The Field

Published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd The Field is a monthly glossy magazine dedicated to those brave souls who shoot, fish and hunt way beyond the call of duty. Since 1853, its staff has selflessly brought its readers the cream of rural life, be it pheasant shooting, dry-fly fishing or the distinct merits of Cheval Blanc. If you love field sports, errant terriers and very foxy friends at hunt balls, The Field is for you.

The Field • ESTABLISHED 1853 VOL 341 NO 7423

The great unpaid army • The future of fieldsports is inextricably linked to the conservation of the countryside and its wildlife. It’s time to stand up, speak out and get involved in the projects close to our hearts, says Ian Coghill

Field follies

Fears grow as largest global avian influenza outbreak accelerates

BASC: firearms licensing in crisis

One good deed…

MPs debate petition on use of snares

News in brief

March diary

Hunting with Dogs Bill passed

The Field’s Almanac

Food & drink

Field kitchen kit

Kit to covert • Our monthly guide to everything notable in the field for sporting enthusiasts and those keen on country life

Annika Purdey • A model countrywoman and the first female on the eminent gunmaker’s board, this scion of the Purdey family is cutting an elegant swathe through the shooting world

Faces • Charles Church’s latest exhibition provided the perfect chance to mingle among his magnificent works of sporting art

Letters

What’s the buzz about BNG? • Biodiversity net gain is laudable but if habitat creation and enhancement is the aim, then surely traditional agriculture is the ultimate nature-based solution, says Rupert Bates

Country estate of the month • MILL HOUSE FARM, BULKINGTON, DEVIZES, WILTSHIRE

Six of the best: Near racecourses

A marque of affection • Morgans and E-Types are held in great esteem by many motorists, but for rural perfection and practicality there’s nothing quite like an old Series Landy, say Neil and Serena Cross

The ferreter’s art • For young shots, there’s no finer training in handling a gun than shooting rabbits over ferrets, says Sir Johnny Scott

Subscription offer 6 months for £21*

Mapperton estate Dorset • Mapperton is forging a bright future that aligns with the views and values of the family and has rewilding, community and sustainable shooting at its heart

Living their wildest dreams • The Field meets the environmentally conscious private landowners who are boosting Britain’s biodiversity across vast swathes of their estates

Planning the perfect approach for pigeon • Woodpigeon are many a farmer’s nemesis. Managing their numbers is essential, but there is much to be done before any shooting starts

SHOOTING METHODS

The fight to save Scotland’s capercaillie • The woodland grouse is in serious trouble, with predation a major concern, but helping this iconic bird will require some difficult choices to be made

CAPERCAILLIE: A SPORTING AND NATURAL HISTORY

Salmon science in the Moray Firth • A groundbreaking project is giving a fascinating insight into key issues affecting Salmo salar’s survival and how conservationists can make a real difference

National Hunt’s new guard • Having cut their teeth in the yards of racing legends, these young jump trainers are intent on achieving greatness in their own right

Nature writing competition 2023 • To celebrate 170 years of The Field delivering the best writing on nature and fieldsports, we search for talented new voices to join the firmament

Discovering Britain by the book • Novelists, poets and playwrights have long found inspiration in the power and glory of the British countryside

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