The ShootHub Podcast

In this episode, Gemma is joined by Avian (from The GunsOnPegs Podcast) and special guest Dr Joah Madden, a leading researcher in gamebird ecology. They explore the science behind post-release survival and discuss what breeders and keepers can do to improve outcomes. The conversation also covers predator control and the wider environmental impact of gamebird releasing.  Links to some of Dr Joah Madden's research:  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10344-018-1199-5 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsos.160008 https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2656.12401

In this episode, Gemma and Digby start by discussing some recent correspondence that included a beater's noise. Later, Gemma is joined by Helen, who answers some tough questions sent in by listeners, and they explore the vital work of the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust in supporting gamekeepers, ghillies, and stalkers.

In this episode, Digby and Gemma dive into the world of Gamekeeping with Curtis Mossop as this month's guest. The three explore the steps to becoming a gamekeeper, including insights into the current gamekeeping courses and the skills they cover. They also discuss the BASC outreach programs, which are helping to bridge the gap between rural communities and the shooting world, inviting those unfamiliar with gamekeeping to engage and learn.

In this episode, Hugo Campbell Hill aka The Game Glutton speaks to Digby and Gemma about the world of hospitality from a shoots perspective. Hugo shares some simple tips and tricks about how to make life that little bit easier when preparing food for a shoot day. 

As we head into a brand new shooting season George and Digby delve into the results of the 2024 Game Shooting and Shoot Owner Census to answer the biggest questions in shooting: How much does a pheasant cost this year, and how does it compare to last year? What is the average bag size that guns shoot, and has that number changed over time? And, perhaps most importantly, what is the most popular fine for shooting the white pheasant?

Alan Haywood joins Digby and Gemma on this month's episode of the ShootHub podcast. Alan works at Oakland Parks, a game processing plant that is doing things differently. The three discuss Oakland Park's pledge to pay 50p per bird if shot with non-toxic cartridges and how we all need to be treating shot game differently.   

Ross Guyton, woodland division manager at Oakbank, joins Digby and Gemma to talk all things Woodland on this month's episode. Ross shares industry insights into woodland management, the most common mistakes and misconceptions, and what you can do on your shoot to improve your woodland.    Changes in government subsidies and funding mean that there are lots of exciting and new opportunities to improve the Woodland on your shoot, increase bio diversity and create new habitat for game birds and wildlife. 

Terry Behan, BASC East's Regional Director, joins Gemma and Digby to look back on the last five year since the combined shooting organisations proposed a voluntary phase out of lead ammunition. He reflects on the progress that has been made in that time, tackles some of the most common myths and misconceptions about lead shot and the non-toxic alternatives.  He also shares some tips for shoot owners and managers to help them navigate the transition away from lead shot over the coming years.

In this episode of the ShootHub Podcast Gemma, George and Digby are joined at the microphones by Dylan Williams. Dylan has spent his career in the shooting industry, founding the Royal Berkshire shooting school and now is heavily involved within a number of different shooting businesses and organisations. He was instrumental in the formation of British Game Assurance in 2017 and continues to have a major role to play in Eat Wild and the marketing of game to the wider public. Dylan shares some some of the latest triumphs of Eat Wild and underlines the importance of assurance to the future of shooting in the UK. He also discusses the #BackBritishGame campaign and how shoots of all sizes can support the vital work that Eat Wild carries out. Louisa Clutterbuck, CEO of Eat Wild, told us: None of this Eat Wild's would have been possible without the donations we have received from guns and shoots and I want to express our thanks to every person who shoots, be it 10 birds or 200 in a season. Your support is vital when it comes to Backing British Game as it will ensure that Eat Wild can continue to promote game as a high welfare, sustainable and free-range meat to new audiences and secure new markets in order to protect the future of shooting To learn more about Eat Wild or #BackBritishGame, follow the links below: Eat Wild - https://www.eatwild.co/ Back British Game - https://backbritishgame.co.uk/ 

After an unplanned recording haitus, Digby and George return and are joined by GunsOnPegs' new Shoot Account Manager Gemma Raymond. The team discuss the season so far, the challenge of selling shoot days and pegs in the current financial climate, and suggest some tactics and strategies to try in order to shift the last few dates, as well as how to get ahead of the game for next season.

Syndicates are the building blocks of the UK game shooting community, 45% of shoots run primarily as a syndicate. Syndicates not only provide wonderful shooting opportunities and conservation, but are often keystones in their local communities, bringing likeminded folk together to share a passion for the countryside. Sam Phillips, who runs a syndicate in Lincolnshire, joins us to discuss the joys and challenges of managing a shoot like this, and how he's managed to keep everything going despite the difficulties of the last few seasons. To complete the Game Shooting Census, click here To complete the Shoot Owner Census, click here

Digby and George are joined by Richard Crofts. If you've bought chicks or poults in the last 10 years, the chances are you bought them off Crofty. He's recently finished up working at Bettws Hall where he hosted at The Brigands in the winter and ran the game farm in the summer and has now gone to work for himself along with his wife Lizzy at RC Crops, involved in game birds, cover crops, agricultural seed supply, game farm kit… the whole lot! Few in the shooting world have such a holistic view of the sector as Crofty, and he is uniquely placed to take the temperature of our community and offer words of wisdom gained from being on both sides of the fence, making for a fascinating episode.

Jamie Horner, recipient of a Special Commendation at the 2019 Purdey Awards and game feed specialist at Marsdens, joins Digby and George to discuss something that all shoots, no matter what the size or style, have to think about: budgets and budgeting. The trio discuss the input costs, including feed, poult and egg prices, rent and more, and how those might shape up for the 2023/24 season. Jamie dispenses wisdom on false economies, the importance of wild bird cover crops and looking after the birds that you have. He also helps us to rate not one but two beating sounds, and shares the one thing he'd like to change about the shooting sector.

Tax is something that every shoot, no matter the size, needs to think about to a greater or lesser extent. Tax expert Michael Sherry joins us to discuss the challenges, and the opportunities

Will Horner of Cambrian Birds joins George and Digby for a chat. Will rates another listener's beating noise and we learn what one thing he would change about shooting. George and Digby quiz Will about what smaller shoots can learn from commercial shooting operations, the challenge of producing sporting ducks, keeping exacting teams of guns happy, the Cambrian Birds breeding and rearing operation, and how to handle negative PR.

In our first ever episode, leading game bird vet Kenny Nutting join Digby Taylor and George Browne to discuss the current Avian Influenza situation, how that might develop in coming months and how to prevent the rearing season ahead becoming a repeat of last year's.  We also introduce 'Beating Noise of the Day' and discover what one thing Kenny would change about the shooting world. Send your favourite beating noises and quickfire questions to pod@gunsonpegs.com