Hunting and Safari Magazine - Issue no.2

The Region’s First Hunting & Safari Magazine

Experience the

HART Feeling

“Keep an Eye on”

Ray Bassil

Interview with

Abdullah Al-Rashidi

Benelli Vinci Let the revolution begin USD 6 / DHS 25 / RS 30 / JOD 5

BHD 3 / QAR 25 / KD 2.5 / EGP 50

www.hart-hunting.com

Discovery

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All calibers,top quality.

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editor's note

Dear Readers, Welcome to the second issue of Hunting and Safari, we at H&S hope that you enjoyed reading the first issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you.

Despite our Middle East connection H&S intend to make the magazine truly international bringing articles and product evaluations from all over the world to enable you, our readers, to benefit from the latest information that is available on a whole host of hunting, safari, shooting and outdoor related topics.

Our mission at H&S is to bring you a magazine that appeals to all hunters and shooters and we hope to make it a little different to the many other, excellent, publications already on the market. Our focus will be to cover a wide range of outdoor activities from big game hunting in Africa, to pheasant shooting in Europe, to camping and cooking your game, as well as different kinds of hunting techniques, including bow shooting and falconry, both of which are featured in this edition, as is an article on clay pigeon shooting.

In this issue we also review a number of destinations world wide that we feel offer superb hunting, as well as ar ticles from four hunters describing their favorite hunting dogs and why they love them so much. There are as well features on iconic guns, hunting knives, rifle scopes and 4x4 SUV’s. The SUV we put under that spot light is pretty special, so don’t miss it. I am sure you will be impressed, I know we were.

We will have a regular feature in the magazine which we have called, Hunters Lounge, in which we will look at all things après hunt, such as cigars, fine wines and spirits, fashion items, both hunting and formal, but we will not forget the basics as well, so we will be bringing you articles on gun tests and cartridge evaluations and all sorts of advise and hints to help make your sport even more enjoyable.

It is also wor th mentioning that all of us here at H&S are dedicated to promoting our sport in the most positive light possible and it is our mission to campaign on behalf of all field sports enthusiasts and highlight the benefits that hunting and shooting provides for the conservation of our environment, as well as emphasizing the hundreds of thousands of jobs that it supports annually.

As a responsible publication we will always endeavor to encourage our readers to par ticipate in our chosen sports responsibly and that was why our first edition featured ar ticles on safety and etiquette when out shooting. The anti lobby will always try to find a reason to criticize our pastime and it is up to us, the par ticipants, to ensure that we do not give them reason to do so and to answer any unfair criticism in an articulate and logical manner. So if you missed our previous edition and you would like to take out a one year subscription for the upcoming four editions, at the discounted price of US$27.00, we will be happy to include a complimentary copy of the first edition completely free of charge.

We hope you enjoy the magazine and we wish you good hunting, whatever discipline that might be.

Richard Camm

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h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

We approached peace of mind from every point of view. Especially above.

When parking, how sure are you that there’s nothing behind you? To the side of you? Or around you?

With the world’s first Around View™ Monitor*, standard in the all-new 2011 Infiniti QX, you can be more confident.

It works by creating a virtual 360-degree, bird’s-eye view of your surroundings. Now parking is easier than ever. This is inspired performance. This is the way of Infiniti.

Learn more at Infiniti-me.com Shodo art by Masako Inkyo

*The Around View™ Monitor is a parking aid and cannot completely eliminate blind spots or warn of moving objects.

Always check your surroundings before moving the vehicle. Always wear your seat belt. ©2010 INFINITI.

• Saudi Arabia: Alhamrani United Co., Jeddah, Tel: 02-6696690, Alhamrani Trading & Import Co., Riyadh, Tel: 01-4747777, Al-Jabr Trading Company, Dammam, Tel: 03-8324300 • Dubai & Northern Emirates: Arabian Automobiles Co., Main Showroom, Tel: 04-2952222 • Abu Dhabi & Al Ain: Al Masaood Automobiles, Tel: 02-6811118 • Kuwait: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain Co., Tel: 1 804 888 • Oman: Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, Tel: 24560111 • Qatar: Saleh Alhamad Almana Co., Tel: 4441334 • Bahrain: Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons BSC(C)., Tel: 736060 • Lebanon: Rasamny Younis Motor Company S.A.L,Beirut, Tel: 01-273333 • Azerbaijan: Nurgun Motors, Baku, Tel: 12-4308141

contact us

The Region’s First Hunting & Safari Magazine

Experience the

HART Feeling

“Keep an Eye on”

Ray Bassil

Interview with

Abdullah Al-Rashidi

Editorial

Lara Mansour Sawaya Managing Editor - English Titles email lara.m@mat.ae

Richard Camm Senior Editor email rcamm@mailme.ae

Ylova Hamdan Assistant Editor email ylova.h@mat.ae

For Advertising Inquiries

Hisham Sawaya

Benelli Vinci Let the revolution begin Our Cover: Issue 2 / August 2010

Benelli Vinci

General Manager - Dubai email hisham.s@mat.ae mob +971 50 661 6677

Joseph Bcherrawy Sales Executive - Dubai email joe.b@mat.ae mob +971 55 202 6367

Jean Kassis Sales Manager - Lebanon email jean@awraqpublishing.net tel 00961 4 523910 / 03 449344

Pascal Khorj Senior Sales Representative - Lebanon email pascal@awraqpublishing.net tel 00961 4 523910 / 00961 3 137557

H&S Travel Club Inquiries

Joe Balesh email hsmagazine.travel@gmail.com

Design

Luvin Santiago Louie Carmona Contact

MAT FZ LLC Dubai Media City Bldg. No.1 Office 110 P.O. Box 502240, Dubai U.A.E. Tel +971 4 391 6286-9 Fax +971 4 391 8397 lara.m@mat.ae

AWRAQ PUBLISHING S.A.R.L Honein Bldg. 2nd Floor Antelias Bikfaya Main road, Rabieh Metn Lebanon Tel 00961 4 523910 Email : awraq.publishing@gmail.com

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h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

this month

news hunt

hunting dogs

air guns

Change is welcome We strive to become a change capable organization, since there can be no improvement without change.

Gamo

Precision Airguns

In the course of over 40 years in the sector as manufacturers of rifles, pistols and pellets, we have won international recognition for the quality and performance of our products.

This has enabled us to become the officially approved supplier to some of the most prestigious customers in the world. Today, GAMO is the largest airgun manufacturer in Europe. The enlargement of our main factory and of our new installations give us capacity to respond to our customers’ needs. We have at our disposal our own well-tested and advanced production systems that combine craftsmanship and the latest technology.

Aimpoint Introduces the Hunter Series Sights

Newly designed products allow hunters to get on target faster

One of the reasons for our success is that we produce and inspect each of our components, from the natural treatment of all wooden parts to the high-precision boring of the barrels. Strict quality control procedures are followed to ensure the best possible product reaches you. Every 1½ hours, each gun undergoes a thorough check. Random guns are put through our torture tests (shooting them 10,000 times). Before final packaging, every airgun is closely re-inspected. We know for certain that the product will meet the

Malmö, Sweden, March 11, 2010 - The Aimpoint ® , the originator and worldwide leader in electronic red dot sighting technology, has announced the launch of an all-new line of premium red-dot optics specifically designed for use on hunting rifles and shotguns. These new products, known as the Aimpoint ® Hunter Series, make it possible for hunters to acquire their target faster and to make difficult shots in any weather or light conditions. Aimpoint engineers started with a blank page when they designed the new Aimpoint ® Hunter Series sights, and they came up with an exciting new product!

This new line of non-magnified sights incorporates everything that end users have come to expect from Aimpoint, including legendary ruggedness and battery life measured in years. The Hunter Series also includes many additional features never before offered before by Aimpoint; enhanced optical performance provided by a 30 mm or 34 mm tube, a newly designed front-mounted adjustment system that helps get shooters on target even faster than before, and a silently operated digital push button intensity adjustment touch pad. Just one look tells you that this is the most advanced hunting sight that Aimpoint has ever built, and the sleek, modern design will complement any firearm.

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technological specification and it will function perfectly.

Furthermore, GAMO is a world leader in the production of top quality, accurate airgun ammunition. An airgun is only as good as the pellets it shoots and that is why for decades, GAMO has used the most updated methods to produce the best pellets money can buy.

In November 2007, the private equity group MCH invested in Industrias El Gamo in order to consolidate the brand leadership and also to boost its expansion plans. Shooters in over 80 countries all over the world use our rifles and pistols. They know that the technology that goes into GAMO is innovative and current, whilst the product is a timeless classic.

Leading Innovation The GAMO success is not only based on product excellence, as leaders we want to innovate and set a precedent with every product we manufacture. The GAMO innovation Centre has become one of our core strengths and has cemented the position of GAMO as pioneers.

Safety and Quality are assured GAMO's good name and prestigious products depend on the behavior of each individual in the organization. Everything is tested at every stage before reaching the customer.

Our highly specialized craftsmen track each part as if each rifle or pistol was intended for their own use; no detail escapes their scrutiny; quality, power, accuracy and finish are guaranteed.

Hunting

Dogs

They say that the dog is a man’s best friend, well I suppose our spouses would contest that, but there is no doubt that when on a hunt he does become indispensable part of the hunt experience. He is also a great companion as well, taking nothing away from our better halves of course.

We are keenly aware of the importance or protecting our environment. This is why GAMO staff always considers the environmental impact of the manufacturing processes that we employ. We take measures in order to minimize the environmental impact.

Our passion is to be long-term partners to our customers delivering them the finest product, the latest technology, and the best service We listen to our customers, we understand their needs. Meeting their expectations become a challenge, their satisfaction and loyalty are our reward. All our employees are confident that GAMO's first interest is our clients' interest.

We are a company of peers who respect and support each other Our individual success is in our collective success. We respect our employees as individuals who contribute to the company, their profession, their family and the community.

A hunting dog loves to hunt, probably more so than we do, and the use of dog for hunting, and indeed as war dogs, goes back many centuries and the original reason for domesticating them was to assist our ancestors to hunt and to survive. So they have a significant role in the development of the human race. Hunting dogs are working dogs and as such are bred primarily to work with people to hunt animals and birds and even fish. Each breed has its own characteristics and skills and has its own specialty in terms of the way it hunts. We have Terriers, Hound Dogs, Sight Hounds, Scent Hounds, Setters, Pointers and Retrievers. Many hunting dogs will chase and kill there pray be that a mice or a lion.

Others such as pointers and setters will assist the hunter to find the quarry whilst retrievers will, as its name implies, retrieve the quarry after the hunter has shot it. These latter dogs are called Bird dogs due to there usefulness in helping hunt birds.

As we are unable to discuss all the different types of hunting dogs in this edition we felt that we would ask four hunters and dog owners to give their opinion of there own “Best Friend”, dog wise that is.

Gamo Environment Socom Tactical

My own Weimaraner. Max

The Socom Tactical Air Rifle- Intergrated laser, light and sound dampening system

Weimaraner

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The Weimaraner were developed as a breed in the 1800’s by the Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar as a specialist hunting dog for the nobility and whilst I am not of the nobility Max was a pretty Nobel animal. He was always ready for the hunt and as soon as he saw me getting my hunting gear together he would not rest until we were in the car on our way.

Max, as with his entire breed, is elegant and athletic looking with a short silver grey colored coat, docked tail and blue gray colored eyes.

Because of there coloring they are sometimes called The Ghost Dogs. I remember when he was a puppy he would eagerly run on the trail of some unknown entity and his legs were so long and his feet so big that with his nose to the ground he would trip up over himself head over heals. He had a lovely temperament and whilst a little highly strung in the early years he soon developed into a great

Socom 1000 GAMO presents the new SOCOM 1000, an air rifle made to feel the precision on your hand with the advantage of its tactical design and synthetic barrel with adjustable chick piece.

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56 hunting games

• Steyr Sportwaffen • Aimpoint - Hunter Series Sights • Leupold’s New Vendetta • Armatix - Intelligent Gun Safety • Benelli - Vinci

46 air guns

• Gamo - Precision Airguns

50 clay shooting

h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

• Clay Pigeon Shooting

Max is a very sociable dog for a Weimaraner which is somewhat unusual as they tend not to get on awfully well with other dogs, but are fiercely loyal and affectionate to there own family. However once we get a break in the drives he will be happy to be around the other dogs which is not always what they want. The other owners however take to him immediately due to his friendly nature. We would hunt mainly pheasant, duck and geese with the occasional partridge and grouse day thrown in now and again and whilst he was happy to go and jump into any pond that a downed duck had fell into he was not the best of swimmers in the land and usually a Springer or a Labrador would beat him to it much to

• Bow Hunting

60 hunting dogs

• Gamo - Precision Airguns

64 scopes

• Swarovski Optik

70 hunting knives

his chagrin. But if that was a fault then it was one I am happy to live with it because he is such a great dog not only on the hunt but also at home with the rest of the family as well.

Booby Lee. Dogs, Karl and Rufus. German Short Haired Pointers Living in Edgemont, Fall River County, South Dakota gives me plenty of scope for hunting and fishing and in fact that is what the family business is. We are outfitters for all types of hunting and fishing in and around the Edgemont area. We are not far from Rapid City and boarder on the Black Hills National Park, so we wake up every morning to some of the most beautiful and rugged scenery you can imagine.

We have all kinds of quarry including, Elk, White Tail and Mule Deer, Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Lion as well as Turkeys. Further north east you get into the grass lands and farming country that is home to prong horn sheep as well as game birds like pheasant and grouse. So you see with all this game around I need a dog that can take care of all my needs, that is why my father and me have run German Short Haired Pointers for as long as I

h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

28 news hunt • Officine Panerai - Opens a boutique in Beirut

Photo by SportDog Brand ©

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Ray Bassil • Piaget Polo’s Cup Winning Wizard

Springer

companion on the shoot and was easy to train to the point and retrieve. He would spend the whole day in the field pointing and flushing and retrieving and the only indication that he was tiring was that if we were standing waiting for the birds to be driven towards us he would sit by me side and lean on my leg. He would look up at me with his long pink tong hanging out of his mouth with those intelligent eyes asking for a pat on the head, which he always got, but as soon as he heard the beaters heading our way he was immediately alert and watching the sky for the birds.

Photo by SportDog Brand ©

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Innovation is our aim, technology is our ally We put the state-of-the-art technology in the hands of our professional craftsmen, who are constantly working to develop and to launch new products that meet the customer needs.

We combine experience and tradition with the latest technology and innovation.

• Gerber - Legendary Blades

74 iconic weapons 78 falconry

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600 NE • 577 NE • 500 NE • 470 NE 450 3”1/4 • 450/400 NE • 375 HH 8x57JRS • 9,3x74R • 444 Marlin 7x65R • 30R Blaser...

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For further information please contact Verney-carron at +33 477 7915 00 by phone or email to export@verney-carron.com

this month

gunmaker legacies

exclusive interview

hunting in luxury

Interview with

Abdullah Al-Rashidi Champion shot & passionate hunter

As Kuwait's greatest shooter, Abdullah Al-Rashidi needs no introduction, but as a hunter he is perhaps a little less well-known.

It is no great leap to imagine Abdullah hunting with guns, but to learn that he also hunts with falcons adds another unexpected dimension to the man. I learned more when I caught up with him during a morning's training at Kuwait's Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Shooting Range.

Your success on the shooting range is well known. As a skeet shooter you’ve been a champion many times, but I think you started out in the desert as a hunter?

Abdullah Al-Rashidi: That’s right. I first went to the desert to hunt with my father at the age of twelve. It was the end of the 1970s, and at this time there were no shooting ranges in Kuwait. Anyone that wanted to shoot would go to the desert, and lots of us did.

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It was a tradition, part of the Kuwaiti way of life.

h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

Sure. And at that time the desert was full of animals - lots of rabbits - and birds, but they aren’t there like that anymore. The desert got over-hunted. Any man with enough money bought a gun and went shooting animals, not for food, not for sport, but just because he was bored. This is not right.

When you hunt you bring the meat home, you hunt for food as well as for sport?

I do. It’s been a long tradition in my family. I come from a long-line of hunters. Before my father there was also his father, and his father as well. In fact he - my great-grandfather - was renowned for being the best shot with a gun.

The desert was a very different place then, and was very violent at times. People not only hunted but sometimes had to fight in order to survive. On one occasion people came to try to steal their animals - my father rode out on his horse and killed each of the eight attackers with a shot to their heart. I tell this story not because I am proud he killed eight men - but because of the skill with which he did it.

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The Holland& Holland

Fine Italian

Range Rover

by Overfinch

Shotguns From 1948 Fausti has manufactured over and under and side-by-side hunting and competition guns with great care and passion, and an admirable expression of the traditional manual skills combined with the more modern technologies of today.

The Fausti's over and under and side-by-side are shotguns designed to meet the specific needs of very demanding hunters and shooters but, at the same time, they are real collectors' pieces whose technical and aesthetic features represent a milestone in time. The company, founded by Cavalier Stefano Fausti, is now run by his three daughters: Elena, Giovanna and Barbara.

Holland & Holland’s factory on the Harrow Road was purpose built for them over a hundred years ago and is home to a quality of time-honoured craftsmanship virtually unique in the twenty first century. Skills are often handed down from father to son but, despite that, it still takes five years of training to become a Holland & Holland craftsman.

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Holland & Holland are bespoke sporting gun and rifle makers, founded in London in 1835

by Harris Holland, who was later joined by his nephew Henry to create the eponymous brand. They are the most famous gun makers in the world, being the first choice of virtually every royal family and are holders of royal warrants from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and HRH the Prince of Wales.

Holland & Holland have gun rooms in London, New York and Moscow, where their everexpanding range of country lifestyle clothing and accessories are available and orders are taken for their bespoke range of guns. The Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds on the outskirts of London have offered instruction and corporate entertainment to blue chip clients and private individuals up to and including the young royals for nearly 130 years. Since 1989, Holland & Holland have been owned by the family that owns Chanel.

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Passions of a professional 108 hunter 82 exclusive interview

118 cartridge legacies

• Juan Mari Esain • Abdullah Al-Rashidi

122 gunmaker legacies

92 hunting season

• Hunting in Eastern Europe • Hunting in Argentina • Bavaria - A Hunter’s Wonderland

102 big game hunting

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• Cape Buffalo Hunt in Africa

• Browning - Exquisite Passion • Fausti - Fine Italian Shotguns

134 hunting in luxury 140 outdoor adventure 146 hunter's lounge

108 hunting experience

150 cook your hunt

152 directory

h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

• Kroonstad Safari • H&S Travel - Hunters' Testimonials

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BOSS Selection

ftc@ftc.com.lb

news hunt

Piaget Polo’s Cup Winning Wizard

PIAGET’S AMBASSADOR TO THE WORLD OF POLO, SUPERSTAR SPORTSMAN

MARCOS HEGUY,

IS SUCH A MASTER OF THE GAME THAT HIS NICKNAME IN HIS NATIVE ARGENTINA IS EL MAGO - THE WIZARD. Marcos, 42, comes from Argentina’s most famous polo dynasty, a family that has produced more 10-goal players than any other. Under polo’s handicap system, 10 goals is the maximum rating and there are usually less than a dozen players in the world so ranked in any one year. He was first awarded his 10-goal rating in 1987.

During his long career playing at home and abroad he has won most of the most important tournaments at the top end of the sport. His victories at home include six Argentine Opens, five Hurlingham Opens and three Tortugas Opens. In the US he has won two US Opens and three US Polo Association Gold Cups (a tournament now sponsored

by Piaget). Wins in England have included a British Open, two Queen’s Cups and three Warwickshire Cups and Prince of Wales Trophies. In France he won the Deauville Gold Cup twice.

