species
and sex of the targeted quarry, the location, and the period covered by the
licence.
Image courtesy of Lowland stalking
Who can shoot deer?
In
order to shoot deer in the UK, you must be either the owner of the land where
deer will be shot, or an individual who has express permission from the
landowner. You must also hold a valid firearms licence (FAC) for the correct
calibre of rifle.
In
addition to these legal requirements, it’s advisable to have adequate knowledge
of deer, firearms, and deerstalking protocol.
Image courtesy of Norfolk Deer Management
Many
deerstalkers have learnt from others, slowly gaining experience and knowledge
from stalking with family or friends. However, this organic brand of learning
isn’t available to everyone. DSC1 (Deerstalking Certificate 1) is an introductory
course for deerstalkers and land managers, regulated and certified by a
not-for-profit company called Deer Management Qualifications.
These
are a few of the organisations that provide DSC1 training:
Duration
Price
British Association for Shooting and Conservation
4 days
£290
British Deer Society
3 days
£295
National Gamekeepers’ Organisation
4 days
£290
What can you use to shoot deer?
In
order to ensure a humane, one-shot kill, there are strict rules governing the
power level of a stalker’s gun.
Red deer
min. bullet weight
min. calibre
min. muzzle energy
min. muzzle velocity
England & Wales
0.240
1,700 ft/lb
Scotland
100 gr
1,750 ft/lb
2,450 fps
N Ireland
100 gr
0.236
1,700 ft/lb
Fallow deer
min. bullet weight
min. calibre
min. muzzle energy
min. muzzle velocity
England & Wales
0.240
1,700 ft/lb
Scotland
100 gr
1,750 ft/lb
2,450 fps
N Ireland
100 gr
0.236
1,700 ft/lb
Sika deer
min. bullet weight
min. calibre
min. muzzle energy
min. muzzle velocity
England & Wales
0.240
1,700 ft/lb
Scotland
100 gr
1,750 ft/lb
2,450 fps
N Ireland
100 gr
0.236
1,700 ft/lb
Roe deer
min. bullet weight
min. calibre
min. muzzle energy
min. muzzle velocity
England & Wales
0.240
1,700 ft/lb
Scotland
50 gr
1,000 ft/lb
2,450 fps
N Ireland
Chinese water deer
min. bullet weight
min. calibre
min. muzzle energy
min. muzzle velocity
England & Wales
50 gr
0.220
1,000 ft/lb
Scotland
N Ireland
Muntjac deer
min. bullet weight
min. calibre
min. muzzle energy
min. muzzle velocity
England & Wales
50 gr
0.220
1,000 ft/lb
Scotland
N Ireland
Field Dressing
Preparation
After shooting a deer,
the first thing to be done is to check that the animal is dead. This can be
done by touching an eye with your shooting stick.
The carcass should be inspected both externally and internally for signs of disease. There are certain notifiable diseases, such as bovine tuberculosis and anthrax, which must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Reporting a notifiable disease is a legal obligation.
It’s important to gralloch the carcass immediately (within 10 to 15 minutes) to ensure rapid cooling, which is particularly vital in warm weather. Lowering the temperature of the carcass prevents growth of bacteria and helps to maintain the quality of the meat. Another benefit of gralloching in situ is that the carcass will be less of a burden to carry away.
Image courtesy of Lowland Stalking
Many deerstalkers
believe that the carcass should be bled before removing organs and limbs. The
quickest way to release the blood is to insert a knife into the clavicle and
cut the arteries above the breastbone. Suspending the carcass from a tree
branch, or laying it head-downward on a slope, will allow gravity to do much of
the bleeding.
Others, however, work on
the principle that blood will be removed from the carcass anyway, when the
organs are removed.
Method
With the deer hanging up,
or lying on a slope:
Make a long cut from the genitals to the epiglottis.
Cut through the breastbone with a bone saw.
Remove all parts of the digestive system.
Remove the organs. (You may wish to keep kidneys, heart, or liver for consumption.)
Take off the lower legs. Cut through the tendons and muscles around the joints and break off the limbs.
Remove the head by cutting through the atlas joint at the base of the neck.
