Sporting Shooter

helping farmers

THERE is often something to shoot when the game dries up and a 1950s distinctly Australian rabbit rifle gives me double-deuce delight. Some time back my luck continued to improve when a friend's normally very productive fallow block almost dried up … almost. A solitary yearling doe popped out first afternoon and a circuitous stalk bagged me some delectable meat. Next morning, in almost the same location, we saw another doe, but due to the low numbers, I decided not to be greedy. Rather, I'd go and sit a way off the carcass and try to whistle in a fox, cat or dog – no dice. There was, however, a large murder of Australian ravens AKA crows visiting the carcass to feast on a bounty. Incidentally, catch up on Tony Kamphorst's terrific…

fox whistling - a beginner’s guide

I’M sure it will come as no surprise when I tell you that like many other hunters, I learnt the art of fox whistling simply by trial and error. I remember my first outing some 40 years ago for foxes was with a simple button whistle and single barrel shotgun. Heading to the back paddock of our family farm I proceeded to venture to where I’d seen a fox enter the bush earlier that morning. Producing the whistle, I gave it a couple of shrills and eagerly awaited my quarry to show. Several minutes later, nothing appeared, but I distinctly remember that pungent smell of a dog fox nearby. As I stood up and turned around to leave, the fox stood staring a short distance behind me and in a…

.17hmr/.22 magnum comparison

Q I’m in the market for a fox rifle and cannot make up my mind between the .17 HMR and the .22 WMR. I noticed in your writings that you favour the .22 WMR over the .17 HMR. What are your reasons for this? – Marty Collins A I found that a hit just about anywhere on the body of a mature rabbit or fox with the .17 would usually result in a quick death so long as the range is not much greater than 100yds. But a rodent hit anywhere except in the vital chest area at ranges past 100yd. would often run off quite a way and get down its burrow. Most of the time a fox wouldn’t live long after being hit, but would vanish into cover. When…

ask the gun editor

No Mystery About The 5.6X52MM Q I was recently given a European single shot rifle chambered for the 5.6x52R (at least that's what is stamped on the barrel). I've never heard of this calibre, but my friend, an Austrian tells me that the cartridge is commonly used to take fox and chamois in Germanic countries. He says that he as heard the cartridge described as the 5.6x52 Savage. Since Savage is an American company I am wondering if the cartridge may have been chambered in some Savage rifles? What can you tell me about it? – Edgar Harrison A The cartridge designated as the 5.6x52R in Europe originated in America where is known as the .22 Savage High Power. It was designed by Charles Newton and introduced by Savage Arms Co. in…

share the knowledge

NEW people are finding their way into the hunting lifestyle all around us. Now more than ever, we are hearing about ‘adult onset hunters’, who are people that have come to hunting during their adult life, usually with no exposure to it in their early years. I took the opportunity to help someone out recently and grabbed it with both hands. A hunting partner introduced me to a friend of his through social media; an experienced fisherman, and someone passionate about the outdoors, but a very new hunter. They were going to be spending some time hunting in my local area and an invitation to come with them was sent my way. Seeing new country is something I never pass up, but even more exciting to me was the chance to…

zac mckenzie

STARTED HUNTING: I didn’t grow up hunting, starting a couple years after I moved out of home. My mate John, with whom I spearfished, invited me on a hunt and I’ve been hooked ever since. MAJOR HUNTING INFLUENCES: The advantage of starting to hunt as an adult, is that I got to choose my influences. Growing up hunting you will, in some way, adopt the styles and ethics of your relatives; a good or bad thing, depending on the person. As an adult, you can judge someone’s character much more effectively. As a child, you tend to have rosecoloured glasses on for any adult. The biggest influence on my hunting isn’t the hunting ‘celebrities’ you see on social media and TV, it’s my mates. People who I’m comfortable asking advice and know…