In addition to his role as Piaget polo ambassador, Marcos is captain of the PilaráPiaget team in Argentina’s famous Triple Crown series. He also supervises the new Pilará-Piaget Polo School, a training centre that opened in October 2009 to give

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h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

instruction and coaching to a new generation of players. Argentina is the world’s leading polo-playing nation and each year its Triple Crown sees the highest-rated polo teams on the planet do battle in the country’s three top tournaments. The series, which runs from September to December, reaches its climax in the national polo stadium at Palermo in the heart of Buenos Aires in front of some 15,000 spectators.

Only the six best Argentine teams, rated at up to the sport’s maximum of 40-goal handicap, are allowed into all the Triple Crown tournaments: the Tortugas Open at Torgugas Country Club, the Hurlingham Open at the Hurlingham Club, and the Argentine Open Championship, the abierto, at Palermo.

For the second season, Piaget, whose involvement with polo dates back 30 years, is sponsoring one of those six top teams: Pilará-Piaget. To field the team Piaget has partnered with Pilará Polo Club, part of a luxury residential and sports complex that also includes a tennis club with Argentina’s national tennis academy and a golf club with courses designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Joining captain Marcos Heguy on the

squad is Agustin Merlos, another 10-goal star; Agustin’s brother Sebastian, a former 10-goal player now rated at 9; and Santiago Chavanne, handicap 8. Together they form a powerhouse 37-goal team that sports pundits say could well win one or more of the Triple Crown contests this year. To celebrate its involvement at the pinnacle of the sport, earlier this year Piaget launched new models of its famous Piaget Polo wristwatch, a range first created in 1979.

The sporty Piaget Polo FortyFive is the firm’s first Polo watch with a case made of titanium rather than gold or platinum. The backs of the cases are crystal giving a view of the movements. The chronograph version has a self-winding calibre 880P movement with a 50-hour power reserve. The automatic version has an 800P calibre movement.

With its name emblazoned across PilaráPiaget team shirts in the world’s highest-rated polo series, the new polo school at Pilará, and sponsorship of the Piaget Gold Cup in the US, Piaget is now even more firmly established as one of the most prominent corporate supporters of the sport of polo, the world’s oldest and fastest team game.

Officine Panerai

Opens a boutique in Beirut

MILAN - Officine Panerai continues the expansion and qualification of its distribution network with the opening of the new mono-brand boutique in Beirut, Lebanon, thus consolidating its presence in one of the world’s most prestigious shopping locations.

The new Officine Panerai boutique is opened in partnership with Wadih Mrad, for over 75 years one of the most important Lebanese companies in the watch and jewellery market and already the exclusive distributor of Panerai watches in Lebanon.

Situated on a promontory on the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by mountains, Beirut has for 5,000 years been a strategic trade crossroads between East and West, and is currently undergoing extensive redevelopment aimed at renewing the city’s cosmopolitan outlook. The new Panerai boutique is located in the Beirut Souks, the

prestigious commercial district that houses many of the major international luxury brands in a context reproducing the atmosphere and architecture of traditional middle-eastern “souks”. The Beirut Souks is situated in the very heart of the city, the Beirut Central District, also known as Solidere, an area of more than 100 thousand square metres - 60 thousand of which form a pedestrian precinct - were state-of-the-art facilities and services stand alongside important ancient landmarks.

The design of the new boutique, which will have a floor space of around 50 square metres, is that typical of Officine Panerai boutiques, where shapes, colours and materials contribute to recreating a simple environment that takes inspiration from the sea, the element that more than any other characterizes the distinctive identity of Panerai watches. From the historical supply of highly

specialised, precision instruments to the Italian Navy, up to the current sponsorship of the vintage boats regatta circuit Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the sea has always played a leading role in the Florentine company’s history, and the boutiques evoke this link through teak wood and steel, porthole-shaped windows and sinuous fittings recalling ocean waves and the shapes of the most elegant yachts.

The Officine Panerai boutique in Beirut is the first in the middle-eastern Mediterranean area and the sixteenth in the world following those in Florence and Portofino, Madrid and Geneva, Dubai and Doha, Riyadh, Los Angeles and New York, Buenos Aires, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Address: Beirut Souks, Weygand Street, Beirut. Phone: +9611-999939 / 45

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news hunt

Sportwaffen

COMPACT-MODELS OF OUR AIR PISTOLS

LP 50 (E) / LP 10 (E) The Compact-models of the LP 10 (E) and the LP 50 (E) are now - due to the increasing demand - available without any extra charge. The shorter sighting line (by 50 mm) and the lower weight compared to the standard models allow young and old shooters an effective practise and show a more stable sight picture.

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Left-hand cocking system for all LG 110 rifles From now on all models of the STEYR LG 110 range are also available with a left-hand cocking system! Bench rest shooters and all shooters using stands can take advantage of this system.

LG 110 Bench Rest New from September 2010 An elongated housing with a special, longer compressed air cylinder (at least 500 shots per filling) and an also elongated cheek piece, in addition to that a new rear sight extension and a revised fore arm - all that is convenient and offers all imaginable advantages a bench rest air rifle could possibly have.

LG 110 Running Target STEYR now offers a special air rifle for the dynamic discipline “Running Target�. With its side cocking system and the elongated barrel housing plus some additional weights, this air rifle meets all the requests of running-target-shooters.

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Aimpoint Introduces the Hunter Series Sights

Newly designed products allow hunters to get on target faster Malmö, Sweden, March 11, 2010 - The Aimpoint ® , the originator and worldwide leader in electronic red dot sighting technology, has announced the launch of an all-new line of premium red-dot optics specifically designed for use on hunting rifles and shotguns. These new products, known as the Aimpoint ® Hunter Series, make it possible for hunters to acquire their target faster and to make difficult shots in any weather or light conditions. Aimpoint engineers started with a blank page when they designed the new Aimpoint ® Hunter Series sights, and they came up with an exciting new product!

This new line of non-magnified sights incorporates everything that end users have come to expect from Aimpoint, including legendary ruggedness and battery life measured in years. The Hunter Series also includes many additional features never before offered before by Aimpoint; enhanced optical performance provided by a 30 mm or 34 mm tube, a newly designed front-mounted adjustment system that helps get shooters on target even faster than before, and a silently operated digital push button intensity adjustment touch pad. Just one look tells you that this is the most advanced hunting sight that Aimpoint has ever built, and the sleek, modern design will complement any firearm. › h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

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news hunt

H30S

H34L

The Aimpoint ® H30L is a full length sight ideal for use on centre fire rifles with standard or magnum actions. The shorter version, the Aimpoint® H30S, is designed for use on standard action rifles and hunting shotguns. Both versions can be mounted using two 30 mm sight rings, and both sights utilize a premium, multi coated anti-reflex lens in their 35 mm objective. They operate for up to 50,000 hours (over 5 years) of constant operation from a single CR- 2032 battery The Aimpoint ® H34L is also a full length sight ideal for use on centre fire rifles with standard or magnum actions. The shorter version, the The Aimpoint ® H34S, is designed for use on standard action rifles and hunting shotguns. Both versions are mounted using two 34 mm sight rings and both sights utilize a premium, multi coated anti-reflex lens in their 39 mm objective. They operate for up to 50,000 hours (over 5 years) of constant operation from a single CR-2032 battery.

Accuracy in any light or weather conditions is provided by a parallax-free lens system with a 2 MOA dot. These sights are fully waterproof, and extremely fast on target.

“The new Hunter Series shows that Aimpoint means business when it comes to hunting” said Lennart Ljungfelt, President of Aimpoint AB. “This is a completely new product,

H34S

designed with input from serious hunters across the globe. We are very proud to offer hunters an alternative to magnified optics using the absolute latest developments in electrooptical science. The results are pretty spectacular - try one to see just how fast and accurately you can shoot without magnification.”

For more information on Aimpoint and Aimpoint products, visit the company’s website at: www.aimpoint.com or contact: Sabine Eriksson, Phone: + 46 40 671 50 20, sabine.eriksson@aimpoint.com

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news hunt

In a Class All Its Own:

Leupold’s New Vendetta™ ®

Bow-Mounted Rangefinder

possible. With Vendetta, there is no need for the additional movement and time required when putting down a handheld rangefinder and picking up your bow. Bow hunters know that even the slightest movement can mean the difference between success and months of wasted scouting.”

With a maximum range of 70 yards, Vendetta also features one-touch scan mode so the hunter can effortlessly range an animal as it approaches. The large LED display has a red filter that makes it easy to see distance readings in various light conditions. Minimum range is 10 yards. An auto power off function shuts the rangefinder down when not in use for the specified period of time, helping to prolong battery life. The CR2 lithium battery can provide thousands of reliable readings for lengthy hunting seasons.

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Leupold® has established a product class of its own within the archery market with the introduction of Vendetta™, an advanced bow-mounted rangefinder that offers hunters the ultimate combination of field stealth and precise distance measurement.

“Vendetta is the most significant innovation in bow hunting since the compound bow,”

By simply squeezing Vendetta’s pressure pad on the bow’s grip, the hunter can range a target with the bow at full draw, minimizing game-spooking movement. Leupold’s True Ballistic Range® feature automatically calculates the shot angle and provides the incline-adjusted distance to the target, rather than the straight-line distance.

commented Andy York, Leupold’s vice president of sales and marketing - and an avid bow hunter. “Vendetta is a one-of-a-kind, easy-to-use rangefinder that helps tip the odds in the favor of bow hunters by allowing them to determine the exact distance to the target and make a more confident, more lethal shot with the least amount of movement

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Compact and light, Vendetta weighs just over nine ounces (including battery and mounting hardware), and measures 2.8 inches long, 2.3 inches high and 1.3 inches wide. A tough black polycarbonate body ensures the rangefinder can withstand rugged use in the field. A multicoated lens system provides additional scratch resistance. Vendetta is weatherproof and covered by the Leupold Electronics One-Year Warranty. A built-in visible laser simplifies the process of aligning the rangefinder to the bow’s sights. Vendetta is designed for easy installation on both right- and left-handed bows, regardless of sight preference. It comes with an aluminum bracket mounting system that is compatible with any modern compound bow. The system allows adjustment of the rangefinder, up or down, or side to side. A ball joint in the mount helps to zero in the laser.

For more information, visit a local dealer, go to www.leupold.com or call 1-800-LEUPOLD. Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the most prominent American-owned and -operated optics company, employs more than 600 people in its state-of-the-art facility near Beaverton, Ore. Leupold is a fifth-generation, family-owned company whose products are sold worldwide to hunters, wildlife observers, competitive shooters, law enforcement officers and special operations military personnel. The product line includes rifle, handgun and spotting scopes; binoculars; rangefinders; flashlights; mounting systems; and optical tools and accessories.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a Charter Supporter of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., P.O. Box 688, Beaverton, OR 97075-0688, U.S.A. Phone: (800) LEUPOLD or (503) 526-1400 Fax: (503) 352-7621

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news hunt

Armatix Intelligent Gun Safety

• LOCKING ELEMENT The locking element is inserted into the barrel or cartridge chamber using the control unit. It can only be taken out again by entering a PIN code or by personal fingerprint with our biometric control unit.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS PREVENT GUN MISUSE. Users of guns will understand the responsibility associated with owning a gun. Safe, responsible handling in compliance with the law is the top priority. Conventional safety solutions, however, are often inadequate. Accidents and tragic incidents occur over and over again with fatal consequences. Ever since Armatix was founded, the company has focused on the development and market introduction of highly innovative gun safety technology. Today, guns can be rendered safe within seconds to ensure that they will not be misused.

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THE ONLY RELIABLE OPTION FOR PREVENTING MISUSE: SECURING THE WEAPON ITSELF. With a mechatronic weapon lock, you can lock your gun in seconds flat. All you need to do is insert a locking device in the muzzle on a hand gun or the cartridge chamber on a long gun and lock it.

Releasing the lock requires authentication via personal PIN code or biometric fingerprint, which gives you access as the sole authorized user. Armatix is the specialist for patented, retrofit-friendly locking devices for all current handgun and long gun types: incredibly easy to use, with the highest level of protection against misuse.

Police weapons

Locking Element

Military weapons Hunting weapons Sports weapons

Control Unit

THE PERFECT SAFETY APPLICATION. Our locking elements are inserted into the barrel or the cartridge chamber of a weapon and locked to prevent misuse. There is a wide range of calibers to suit both handguns and long guns.

SAFE AND EASY TO USE. Simply insert a locking element in the muzzle on a handgun or the cartridge chamber on a long gun and lock it. The weapon is now secured against misuse. The locking element is available in a wide range of calibres.

INHERITED GUN LOCKING SYSTEM. Our Armatix Trustlock System offers an innovative, universally applicable solution for locking inherited guns, and is approved under the German Firearms Law by the National Metrology Institute (PTB). The system has several components: the locking element, the control unit, and the new Trustlock Center.

This controls the unlocking code, making it available for access by the authorized user.

In addition, it also logs the access procedure.

The Trustlock Center uses a server-based IT infrastructure. ›

HANDGUN 9mm Para

45 ACP

40 S&W

38/357

44 Rem. Mag.

LONG GUN 223 Rem.

6,5 x 57

9,3 x 74 R

5,6 x 50 Magnum

6,5 x 57 R

7,5 x 55 Suisse

5,6 x 50 R Magnum

8 x 57 I(R)

6,5 x 68

5,6 x 52 R

8 x 57 IRS

8 x 68 S

9,3 x 72 R

7 x 64

9,3 x 64 Brennecke

6,5 x 54 Mannl. Sch.

7 x 65 R

7mm Rem. Mag.

6,5 x 55 SE

270 Win.

300 Win. Mag.

8 x 60 (S)

280 Rem.

270 WSM

7 x 57

30-06 Spring.

300 WSM

7 x 57 R

30 R Blaser

404 Rimless

5,6 x 57

243 Win.

Cal. 20 Gauge

6,5 x 65 RWS

308 Win.

Cal. 16 Gauge

6,5 x 65 R RWS

9,3 x 62

Cal. 12 Gauge

8 x 57 IS

375 H&H Magnum

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SEPARATE LOCATION LOCKER (Top) Whether in the domestic or public sphere, at the shooting range or in the gun room - we have a tailored solution for you.

TABLE LOCATION (Right) With Armatix Baselock, not only is the weapon protected against un authori - zed removal, but the magazine, as well.

STATIC WEAPON SAFETY AT ALL TIMES. Armatix Baselock is a static weapon locking device for all popular handguns. The modular system is secured in a holder, and can be used on a table, wall or other separate location as required. The individual modules are set in a row, but each weapon is locked individually, and can only be removed using the PIN code. There is also the option of removal via fingerprint or transponder technology.

Armatix Baselock is a adequate alternative for a Gun Safe - the "Mobile-Safe".

A SYSTEM THAT MEETS YOUR EVERY NEED. The Armatix team of experts develops patented, retrofitfriendly locking devices for all handgun types (police, military, sports and hunting weapons): incredibly easy to use, with the highest level of protection against misuse.

This is particularly useful in cases where it is not possible to secure a weapon in a gun safe - for transport, while traveling and for temporary storage.

BEST CONNECTIONS. The Armatix SmartGun weapon is a pistol with integrated locking electronics and

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actuators that make it possible to activate and deactivate the weapon safely and reliably.

The weapon connects up to the radio wrist watch via the locking electronics, launching an authentication procedure. The weapon is automatically activated within a predefined distance. The weapon cannot be activated from the out - side by any other means.

children and young people - and only allow authorized persons to use the respective guns.

Patented Armatix technology delivers highly innovative solutions.

FROM NOW ON, THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT. With the Armatrix SmartGun concept, access to and use of a gun is only possible for the person duly authorized. This new concept revolutionizes the field of guns handling safety in an incredible way. Should a weapon be snatched, stolen or lost while in use, it is automatically deactivated and rendered unusable.

YOUR SAFETY IS OUR MISSION. Increasing numbers of people are falling victim to the misuse of guns. To combat this, Armatix GmbH was founded in 2004 as a specialist producer of digital gun safety systems. Our highly motivated, innovative team of experts develops intelligent systems which prevent the misuse of guns - e.g. by

RADIO WRIST WATCH To activate the wrist watch, the author ized person’s fingerprint must first be read by the wrist watch.

news hunt

Benelli Vinci Let the revolution begin

Simply Efficient Simply Perfect Join the Benelli Revolution! Brace yourself for a shotgun like you’ve never seen before! The new Benelli Vinci places the shotgun revolution in your hands.

Introducing the new Benelli Vinci. The most reliable, fastest shooting, softest kicking, lightweight shotgun in the world has arrived. Every few generations an innovative design raises the standard for firearms technology. Driven by a passion for efficiency and simplicity, Benelli engineers have advanced the cutting edge of firearms technology. Now Benelli brings you the revolutionary new Vinci -a simple, efficient, graceful three-inch, 12-gauge shotgun.

The name Vinci honors the great Italian Renaissance artist, thinker and inventor, Leonardo Da Vinci, a man who pushed the intellectual and technological boundaries of his world. The superbly balanced Vinci embodies a new and different way of looking at shotgun design. A revolutionary new In-Line Inertia Driven® operating system beats all other semi-automatic shotguns with superior reliability and lightningfast performance. It’s the simplest semi-automatic shotgun operating system ever devised. Advanced ergonomics assure fluid gun-movement and combined with the ComforTech™ Plus recoil reduction system Benelli offers the world’s softest kicking shotgun. In recent lab test results, the competition was shown to have up to 72-percent more felt recoil than the Vinci. Once again, Benelli leaves the competition in the dust! ›

news hunt

Black synthetic 12-ga, 2¾" and 3"

Advantage® MAX-4™ 12-ga, 2¾" and 3"

Crio® Chokes

3-Piece Modular System Driven®

The Barrel/Receiver Module houses the In-Line Inertia action completely within the Vinci’s 8.5-inch upper receiver. The entire operating system, including the short bolt and return spring, functions on the same axis as the bore. The Vinci design provides the balance and swing of a fine over-and-under shotgun by keeping the weight at the center of the gun where it is supposed to be-between the shooter’s hands.

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Are the second part of the Benelli Crio® System. Extra-long choke tubes, with a more gradual constriction, coupled with the slick surface created by the cryogenic treatment, puts more pellets on target. The Benelli Crio® System improves patterns by as much as 13.2% and yields denser, more uniform shot patterns.

EXPERIENCE UN PARALLELED, PRACTICAL SPEED PERFORMANCE! The real performance timeline of “speed” involves more than just the rapid cycling of an action. It must also take into account factors like:

• quickness of mount • immediate target acquisition • short crisp trigger pull • instant recoil recovery • rapid follow-up shot • and ultra reliability!

The Vinci’s In-Line Inertia Driven® system cycles shells faster than ever. But, to take advantage of this speed, it was necessary to reduce recoil and minimize muzzle climb. To accomplish this Benelli developed the ComfortTech™ Plus system, which decreases muzzle climb by 14 to 42-percent and quickens recovery time to let you get back on target 40 to 68-percent faster than the competition. Without adding weight, ComforTech™ Plus also allows the Vinci to retain superior balance when shouldering and firing the gun. You’ll be busting the second clay or knocking down that next bird while your shooting partner is still recovering from his first shot. The practical “speed” shooters seek becomes a matter of how fast you can shoulder the gun... acquire the target... shoot... and recover from recoil to prepare for the next shot. This is the real timeline of performance speed where the Vinci has no equal.