Examine the entrails for signs of disease, then bury the entrails and limbs. If you have no use for the head, bury that too. Although there are usually hungry animals around to eat up these remains, it’s not good etiquette to leave entrails lying around.
Now the carcass must be
transferred to a cool environment (under 8°).
Butchering the deer
Collagen – the most
abundant protein in a mammal’s body – will make the meat tough. To allow naturally
occurring enzymes in the body to break down the muscle collagen, a deer carcass
should be stored at a low temperature (2-8° C) for a few days before butchering.
This process is called aging. The older the deer, the higher level of
collagen will be in the meat, so the carcass of an older animal will need to be
aged for longer, as the meat will be tougher.
When the carcass has
been aged for a few days, use a sharp knife to cut away the hide.
With the carcass lying
on a stainless-steel table, divide the carcass: shoulders, neck, shanks (upper
leg), loin (back strap), flanks (waist area), and haunches (buttocks). To
prevent lead contamination, discard any meat within 15cm of a bullet wound.
All species of deer in
the UK feature in the Who’s Who of hosts for ticks, which are carriers
of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Because deer cannot contract or carry
Lyme disease, there’s no danger of the meat being infected with the disease. Whilst
handling carcasses, however, stalkers should be aware of the risk associated
with ticks.
Who can sell venison?
In
order to sell venison legally, you must have a Game Meat Hygiene qualification,
and you need to register as a food business with your local council.
One-day
Game Meat Hygiene courses, including an exam, are available from The National
Gamekeepers’ Organisation (£140) and UK Deer Management (£130); you can sign up
online. Once you have this qualification, you can register your food business.
Visit your local council website, go to Applications, and select Register
a Food Business.
In Northern
Ireland, it’s illegal to sell venison to anyone other than a licensed game
dealer. In Scotland, the meat can only be sold to a licenced venison dealer.
The law in England and Wales is a lot more relaxed; so long as the vendor is
licensed to sell the meat, there’s no restriction on where it can be sold.
David Ward, Deerstalker
Image courtesy of Norfolk Deer Management
Detective
Inspector David Ward retired from Norfolk Police after 30 years of service. As
a relatively young man (no, don’t laugh), David was looking to begin a new
career, and he recognised an unfilled niche in the market. Trading as Norfolk Deer Management, which is a
registered food business, David is an established and well-qualified
deerstalker.
What can you do with venison?
David
Ward has been deerstalking for many years, and his venison can be sampled in
numerous pubs and restaurants in Norfolk. This lovely, versatile game meat has
a rich taste and the added environmental benefit of low food miles. David’s
fantastic venison burgers are a great favourite at the Buckinghamshire
Arms,
in Blickling.
I
asked for the recipe, of course, but David’s lips were sealed!
However, David did share with me one of his own favourite recipes. This is a lovely way to enjoy venison liver:
Method:
Cut the venison liver into strips and coat in plain flour.
Fry the pieces of liver in butter.
Soften some onions in butter over a low heat and add to the liver.
The year 2019 has been a year for new products. At shooting shows all over the world, dozens of exciting new airguns and firearms have been showcased, along with the latest releases of ammunition, optics, and bush-craft tools. So let’s narrow it down a bit, and take a look at five of the best PCP air rifles that were launched in 2019.
AGT Uragan Compact
Uragan is the Romanian word for ‘hurricane’, and this smooth, sprightly rifle certainly lives up to its name. The Uragan Compact is AGT’s shortest rifle to date, with the 36cm barrel economically positioned right back in the stock, in the true bullpup style.
AGT Uragan Compact
Thanks partly to its small, carbon cylinder, which has a capacity of 210 cubic cm, the Uragan Compact weighs just 2.9kg without attachments. However, this rifle’s top-class PCP system has a working pressure of 300 BAR, and you’ll get an impressive 140 shots per fill.
The Uragan’s synthetic stock is easily adapted for both left- and right-handed shooters. Without a need for tools, the side lever can be positioned on either the left or right, making AGT’s nifty newbie a totally ambidextrous rifle.