In-Line Inertia Driven® System

In-Line Inertia Bolt

Beveled Magazine Loading Port

Benelli’s In-Line Inertia Driven® System is the strongest, cleanest and most reliable operating system ever designed. The In-Line Inertia Driven® System action is powered by a single spring, making it incredibly simple, rugged and efficient.

Benelli engineers have developed a simplified, straight-line, bolt-return system. This innovative design means reduced movement during recoil, resulting in less muzzle climb for quicker follow-up shots.

Rounds can be loaded quickly into the selfcontained magazine tube through the newly designed beveled magazine loading port. Just depress the carrier and slide the shells into the magazine, guided by an oversized sculpting recess.

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air guns

Gamo

Precision Airguns

In the course of over 40 years in the sector as manufacturers of rifles, pistols and pellets, we have won international recognition for the quality and performance of our products.

This has enabled us to become the officially approved supplier to some of the most prestigious customers in the world. Today, GAMO is the largest airgun manufacturer in Europe. The enlargement of our main factory and of our new installations give us capacity to respond to our customers’ needs. We have at our disposal our own well-tested and advanced production systems that combine craftsmanship and the latest technology.

One of the reasons for our success is that we produce and inspect each of our components, from the natural treatment of all wooden parts to the high-precision boring of the barrels. Strict quality control procedures are followed to ensure the best possible product reaches you. Every 1½ hours, each gun undergoes a thorough check. Random guns are put through our torture tests (shooting them 10,000 times). Before final packaging, every airgun is closely re-inspected. We know for certain that the product will meet the

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h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

technological specification and it will function perfectly.

Furthermore, GAMO is a world leader in the production of top quality, accurate airgun ammunition. An airgun is only as good as the pellets it shoots and that is why for decades, GAMO has used the most updated methods to produce the best pellets money can buy.

In November 2007, the private equity group MCH invested in Industrias El Gamo in order to consolidate the brand leadership and also to boost its expansion plans. Shooters in over 80 countries all over the world use our rifles and pistols. They know that the technology that goes into GAMO is innovative and current, whilst the product is a timeless classic.

Leading Innovation The GAMO success is not only based on product excellence, as leaders we want to innovate and set a precedent with every product we manufacture. The GAMO innovation Centre has become one of our core strengths and has cemented the position of GAMO as pioneers.

Gamo Environment We are keenly aware of the importance or protecting our environment. This is why GAMO staff always considers the environmental impact of the manufacturing processes that we employ. We take measures in order to minimize the environmental impact.

Our passion is to be long-term partners to our customers delivering them the finest product, the latest technology, and the best service We listen to our customers, we understand their needs. Meeting their expectations become a challenge, their satisfaction and loyalty are our reward. All our employees are confident that GAMO's first interest is our clients' interest.

We are a company of peers who respect and support each other Our individual success is in our collective success. We respect our employees as individuals who contribute to the company, their profession, their family and the community.

Change is welcome We strive to become a change capable organization, since there can be no improvement without change.

Innovation is our aim, technology is our ally We put the state-of-the-art technology in the hands of our professional craftsmen, who are constantly working to develop and to launch new products that meet the customer needs.

We combine experience and tradition with the latest technology and innovation.

Safety and Quality are assured GAMO's good name and prestigious products depend on the behavior of each individual in the organization. Everything is tested at every stage before reaching the customer.

Our highly specialized craftsmen track each part as if each rifle or pistol was intended for their own use; no detail escapes their scrutiny; quality, power, accuracy and finish are guaranteed. ›

Socom Tactical The Socom Tactical Air Rifle- Intergrated laser, light and sound dampening system

Socom 1000 GAMO presents the new SOCOM 1000, an air rifle made to feel the precision on your hand with the advantage of its tactical design and synthetic barrel with adjustable chick piece.

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air guns

Shadow CSI With an exciting tactical design, the Shadow CSI has become a pioneer with its new barrel and synthetic black stock.

Shadow 640 Synthetic stock and rubber checkering. The Shadow 640 is the best combination for the intermmediate level shooters.

Shadow CSI Camo Camouflage colour air rifle. Exclusivity and nature with the new CSI CAMO.

Shadow 1000 The Shadow 1000 now also available in 6.35 (.25). The Shadow 640 is the best combination for the intermmediate level shooters.

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h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

Whisper X Gamo is setting a new trend, the new Whisper X has a spectacular tactical design coupled with excellent quality.

Extreme CO2 "Full Power Action Shooting" The Gamo Extreme CO2 is the new way of feeling the CO2: innovation, power and action in an exclusive rifle able to shoot 10 pellets in rapid time, thanks to the long life CO2 cylinder.

Maxima One of the most refined Gamo air rifles with beechwood stock. The Maxima is very refined air rifle, with beechwood stock and golden trigger.

Delta Fox The Delta Fox has one of the most attractive tactical design from Gamo.

This air rifles are the best ones for young shooters and offer a high performance.

OFEICH - VICTORY LAND Hunting & Sporting Goods

Diwan Alsayad, Jounieh Highway, Lebanon (t): +961 9 646 535 (m): +961 3 646 535 (f): +961 4 405 044 (w): www.ofeich.com (e): ofeichkarim@yahoo.com

h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

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clay shooting

Clay Pigeon

Shooting

The sport of clay shooting can be a means to an end or an end in itself. There are people who shoot clays purely as an individual sport or a game shooter will use it to keep his eye in during the close season. Whatever prompts you to take up clay pigeon shooting there is no doubt that once you start you will be addicted.

The term Clay Pigeon Shooting came about due to the fact that in the middle of the 19th

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century people used to shoot live pigeons that were bred for the purpose and were covered with an old hat that had a length of string attached to it and at the given moment the shooter would call pull and a person would pull the hat away and the pigeon would fly off to be shot, or missed, by the shooter. Live pigeon shooting continued in the Principality of Monaco until the 1950s and it is believed that princess Grace was instrumental in the banning of the sport.

In Britain it was banned in 1921 by the influence of the then Queen Alexandra. Prior to the banning of live pigeon shooting the sport of shooting at inanimate moving objects was quite popular and around 1870 glass orbs were thrown from purpose made machines and shot at in a similar manner as clay targets are shot today. The glass orbs were not the best of targets, irrespective of their delicacy making quite a display when hit and especially when filled with feathers as some were. The

shape was not particularly good at maintaining flight as it lost its momentum very quickly and it was said to be a an American by the name of Ligowski that in 1880 made the first clay target as we know it today.

Clay shooting has come a long way since those early days with thousands of clubs around the world and international rules and guide lines being introduces and of course we have clay shooting as an Olympic sport. Clay shooting has a number of disciplines and all have specific and ridged rules as to how the target will be presented and how they will be shot, as well as the conduct of the shooter.

The disciplines are as follows.

1. Skeet. Both English and International variations.

2. Down the Line.

3. Olympic Trap or Trench.

4. Double Trap.

5. Automatic Ball Trap.

6. Universal Trench.

7. Sporting Clays 8. ZZ or Helanic.

9. Practical Shotgunning.

In Olympic disciplines it was the Olympic Trap, or Trench as it was initially called, that was introduced as an Olympic sport in the mid 1950’s, followed by Olympic Skeet in 1968, then by Double Trap in 1996. What we will do in this magazine is to focus on a specific discipline each issue and initially it would seem appropriate that we look first at the three Olympic disciplines.

OLYMPIC TRAP This is arguable the most difficult of all clay shooting disciplines and is shot from five stand positions in a horizontal line and inside the trench, which is located at a distance of 15meters from the stands, are fifteen fixed traps set in five groups of three, each set to

throw a target at specific trajectories in a computer programmed sequence that ensures each shooter is shown the identical target but in an unpredictable random order. The trap is voice activated and the clay target is automatically released from the trap by the shooter calling, “Pull”. The target is very fast and can travel up to 76 meters from the trap at varying heights and within a horizontal angle of 45 degrees either side of the centerline of the layout.

Each round consists of six shooters, five on the stands and the sixth standing behind the first shooter. Number one gun has ten seconds to call for his first target and after him number two gun takes his shot and so on until all the guns on the stands have shot, then every gun moves one stand to the right with the sixth shooter coming on to number one stand and the fifth gun walking to the end of the line to stand behind number one gun. This continues until all guns have shot from all the stands. The gun may be loaded on the stand but kept open until it is that shooters turn to fire.

No gun can be loaded, whether open or closed, whilst moving from stand to stand. The trap gun will almost always be a 12 gauge over and under type as semi autos take longer to unload if the second cartridge is not fired. Because the targets are fast going away clays, the rib of the gun tends to be higher than, say a skeet gun or sporter. This makes the shooter hold the gun slightly lower than for other disciplines allowing him to see the target more clearly and automatically compensate for the drop that will inevitably occur as the target progresses rather than having to make a conscious effort.

Chokes for Trap guns tend to be on the tight side as the target is going away all the time and therefore a tight pattern is initially is what

is required. The first barrel might be, ¾ choke (imp mod) and the second full choke.

Cartridges are specified by international standards and have to be 24 gram (7/8th of an ounce).

DOUBLE TRAP Double Trap is shot from the same layout as Olympic Trap, but in Double Trap the shooter has to break two targets which are delivered simultaneously from traps 7, 8 and 9 of the Olympic Trap layout but at different trajectories and from any two of the three traps. The center trap delivers the target directly ahead whilst the left hand trap throws the target to the right hand side and the right hand trap throws the target to the left hand side, up to 5 degrees from the center line at a height of three to three and a half meters high at a distance of 10 meters from the trap.

The targets travel fifty five meters at a speed of roughly 80 kph. A built in delay of 1 second between the call of the clay and the release and the fact that the traps are positioned 1 meter apart as well as the stations being in a straight line with only the three middle stations being directly behind the traps makes this form of trap shooting particularly difficult.

The same basic procedure of shooting is followed as Olympic Trap with six shooters each moving one stand to the right after a round. As with all trap disciplines it is very useful to watch the targets of the other shooters to establish in your minds eye where they will appear.

The sport is fast and one does not have a whole lot of time to adjust your aim. Hold the gun where you expect to break the target then move your eyes to just on the top of the trench where you expect to first see the target. This way your eyes will be on the ›

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clay shooting

clay and the muzzle of the gun will be just where you expect to break it. Double trap is a difficult discipline which, as with Olympic Trap, calls for much focus and concentration and it is important to get into a routine where you shoot the first target quickly, and almost instinctively, as the second target will already be on its way. Any delay in breaking the first clay will make the second shot that much more difficult. Total concentration and focus on the line of the targets is imperative. Either target can be broken by either the first or the second barrel. One can hold the gun in whatever position one chooses but it is most popular to mount it in the shoulder prior to calling for the target as this give the shooter more time to focus on the fast going away clay.

SKEET The word Skeet is an interpretation of the Scandinavian word skjuta, which, in English, translates as, shoot, and was first introduced in the 1920s as an alternative to shooting captured live pigeons, which is why the term clay pigeon is used for the disc target.

There are various versions of Skeet but the Olympic version is the more difficult as the gun has to be mounted at just above waste height, not in the shoulder and the targets are faster and a variable delay of up to 3 seconds is given between the calling for the bird and when it is presented.

A round of Skeet consists, as normal in clay shooting, of 25 targets thrown from two apposing trap houses and the shooting stands are positioned in a 19 meter semi-circle with the trap houses at each end. There are seven stands equidistance around the semi circle and one on the center line of the traps positioned half way between them. To ensure a consistent flight path of the targets the settings of the traps are critical and take a little while to set up. The left hand trap is sited ten feet above the ground, this is known as the high house, and the right hand trap is positioned three feet from the ground and is called, naturally, the low house. The targets are then thrown at a height of 15 feet and 18 feet outside the center line of the two stands.

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On Stand 1 and 2 the shooter shoots a single high target and a low target then a simultaneous pair taking the high bird first.

On stands 3, 4 and 5, the shooter takes single targets from the high house and low house respectively. On stand 6 and 7 he shoots as stands 1 and 2 but takes the low bird first then the high bird. On stand 8, in the center of the layout, the shooter takes a high bird first, then turns to face the low house and shoots a low bird. If he has broken all the targets up to this point he will have taken 24 targets. With his last cartridge he must then shoot the stand 8 low bird a second time. If he breaks this bird he has achieved a clear round. The first target missed during the round must be shot at again meaning he cannot get a clear round and can only obtain a score of 24. Any subsequent target missed reduces his score accordingly. 23, 22, etc.

There are other forms of skeet, namely English and American those are shot from the same layout but the sequence that the targets are shown are slightly different.

For serious skeet shooters a purpose made skeet gun is used, this is shorter barreled than say a sporter or trap gun, usually 28 or even 26 inches to make the gun more movable to cope with the fast pace of the targets and the swing required to follow the birds. The chokes are usually more open as the targets are broken at closer range than trap or sporting

targets. The normal combination for an over and under skeet gun would be to have one barrel with no constriction and the second with a skeet choke with just 002� to 006� constriction.

The three Olympic disciplines described above are, by definition, the most difficult of the clay shooting disciplines; after all they are there to test the best in the world. However for the laymen, or club shooters, the sport of clay shooting can be a very relaxing and rewarding pastime. You will find that clay shooters, by and large, are from all walks of life and are extremely helpful to the novis or first time shooter. I have shot with English Olympic Skeet team members at club meets who were more than happy to give advice and talk me through a round and I have shot with teenagers who are shooting for the first time with their parents and all level in between.

What is certain if you have pressures in your life a round of clay target shooting is a fantastic stress reliever because if you have time to think about anything other than the targets it can be the thing that is causing you the stress and when you see that clay target dissolve into a cloud of dust, and you know that you have hit in the center of the shot pattern, you can imagine that it is the thing or person that is causing you the stress. Then you start to feel good. by: Richard Camm

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clay shooting

“Keep an Eye on”

Ray Bassil

“Lebanons Hope to the Olympics”

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“ My Gold Medal is raising Lebanon’s Flag high whether it is the First, Second, or Third step on the podium…”

Ray Bassil, 2008 Every champion writes history through a different story. Our champion comes from a story of commitment, devotion, and patriotism. Ray Bassil was born into a family of Athletes and raised on the true principles of sportsmanship and love of country. Her father, Jack Bassil, is the former Lebanese champion in Volleyball and is considered to be a pillar in this game. In addition to that, he is the former Lebanese champion in shooting and the main incubator for Ray’s entrance to this sport and achievements. On the other side, her mother, Joceline Bassil, is the former member of Lebanon’s Women’s Volleyball team that participated in the World Championship back in the 1980’s.

of the most expensive sports to be practiced and in Ray’s status, professionalizing in it.

Ray has crossed local and regional boundaries to reach international achievements by marking history again, when she won the Bronze Medal of the World Cup in 2007 at the age of 19 setting firm steps towards the ultimate universal goal of every professional athlete in the world… The Olympics.

All this was through private funding and the support of her parents which is considered to be a miracle in the world of shooting, one

The road to glory is paved with tough challenges and our champion has proven herself in the local, regional, and international arena. Today, Ray Bassil is Lebanon’s Hope to the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Lebanon and the Lebanese will be represented by an elite athlete and hopefully our flag will be raised up high as this authentic and unique champion has always lifted our beloved country to the peaks of success.

Once again, Ray Bassil has proven that she is Lebanon’s hope to be represented in the upcoming Summer Olympics in London 2012.

Ray ranked in 7th position in the recent

Ray’s unique talent was discovered by her father at the age of 8 while escorting him through his hunting trips as well as championship competitions. Her passion and devotion grew stronger for the game as she won her first title at the age of 15 by becoming the youngest female Arab Champion in history till present times. In this particular championship, Ray preserved her Number 1 position for THREE consecutive times reigning on top of the Arab world as the youngest champion coming from the smallest Arab country in participation.

“ No matter how long the path might be… I remind myself that zero is the beginning…and every beginning marks a new challenge…the challenge to reach the top…”

Ray Bassil, 2009

World Cup that took place in Lonato - Italy between June 4th and June 11th 2010. Our Lebanese & Arab Champion scored 67/75 targets surpassing world champions from Italy, France, USA, Great Britain, and more.

As the sports of shooting knows NO rest, she is currently preparing for the major and most important event on the calendar of shooting that is the World Championship in Shooting that will be hosted by Germany in Munich.

The 50th World Championship hosts ALL the disciplines and events within the family tree of shooting. It will kick off on the 29th of July till the 13th of August.

Ray has already started training hard for this great event as it represents the doorway and one of the tickets qualifying for the Summer Olympics in London 2012.

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hunting games

Bow Hunting

Photo by Browning Archery © It has been termed the original weapon of mass destruction and during the medieval times it was certainly the most feared military weapon of the age. The bow and arrow, was a formidable weapon against infantry and cavalry alike and a good archer could loose 20 to 30 arrows per minute which is equivalent of a modern day bolt action rifle. It is our intention that each edition of the magazine will include an article on bow shooting. This will include target shooting as well as the different kinds of game shooting as well, including stalking and safari in different locations in the world.

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h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

The origin of the bow and its invention is shrouded in the mist of time but there is definite evidence of it being used in the Stone Age through cave drawings and fossils.

The basic principal of the bow and arrow in the earliest of days was the fact that one could shoot from a safer distance as apposed to throwing spears or rock at the quarry.

When one considers that the quarry would include saber toothed tigers, bears and wooly mammoths, the more distance one could put between you and it the better.

In reality the bow is not the instrument that

kills the pray, of course, it is in fact the arrow, or more precisely the arrow head and this evolved through time from stone and flint heads through bronze and iron heads as man was able to utilize these materials. As well as the heads the bow itself evolved from the basic “stick and string” single piece of wood bent into a crescent by the use of animal gut progressing on to the composite bow which emerged around 1000 BC. These bows use the combination of wood and animal horn glued together with the horn on the inside curve to ensure that the bow returned to its pre-drawn shape with as much power as ›

hunting games

large amounts of arrows in the air at any one time causing havoc to the enemy troops, especially well armored knights who fell foul to the specially made, bodkin arrow head which, as its name implies was in the shape of a large needle. A broadhead would not penetrate the knight’s armor but the relatively thin bodkin point would. The arrow was also affective against the knight’s horses which were huge war horses and used as shock tactics to charge and scatter infantry. However some well placed stakes and a hundred or so archers caused chaos to mounted knights It was not purely in Europe that the bow found fame but it was widely used by the Assyrians and the Egyptians, as well as on battle fields in Asia Minor, Japan, China, and Korea as well as throughout the Mediterranean.

As the bows developed by necessity so did the arrows and the heads were designed for the use that they were intended. As mentioned above the bodkin was designed to penetrate medieval armor but the broad head was used against un-armored infantry with a barbed head to make withdrawal much more of a painful process. The North American Indians, when hunting buffalo, would use large barbed broadheads with the blades set vertically so that they would penetrate the vertical ribcage of the beast whist their war arrows were made with the broadhead set horizontally to penetrate the rib cage of humans. Each head for its specific application.

When target practice was the thing then the head would not be barbed to enable the arrow to be easily pulled from the target. And for shooting birds the head would be blunt so as not to go right through the bird but to kill it by impact or broken bones.

Photo by Browning Archery © possible. Far more power than the bow purely made from wood.

One of the most famous bows of course was the English longbow which came to fame in medieval times and was instrumental in the winning of many battles including the battle of Agincourt made famous by Shakespeare’s play, Henry the Fifth, and Robin Hood. The long bow was made from yew wood because of it

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h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

flexible qualities, but like the composite bow that used wood and animal horn the longbow was in essence laminated from two types of yew wood, the outer profile of the bow was from the outer section of the tree and the inner profile, that which produces the power, was from the heartwood.

The main reason that the longbow was so successful was due to the tactic of putting

Bows and arrows as a viable weapon of war continued for hundreds of years until the advent of gun powder, which brought in the firearm as the principal weapon of war but for sometime the gun and bow were used in unison due to the fact that the first firearms, especially smoothbore and rifled long guns, took a long time to load. A good infantry battalion could boast being able to get off 3 to 4 round a minute where a good archers rate of fire about 8 times that.

Well that gives you a little bit of history of the origin and use of the bow and arrow, but what about the hunting bows of today. Well they have come a long way since those early days with the advent of composite materials and whilst some hunters prefer the traditional weapon most prefer the more easily used modern bow for a number of reasons. First, the modern bow is more accurate and easier to use than, let’s say, the longbow. It takes less effort to draw a modern compound bow with its pulley set up and it is less susceptible to changes in the weather. The prime goal for the modern hunter is to harvest the game in as humane way as possible and therefore the easier the weapon is to handle and shoot the more accurate the final shot is likely to be. The main difference in hunting with the bow as apposed to a firearm is the fact that whilst a rifle hunter, for instance, can make an effective kill at distances in excess of 300 meters the bow hunter has to get much closer to his quarry and would need to be looking at ranges no more than 35 meters and less if it is possible. And there lies the attraction of bow hunting over the rifle. One has to be much stealthier in the stalk and one could argue that more skill is required to hunt with a bow than a rifle. Although both require a high degree of skill in their own right.

Stalking is one way that we could hunt with a bow and probably for me is the most rewarding. Other ways are from a hide or from a tree perch. If shooting from either of these sites then a lure is most likely used in the form of food to attract the quarry. This will depend on the animal but salt for deer, or honey for bear, or one could use artificial calls in the mating season. But like the rifle the bow and arrow have different characteristics and requirements depending on the game one is hunting and the physical capabilities of the person using the bow. Generally speaking game taken by the rifle can be taken by the bow, where the law allows. Many European countries for instance allow bow hunting but in some it is banned. Where it is allowed then the usual hunting bow for medium to large game should have a draw weight of 50 to 70 pounds and an arrow weight of around 700 to 800 grains. The type of head is vital for

an efficient kill and there are many variations that can be used but the type of game being hunted would dictate the type and weight of the arrow and the head, just as the rifle bullet is specific to its quarry. For instance, in the extreme, African big game such as rhinoceros, buffalo, hippopotamus and even elephant are hunted using the bow and to achieve the maximum penetration it is vital that the bow, arrow and especially the arrow head, is matched and capable of inflicting a lethal wound in the shortest possible time. For these big game animals the bow should be suitable for its task. The “Hoyt Dangerous Game Series” would be a good example; these bows are having draw weights of 80 and 90 pounds. The arrow weight should be 1000 grain with a broadhead weight of 270 grain.

The type of point is also important as we are dealing with animals with thick hide and huge rib bones and the arrow has to penetrate deep for maximum effect. Recent tests have shown that out of the 5 or 6 most common broadhead points the two blade Tanto point is the most efficient in terms of penetration and toughness. You might think that a three or four blade broadhead would be more efficient but these have more surface area which reduces penetration and one needs the arrow to penetrate as deeply as possible into the heart and lungs for the cleanest kill.

As with all things in this life, you get what you pay for and if you are bow hunting game of any significant size then one should use the best equipment one can buy, especially the arrow head. It has to be literally razor sharp and strong enough to penetrate tough hide and bone. Do not use practice arrows for hunting, a brand new head each time is what we should be aiming for. If you are vermin hunting for fox or rabbit or small game then the type of head is not as critical, but when you are 25 or 30 meters from a cape buffalo you want to be sure you have brought with you equipment with the best stopping power money can buy; even if your professional hunter is backing you up with a .416 Rigby magnum. One could argue that hunting game of this size with the bow takes more skill than with a rifle. When one is up

close and personal to beasts in the dangerous game category, accuracy and experience are essential tools of the trade. So, best to start small and work up to the big game and get professional advice along the way.

So there you have a brief overview of the bow and arrow and a very brief synopsis of the requirement needed to hunt with this weapon. In our next edition we will take you on a bow hunting safari for Cape Buffalo in South Africa. Don’t miss it as it has all the makings of a very exciting article. by: Richard Camm

h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

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hunting dogs

Hunting

Dogs Weimaraner

Photo by SportDog Brand Š

They say that the dog is a man’s best friend, well I suppose our spouses would contest that, but there is no doubt that when on a hunt he does become indispensable part of the hunt experience. He is also a great companion as well, taking nothing away from our better halves of course.

A hunting dog loves to hunt, probably more so than we do, and the use of dog for hunting, and indeed as war dogs, goes back many centuries and the original reason for domesticating them was to assist our ancestors to hunt and to survive. So they have a significant role in the development of the human race. Hunting dogs are working dogs and as such are bred primarily to work with people to hunt animals and birds and even fish. Each breed has its own characteristics and skills and has its own specialty in terms of the way it hunts. We have Terriers, Hound Dogs, Sight Hounds, Scent Hounds, Setters, Pointers and Retrievers. Many hunting dogs will chase and kill there pray be that a mice or a lion.

Others such as pointers and setters will assist the hunter to find the quarry whilst retrievers will, as its name implies, retrieve the quarry after the hunter has shot it. These latter dogs are called Bird dogs due to there usefulness in helping hunt birds.

As we are unable to discuss all the different types of hunting dogs in this edition we felt that we would ask four hunters and dog owners to give their opinion of there own “Best Friend”, dog wise that is.

My own Weimaraner. Max The Weimaraner were developed as a breed in the 1800’s by the Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar as a specialist hunting dog for the nobility and whilst I am not of the nobility Max was a pretty Nobel animal. He was always ready for the hunt and as soon as he saw me getting my hunting gear together he would not rest until we were in the car on our way.

Max, as with his entire breed, is elegant and athletic looking with a short silver grey colored coat, docked tail and blue gray colored eyes.

Because of there coloring they are sometimes called The Ghost Dogs. I remember when he was a puppy he would eagerly run on the trail of some unknown entity and his legs were so long and his feet so big that with his nose to the ground he would trip up over himself head over heals. He had a lovely temperament and whilst a little highly strung in the early years he soon developed into a great

Springer Photo by SportDog Brand ©

companion on the shoot and was easy to train to the point and retrieve. He would spend the whole day in the field pointing and flushing and retrieving and the only indication that he was tiring was that if we were standing waiting for the birds to be driven towards us he would sit by me side and lean on my leg. He would look up at me with his long pink tong hanging out of his mouth with those intelligent eyes asking for a pat on the head, which he always got, but as soon as he heard the beaters heading our way he was immediately alert and watching the sky for the birds.

Max is a very sociable dog for a Weimaraner which is somewhat unusual as they tend not to get on awfully well with other dogs, but are fiercely loyal and affectionate to there own family. However once we get a break in the drives he will be happy to be around the other dogs which is not always what they want. The other owners however take to him immediately due to his friendly nature. We would hunt mainly pheasant, duck and geese with the occasional partridge and grouse day thrown in now and again and whilst he was happy to go and jump into any pond that a downed duck had fell into he was not the best of swimmers in the land and usually a Springer or a Labrador would beat him to it much to

his chagrin. But if that was a fault then it was one I am happy to live with it because he is such a great dog not only on the hunt but also at home with the rest of the family as well.

Booby Lee. Dogs, Karl and Rufus. German Short Haired Pointers Living in Edgemont, Fall River County, South Dakota gives me plenty of scope for hunting and fishing and in fact that is what the family business is. We are outfitters for all types of hunting and fishing in and around the Edgemont area. We are not far from Rapid City and boarder on the Black Hills National Park, so we wake up every morning to some of the most beautiful and rugged scenery you can imagine.

We have all kinds of quarry including, Elk, White Tail and Mule Deer, Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Lion as well as Turkeys. Further north east you get into the grass lands and farming country that is home to prong horn sheep as well as game birds like pheasant and grouse. So you see with all this game around I need a dog that can take care of all my needs, that is why my father and me have run German Short Haired Pointers for as long as I ›

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can remember. I own two, Karl and Rufus and they are from the same litter of our neighbors dogs so are born to the country we live in.

GSP’s are lovely looking athletic dogs built for the hunt. Their dark brown eyes convey the natural intelligence that is inherent to the breed. With a compact muscular body strong limbs and hind quarters they are built for running all day and just to love to do it as well. The breed swims well and Karl and Rufus are no exception so if I happen to drop a pheasant into a pond or lake they are happy to go after it and compete with each other to see who can bring it back. Of course both get rewarded irrespective.

I have said that my dogs are all rounder’s, and they are, but it is in the nature of a GSP to seek out game birds and retrieve and this is where they excel. Whether it’s in the forest undergrowth or the grassland prairies they will always find and stand on point on birds that you would normally walk past. Karl and Rufus are brothers and share some of the same traits but Rufus is the more energetic. By this I mean he is always running and covers huge amounts of ground in search of pheasant, grouse or turkey, whilst Karl is more focused and tends to scent more and go directly to the bird and stand on point. He will stop as though he has hit a brick wall and his tail will stand horizontally with his left foot, always his left foot, raised and his head pushed forward.

Rufus will be running way off but as soon as he notices Karl on point he will stand and slowly walk up to where Karl is and it is usually Rufus that runs in to flight the bird. They seem to work well like this and of course Rufus points his share as well. The dogs are three years old and I can not remember ever losing a downed bird. Whether a clean kill or a runner. No bird born will out run a GSP and its nose will pick up the scent no matter how far he has dropped. The stamina and endurance of the breed is legendry and they will run long after you yourself are ready to head back off home, they never give up.

However when I put them both in the back of the truck after a long day in the field they just curl up on their rugs next to each other and sleep till we get back to the ranch.

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Labrador Photo by SportDog Brand ©

Peir. Dog, Ridge. Rhodesian Ridgeback

all they are used to hunt lions, so a dog of adequate strength is an absolute necessity.

Ridge seemed a good name for a female Ridgeback, so it did not take long to come up with it six years ago when I took her in as a hunter, a worker and a companion. Barbie just did not seem to fit with her appearance or temperament. Living in the Northern region of South Africa we have a lot of land which we farm and graze cattle, as well as taking hunters on shooting or photography safaris. Ridge is not my only dog but she is the boss dog and will always come with me if I am going into the veldt.

Whether we are hunting big game or bird shooting she delights in being with the hunters. She has been brought up to be with other people around her so she accepts the clients’ quite easily. This is not to say all Ridgebacks are so accommodating to strangers, it can take a while for them to get used to new people being around but Ridge was brought up with people coming and going from being a puppy and accepts it as part of her life. I have a number of trackers and some are weary of her but she will go off on the hunt with my two main boys whilst we follow on after.

They are of course named due to the distinctive ridge of hair that runs down their back and sometimes this can make them look as though they are always angry, with their hackles up, and perhaps this is why they have a reputation of being aggressive. Yes, they can be protective of their family but given the proper training they are generally well behaved and friendly. Having said that if it looks as though harm is coming to its family it will protect them with its life. Ridge is a reddish golden brown color, very strong and powerful with immense stamina and powerful bone structure typical of the breed. After

Ridge also has a good nose and I have trained her from early on to track the blood trail of a wounded animal and whilst she is not a scent hound she has rarely lost the track of a shot beast even if we have to track it for hours on end. I have never had to test her with lion but with Buffalo, Wildebeest, Impala, and Springbuck, Kudu or any other antelope breed, as well as Wart Hog and Zebra, she has never been found wanting. We are at time troubled with Jackals on the farm and I will take her out after dark to hunt these animals,

and a gun is not always needed. When she is home I know that the house is secure as she will let us know if any stranger is around so all in all a good friend, worker and member of the family.

Steve. Dogs, Maggie and Winston. English Setters.

Although we live in the USA, Maggie and Winston are from pure bred English stock.

Their sire and dam were bred from a First Time Champion and Best in Breed from that well known UK premier establishment of dog breeding, Crufts, and they never stop letting you know of their heritage and lineage, that’s why we named them after two great UK prime ministers, Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

By nature the English setter is a beautiful looking working hunter, they are long and lean with a beautiful silky coat nicely feathered on the legs and the tail, ears and chest. Winston is a big dog for the breed, almost 70 cm tall, weighing around 35 kg. He is strong and robust with background color of white with liver colored speckling, which is called belton.

On the other hand Maggie is smaller, 63cm tall, weighing 30kg, but none the less robust, and both dogs will run all day long with seeming unlimited amounts of energy. Maggie is tri colored, being white base with blue and tan Belton. English setters are great dogs to have around the house and love the company of humans and are great with the kids. Our two are pretty much spoilt as they live indoors with us as setters do not take too kindly at being kenneled outdoors. However, they do need to know who is boss in the house or they will take advantage of a feeble owner and can become willful unless a degree of measured discipline is instilled in them My two have hunted all sorts of game birds in numerous states and even accompany me on bow shoots after white tail deer, but they do need to be restrained as their natural instinct is to flush game and white tails don’t take kindly to being flushed. Once in the field and wing shooting, however, for me there is no better breed of dog. Maggie and Winnie are

Pointers Photo by SportDog Brand © from different litters, but have an incredible understanding of each other when flushing game. They are quick and quiet with excellent noses. I love nothing better than to take them out on a windy day and set them off to hunt up quail, pheasant, partridge and white tailed ptarmigan in Canada, or any other species of game bird, and watch them work. For me the hunt is all about working with the dogs, watching them as they set a bird and then stand stock still, like a statue, nose and chest pushed forward and their tail like a flag pole, standing straight up with the feathered hair on there tails blowing in the wind. I have watched them stand for minutes at a time not wanting the flush but just watching the two of them to

see who will walk up first. It’s about evenstevens at the moment and once the bird is flushed and is down, their eyes and nose takes them straight to it for the retrieve. As I said, I am biased, but I say there is no better dog for hunting which has such a lovely temperament and Maggie is now five years old and Winnie going on eight, so we have lots of time left together but when they do knock on heavens door as much as I love my dogs I will be getting other setters, and I am even thinking of getting a litter of my own out of Maggie with Winnie as the sire. We will see. by: Richard Camm

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scopes

SWAROVSKI OPTIK, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Austrian Swarovski Group. Founded in 1949, SWAROVSKI OPTIK today specialises in the manufacture of precision sports optics and sets standards for quality and design in the premium segment of the global market. The binoculars, telescopes, optronic instruments, rifle scopes, range finders and night sights are the preferred choice of demanding users the world over.

Our Vision Swarovski Optik brings precious moments closer to people and shares with them the pleasure in looking and the fascination for hidden Beauty.

The world belongs to those who can see beauty.

Experience the moment.

SEE THE UNSEEN. Our mission: Since its establishment by Wilhelm Swarovski, Swarovski Optik has stood for 64

h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

“The joy of watching and experiencing nature is our company’s true core product”, is how Carina Schiestl-Swarovski, CEO, describes the mission statement of the company steeped in family tradition.

long-range optics of the highest precision, identifiable by the simple but elegant design which speaks of noble restraint and conceals its technical secret inside.

Our love of beautiful products, precision fabrication, attention to detail and respect for the highest standards in all activities of the company shape our culture. As one of the world’s leading manufacturers, Swarovski Optik combines trend-setting industrial technologies with the demand for the best possible craftsmanship.

The spirit of innovation and the strong ties to our customers plus the knowledge

of their wishes and requirements ensure that the range is constantly updated.

We consider it our duty to constantly improve what is good, to surprise our customers time and time again and to exceed their expectations.

Our humanistic values are displayed in openness and respect towards all people and cultures as well as in social responsibility towards employees and society.

Our company focuses on people. We owe our success to the skills of our employees and we strive to enhance and develop them on a continuous basis. We

encourage a culture of trust, respect, support and tolerance in order thus to ensure the sustainability and growth of our business for the benefit of all.

The pleasure in looking enriches our lives and allows us to draw strength and inspiration from these often so fleeting but unforgettable moments.

The family company with strong roots in the Tirol, an area of exceptional beauty, considers it a duty to preserve the environment, to protect nature and to conserve the diversity of species.

QUALITY POLICY ISO 9001 2000 / OSO 14001Certificate

is not only managed but is practised anew every day by the company and its employees in the awareness that the production of world-beating optical systems is the basis of success. We offer the best optical performance which is designed to meet the requirements that arise from the specific way in which our long-range optical products are used.

Back in November 1999, Swarovski Optik was one of the first companies in Europe to demonstrate a quality management system certified to ISO 9001:2000 and do justice to the quality and environmental concerns so firmly embedded in the company’s tradition. A cross-company quality management system that extends to partners guarantees these high quality requirements and their continuous improvement. At Swarovski Optik, quality

The ever-present commitment to quality that exists within the company means that we systematically survey the requirements and wishes of customers and partners on an ongoing basis.

Based on continuously optimised and established processes, in addition to work sequences recorded in minute detail, these requirements are converted with maximum precision and attention to ›

Our love of nature has inspired us for approximately 60 years. It is our aim to enthuse people with a love of nature and to encourage them to meet it as a guest with consideration and respect. It is our wish to reveal the beauty of the world “with the eyes of a hawk” and to turn precious moments into something tangible.

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scopes

detail into long-range optical products of the highest quality by skilful and superbly trained employees. The in-house research and development department and numerous patents ensure a high level of innovation. State of the art production technologies and an entirely manual final inspection guarantee maximum precision, quality workmanship and functionality.

An accommodating repair service, short delivery times, training programmes and partnership concepts for retail partners, and ongoing training and professional development programmes for employees complete the brand’s high quality and the longevity and intrinsic value of their products.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Carina Schiestl-Swarovski, chairman of the executive board of Swarovski Optik, sums up the company’s respectful and enduring way of dealing with nature as follows,

“We work in a harmonious symbiosis with nature and the environment because this forms

the basis for the use of our products. Only nature that is in good order and the biodiversity of flora and fauna help our customers to enjoy breathtaking, unforgettable visual experiences.”

With certification in December 2000 of the integrated environmental management system to the ISO-14001 standard, Swarovski Optik reaffirmed its pioneering role for an active environmental policy which includes partners. Customers of Swarovski Optik can rely on the fact that state of the art environmental technologies are applied at the highest level in production.

Swarovski Optik not only complies with applicable environmental law regulations but considers itself obliged to continuously improve its environmental standards to keep impacts as low as possible or to prevent them completely if possible. Swarovski Optik’s appreciation and respectful way of dealing with nature goes beyond environmentally compatible production techniques and certification according to the strict norms of ISO 1401, and extends to

committed initiatives and backing for numerous species protection and nature conservation projects all over the world.

Swarovski Optik makes an enduring contribution towards the preservation of habitats and animal species and also puts its corporate philosophy into practice actively in the form of cooperation with nature conservation and species protection organisations.

WIDE VARIETY OF NATURE CONSERVATION PROJECTS SWAROVSKI OPTIK’s appreciation of nature goes beyond environmentally compatible production techniques and certification according to the strict norms of ISO 1401. Beyond this the company also initiates and actively supports numerous bio-diversity and natureconservation projects worldwide thus making its contribution towards long-term preservation of nature. Love of nature is an important tenet of the corporate philosophy, which explains the quality conscious company’s close bond with its discerning customer base.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES Innovations in long-range optics from the Swarovski Optik company have won numerous awards during the company’s 60 year history for their optical precision and luminosity, outstanding functionality and perfect ergonomics as well as for innovative and shapely design. We have highlighted below 5 of the most important awards out of 34 awards they have won.