GAMO GX-40
Since 1985, the
BSA brand has been owned by Spanish manufacturer Gamo, a giant in the shooting
trade.
Gamo GX-40
The new GX-40 PCP air rifle, available in .177 and .22 calibres, is manufactured in the UK. With its light and responsive two-stage trigger, 10-shot magazine system, and on-board pressure gauge, this rifle is ideal for both target-shooting and hunting. The lightweight, polymer stock is adjustable for top-notch comfort and ergonomics.
The GX-40 has a
strengthened steel air cylinder and mechanical opening valve – a combination
that delivers high power and precision.
BSA R10TH
BSA R10TH
The new R10 model
from BSA was launched in the spring of 2019. It has a customer-configurable
shroud with enhanced silencer capabilities, adjustable soft-touch cheek piece,
and adjustable butt pad. The rifle comes with a 280cc buddy bottle and two
magazines.
The ‘TH’ in the
name refers to the thumbhole design of the gorgeous, ambidextrous walnut stock.
However, there’s an additional significance to the ‘TH’. The launch of this
model coincides with the tenth anniversary of mass production of BSA’s flagship
air rifle, the R10.
“We like to think
of the new model’s name as R10th,” says Jon Hatton, UK Sales &
Marketing Director for BSA.
When it comes to shot count, the R10TH has gone up a gear from its predecessors, with an increased shot count of 340 (.22 calibre) or 280 (.177 calibre).
UMAREX Walther Reign
Umarex Walther Reign
Carl Walther GmbH
Sportwaffen (or simply, Walther) was acquired by Umarex
Sportwaffen GmbH & Co. KG (Umarex) in 1993. For the last quarter of a century,
Umarex has continued to produce rifles bearing this well-known and trusted
brand name.
The new Walther Reign – the first bullpup rifle developed and built by Umarex in Germany – was released in the spring of 2019. With a good grip texture and a cocking lever that’s very easy to operate without losing sight of your target, the Walther Reign is ideal for pest control and small-game hunting. This ambidextrous rifle – 687mm long and weighing 2.5kg – has a magazine capacity of 11 in .177 calibre, or 10 in .22 calibre.
WEIHRAUCH HW100 BP
A new release for Weihrauch, in spring this year, was the HW100 bullpup, available in .22 and .177 calibre. This rifle has so many great features:
HW100 BP
soft-touch
wood stock
adjustable
butt pad
picatinny
rail
14-shot
magazine
high-efficiency
silencer
adjustable,
two-stage trigger
choice
of 410mm or 600mm barrel with air-stripper (moderator available as alternative)
Tested by Pellpax’s own airgun experts, the HW100 came up trumps.
HW100BP
HW100 BP
This is what our testers said about the rifle:
“Laser-straight accuracy.”
“Comfortable in the hands.”
“Ideal for competitive target shooting.”
“Ergonomically sound.”
Contact us
For more information about PCP rifles, or to talk to a member of our knowledgeable sales team about any of the products on the Pellpax website, give us a call on 01263 731 585.
Earlier
this month, 18-year-old Olivia Hill, who is sponsored by Pellpax, took part in
the Welsh Open Airgun Championships at the Sport Wales National Centre in
Cardiff.
Olivia with team mates Michaela Green and Amy Lott
This
huge sporting facility, owned and operated by Sport Wales, was opened in 1971. The
project began 10 years earlier, when the Welsh Committee of the Central Council
of Physical Recreation carried out a survey of existing sporting facilities in
Wales. In 1965, the Sports Council for Wales was formed, and construction of
the National Sports Centre for Wales (which in 2010 became Sport Wales National
Centre) began in 1969.
Medals for Olivia
Olivia competing in the Welsh Open 2019
Olivia
performed well in the three-day event, qualifying for a place in the final on each
day’s shoot.
On
the second day – the Saturday – Olivia was already at the firing point when she
realised that she needed to adjust her rifle’s butt-plate to suit her natural
point of aim. Olivia went to her kit bag and made the necessary adjustments,
returning to the range 20 minutes later. In order to complete the shoot in
time, Olivia could now afford very little time between shots.