1996

Nomination for the “European Design Prize” for the entire range (EU)

1999

Awarded the “Field and Stream Best of the Best Award” for EL binoculars (USA)

2004

Distinguished with the “Austrian Innovation Prize” for SWAROBRIGHT (Austria)

2009

Award “Exportpreis der Wirtschaftskammer Österreich” (Austria)

2009

Royal Warrant of Appointment as a Tradesman to the Queen

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In 1999, SWAROVSKI OPTIK presented the world’s first ever binoculars with wrap-around grip which, combined with premium optical quality, immediately won over the most demanding users. Today, ten years later, the long-established Austrian company has optimised its EL 42 range and is setting new standards in optical quality with its revolutionary new SWAROVISION technology, innovative field flattener lenses and enhanced coating technology.

Maximum peripheral definition, maximum contrast & maximum colour fidelity The new EL 42 SWAROVISION series offers the best complete package for professional and demanding users. Thanks to the new field flattener lenses, which create a virtually even image, this EL generation offers exceptional, unprecedented image quality.

Even the finest structures and smallest details are reproduced in razor-sharp clarity without distortions at the image periphery. This exceptional image quality eliminates the need for constant refocusing and allows even the smallest details to be registered in an instant.

The fluoride-containing HD lenses minimise colour fringing (chromatic aberration) for contrast-rich images with razor-sharp outlines.

The enhanced SWAROBRIGHT, SWAROTOP and SWARODUR reflection-reducing coatings of the lenses and prisms in the new EL 42 range provide lifelike colour reproduction and outstanding image brightness, guaranteeing optimum contrast even at dusk or in poor light conditions.

The SWAROTOP coating enhancements introduced by the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Research and Development team over the past months include significant improvements in both lifelike colour reproduction and transmission. In addition, the

Models: EL 10x42 EL 8.5x42 SWAROCLEAN coating on the eye piece and objective lenses ensures a non-stick effect, making it much easier to clean off stubborn dirt such as water marks and tree resin.

New focusing mechanism - quick, precise and reliable The new focusing wheel, with its unique combination of hard and soft components, offers excellent grip and stability. The focusing mechanism is particularly smooth and free from backlash, making the EL 42 SWAROVISION both easy to use and precise. Only two complete turns take you from infinity to the shortest focusing distance ever of 1.5 metres, making it ideal for macro observation of the insect world. The new EL 42 SWAROVISION binoculars also have a range of vision correction options. The focusing mechanism of the EL 8.5x42 model, for instance, offers dioptric adjustment of +/-6 dpt and +/-8 dpt for EL 10x42. In addition, the integrated dioptric compensation is able to correct vision to +/-5 dpt.

Full field of view for eyeglasswearers To add to all of its other benefits, the new EL 42 SWAROVISION also features a larger exit pupil distance, allowing spectacle wearers to benefit from an exceptional, wide-

angle field of view and enjoy the inimitable peripheral definition. The stable, removable twist-in eyecups are individually adjustable in three stages, permitting improved individual adjustment of the distance between eyepiece lens and eye.

Advanced function and design The binoculars’ rubber armouring guarantees a comfortable grip even in cold weather.

Ergonomic thumb depressions and optimum weight balance contribute to a comfortable observation experience. The time-tested EL wrap-around grip and focusing wheel have been specifically designed to allow the EL 42 SWAROVISION to be operated comfortably and safely with one hand, even when wearing gloves. The magnesium housing and load bearing parts made from high quality light alloys provide maximum ruggedness and stability coupled with a comparatively low overall weight of 795 g for the EL 8.5x42 model and 800 g for EL 10x42.

The practical, coordinating accessories complete the package: All EL 42 SWAROVISION binoculars are supplied with a water-repellent functional bag, adjustable lift carrying strap, lens and eyepiece caps, and a snap-shot adapter. This adapter can be used to quickly position a compact digital camera, providing excellent quality shots even over large distances. ›

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scopes

“ One of our most popular rifle scopes previously had a 24 times magnification. The re-designed Z6 model with 30 times magnification, lateral parallax turret and HD optic illustrates its strength at long distance.”

Behind the elegant appearance of the Z6 rifle scopes with 6x zoom lies state of the art technology. The practical benefit of a rifle scope has been revolutionised by the larger zoom range and increased eye relief. The Z6 and Z6i models allow for more flexibility, greater precision and increased safety when hunting. Zoom describes the adjustable magnification range in optical instruments.

The greater the zoom factor, the greater this magnification range.

• Lowest magnification - offers a large field of view • Highest magnification - enables razor-sharp identification of the target. 6x zoom in rifle scopes means maximum field of view and maximum accuracy of details.

Advantages of Z6 and Z6i at a glance: • 6x zoom in 30 mm central tube of aluminium.

• Outstanding field of view.

• Centred reticle in the second image plane: The target is enlarged whilst the reticle remains the same size.

• Dioptric compensation.

• Quadratic or rectangular range of adjustment for full range of elevation/ windage even in the marginal areas of the adjustment range.

• Microstructure surface: precisely defined ribbing to prevent residual reflections inside the tube for bright, high-contrast images, even in intense light.

• Eye relief increased from 95 mm to 120 mm (in 1-6x24 EE) for greater safety.

• Ultra-precise adjustment turrets and guaranteed shock resistance, even with high calibre firearms.

• Zero setting system for precision adjustment of the point of impact without the use of tools.

• Rugged, light alloy main tube - also available with SR assembly rail (except for: Z6/Z6i 5- 30x50 P )

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• 32 brightness levels each for day and night mode.

• Watertight to a depth of 4 metres/13 ft (0.4 bar) - nitrogen-filled • Hard-anodised outer surface protects the rifle scope against scratches

Reticle Illumination High Grid Technology The Z6/Z6i rifle scopes possess optimum brightness - in daylight and at night - thanks to the special High Grid technology. The orange dot can be adjusted to all light conditions and provides excellent contrast on the target’s dark body in daylight and at night. The established HIGH GRID technology for optimum illumination of the reticle has been integrated into the eyepiece in the Z6i models.

The ergonomic arrangement enables effortless operation in the firing position.

The low construction height also ensures an unrestricted view over the rifle scope.

Advantages • No additional turret required for illumination.

• Automatic shut-off after 3 hours in day mode and 5 hours in night mode

Ballistic Turret The Swarovski Optik ballistic turret allows you to “stay on the spot” when sighting in at different distances. During development we considered it important that you should be able to determine the desired distances yourself and also be able to set and change them again independently. The alignment nose on the ballistic turret indicates whether or not it is being used in the basic setting. This bump is easy to feel at dusk. The ballistic turret allows the marksman to “stay on the spot” when sighting in at the desired distances.

• Easy to assemble • Easy to adjust • Easy to alter The hunter can do everything himself! Our own specially developed ballistics program will calculate the necessary values for you (number of clicks) for your desired distances. A decal for the customer’s personal values provides space for making a note of other distances. 5 decals for this purpose are included as standard with the rifle scope.

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hunting knives

Gerber

Legendary Blades Gerber Legendary Blades is an American company making innovative, high quality products for red sports and outdoor. The product portfolio contains multi tools, knives, lighting and hydration systems. Gerber is a part of the Finnish Fiskars Group and in Europe the brand is marketed by the Silva Group, also part of the Fiskars Outdoor Division.

Gerber Octane™

The one hand opened outdoor tool Gerber Octane is the multi-tool choice for outdoor enthusiasts: hikers, backpackers, climbers, campers and bikers. Weighing 140g Gerber Octane is light enough to carry in your pocket, yet has all the essential functions you need on a daily basis.

The Gerber patented one-handed opening design of the pliers makes Gerber Octane quick and easy to open. Nine tools in total, including pliers with V-cut wire cutters, three different screw drivers, fine and serrated edge blade, pocket clip and a new tool for opening clam packages. All tools are safely held in place by the patented Saf.T.Plus locking system. The red handles provide a sporty look, and makes the tool easier to find in the bag or pocket.

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Gerber Strata™ The pocket sized toolbox

Gerber Strata is a fully equipped toolbox that fits in your pocket.

Slim, sleek and tight fitting, and with Ti-Nitride coating, this multitool gives you all the functionality you need together with a nice look and hand feel.

Gerber Strata features thirteen easy to open outboard components, all with the Saf.T.Plus locking system incorporated into the handle. The spring loaded pliers are equipped with new pinch style carbide cutters. One of the three different screw drivers is a square cross driver, providing improved functionality. More tools are: wood saw, knife blade with half fine edge, half serrated blade, scissors, bottle and can opener, small tipped file for hard to get to places and a new tool for opening clam packages and other wrapping. All in all Gerber Strata is a complete collection of components, in a tool which is very comfortable to grip and weighing only 210g.

Gerber Descent™ The sportsman’s knife

Gerber Descent is the sportsman’s knife, designed for climbers, hikers or anyone who needs easy access to a light knife. This small folding knife has the new Gerber serrated blade, with a patented pattern that is easy to sharpen in the field. The blade locks safely with a frame lock mechanism. Thanks to the open frame design the knife is easier to clean, dry and lubricate. Thumb studs on both sides of the blade make opening the knife with either hand an effortless task.

Gerber Descent has both a carabiner clip for attachment to pack, belt or clothing, and a pocket clip for fast access. It is still light and small enough to easily fit into a pocket, the weight is 77g and the knife is 10 cm in folded length.

Gerber Void™

The strong and lightweight pocket knife Gerber Void is the modern pocket clip folding knife for everyday use. Surgical stainless steel blade provides strength and corrosion resistance. The aluminium handles are contoured for increased comfort and help keeping the weight down to 75g. Rubber inserts in the handle further improve the grip and give color highlights. The semi serrated blade has thumb studs on both sides for effortless opening of the knife with either right or left hand. Gerber Void is equipped with a strong integrated safety lock that holds the blade in place safely when using the knife. A convenient pocket clip and a lanyard hole provide several options to carry the knife. ›

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hunting knives

Gerber TX4™ Gerber TX4 is a weatherproof LED flashlight with sleek design and sturdy feel. The ultra narrow optic creates a strong distance beam with high lumen output. Gerber TX4 runs on three AAbatteries, providing very good battery efficiency and a battery life of eight hours. The batteries sit in an anodized aluminium housing, designed with an anti-roll profile. Battery switch push button is located at the rear end of the flashlight, and allows for momentary signalling or steady light. Next to the switch is a lanyard hole.

Gerber TX4 is compatible with flashlight mount, commonly used for weapon mounting.

Gerber Bone Crusher™ The first of its kind, the Bone Crusher is a hand-held tool designed specifically to cut-through large game birds with ease. It can cut through bone and joints up to 2,5 cm in diameter, while the hook style cutter prevents bone from slipping out while cutting. The rubber grip handle prevents slippage during use in wet conditions.

One-hand locking mechanism secures the blades. A heavy duty sheath with belt loop is included.

Gerber LHR™ This knife is the result of a cooperation with the award-winning knife makers Chris Reeve and William W. Harsey Jr. The quickrelease sheath has a built-in safety release making sure that the knife can only be released by the wearer. The textured TacHide™ handle provides sure grip in wet conditions. Length of the serrated edge blade is 17,5cm, overall length is 31,1cm and the weight of the knife is 318grams.

Gerber Mini-Remix™ Design is paramount with the Gerber Mini-Remix. Poke your index finger through the stainless steel pivot and experience full blade control of the fine edged blade. Clip it to a pack or on a pocket with the built in belt-clip and show it off to envious on-lookers. Frame lock construction safely locks the blade open.

Gerber Mini-Remix is as small as the name implies, the overall length is 14,2cm, and the length of the blade is 5,2cm. The size together with the open design of the stainless steel handle helps keeping the weight down to 62grams.

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Gerber Metolius™ Your new hunting family

Gerber introduces the Metolius knife family, with technical, innovative and secure options for all field sports use. All Metolius knives have a strong, glass-filled Nylon handle, that fits comfortably and securely in your hands thanks to the soft and grippy TacHide™ overmold.

Gerber Metolius Fixed Blade Has a large, fine edge blade for any task.

Gerber Metolius Caper Is the smaller version with extra finger grips for fine work.

Gerber Metolius E-Z Open Combines innovation with function. The ball at the end of this new blade prevents puncturing, while the concave blade edge gives ample cutting surface. Deep finger grooves give you leverage when working on more intricate cuts.

Gerber Metolius Two Blade Folder is a testament to quality engineering and design. It offers the best options for all hunters: a great fine edge drop point blade together with the new E-Z Open skinning blade which gives the versatility of carrying only one knife in your pocket.

Gerber Metolius Folding Sheath provides the folding choice in the Metolius family, a large thumb stud gives easy access to this large fine edge blade.

For more information please visit www.gerbergear.com h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

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iconic weapons

C96

BROOMHANDLE Also known under a variety of other names including, C96, M96, Bolo, Broomhandle, Large Mauser pistol, Pistole 7.63 and Model 1930, in the context of this website, “C96” should be taken as referring to a full size model with a 5.5 inch barrel, standard sized grips, 10-round fixed magazine fed by stripper clips and a tangent rear sight, usually marked 50-1000 yards, firing an 85 grain bullet at 1400 feet per second through a 1 in 8 inch barrel twist.

The C96 was designed by Fidel, Friedrich and Josef Feederle. At the time Fidel Feederle was employed as Superintendent of the Mauser Experimental Workshop1.

Originally known as the P-7.63 or “Feederle Pistol”, it was renamed by Paul Mauser as the “Mauser Military Pistol”.

In the absence of factory records which show when which pistol was made (or even the number of pistols made in any given year), C96 owners have attempted to determine the year that their specific pistol was produced based on serial number. Such attempts are fraught with peril. In the early years of production the big Mauser pistol was not especially popular, and sales were poor. In order to make it appear that more pistols had been sold than was actually the case, Mauser skipped blocks of serial numbers. In the later years it appears that some attempt was made to fill in these missing blocks of numbers.

To add to the confusion pistols made under contract were usually (but not always) serial numbered in their own series, beginning with number “1”. All of which means that pistols

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Overall length

12 inches

Weight

43 ounces

Operation Short

recoil

Lock

Bolt lock from below has teeth which engage in recesses in bolt.

Bolt travels in extension which is part of barrel forging and lock is cammed down out of engagement as barrel travels halts

Mainspring

Coil operating through plunger

Disconnector

Positive type prevents firing more than one shot per trigger pull

Trigger

Pivot type, engaging with sear

Safety

Thumb piece on left hand side of receiver

C96 Broomhandle Mauser with fitted wooden Holster/Stock © Kortegaard Engineering

which appear, based on their serial number, to have been made early may actually have been made much later. The converse is also true.

The first successful prototype was dated 15th March 1895 and on 11th December 1895, its German patent was issued. During 1896 some 110 pre-production pistols were built. Full scale production started in April 1897.

A US patent (#584479) was granted on 15th June 1897.4 Previously patents had been granted during 1896 in Great Britain (#959), Switzerland (#11943), Belgium (#119462) and several other countries, including Brazil (#2088).5 With only a slight interruption after 1918, production of the Broomhandle Mauser continued until the late 1930's.

The C96 was the first efficient and reliable design for a self-loading pistol. An outstanding feature of the design was the absence of pins or screws in its construction. The design is based upon the frame being milled out from a solid forging, rather than a separate pieces.

The receiver and barrel are formed from a single forging. This means that unfortunately

a lot of present day C96's have “shot-out” barrels, and as they cannot be changed out, they have to be bored out to the larger 9mm calibre. Loading of the C96 is by single round, or through the use of 10-round stripper clips. The C96 was designed to use 7.63mm ammunition, however, due to military requirements, a number were converted to shoot 9mm ammunition, the same as the later available Luger pistol. These are known as the “Red 9” C96 models.

The Imperial Russians fell in love with both the 7.63 Mauser cartridge (aka .30 Mauser) and the Mauser Military Pistol, and were to become one of Mauser's best customers.

The October Revolution did not change this fondness for the C96 and the 7.63 Mauser cartridge (it is said a C96 was one of the firearms used in the murder of the Czar and the Royal Family), and both pistol and cartridge remained in general use in the early years of Communist rule.

1895 and had been patented by Paul Mauser.

Production began in 1896. The C96 had been offered for the German Military but failed.

However, C-96 has a long and successful story on the civilian market - being offered as a pistol-carbine, it outperformed in effective range most of contemporary pistols and revolvers, being especially popular with travelers and hunters in the areas where big animals are rare or absent at all. C-96 first saw military action during the Boer war in South Africa (1899-1902). During the First World War C96 had been acquired by the German Army due to the lack of the standard issue Luger P-08 pistols. It also had been used during the World War Two, by some second line troops of the Reichswehr (German Army). C96 also had been widely exported - in the 1920s Soviet Russia purchased large quantities of the short-barreled (99 mm barrels) C96s in 7.63mm, giving the name “Bolo-Mauser” (from Bolsheviks' Mauser) to all short-barreled C-96s. In 1930s China also purchased lots of the C96s in 7.63mm, and also manufactured copies of the C96 but chambered for .45ACP cartridge. Surprisingly, these copies were of quite good quality. Many C96 clones were manufactured in Spain, mostly without any license, and mostly by the ›

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iconic weapons

Mauser C-96 - early german drawing, showing internal action (bolt closed)

Astra. In the early 1930s Mauser engineers developed a select-fire version of the C96, which had been used in limited numbers during WW2.

Technically, the C96 is a recoil operated, locked breech, semi-automatic pistol. It uses short recoiling barrel with bolt, located inside the large barrel extension. The bolt and barrel are locked by the vertically tilting locking piece with two lugs, that locked into the recesses on the bottom of the bolt. The gun is hammer fired. Early guns had hammers with large, round shaped hammer heads with coned sides. The safety is located at the left side of the hammer and locks the hammer when engaged. The most recognizable feature of C96 is a non-removable, fixed box magazine, located ahead of the trigger guard.

Early models were made with 20, 10 or 6 round magazines, but soon 20 and 6 round models were dropped, and since 1905 or so only 10 round models were manufactured.

C96 can be loaded with single rounds or from 10-rounds sripper clips. The only way to unload the magazine was to work the slide all the way back and forward for each cartridge in the magazine. Two other notable features were the distinguishable shaped handle (which give the name “broom handle” to all C96s) and removable wooden shoulder stock/holster. Finally, most of the C96 were fitted with adjustable rear sights, graduated up to 1000 meters. This, obviously, was more of marketing feature, since at 1000 meters distance the average bullets spread was about

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Mauser C-96 - same drawing, but bolt opened

4 meters, but, due to high velocity ammunition (the 7.63mm Mauser round produced muzzle velocities of about 440 meters per second, or 1450 feets per second), the effective range was about 150 or 200 meters, especially with shoulder stock attached.

The C96 took its final shape in 1912, when new type of safety (marked NS - “Neue Sicherung”) was adopted, along with shorter and wider extractor and smaller and lighter hammer. In 1915, due to World War, German Army purchased from the Mauser some 150.000 C96s, chambered for the army standard issue 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum round. These guns were marked with large red “9” digits on the both sides of the grip. In the 1931-32 Mauser engineers developed two latest versions of the C96 - models 711 and

712. Main difference of these models was the adoption of the removable box magazines for 10 or 20 rounds. The Model 712 also featured a fire selector mechanism with the fire mode switch on the left side of the frame. Due to the high rate of fire in full auto (1000 rounds/ minute) and light barrel, the full auto could be used with any practical effect only for short time and only with shoulder stock attached.