Despite
having to deal with technical difficulties, Olivia qualified for the final and
finished third for a bronze medal.
Olivia with team mates Amy Lott, Michaela Green
On the Sunday, Olivia once again qualified for the final, and won another bronze medal.
For a great finish to the weekend, Olivia and her two team-mates, Amy Lott and Michaela Green, won gold in the team event. Nicknamed “The Three Musketeers”, these ladies really are a force to be reckoned with!
Success for Olivia in 2019
It’s
been a great year for Olivia. So far in 2019, this talented young shooter from
Norfolk has competed in numerous national and international competitions:
February: At the Intershoot, Holland, the GB
Talent Squad Junior Ladies’ team (Olivia Hill, Emily Bale, and Phoebe Taylor)
won silver in the team event.
April: At the ESSU (English Smallbore Shooting
Union) Championships at Bisley, UK, Olivia finished 2nd in the open
event. As the highest-scoring junior, Olivia won the title of English Junior
10m Air Rifle Champion.
July: The Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany,
was Olivia’s first Junior World Cup.
August: Novi Sad Grand Prix, Serbia.
Olivia at the Norfolk Open 2018
In November, Olivia will be competing in the Surrey Open at Bisley, and in the Norfolk County Championships at South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club.
Keep up to date with Olivia’s shooting career on Instagram.
Photographs courtesy of Lisa Hill and Gaynor Warren
Deer are ruminants of the family Cervidae. There are currently six species of deer in the UK, from five genera, meaning that only two of these species are closely related to each other. In order to provide effective management of each species, and to ensure that landowners have the means to protect their crops, legislation caters for the diverse behaviour and conservation status of these six very different animals.
Chinese water deer buck Image: courtesy of Lowland Stalking
In deer, there’s a high level of sexual dimorphism, meaning that there are obvious physical differences between the male and female of each species. Deer shooting seasons vary according to the species, and it also varies according to the sex. Inability to distinguish between the sexes is not accepted as a legal defence for shooting deer out of season.
In five of the six species of deer, the male is armed with antlers, which are made of bone and covered by a velvet-like material. The purpose of the blood-rich velvet is to provide the growing bone with nutrients. When the bone is fully grown, it hardens and dies. The deer rubs his antlers against trees to rid them of the dead velvet.
Deer are crepuscular animals, meaning that they’re most active at twilight – the periods between dawn and sunrise, and between sunset and dusk. However, they’re also adaptable. In areas where there’s a lot of human disturbance, deer will be more active at night, and in times of food shortage, they’ll roam and graze during the day.
Let’s
take a look at the six species of deer in the UK.
Red deer (Cervus elaphus)
Red list conservation status:
Native species
UK status: LC (least concern)
World status: LC (least concern)
Red deer with new, velvet-covered antlers Image: courtesy of Pixabay
The red deer is the largest of the six UK species, and one of only two deer species indigenous to the UK. Although the animal is seen all over Britain, the largest population is in Scotland.
Red deer exist for most of the year in single-sex groups, and calves stay with their mothers for the best part of a year, although they’re weaned at around two months old.
Red deer hind with kids Image: courtesy of Pixabay
Although the red deer stag might have reached sexual maturity by one year old, he’d be lucky to get the chance of mating before four years old, because of heavy competition from more mature stags. For a period of seven or eight years, a healthy stag will fight for the right to mate with a harem of hinds, using his antlers to intimidate, injure, and occasionally kill, his rivals. And he’ll bellow to demonstrate physical fitness.
At around eleven years old, the stag will be back on the outskirts of the mating scene.
What does the red deer look like?
Red deer calf Image: courtesy of Pixabay
The russet pelt of red deer in summer is a quintessential image of the British countryside, but in winter, the colour turns to a dull brownish grey. As the deer runs away from you, you’ll notice a short tail and pale rump. The stag is significantly larger than the hind, with large antlers that become more branched as the stag ages. Both sexes lose their infant spots as they reach sexual maturity.
Sika deer (Cervus nippon)
Red list conservation status:
Non-native species
UK status: not ranked
World status: LC (least concern)
Sika stags Image: courtesy of Pixabay
All species in the genus Cervus can breed with one another, producing fertile hybrids, and in the UK, there’s a lot of crossbreeding between sika deer and red deer.