These guns were used in limited quantities by German Army in Second World War. In general, the C96 is one of the most distinguishable semi-auto pistols in the history, also one of the first practical designs in its class. It was too heavy and too bulky, and slow to reload, but offered great effective range and firepower, along with good reliability. In short - it is what we usually call CLASSIC.

The development of the C-96 began in 1893 or 1894. Most work had been done by the Federle brothers, who worked for the Mauser company. Final design appeared early in Type:

Single Action

Chamber:

7.63x25mm Mauser (.30 Mauser); also 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum and 9x25mm Mauser (rare)

Weight unloaded:

1250

Length:

312 mm (with 140 mm barrel)

Barrel length:

140 mm (also 99 mm and other lenghts)

Capacity:

10 rounds in non-detachable box magazine (also 6 and 20 rounds)

falconry

Falconry

To the Arab the falcon is not just a bird. Nor is it just a possession. It is a passion. Falconry has been enjoyed as a sport for millenniums and the Arab culture prizes the falcon supremely high.

Falconry in the Arab world has been practiced as long ago as 3500BC and reference to the Falcon as a means of hunting has been found in ancient scripts and drawings in the Al Rafideien region, now present day Iraq.

The falcon was so prized by the nobility that poems were written about them and they were given as prestigious gifts by the nobility, who would prize them amongst there most precious possessions, bequeathing the aviaries from one generation to the next.

Around 50% of the worlds falcons reside in the Middle East, some are indigenous some are migratory and the local population use the falcon as a learning tool to teach bravery, self reliance, patience and endurance, all qualities possessed by the birds themselves. Of the indigenous breeds Ospreys, Buzzards and Eagles can be found nesting in Oman and members of the Owl family breed throughout the region due to their nocturnal habits, which means they are not active during the harsh hot temperatures of the day. Egyptian and Lappet Faced Vultures can also be found living in the mountainous regions of the Arab World.

The migration of the birds takes place in the spring and autumn along the coast of the Arabian Peninsular and as well as raptors, the migration includes other none raptor species which the raptors feed on during their long journey south. The migration numbers hundreds of thousands of birds, of all type, coming into the Middle East and Africa to get away from the harshness of the European and Central Asian winters.

The two migratory paths join to guide the birds across the Arabian Peninsular, with birds flying from Europe and the Baltic regions, across the Mediterranean via Syria and Lebanon and the Red Sea, to spread out to take advantage of the warmer climes of Africa.

Another main route is through Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran coming from Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia, across the Straits of Hormuz into the Gulf States, Oman, Yemen and Southern Saudi Arabia before spreading out again across all of Africa. The main months for migration are

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from September to November when literally millions of birds, including raptors, fly over the western and eastern coast of the peninsular.

As mentioned above, during the migration the raptors will feed on the non raptors and this is where the trapping of the falcons take place as described in our previous issue. By definition a Raptor is a bird of prey who hunts vertebrates and the name is derived from the Latin, Raptor, meaning “Plunderer”, and Rapere, meaning “to Seize”, which in terms of the falcon is very appropriate of course.

A Peregrine falcon will lay between two and five eggs at one time and the fledglings are usually ready to leave the nest after five or six weeks, and it is the young ones that migrate first. The male and female do not mate for life so will migrate independent of one another and will also return separately in the spring.

They may pair up back at the original nest but the as there will be a 30% mortality rate of all the migratory birds the likelihood is that they will each find different mates and it will be the stronger pair that will take the home nest.

If the yearlings return to the same province it is not normally expected that they will establish their own territory for a couple of years and will just move from area to area until they are two or three years old after which time they will establish their own nesting territory. During the short time that the fledglings are part of the family group the parents will introduce them to the art of hunting for themselves. They will start to learn to hunt almost at the same time as they are learning to fly. The family may hunt as a group for the initial period with the adults doing most of the work by locating and attacking the prey then dropping it, whilst still alive, to enable the youngsters to finish it of.

Alternatively the adult may select small birds or even flying insects for the fledglings to practice on. The killing instinct is very strong in raptors and the young birds soon become very skilled and enthusiastic killers in their own right, and as soon as they can fly properly they become totally independent in sourcing their own food. However, like all youngsters they are not averse to returning to the nest to see

if an easy meal is available now and again.

Training In the Arabian culture the Falcon is highly prized and hunting with raptors is a very popular pass time practiced by all levels of society, however, it is only the most wealthy who can afford to purchase the really exceptional birds, such as the prized Peregrine and Saker falcons, which can demand prices up to hundreds of thousands of US Dollars for a top quality bird. The prized birds are bred from known stock and can be likened in their status to the feathered version of a thoroughbred horse.

The breeding stock though has to originate from the migratory birds that pass through the Middle East on their journey to the summer homes in Africa. These birds are caught in the traditional way as described in our previous edition and are trained by the local people.

Some are retained for breeding and some are released after the season ends.

Training a falcon of any breed can be a very rewarding experience and the bond that is built up between bird and falconer is a very special relationship, but one should not attempt to train a raptor without either being experienced yourself or having an experienced falconer to show you how it is done. You must, in essence, serve your apprenticeship with a master falconer if you want to have a prize bird, and in some countries it is illegal not to be trained by a Master Falconer before you train your first bird.

There are a number of basic rules that apply to any training regime and these are as follows.

1. As mentioned, serve your apprenticeship.

2. Once you have your untrained bird you must build up a relationship with it and in fact bond with the bird. Giving it plenty of good food and plenty of physical attention to get it used to human contact. But the bond should only be between yourself and your bird. It is not wise to expose it

to many people. Ultimately it should allow brief social contact with other people but it should always know who its master is.

3. Food is a good motivator and training aid. With the falcon standing on its perch you should train it to jump a short distance on to your hand to collect the tiny morsel of food which should be accompanied by a verbal indication that the bird has performed well. This can be a snap of the fingers or a low whistle. This exercise should be faithfully carried out each day up to a hundred times.

4. A raptor is a hunter by nature so it is not that you are training it to hunt, it will do this instinctively what you are training it to do is to hunt for you. This can be achieved initially by using a lure attached to a length of strong cord and either swung around or dragged along the floor so that the bird will attack it. You then need to make the trigger noise that you used when training it to jump on to your gloved hand to retrieve the lure to you, at which time a nice juicy morsel of food will be its reward.

5. The lure and retrieve should be practiced over and over and in time the distance from yourself and the lure should be increase and only when your bird is consistently returning the lure to you from 80 or 90 meters should you allow it to hunt in free flight.

6. Always keep the physical contact with your raptor on a daily basis, continue to build on the personal relationship and always treat it kindly.

7. Once you feel confident that it can hunt live game start off in an area that you know you will be able to find small game that will be easy for the bird to capture. It will, by instinct, chase the quarry if it is shown it and provided you have put in enough time and training with the lure the bird will wait till the quarry is flushed, capture it, and return it to your gloved hand to accept the reward that it has been trained to expect.

8. Make yourself aware of all aspects of Falconry by joining other experienced ›

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falconry

Hunting now days can take on a totally different aspect to the traditional way of hunting from camels. With technology in the forefront, four wheel drive vehicles are used as are satellite linked tracking device which are attached to the falcons so that they can be easily retrieved should they become lost.

With some prize Peregrine, or the rarer Saker falcon, being worth well in excess of half a million US dollars to lose one would be a great pity, so any devise that ensure the bird can be bought home is most welcomed.

It is also becoming more difficult to purchase Peregrines and Sakars from Pakistan as there is a ban in some regions and only a very limited number of trapping permits are issued each year and these are becoming more difficult to obtain due to the conservationist attempts to stem the decline in the breeds. Some black market trade continues of course which is difficult to control, but efforts are being made both in Pakistan and Afghanistan to bring the numbers back up to a level where trapping can once again be carried out with fewer restrictions.

falconers and seeking their advice. Read books on the subject and explore the technology of the internet, but first and foremost spend time with your raptor, hunting with it often and feed it well. Keep it healthy and it will serve you well.

9. The talons of any raptor, along with its beak, are what it uses to kill with, so by nature they are powerful weapons and you should always wear a leather gauntlet when carrying your bird on your hand as the bird will grip with its talons to stabilize itself or just to exercise it feet and with out protection will draw blood, which will be most uncomfortable for you.

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Hunting People in the Middle East region will travel long distances, even from one country to another and spend large amounts of money to be able to hunt with their falcons. As the traditional quarry of the peregrine falcon, the Houbara Bustard, is in decline is some regions it is normal for parties of falconers to go to Pakistan and Afghanistan to hunt these delicacy birds, but again, due to over hunting a strict limit is applied to the number of permits issued and only the most wealthy and influential are able to take advantage of the limited hunting permits.

Falconry has a prominent and respected role in the culture of the Arabs and is a way of life for many people. Due to habitat reduction and over hunting the Houbara numbers are in decline to the extent that they have become an endangered species. Because of this fact some Royal Families in the Gulf region are actively backing conservation projects, and in the Gulf States a number of prominent Sheiks are taking the initiative to reintroduce the Houbara Bustard back into the wild.

In Abu Dhabi, for instance, the Environment Agency operates a successful Houbara and falcon captive breeding program, via the National Avian Research Center, to ensure the falconry heritage can survive for future generations. They understand that as they take from nature they must give back, and it is laudable that these prominent royals are taking responsibility for themselves to ensure that the balance of nature is maintained. by: Richard Camm

exclusive interview

Interview with

Juan Mari Esain

A sportsman amongst the elite

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Juan Mari Esain was born in Zubiri, a small village 20 kms from Pamplona (Navarre, Spain), set in the foothills of the Pyrenees and almost at the start of the “Way of St. James�.

Married and with two daughters, he tries to divide his time between his family, his job in the metalworking sector and his hunting dogs.

From a very early age he has been a passionate, competitive sportsman who has stood out in sports as demanding as triathlon, an endurance sport involving swimming, cycling and running. In his youth, this sports enthusiast, undeterred by the lack of a place to practice, took to swimming in the local water reservoirs although, being a potable water supply, it was forbidden to do so and, as a result, he was constantly being evicted by the Civil Guard.

Also, since his childhood, he and his brother have spent many a long day hunting with their father in the surrounding area, which gave him all the necessary experience and instilled in him a desire to become a great hunter.

You mentioned that you used to go hunting with your father and brother when you were small, yet why have you specifically gone into woodcock hunting?

Well, I also like big game hunting and, generally, all types of small game hunting,›

Experience the

HART feeling Juan Mari Esain clothing by:

Natural Selection

Discovery

Menassa Bldg., Near Serail Jounieh Tel: 09 - 910 626 / 09 - 639 419, Fax: 09 - 639 420 P.O. Box: 2372 Jounieh Lebanon email: akso@wise.net.lb

exclusive interview

and also clay pigeon shooting, but I'm really into woodcock hunting due to the difficulty involved. The game reserves in my area are dense, impenetrable woodlands, making hunting extremely complicated. This is a considerable challenge for me and, of course, it would be impossible without an exceptionally skilled dog. It's also very difficult to take aim, and this is what really motivates a passionate woodcock hunter.

How did you reach top level competition?

In all the sports I've practiced, I've always liked to compete. I started competing in this discipline in 1990 in local and regional

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championships in Navarre. In 1992 I took part in the first woodcock hunting championship to be held in Spain at the Saja Game Reserve in the province of Cantabria. There, I won the championship and I met many people who have subsequently become my friends and who have encouraged me to carry on competing and defending my titles.

I also like to go out into the countryside with friends to gather wild mushrooms, which are plentiful in all the nearby woodlands. I also occasionally go to the province of Huesca to hunt in the reserves there, which are very similar to the ones in my area. And, of course, whenever a friend of mine invites me to his game reserve, I'm delighted to go.

8 times champion of Navarre.

Do you generally hunt in Navarre?

And 7 times champion of Spain, that's impressive. How have you managed to win so many times?

Yes, this is where I live and where I enjoy training, near to home. I know the area well and when I'm not hunting, I'm out walking my dogs or enjoying mountain bike rides to keep fit.

(Laughing). It's difficult, very difficult and the formula for achieving it is quite simple: work, sacrifice, many hours in the countryside and, of course, a good dog. Without being really

not. I've got the grandsons and cousins of champion dogs, and other dogs which have no such relationships, but are champion level all the same. When I go out hunting, I take them with me gradually so that the older dogs can show the younger ones. They all live together in some grounds specially prepared for them, with the exception of... a super champion which I really adore and who lives in my house, she shares a bed with a roe deer, who's just a few months› old, and, of course, jumps on the settee. It's true, she's just a little bit spoiled, but when she's out working in the countryside she really earns her living.

to collaborate in the development of new products based on my field experience.

And talking about weapons, which gun do you use?

As a matter of fact I haven't, up to now I haven't been woodcock hunting abroad.

However, I have heard a lot of favourable comments about these countries and I've been told that there are some very good woodcock hunting areas, and a select group of enthusiasts.

I hunt with semi-automatics rather than with side-by-side or over-under double barrelled shotguns. I like these because I can aim much better. I've got used to using them and I like them to be heavy. Over the last few years I've been hunting with a Breda, but I think that it's now time to give it up for a Bernadelli which I recently acquired.

Hunting in dense woodland is hard work and requires special clothing.

We've been told that you recently reached a collaboration agreement with the Hart brand.

fit and without some really good dogs, it's very difficult to stay at the top. It's also true to say that luck is also another important factor.

You always need at least a little bit of luck for everything to turn out just fine. Without luck, you sometimes lose even when you've trained really hard.

The right dog is essential. Which breeds of dog do you use and train?

Although I have had other breeds, I'm now using English Setters. I've currently got 9 dogs, and most of these are now hunting. I try to make a combination of adult and young dogs, which offers me a wide range of possibilities.

Some are related by blood, whilst others are

Yes, you're right. To be able to get around properly in this type of terrain, you need to wear nothing but the best clothing. In my opinion, the clothing needs to be lightweight, as this is suitable for long days out hunting in which you can cover many kilometres. It also has to be tough and highly resistant, to cope with dirty and difficult situations where clothing can easily be torn. I personally use different items of clothing, basically depending on the weather conditions. On rainy days, it's very important to wear fully waterproof, dependable clothing. Talking about HART, you're quite right, I've just signed a collaboration agreement for the next three years. I'm delighted because I know the brand well, as I'm using some of their garments at the moment. Now I'm going to be able to use the best possible material and I'm also going

As an expert in woodcock hunting, what advice would you give to woodcock hunters?

Well, it's easy to say, but: patience, hard work, discipline and perseverance, for us and for our dogs.

As you know, this magazine is distributed in the Middle East. Have you ever been hunting out there?

Finally, are you planning on continuing at top level competition for some time to come?

I'd say so. I'm fit and look after myself. Whilst I'm healthy and have a good dog, I'm going to carry on enjoying my hobby and, of course, I'm going to carry on defending my titles. ›

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exclusive interview

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WOODCOCK HUNTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (NAVARRE)

1995 1997 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2009

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WOODCOCK HUNTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (SPAIN)

1992 1993 1994 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

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exclusive interview

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Interview with

Abdullah Al-Rashidi Champion shot & passionate hunter

As Kuwait's greatest shooter, Abdullah Al-Rashidi needs no introduction, but as a hunter he is perhaps a little less well-known.

It is no great leap to imagine Abdullah hunting with guns, but to learn that he also hunts with falcons adds another unexpected dimension to the man. I learned more when I caught up with him during a morning's training at Kuwait's Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Shooting Range.

Your success on the shooting range is well known. As a skeet shooter you’ve been a champion many times, but I think you started out in the desert as a hunter?

Abdullah Al-Rashidi: That’s right. I first went to the desert to hunt with my father at the age of twelve. It was the end of the 1970s, and at this time there were no shooting ranges in Kuwait. Anyone that wanted to shoot would go to the desert, and lots of us did.

It was a tradition, part of the Kuwaiti way of life.

Sure. And at that time the desert was full of animals - lots of rabbits - and birds, but they aren’t there like that anymore. The desert got over-hunted. Any man with enough money bought a gun and went shooting animals, not for food, not for sport, but just because he was bored. This is not right.

When you hunt you bring the meat home, you hunt for food as well as for sport?

I do. It’s been a long tradition in my family. I come from a long-line of hunters. Before my father there was also his father, and his father as well. In fact he - my great-grandfather - was renowned for being the best shot with a gun.

The desert was a very different place then, and was very violent at times. People not only hunted but sometimes had to fight in order to survive. On one occasion people came to try to steal their animals - my father rode out on his horse and killed each of the eight attackers with a shot to their heart. I tell this story not because I am proud he killed eight men - but because of the skill with which he did it. ›

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Fortunately these are different times now, yet skill with a gun can sometimes bring rewards.

It can, and I’ve been blessed by God with the skill that I possess.

It’s a gift from God rather than something you’ve trained yourself to do?

I train, but without the skill that God gave me I couldn’t have done what I have.

You choose another way to hunt too, with falcons.

Again, that’s another of our great desert traditions. It is perhaps the oldest form of hunting. My father bought me my first falcon.

How do you set about training a falcon to hunt?

Their most basic instinct is to eat. So for some days I would starve it. Then I would give it

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a little meat. It begins to learn that I will not hurt it, it begins to learn to trust me. Over time the bond grew, until the day that it was ready to kill for itself. I caught a pigeon and tied the end of a long piece of rope to its leg, and the other end of the rope to the falcon’s leg. I then released them. Neither bird could fly away from each other. Then the falcon’s instinct took over and he saw the pigeon as prey and caught it and killed it.

Falcons use only their talons to kill?

He’d proved to me that he would kill, and not just fly away. After this I released it and he killed rabbits and other birds - including the big native Houbara.

In your earlier days you found plenty of quarry in Kuwait?

I did. But then it began to decline. From 1980 through until 1990 I’d hunt in Iraq. These days we still hunt in Kuwait, but also go to Saudi Arabia and other places in the region.

That’s right. They slice the veins in their prey’s neck. And then they sit and wait for the animal to bleed to death. They are the only bird that kills in this way - they will not eat the meat until the blood has drained. And this is exactly the way the Quran tells use to kill and eat our meat. Falcons are the only birds that treat their meat in the same way we Muslims do.

Did you capture your current falcon yourself?

From killing a tethered pigeon, you were able to release your falcon to other prey?

Well, it is for me. I think they, and Russian falcons, are the best hunters in the world.

Hunting for falcons is something different altogether. The falcon I have was captured in Iran, and brought to me here.

Is the fact that it’s from Iran significant in the falconing world?

Another place many falcons come from is Mongolia - but in my opinion these falcons don’t hunt so well. In Mongolia a falcon can live its whole life on a diet of mice. The countryside is full of them and they are easy to catch. The falcon doesn’t have to learn great skill in hunting.

Naturally, a falcon which has experience with big prey makes a better hunter once in your hands?

Absolutely. It will have developed the skill to spot prey from a distance, learned how to attack and how to kill sometimes powerful opponents.

In the air they attack at considerable speed too?

They can reach speeds of up to 300km/h when they descend at maximum speed. Their prey simply don’t see them coming.

When you’re hunting with your falcon, how do you see yourself and what is your relationship with your prey?

It’s the same as it is with any form of hunting.

It is proving our skills over our prey’s skill. It is the most basic of instincts to hunt - without hunting man would not have survived and flourished.

You still find plenty of worthy adversaries whilst out with your bird or your gun?

I do. And one of the very cleverest I have found close at home. The Houbara is a very clever bird. It’s big, so presents an easy target - but as a hunter we have to spot it first.

I’ve seen many Houbara who, when spotted running across the desert, freeze - even with one leg off the ground in mid-step. Unless you’ve seen it moving by this time they are almost impossible to spot against the desert landscape. I’ve followed a Houbara which has disappeared behind a tree. As I followed them around the tree they keep themselves on the blind-side by walking around at the same pace as me. And on other occasions, when

I’ve been hunting in a group, we’ve found Houbara tracks and encircled the bird with up to twenty trucks. Yet as we closed in tighter and tighter around the bird it slipped out of the circle - and none of us saw it go!

So, the challenge continues every time you go out.

It does, and it’s something I never tire of.

There’s always new prey and the excitement of the hunt. It’s important that we continue this tradition. My son, Talal, is proving to be a great shot too. He’s only 16 but it looks like he’ll continue well in the footsteps of our fore-fathers.

It seems hunting, and its traditions, are safe in the hands of the Al-Rashidi family. Abdullah Al-Rashidi will continue to represent Kuwait around the world in skeet competition - most recently he was in Beijing mid-April for the World Championships - but he’ll always retain the heart of a desert hunter.

Abdullah Al-Rashidi was in conversation with Simon Balsom, and his exclusive interview is published courtesy of Men's Passion magazine - Kuwait.

Photographer: Khalid Al-Saleh / PH7

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Hunting in

Eastern Europe

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With Eastern Europe coming more and more into the global community it has emerged as an area of the world that offers some superb hunting destinations at very afford able prices.

Some big game species that you can expect to encounter are such animals as, the Siberian Brown Bear, Huge Moose, Reindeer, Wild Boar, Roe and Red Deer. These offer really exciting hunting, if that’s what you are hankering after, but in this issue we are going to focus on the more genteel of sporting birds the inimitable Woodcock and its close cousin the Snipe, as well as duck and geese.

Woodcock and Snipe in Russia.

The Woodcock and snipe are small wading birds and offer the avid shotgunner some of the best wing shooting available. They are small and incredibly fast and rarely do they fly in a straight line for long, they jink from side to side, up and down and one has to be very quick and accurate to be able to shoot them. If you manage to take a pair of snipe or woodcock, as left and rights, it is something to celebrate.

It is a fact that Russia is the home of over three quarters of the world population of woodcock so it is natural that some of the best woodcock and snipe hunting is to be found in the Russian Federation. These small birds migrate to Europe in the harsh Russian and Northern European winter. It is usual that the spring woodcock hunt is included in a package to hunt capercaillie and black grouse. To hunt these small quick wading birds one has to go out during the latter part of the evening when the males are flying along the shorelines and the reed beds and water meadows making their distinctive snorting mating call looking for mates who then fly up off the ground to take part in the mating ritual.

It is then that you need to try and shoot them as they are silhouetted against the evening sky. During the daytime they usually spend their time resting in thick cover and, being nocturnal, only really immerge at dusk and at night.

The autumn woodcock hunt can be particularly rewarding as the birds get set to migrate and sightings of the birds, known as flashes due to the speed of the birds, can be anything from 20 to 30 per day around the

Sea of Azov, and up to 50 flashes per day in the Caucasus mountain foothills. Because of their size and coloration both woodcock and snipe are not easily located. They will lay flat and very still in the reeds and grasses and a hunter can pass by almost in touching distance and will miss the bird completely so it is essential that, irrespective of whether you hunt them driven or walked up, you take along a couple of dogs with you in order to flush them out. Normally the number of guns is small as the bag will not be huge, so it is ideal if you take one or maximum two good friends along with you as well as a couple of pointers or setters to sniff out these elusive birds.

Some hunters are loath to shoot woodcock or snipe due to their appearance and their size and I am of the opinion that whilst they are numerous one should not just shoot them for the sake of shooting. If you do not intend to eat them, or send them to be eaten, then don’t shoot them. The small breasts of the birds are particularly tender and flavorsome and in some regions of France the brains are eaten on toothpicks, a tradition that I am afraid is not to my liking, but everyone to his own taste.

As with all small game a light load and small shot size is recommended otherwise you will do too much damage to the bird and will ruin the edible carcass, so a 24gram, No9 cartridge will suffice. All shotgun gauges can be used, from 12g, 20g, 28g and .410.

Duck and Geese in Romania.

Romania is another country that offers excellent hunting prospects for a wide variety of game. Big game varieties include Deer, Chamois, Wolf, Wild Boar and Bear. On the other hand Romania offers tremendous wing shooting opportunities, with most species of game birds available. As with Russia the Woodcock and the Snipe are available, but if Duck and Goose shooting is what you’re after then Romania will not disappoint.

Romania has around 18 species of duck, both indigenous and migratory, the most prominent being, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Godwal and Pintail as well as the lesser known, Ferruginosus and White Headed Duck.

The best season to hunt duck in Romania ›

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would be from October through to February, but the Mallard season extends to mid March. During winter though the hunting depends on the weather and if the lakes and ponds are frozen or not. In some cases, if the usual habitat water is frozen over during the winter months, the birds will take to the River Danube where ducks are hunted from motor launches. This can be quite a relaxing experience with a great deal of comfort being afforded by the boat with all its amenities not normally associated with flight pond type duck hunts.

The more normal hunts are obviously available and usually take place, as one would expect, in the early morning and early evening. In the milder weather these hunts can be over decoys with the hunter ensconced in hides or concealed in the reed beds or hidden in other foliage. For duck, a 12gauge shotgun is recommended with relatively heavy loads, 32gram of No.4 or No.5 shot size.

Both migrant and indigenous species of geese are available in Romania. In the cooler regions the migration started in October and this is the best time to hunt geese in these regions.

The birds will stay on the Danube Delta lakes and ponds and on the Shores of the river Danube itself until the snow and frost covers the grain field which had been a good source of food for the geese.

The geese are in the most prodigious quantities from the beginning of November till the end of February and can weigh anywhere from 2 to 6kg. As with most goose shooting it will be either over water or fields and will take place in the mornings or early evening when they come to the ponds or fields to rest or to feed. As with the ducks the shooting takes place from hides which are constructed on the shore line on known flight paths or from boats on the ponds and lakes. The geese can be “called� to the hunter by the use of artificial goose calls and decoys either floating on the water or set out to look as though they are feeding on the crop fields. For Goose, a 12 gauge shotgun is recommended with a heavy cartridge, say 34 gram of BB or No.1 or No.2 shot size.

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Cartridge Type In general many Eastern European States have, up to now, taken a more liberal attitude to the use of lead shot and plastic wadded cartridges for wildfowling over wetland.

According to the latest UNEP/AEWA report, Romania and most of the Russian Federation have not implemented either a statutory or voluntary ban on toxic shot and wads used in wildfowling cartridges. However if you

have a strong opinion on the use of non toxic cartridges there would be no objection from any of these countries should a hunter prefer to use non toxic ammunition, but obtaining them locally could be a problem as it is doubtful that either steel, bismuth or tungsten shot cartridges would be available. If the hunting outfitter is to supply the ammunition, which is most likely, then he will naturally provide you with the appropriate cartridges.

hunting season

Hunting in

Argentina

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Argentina offers some of the best hunting in the world, whether that’s wing shooting or game shooting or fishing. The climate is variable due to the enormous size and shape of the country and ranges from tropical and humid in the north east; to the central coastal regions which are warm and humid in the summer and cool in the winter. The pampas tends to be moderate all year round and in the far south it can be sub arctic.

Its location, in respect to the Middle East, means that it is a pretty long journey but

believe me the trip is worth it if you want hunting with plenty of game birds. One outfitter gives out trophies to those hunters who shoot 1000 or more doves in one day and there has been an instance where one American hunter managed to shoot a total of 2,524 doves in a single day. I am sure it was a long day and he must have had more than one gun, which I assume was a semi auto. The pigeons and doves fly in, in vast numbers and can literally decimate grain crops so the more birds taken the happier the farmers are.

The type of wing shooting you can expect is varied and plenty, pigeon and dove of course and all kinds of duck, from Pochard, Teal, Widgeon, Pintails and Shoveler, to name a few and geese are there a plenty as well. In terms of bigger game you can hunt, Wild Boar, Goat, Wild Sheep, Red Stag, Antelope, Fallow Deer and Water Buffalo, and in some areas, Puma. Hunting with most of the outfitters is fair chase hunting.

In this article we will be covering wing shooting and in our next issue we will cover big game as both offer different kinds of sport and one can combine the two, say half of the hunt wing shooting with the other half stalking big game. Predominantly wing shooting takes place in the central region with its vast open land mass, and for doves, it is open season all year round with no bag limits. There are so many of them. The pigeon season runs from March to October, and duck and goose and partridge the season runs from May to August. Duck shooting is especially exciting as the terrain around, Corrientes, in the central northern region, is an ideal duck habitat with its large numbers of lakes and flight ponds.

What usually happen is that prior to the start of the hunting the lakes and ponds are fed with corn and grain to attract the ducks; a method that is allowed in Argentina. The birds are then shot from hides which can be erected either on the shore line of the water or actually on the water itself. The water hides can be permanent structures or camouflaged boats. As is normal the world round decoys are used as well as duck calls to attract the ducks on to the water.

The huge land mass that you can hunt over means that there will always be plenty of ducks to take. You will experience mile after mile of open prairie and grain fields, as well as ponds, lakes and marshes where there are birds that have never been hunted before. A good time to hunt duck is during the morning feeding time and some hunts stipulate a bag limit per session depending on the number of ducks on the land. A bag of 40 to 60 ducks per session is normal; however, in some areas you could be able to harvest 400 to 500 ducks per day. The duck species is very diverse and Argentina has some of the most beautiful looking birds around, so if you are interested and you local law allows there is a great opportunity to collect some really stunning trophies. Exquisite birds such as, White Cheeked Pintail, Silver Teal and Red Billed Pochard, make especially attractive trophies and the outfitter can usually provide a taxidermist service or can prepare your ducks for you to take home with you to have them stuffed and mounted to your own particular specification.

Geese are another species that migrate to the South through March and April, and by

mid May there will be huge quantities of geese all over the southern pampas region. The area is studded with ranches that provide superb opportunities for the avid hunter. Geese are best taken early morning so the day starts with an early breakfast and you will be in the field before dawn. Decoys are put out and hides constructed in the fields of sunflowers that have gone to seed just before they are harvested.

The two species of goose that are hunted in Argentina are the Magellan Goose, named after the famed explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and the Ashey-Headed Goose named after the ash gray coloring of its head. The Magellan male is snowy white with black stripes down its back and black tips to its wings, whilst the female is brown with a russet head. The Ashey has the gray head with ruddy brown breast and black and white wings.

The geese nest in the south and migrate north in early May and they number in the hundreds of thousands. The geese are classed as pests due to the extensive damage they do to the serial crops of wheat, corn, sorghum ›

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and soy beans. The farmers welcome the hunter and the shooter remains busy during the hunt as the geese keep on coming in over the decoys all morning. The goose shoot will last till around mid day normally when the traditional afternoon siesta will take place and then it will be out in the fields again mid afternoon to harvest partridge or doves or the Perdiz.

The Perdiz is a smallish bird similar in size to partridge or quail. They are renowned for the superb flavor of their meat and it is one of the best white meat birds in the region. There is usually a bag limit on the Perdiz depending where you are shooting and it would be relatively small of around 10 or 12 birds per day. However the hunt is exciting as it usually consists of walked up shooting with the birds

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being flushed by dogs, of the German Short Haired Pointer or the English Setter, breeds.

Shooting in Argentina is a great experience especially if its quantity of birds you are looking for. The vast quantities of doves that are available to shoot would move me to recommend that you use a semi automatic shotgun. I am usually more traditional and would normally prefer the over and under, but in these circumstances I would have no hesitation in recommending the lighter recoil and larger shell capacity of the auto. In fact for the doves and pigeon two guns and a loader would not go amiss.

You can bring your own guns into Argentina and the import procedure is, by and large, uncomplicated provided you have the correct

paperwork and your outfitter will be happy to advise you on the correct procedure.

However, the clearing of your gun through customs, whilst an amiable affair, can take well over an hour to complete so it may be better to hire your guns from the outfitter at the site.

Accommodation is usually very good and the hospitality very warm. You can opt for hotel or hunting lodge and whichever you decide you would be made very welcome and the local food and beverages very appetizing. As I said, Argentina can be a very high volume hunting destination and the game available very varied. You will not be disappointed in your trip, I am sure, but make sure you do your homework and check out the outfitters available, and if possible look for personal recommendations. H&S would be only too happy to point you in the right direction.

hunting season

Bavaria A Hunter’s Wonderland

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The land of Bavaria is truly a geological wonderland. Located in southern-east Germany, Bavaria is etched with streaming lakes, forests, pleasant villages, plains and mountains. It is Germany's' oldest and largest state. Bavaria certainly does reveal a whole new range of leisure activities for a spirit that is “hunting” for more!

Before we move on to the vast leisure activities and the many attractions of this gorgeous destination, let us explore what we all really want to know Hunting in Bavaria Hunting is a very popular sport and profession in Germany and it is carried out all across the country. For quite a while now, a lot of people have been travelling to Bavaria to hunt as it has become one of the most popular hunting destinations in the world. The activity is widespread with strict yet fair laws that have been established with respect to the environment and wildlife.

obtain a hunting license, one must have knowledge of different species of game, basic animal biology, game damage prevention, farming and forestry, firearms laws and techniques as well as the wildlife, nature and landscape conservation laws. Once you are in possession of your hunting permit, the forests of Germany automatically become your oyster!. However, in Germany you will not be able to find many outfitters or hunting lodges that will be able to arrange your entire hunting trip. Instead, hunting areas are usually privately owned or part of a hunting co-operative or state forests. Hunting rights may also be leased to a third party. The different sorts of hunting methods in Germany fall under three categories - Shooting, Trapping & Falconry.

What guns am I allowed to bring?

In Germany, there are no calibre restrictions for shooting, although 12, 16 and 20 bore shotgun are the usual. Automatic or semiautomatic weapons with space for more than two cartridges in the magazine are not permitted.

Is a hunting permit required?

To be allowed to hunt in Germany, a valid hunting license is required. Once you are in possession of the license, hunting throughout Germany will be permitted. In order to

What game should I expect?

Germany is very well known for its very high and well managed population of Roe Deer, Russian Boars, Fellow Deer, Mouflon Sheep

and Red Deer. The most common animals to hunt in Bavaria are the Roe Buck and the Russian Boar. Traditional hunting is done from a tree stand in the morning and evening hours - for Roe Bucks especially.

The different animals available for hunt are: • Wild Boar (Shoats) - All year round.

• Wild Boar (Male adults and non-dominant females) - June 16 – January 31 • Wild Boar (Dominant Females) October 1 - January 31 • Deer (Fawns) - September 1 - February 28 • Deer (Young does & does) May 1 - January 31 • Deer (Bucks) - May 1 - October 15 • Foxes - All year round • Partridge - January 1 - December 15 • Mallard - September 1 - December 15 • Pigeon - July 1 - April 20

With regards to upland birds, the problem is not the lack of game but lack of habitat. If there were more suitable conditions, nature in Bavaria would soon be filled with quail, pheasant and other small non-migratory game.

Besides being extremely suitable for hunting, the region of Bavaria is a paradise for outdoor activities that offers you the chance to explore the natural wonders of the world. Traditional sporting activities such as cycling, hiking, climbing jogging, swimming, paragliding, rafting, kayaking, skiing, long distance running are all possible…Yes, Bavaria really does have it all.

So if you are as adventurous as the desert skies and the roaring seas, it is definitely the place for you, offering you great game trophies, wonderful experiences and amazing extreme activities.

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Cape Buffalo Hunt in Africa

The African Big Five game animals are also known as dangerous game and one of the most dangerous is the Cape buffalo. Some times known as, Black Death. If you come face to face with a big bull that looks at you as though you owe it money, you had better be prepared to shoot it, or get the heck out of its territory as fast as you can.

The Cape buffalo are in abundance throughout Africa and some herds can contain well over 1000 head. The larger herd animals tend to be less aggressive than

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a smaller herd or a lone bull. The larger the herd the more protected they are, of course.

An old lone bull, known locally as a, Dagga Boy, which translates into, Mud Boy, can be very aggressive if he feels challenged and will charge at the first sign of danger, and you really do not want to be on the wrong end of one of those charges. Even if shot he will keep on coming until his last breath and at up 1000kg and with the record horn spread of over 1.5 meters you need to place your shot in the right place and be ready with a follow up shot straight away.

As you can see these are big animals and so the correct shot placement with the right caliber of bullet is essential and one can not skimp on caliber. In most African provinces the smallest caliber for hunting big/dangerous game is, by law, .375H&H. I would recommend, for Cape buffalo .416 Rigby or .450 Holland and Holland with 400 or 450 grain bullet. If you can take a broadside shot then placement should be, as with all game, to the vitals, the heart and the lungs. This shot should be a little lower than the centerline of the body and just to

the back of the front leg. If you get it just right a 375 H&H will do the business and should drop the bull form a distance of 50 to 75 meters. This would be the safest shot. The head on shot is less secure as the target area is somewhat smaller and the margin for error is greater. You can never predict the way the beast will be positioned, so for my money be prepared for all eventualities and plump for a heavier caliber than the .375.

OK, so you have your Dagga Boy facing you and his head is up. Aim for the center of the chest to get a heart shot. If his head is down a brain shot, right between the eyes, will stop him cold. But don’t forget that a chest shot has lots of tough hide, bone and muscle to go through and a head shot has the scull to contend with. For the head shot you should be either on the same plain as the buffalo or higher, otherwise if he is above you there is a possibility of the bullet skidding off the scull. In any event use a good quality 400 or 450 grain soft nosed hardened bullet that has sufficient penetrating characteristics such that if the brain is missed it will penetrate deep enough to find other vitals such as the spine. If your bull is wounded it will tend to run away in the first instance and will rarely charge straight away as it tries to work out what has happened. It also has the capability of travelling great distances whilst wounded and will know that it is being tracked and so is extremely dangerous. Hence the name, Black Death. It is also very vindictive and if it decides it has run for long enough it will take itself into thick brush cover and wait to ambush you.

Tracking a wounded buffalo has to be done as it is your responsibility to ensure it is killed as humanely as possible and should not be left to suffer. But be warned, and tread very carefully and be ready to shoot for the brain as soon as it appears. Do not rely on one gun always have a back up rifle loaded with the same heavy caliber ordinance, preferably in solid brass.

Detailing the above reminds me of a typical Cape buffalo hunt I was on some years ago.

We were in Limpopo province, South Africa, based in a small town called Hoedspruit, on the Eastern side of the province but just to

the West of the famous Kruger National Park. I was hunting with a private professional hunter and we were looking for exactly the type of buffalo as described above. Robby knew that there was an old bull that needed culling as it was about 15 or 16 years old, past its prime breading age, and was tending to isolate itself from the other members of the herd. We knew the general location of the herd and the bull tended to follow it but not get too involved. The first day the wind was not in our favor and whilst we caught sight of the herd from a distance they kept moving away from us as they have a very acute sense of smell and will travel many miles to distance themselves from the perceived danger. We had tracked them for most of the day and the afternoon was starting to close in. The rains that year had been particularly heavy and now, in October, the vegetation was thick and lush. Whilst this gave us good cover it also gave the old bull good cover as well.