Like
red deer, sika are to be found in small groups all over Britain, but they’re most
prolific in Scotland.
Sika deer are, in the main, crepuscular animals, but they’re sometimes seen out and about in broad daylight. In areas where there’s a lot of human activity, sika will play safe and become nocturnal.
During the months of September to November, lone individuals and members of single-sex groups come together for the rut. Unlike the harem-holding red deer stag, the sika stag begins his mating campaign by staking his territory. He’ll fight other males for control of this territory, and he’ll lure in females, forming his harem.
What does the sika deer look like?
Sika deer retain their infant spots, with coats varying in colour through a range of brown shades – becoming darker in the winter months. A dark line runs the length of the spine from a proportionally small head to a white rump and short tail. A sika stag’s antlers are similar to the antlers of a red stag, but smaller, with fewer branches.
European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)
Red list conservation status:
Native species
UK status: LC (least concern)
World status: LC (least concern)
European Roe buck Image: courtesy of Enguerran Urban via Unsplash
The roe deer is a solitary animal, although a doe is usually accompanied by her latest offspring. The young deer are chased away by their mother just a couple of weeks before she gives birth again. The new babies are hidden away for several weeks – silent, inert, and concealed.
The rut takes place in July and August, and a doe will give birth in May or June. After conception, there’s delayed implantation, so the embryos don’t start to grow until approximately five months later, making the total gestation period around ten months. Twins are not unusual for roe deer, and sometimes a doe will produce triplets. The higher birth rate, however, is balanced out by high infant mortality.
Roe deer are thriving all over Britain. However, their habitat isn’t restricted to the countryside. Some UK cities are now home to colonies of roe deer.
What does the roe deer look like?
During the summer, the tail-less roe deer has a rusty-red coat, which in winter changes to a dull grey; all year round, it has a distinguishable white rump. During the winter, the doe has a tuft of hair at the base of her rump patch. The buck has single-stemmed antlers, without branches, which are shed after the rut.
Fallow deer (Dama dama)
Red list conservation status:
Non-native naturalised species
UK status: LC (least concern)
World status: LC (least concern)
Fallow stag Image: courtesy of Pixabay
Fallow deer are crepuscular animals, favouring the hours of twilight over daytime and night-time. They spend their daytime lying down, ruminating – or chewing the cud. In areas where they’re frequently disturbed by human activity, the deer will roam around and feed during the night.
For most of the year, fallow deer live in single-sex groups, but come together in late October for the rut. A single fawn (twins are rare) is born in the spring, and there’s a strong bond between mother and offspring. By the time the doe gives birth to her next fawn, the adolescent fallow deer will be totally independent.
The fallow deer population is more widespread in England and Wales than in Scotland.
What does the fallow deer look like?
There’s enormous variety in the colouring of fallow deer. The most common colour is a tan brown with white rump (outlined in black), and white spots on the flanks. In winter, the coat becomes grey.
Fallow doe Image: courtesy of Pixabay
A variation is a paler
tan with white spots, and caramel outline on the rump. Some fallow deer are
dark brown or black. Others are a creamy colour, turning increasingly white
with age.
The
fallow’s tail is longer than the tail of any other deer species in the UK.
Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis
inermis)
Red list conservation status:
Non-native
UK status: not ranked
World status: VU (vulnerable)
Chinese water deer buck Image: courtesy of Lowland Stalking
The Chinese water deer is one of two subspecies of the water deer (Hydropotes inermis); the other subspecies is the Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus). The genus name, Hydropotes, derives from two ancient Greek words: húdōr (water) and potḗs (drinking) – referring to the deer’s preference for water. The species name, inermis, is Latin, meaning ‘unarmed’ – a reference to the deer’s lack of antlers.
Chinese water deer were first brought to Britain at the end of the 19th century, imported by private collectors. Today’s population is descended from escapees and deliberate releases from captivity. Although small colonies of Chinese water deer are to be seen in many parts of the UK, the population is highest in East Anglia, where the habitat is particularly suited to the deer’s feeding preferences.
Although the Chinese water deer buck doesn’t have antlers, he is armed with a pair of prominent tusks, which he uses in fights with other bucks in the rutting season. Loosely fixed in their sockets, these tusks can be manipulated by the buck’s facial muscles. The doe also has a pair of ‘fangs’, which are much smaller than those of the buck. Unsurprisingly, this unusual physical trait has given rise to the nickname ‘vampire deer’.
Because the Chinese water deer buck doesn’t have antlers, it’s more difficult to distinguish a male from a female, and for this reason, both sexes have the same open and closed shooting season.
Water deer are mainly solitary animals, coming together in December for the rut. Does live in small, single-sex groups, but the bonds between individuals are weak. Bucks are very territorial, marking their territories with their faeces and urine, and with secretions from interdigital glands and preorbital glands.
Chinese water deer buck Image: courtesy of Lowland Stalking
Chinese water deer does will occasionally give birth to as many as seven kids in one birth, although the usual number is two to four. The young become sexually mature at around six months old, and this is when they leave their mother.
What does the Chinese water deer look like?
The Chinese water deer, like many other deer species, is rusty red during summer, and grey in winter. It has a short tail, large, round ears, and a very cute face.
Reeves’s muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi)
Red list conservation status:
Non-native species
UK status: not ranked
World status: LC (least concern)
Reeve’s muntjac buck Image: courtesy of Lowland Stalking
Reeve’s muntjac gets its name from the English naturalist, John Reeves (1774-1856), who worked for the British East India Company. As with Chinese water deer, the species was introduced to Britain from Asia at the end of the 19th century, and today’s UK population are descendants of escapees from captivity. Although muntjac deer are not a huge threat to commercial crops, their increasing numbers are associated with a rise in road traffic accidents.
Like all deer species in
this country, muntjac are crepuscular animals, roaming around the countryside
and suburban areas during twilight hours, feeding on fruits, flowers, nuts, and
fungi. Muntjac don’t form herds. A doe is usually accompanied by her latest
kid, but in the main, muntjac are solitary creatures.
Unlike all other species of deer in the UK, muntjac breed all year round. A doe becomes sexually mature in her first year of life, and from then on, she’ll be continuously producing one kid at a time, every seven months, becoming pregnant immediately after giving birth. When competing for does, a buck will fight primarily with its tusks, rather than its antlers.
What does the Reeve’s muntjac look like?
Reeve’s Muntjac buck Image: courtesy of Pixabay
The
hunched back of the muntjac deer is a familiar sight in rural and suburban
England and Wales. This little deer, like most others, has a russet coat in
summer, which turns grey in winter. When the muntjac is disturbed, it raises
its wide, flat tail to display a white patch underneath.
The buck has small, backward-pointing antlers, and two black lines running from the base of his antlers to his nose. The doe has a dark brown patch on her forehead.
Venison
Image: courtesy of Norfolk Deer Management
Deer meat (Venison) is a rich, gamey meat – low in fat and high in protein and vitamins. Loved by many, yet unfamiliar to others, venison is a truly versatile meat, delicious in stews and casseroles, pies and puddings, burgers, meatballs, and sausages. A roast joint of venison, or a fried steak, can be served as rare as you like, and the kidneys, liver, and heart of deer make tasty patés and flavoursome gravies.
Image: courtesy of Norfolk Deer Management
In
Scotland, it’s against the law to sell venison to anyone other than a licenced
venison dealer, and in Northern Ireland, the meat can only be sold to a
licensed game dealer. In England and Wales, venison isn’t subject to these
restrictions, but the meat must be handled by a person with a game meat hygiene
certificate – a qualification that’s included in the Deer Society Certificate 1
(DSC1).
Hunting Deer
Next time, we’ll be talking to local deerstalkers from Lowland Stalking and Norfolk Deer Management, and looking at some of the legislation governing deer control – including shooting seasons, minimum ammunition power, and carcass handling.
Airgun pellets are usually made in the diabolo
form – a shape named after the traditional juggling game. The game of diabolo –
from Latin diabolus (devil) – involves the tossing and manipulation of a
two-headed bobbin, using a string stretched between two sticks. An earlier name
for the game was “devil on two sticks”.
An airgun pellet takes on the general shape of the two-headed bobbin, with a solid head, wide skirt, and narrow waist. The rim of the skirt engages snugly with the rifled bore, creating a strong spin for a flat trajectory. The pellet’s head is slightly narrower than the skirt, so there’s less friction between the head and the gun’s bore, while the waist portion doesn’t touch the bore at all.
H&N Match Green lead-free pellets
Traditionally, airgun pellets are made of lead (Pb from Latin plumbum) or lead alloy. In recent times, manufacturers have made airgun pellets from alternative metals, such as alloys of bismuth and tin – or iron, zinc, and tin. Some modern pellets are even made of plastic.
Why are airgun pellets made of lead?
Lead is a soft, heavy metal, and it’s cheap.
Lead is softer than the steel of a gun’s barrel. This is important because it means that friction doesn’t cause abrasion to the inside of the barrel. Being the softer of the two metals, it’s the lead that’s worn by friction. Consequently, brushing lead residue from the gun’s bore is a routine part of airgun maintenance.
The softness of lead comes into play again when
the pellet makes impact with the target, which is particularly important for
hunting or vermin control. When the airgun pellet makes impact, it crumples,
unable to retain its shape. The crumpled head of the pellet creates a larger
wound and a quick, humane kill.
Lead’s most common alloy partner in airgun
pellets is antimony (Sb from Latin stibium), a metalloid that adds
hardness to lead.
Crosman Premier domed pellets
The heaviness of lead is also significant. With a density of 11.34g per cm3, a small lead pellet carries a proportionally large amount of momentum. Speed may be top priority when it comes to target shooting, but when you’re shooting live quarry, you need some weight behind your shot. The Crosman Premier domed pellet is an example of a reliable lead airgun pellet.
Copper-coated airgun pellets
Apolo Air Boss Barracuda Copper
Copper (Cu from Latin cuprum) is also quite
a soft metal, but it’s harder than lead. A copper-coated
pellet engages well with the airgun’s rifled bore,
but, being softer than steel, it causes no abrasion to the inside of the
barrel. Being harder than lead, copper creates less friction with air, so
velocity is maintained.
Lead-free airgun pellets
Gamo Lethal plastic pellets
Bismuth (Bi from Latin bisemutium) is a
heavy metal with physical characteristics in common with lead. However, unlike
lead, bismuth has a low level of toxicity. Bismuth is
commonly alloyed with tin (Sn from Latin stannum).
A lightweight pellet maintains velocity, and consequently
keeps a flat trajectory, so for target shooting, a plastic pellet like the Gamo
Lethal, which has a copper tip, is ideal for those
who are concerned about lead pollution.
Contact Us
For more information about airgun pellets, give us a call on 01263 731 585 or email [email protected].
I first visited North Walsham Rifle & Pistol Club in July 2016. The club’s membership was flourishing, but the physical fabric of the place hadn’t really moved with the times. The old wooden clubhouse was pretty much as it had been in 1933, when the club was founded.
On that visit, the club’s Development Officer, Mike Kirkham, who has been shooting since he was 15 years old, talked to me about the club’s future. Planning permission for a new clubhouse had been granted, and an application was being put together for funding from Sport England. With help and advice from Liz Davidson, Head of Engagement at British Shooting, Chairman Olly Crysell and his committee worked on a plan of action for all-round improvement.
“The key to our success,” Mike told me, three years ago, “has been to change our club culture to think more like a sports club, and to actively promote and market what we offer.”
Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes (Benjamin Franklin)
In October 2016, Sport England awarded £75,000 to North Walsham Rifle & Pistol Club towards their new clubhouse. This was marvellous news, of course, but the total amount of money needed was £125,000. The club members worked hard at raising funds for the project, and they also applied for, and were granted, aid from North Norfolk District Council’s Big Society Fund, which was established in 2012 to help fund projects that improve and support the social and economic wellbeing of communities.
Karl Read, Leisure and Locality Services Manager at North Norfolk District Council, was impressed by the drive and commitment of NWRPC.
Olivia Hill, international shooting star, sponsored by Pellpax
“Mike, Olly, and the rest of the committee have worked tirelessly in order to grow participation within this club, especially with the junior section. They’ve worked hard in order to create a fresh presence in North Norfolk, and they’ve forged a great relationship with the Council and Active Norfolk.
“The club has created more visibility locally using positive PR and marketing, and they’ve created a working marketing plan. Mike set up a Sports Development plan for the club, and a new website. In the time that I’ve worked with the club, they’ve has seen a 45% increase in membership, which is unheard of in local sports clubs.
“In a nutshell, the members of North Walsham Rifle & Pistol Club have done all the things we would expect from a Big Society applicant, and in a very comprehensive way. I wish the club every success.”
NWRPC now has over 200 members, some of whom have gone on to compete in national and international championships.
Mingling with Members
The evening began with refreshments and conversation. I caught up with several club members I’d met before, including Charles Cain, who, at 76 years old, is still coaching some of the club’s talented young shooters.
It was a great pleasure to meet 17-year-old Jessie Lodge, who shoots in the 10m Precision Air Rifle county air rifle team – and Freya Giles, 19, who has shot for the England Ladies’ team in .22 Target Rifle.
Imogen Wright
Imogen Wright, who’s just 15 years old, began her shooting career with Explorers at North Walsham. Before long, she was a member of the Scout International Squad. Imogen, who shoots with a Steyr, is now on the South East Regional Pistol Squad (SERPS); later this year, she’ll be competing at the Welsh Open and at the Scout Championships at Bisley.
Tony Clarke, Scouts’ Norfolk Shooting Advisor, told me about Target Sprint – a relatively new shooting discipline that’s becoming incredibly popular, especially among younger shooters. Tony explained how Target Sprint works:
“Competitors run 400 meters, then they shoot five targets. They run another 400 meters, shoot another five targets, and then run 400 meters to the finish. The winner is the first past the post. But …” (I think Tony could read my thoughts.) “But you have to hit the targets. You can’t continue until you’ve hit all five. Bear in mind, though, that there’s a limit to the number of attempts you have.”
I was rather disappointed not to see Olivia Hill, who is sponsored by Pellpax. There was a very good reason for her absence, though: she was in Serbia, competing in the Novi Sad Grand Prix. It was, however, great to chat with Olivia’s mum, Lisa.
The official opening
Mike Kirkham
Mike Kirkham began his address with, “A dream is always a dream. A goal is a dream with an action plan and a time frame.” He immediately had everyone’s attention.
Mike thanked everyone for all their hard work, with a special mention for Tony Clarke, the man responsible for a strong junior membership, thanks to Scout involvement.
There was a special mention for the late Ken Nash (1948-2019), who introduced shooting for the blind into the UK. Ken was a life member of both the National Small-Bore Rifle Association (NSRA) and British Blind Sport (BBS). I had the pleasure of talking to Ken in August 2017, when he contributed enormously to A Guide to Disabled Shooting.
Saul Penfold
Mike handed over to Councillor Saul Penfold.
“In 2017,” he began, “an application was received from North Walsham Rifle & Pistol Club for a BSF grant towards a £125,000 project to replace the old wooden clubhouse. The application explained that the existing wooden clubhouse and its facilities were in a poor state and no longer fit for purpose. There was limited social space, no proper kitchen facilities, and no disabled toilet. A new clubhouse was needed to ensure that NWRPC had the appropriate facilities to enable them to cope with their existing and growing membership.”
Just like Karl Read, Mr Penfold expressed his admiration for the club and its members.
Norman Lamb, Lisa Hill, Freya Giles
“Everyone involved in the project is to be congratulated for their dedication and commitment. It’s a fantastic achievement. The new club house will be an asset to the local community for many years.”
Mike Kirkham declared the clubhouse open, and the ribbon was cut by Freya Giles and Lisa Hill (representing Olivia). North Norfolk MP, Norman Lamb, presented the two ladies with bouquets.
Good luck, NWRPC – and congratulations. Here’s to the future!