We decided to head back to the lodge whilst making a note of the vicinity of the herd and resolved to come back early the next day. We had not sighted the bull we were after but Robbie’s instinct told him it would be close by the rest of the herd. He said he could sense his presence. Whether I believe that or not is debatable but after 30 years in the bush I suppose you get a sort of sixth sense. Anyway he was “The Man” and I relied on him.

The Toyota Twin Cab was following at about 3 kilometers behind us so Robbie called it up and we headed back to the lodge in relative comfort. After dinner we sat out on the veranda and watched as the sun set and listened to the sounds of Africa. Some distance away we could hear the roar of two lions calling to one another and other animal noises that I could not distinguish. I had hunted a few times in South Africa but this was the first time I had gone after buffalo and I was excited about the prospect. Robbie had explained the procedure for taking a buffalo and the inherent dangers associated with that task, but went over them again as we sat quietly as night fell and the world became dark.

The next morning we headed back out to

where we had last seen the buffalo herd and Robbie sent his two best trackers on ahead to scout the terrain. As they trotted off he said that it could be a waiting game but that the wind was in our favor so we should be ably to get closer to the herd than yesterday. He did point out, however that we should not just focus on the main herd as the Dagga Boy we wanted was likely to be on his own some distance away from them; and sure enough it was not long before Jacob and Mbuto, came trotting back with the news that they had spotted the herd and that they thought that they had spotted the old bull through their glasses in some grass and shrub a short distance away, basking in the early morning sun. As the buffalo was lying down and in cover they could not be certain but its head and horns were visible and the fact that it was on its own made it a good bet that it was.

Crouching now we followed the trackers to a spot about 400 meters from the bull and Robbie took a look through his spotter scope. A telescope gives better magnification than binoculars so he could get a better idea of what he was looking at. With the scope resting on his shooting stick he confirmed that it was indeed the old bull we were after but in this position and with him laying down it was impossible to take a shot. We would just have to wait. The wind stayed in our face and consequently in our favor, so we waited. And we waited. The herd was grazing and Robbie said that they would soon move on grazing as they went and the bull would inevitably follow.

We waited for a good hour just watching and waiting as the herd slowly moved away from us all the while putting more distance between them and the old bull. Then all of a sudden we saw the old bull start to rise and then he was on his feet and through our glasses we saw him raise his head and give a bellow which we could hear even from the distance we were away from him. Fortunately there was sufficient brush and trees to cover our stalk and we had to close the gap as quickly and as quietly as we could. He was feeding as he went slowly following the main herd but with his back to us. We wanted to keep it that way until we got within range to reduce the chance of our being spotted. ›

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The terrain was such that we were not able to keep the bull always in our sight but we closed the gap and after maybe another hour of stalking we were getting to within a distance of 75 meters where a shot would be possible but with the cover we were in Robbie had decided that 50 meters would be better.

All the time now we were maneuvering so that we had trees and brush between him and us but also making sure that we did not get upwind of him. Once he got our scent he would be off, then it would be a long arduous trek to follow him until he got tired and decided he had enough and there would then be a possibility that he would turn the tables on us and wait until he was in a position to attack. This is not what we wanted. We were about 60 meters away from him now and standing behind an old thorn bush with sufficient foliage to keep us concealed. Robbie suggested that this was as good a position as we were likely to get and as the buffalo had walked quite a distance and there was an abundance of lush grass for them to feed on, they would stay around for awhile. By now the old bull had worked his way closer to the herd and was less wary but he was still not in a good enough position for me to take the shot. We waited and waited, and time seemed to stand still and every move he made we prayed he would turn broadside on to us. A

few times it looked as though he would then a choice clump of grass to his right would make him turn away.

Then after what seemed to be a life time he started to move towards us, but quartering.

We dare not move, we hardly breathed, but Robbie indicated that I should prepare myself for the shot. I had chambered the bullet earlier so that the buffalo would not pick up on the sound of the bolt being worked. The 400 grain Rigby was in the chamber and the safety was on. I was able to use that tree branch as a rest and was able to position the muzzle so that there was no obstruction, provided the bull did not move too far to the left or the right. He was now in a position that exposed his head and his chest for a kill shot and as I looked at Robbie I saw he had his rifle in position as well with the safety off. I slipped my safety off and took another glance at Robbie who nodded his head very gently and tapped his heart with the flat of his right hand.

As I peered through my Leupold scope the bull came into vivid focus his head and chest almost filling the optic. I placed the cross hairs in the center of his chest just to the right of his neck and waited. Adjusting slightly with his every movement. My shoulder was beginning to ache and sweat was running down my back but I had to close my mind to all that and

focus. Then he lifted his head and keeping his body still looked to his right his gaze following the rest of the herd and exposing the whole chest area and I knew that this was the moment. I heard Robbie whisper, “Now,” and as I took a breath and held it my finger gently squeezed the trigger sending the bullet on it way. I did not hear the report of the rifle or feel the recoil, my mind and eyes were on the bull. Robbie breathed, “Good shot that will drop him”. But it didn’t, not right away, he spun on his back legs and took off into the brush and trees to his left. You could hear him bellowing and the crashing of branches as he tried to get away, as the rest of the herd took of in all directions. We waited for about fifteen minutes and then we went in search of, Black Death. There was a blood trail that was easy to follow and the broken scrub and tree branches indicated his passing. Then Mbuto stopped, and held up his hand, pointing to a spot maybe thirty meters in front of us and there lay the old bull, the old Dagga Boy, we went very cautiously forward and Robbie was ready to put in the follow up shot should it be necessary. It was not. My shot had taken him in the heart and the lung and Jacob lifted his eye lids with rifle rest he was carrying whilst Robbie stood ready. But they confirmed he was dead.

That evening after dinner we sat again on the veranda and discussed the events of the day as well as the plans for the next day. I had come to Africa to hunt not only buffalo but Kudu as well and that would be our next adventure tomorrow. Greater Kudu bulls can weigh up to 270kg for a trophy animal and the record horn length is just over 187cm. The horns have a distinctive spiral to them which by the age of 6 years have two and a half twists and a mane or beard running from the chin down their throat. The female on the other hand has no main or horns. Hunting Kudu takes great perseverance and patience as they are very alert animals having an acute sense of hearing.

They are also sensitive to outsiders and are adept at camouflaging themselves in the trees and bus. They will stand very still if threatened and are very difficult to pick out and because of this they are known as the, Gray Ghosts of Africa.

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Kudu are in abundance in various parts of Africa but it is nor easy to find a big bull that is worthy of a long trek and stalk. There is some dispute amongst hunters as to the best time of day to hunt them. Some say early morning or late afternoon which is the time they tend to feed and so are more evident. However, some PH’s say that mid day is best when they tend to stand in the shade of trees and which will give you a chance of a good shot provided you are stealthy in your approach and you have glassed them well with your binoculars from a good distance away. Kudu are classed as large none dangerous game so a medium caliber rifle and bullet should be used. There are many calibers that would suit but as a minimum I would suggest a 150 grain .270 Winchester magnums and to be on the safe side a 180 grain, 308 would be ideal. I know that there are compromises in terms of recoil, weight and cost, but between the two there is very little difference and whilst you can be under gunned it is unlikely that you can ever be over gunned, especially with the larger African Game.

So as Robbie finished educating me on the Greater Kudu we decided to go out in the morning and see if we could find a good bull grazing but failing that wait till midday and catch one taking the shade. So with this in mind we took to our beds. After breakfast the next morning we mounted the Pick up along with the trackers and headed off into the bush veldt in search of our quarry. We needed to look for them where there is an abundance of fresh grass and vegetation, and of course water. And Robbie had seen a small heard of around 16 beasts with four or five mail Kudu close by. The females and the calves tend to stick together and the bulls tend to remain somewhat remote forming their own bachelor heard until the mating season of April and May. We had travelled through some relatively easy terrain but after about an hour the vegetation became thicker and denser. We left the relative flat plain behind and now the vista consisted of woodland and undulating ground with some pretty significant hills to our left and our right. It was at this time that

Robbie suggested we take to our feet as it was just over the next hill and down into the valley below that there was a small water hole where he was hoping to see the Kudu heard.

We unloaded our gear whilst Robbie sent his trackers of at a loping trot to spy out the land and to report back. As we followed on behind the heat of the day was just starting to be felt but at this time of the year nothing to distressing. I noted Mbuto pick up some dust and throw it in the air to confirm the wind direction and this was noted by Robbie who said that we should be OK on this path provided there was no change in wind direction. The main thing with Kudu is not to make any noise as they have very large ears and a very acute sense of hearing and smell. If spooked they will take off into the bush and just disappear. They may not be the fastest of the African antelope but they can jump extremely high over brush and shrub and by laying there long horns along their backs they will take off and that will be the last you will see of them.

We walked slowly giving the trackers time to see how the land lay and it was not long before they were back with the news. Some

good, some not so good. The herd were there right enough but the bulls, six in total, was directly behind the main heard of cows and calves making getting to them rather difficult. They were all the time grazing and slowly on the move and Robbie said that it would be best to keep an eye on them and see if they went into the shade mid morning and perhaps we would be lucky enough to be able to get into a position to take a shot.

From our vantage point on top of the hill we were about 700 meters from the heard and whilst there was cover we would have had to basically go through the females and young to get to the bulls, so it was going to be a waiting game. We were far enough away not to be heard under normal circumstances but, none the less we all spoke in whispers whilst constantly watching the heard through our binoculars.

Then suddenly Joseph, the other tracker, came scurrying back with a huge grin on his face from somewhere out of our sight, I had thought he had gone for a comfort break, but no, he had circled round to the east of our position all the time making sure he was ›

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as when we were able to peer through the trees to the waterhole the solitary old bull was grazing on his own completely isolated from the rest of the herd which meant that we should be able to take him provided he gave us a decent shot, which currently he did not. Not unless you wanted to shoot him in the rump which would not be a good idea.

We must have waited for about an other 45 minutes all the while watching the bull graze, go to the water and come back to graze some more. The sun was getting high in the sky now and the thing Robbie was hoping for was that the bull would head for the shade that surrounded the waterhole. Then unbelievably the bull turned and started to slowly walk to where we were hidden. He was slightly quartering to our left coming on slowly. It looked like the same shot that I took the buffalo with yesterday. We all held our breath as the bull made its way to us.

down wind and being very cautious. In Afrikaans he explained that he has seen a solitary bull in the undergrowth heading towards the water hole and he should be coming into view very shortly. My heart skipped a beat as he immerged from our right slowly walking towards the females and the water. This was our chance but we needed to get to a position to be able to get a good shot and if we went back down the hill and then basically followed his path it should give us the opportunity we had been looking for. It took us about an hour to circumnavigate the

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hill and put us directly behind where the old bull should be. We were now going through brush and trees so we were in good cover but we had to be very careful not to spook the Kudu by snapping twigs or dead branches, and we had to be sure we did not get too close to the wind.

We were not able to keep our eyes on the herd or the old bull and so we were walking slowly for an hour not knowing what to expect when we eventually were able to break cover. However luck was on our side

Whispering directly into my ear Robbie said that I had to take him before he got too close as he would soon become aware of our presence. He was maybe two hundred meters away and Robbie said to wait no more that another 50 meters and take the shot. If he kept on facing us then it would be the same shot as the buffalo but let’s see what he does.

Meter after meter the angle became more acute. He would head right then stop, then continue until, all at once, he saw a particularly sweet clump of grass and turned broadside on. The safety catch came off and his shoulder came into the cross hairs of my rifle scope and I made the shot. From this distance the trajectory was pretty flat and the shot was good. The bullet entered the old boys heart and vitals and he dropped onto his front legs and stayed like that for maybe five seconds and fell over onto his side. Dead as he hit the ground. The rest of the herd was off as soon as they heard the shot but my focus was on the bull on the ground. That evening we had the choice of barbequed buffalo steak or kudu steak and as kudu meat is arguably the finest tasting of all African game we decided on that with buffalo for the following evening, which rounded of a great couple of days hunting.

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BOSS Black

BOSS Watches available through Fashion Trading Company s.a.r.l. Phone +961 1 360690 www.hugoboss.com

hunting experience

Kroonstad Safari

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It is our mission at H&S to provide our readers with a magazine that is pretty diverse in its content, catering for all tastes relating to hunting, shooting and outdoor activities.

Not only will we write about these activities but will arrange safaris for our readers to personally enjoy the adventure first hand. The previous issue of H&S was the first and to prove our commitment to our stated mission we organized a safari to South Africa for fourteen hunters, and below is a brief account

of the adventure, which as you will see, was enjoyed by all the people that went.

between. Nothing was left for the individual to do.

We at H&S are avid hunters in our own right and as such we use our experience to provide other hunters with safaris to suit their requirements. This particular trip was to South Africa and included wing shooting as well as game shooting and H&S arranged every aspect of the adventure from arranging the flights to and from South Africa and everything in

We have many contacts with professional outfitters and hunters in all parts of South Africa, and can arrange tailor made personal safaris to suit all kinds of hunting scenarios, from wing shooting, game shooting, combination shoots, to photographic safaris for those who do not want to hunt to kill. ›

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The adventure started as the fourteen hunters arrived to Dubai Airport to meet up with the two H&S personnel who would accompany them every step of the way to ensure that every aspect of the trip ran smoothly. Having shepparded everyone through the airport and on to the plane, Joe and Hisham, our two H&S representative, were able to relax for the seven and a half hour flight to Johannesburg.

Upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, the group was met by our professional hunter and owner of the farm for this trip, who transported them to the hunting lodge in, Kroonstad, one of the most beautiful towns in the Free State, and two and a half hours drive North West along Rout N1. With one mini bus and two 4x4’s, and a trailer for the luggage they set off in eager anticipation of the experience to come.

It was evening before they arrived at the lodge and after being allocated their rooms and freshening up a light meal was prepared in the bar on the veranda where the hunters could relax after their journey and watch the sun set and the wildfowl come in to nest for the night on the lake just a few meters away from where they sat. The atmosphere was of subdued excitement in anticipation of the days to come.

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The accommodation was first class and consisted of twelve individual self contained en-suit bungalows and four en-suit rooms in the main guest house. Very comfortable indeed and everyone slept well that night so as to be up at 06:30 the following morning for breakfast in the main dinning hall. After a hearty breakfast and over coffee or tea they were introduced to the other two professional

hunters who would be their guides and who would assist the owner of the farm for the duration.

After the introductions they were taken out side to be introduced to the trackers and the three English pointer dogs that would be the eyes and ears for the PH’s. Ammunition and fire arms were distributed, some semi

auto shot guns and some over and under, depending on preference, and by 07:30 they were on the road; and on their stands in the fields of sunflowers by 08:30 ready for the mornings dove shoot.

The farm itself covers about five and a half thousand hectare and is somewhat flat but undulating with numerous dams and flight ponds and numerous wooded areas making ideal for both bird shooting and game shooting.

The doves were in the fields in abundance, flock after flock attempting to feed off the sun flower seeds and many succumbed to the avid shooting of the hunters. By 12:30 it was time for lunch and a break until around 3 0’clock when it was agreed that the shooting was so good in the morning that they should go and try their luck in the afternoon, which turned out to be just as good as the mornings shoot.

The total bag was impressive and saved the farmer a good deal of sun flower seed.

quantities of birds and every gun was shooting more or less continuously to the point that a few just took a rest periodically and enjoyed relaxing watching the others take the birds.

Day two was a copy of day one but this time shooting over corn which produced large

Day three was slightly different with the guns being split into two groups, the first returning

to the corn and sun flower fields and the second group enjoying a walked up shoot through the fields and wooded area with the dogs flushing guineafowl, francolin and pheasant. Splitting the guns into two groups was a good idea as they could relate their experiences to one another over dinner or over post dinner drinks.

Day four was basically as day three but the groups changed orientation. The dove shooters shot game birds and vice versa.

Day five was as day four but people chose what they wanted to shoot.

The days concluded with sumptuous BBQ dinners on the balcony or in the dinning hall at about 7 o’clock and after dinner a relaxation drink on the veranda overlooking the lake.

On days 1, 2 and 3, at around 9:30 pm those who wished to go on an evening hunt were

›

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hunting experience

split into groups and some went out to shoot fox, rabbit, and porcupine and lamping guinea fowl, whilst others chose to shoot wildfowl over the flight ponds and dams, in the form of duck and goose.

On days 4 and 5 it was evening game hunting with the guns shooting wild boar, Impala, springbok and blue and black wildebeest. On the forth evening a 90 kg wild boar was shot and taken back to camp and was spit roasted on the barbeque the following evening. I am told it was the most succulent pork that the hunters have ever tasted. I am sure it was great, but the atmosphere and the fact that it had been shot the day previous buy one of the group must have added to the flavor.

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The last night was quite special as the owner of the farm had built a huge bonfire and by coincidence he had a famous South African Opera singer staying at the lodge who was booked to perform in the town over the next couple of nights and whilst the sun set and the bonfire blazed the opera singer did a very passable impression of, Luciano Pavarotti, to the delight of the hunters who, after a few drinks, joined in as best they could. As Italian was not their native language a lot of it was indecipherable, but a wonderful memory none the less.

The next morning all the guys said their good byes to the guides and professional hunters and were driven to Johannesburg. As they had a few hours before they had be at the airport a tour of Johannesburg was arranged for the group and they were also taken on a tour of the, Johannesburg Safari Park, where they were able to got up close and personal with all kinds of bush game including Zebra, wildebeest, springbok and giraffe. They also visited the lion compound where they were able to get within a few meters of whole prides of adult lions from the safety of four wheel drive vehicles. As well, they were able to handle lion cubs that had been bred in the park. A wonderfully unique experience which only added to the memory of the trip as a whole and will stay with them for a long, long time. At least until the next safari that is.

This five day safari was arranged by “Hunting and Safari Magazine” in its entirety and was all inclusive of travel from Dubai to Kroonstaad and back to Dubai, as well as accommodation, gun hire, meals and drinks, including beers, wines and spirits. Ammunition was charged out dependant on the amount used by individuals and tips for the trackers are at the hunter’s discretion.

If you would like more information about how you can arrange your safari of a life time, just contact, Mr. Joe Balesh, at Hunting &Safari, or e-mail us at : hsmagazine.travel@gmail.com for a no obligation chat to find out more.

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hunters' testimonial

travel

South Africa Hunting Trip

Karim Koraytem Regional Executive Director - Buying OmnicomMediaGroup “ What a fantastic, exciting, exhilarating, marvelous, phenomenal, stupendous, wondrous, trip we had, I can't imagine a better first experience. It was an experience that I will never forget laying a foundation for future hunts. We always shoot what we were promised.

We have shot Doves, Guinea fowl, Franklyn, Wildebeest and many things in between… All my gratitude to H&S in introducing me to game hunting and for their professional service ”

Tedy Rizk

Georges Chaaya

28 years Head of Department / Georges Khoury & Co Beirut

“ This trip was much more than a hunting trip, the 5 days were full of new experiences, starting from the group that was lovely, to the hunting sessions like never before, the relaxing whisky and cigar breaks, and at the end the indescribable barbecue nights full of laughing. There was two exceptional moments in this trip, when I shot my first animal the spring buck the second one is when I got my quadruple of tarantellas. I would like to thank the H&S team who did much more than expected to make our trip a wonderful experience. ”

30 years

(Choueiri Group) No seriously now, I can simply say : “ Best days of my life hunting wise, I just miss everything related to the trip; from the moment we stepped into that plane till i stepped out. From all the people i met, the camp, bbqs, booz, owners, professional hunters.. i just cant stop thinking of how much fun i had.. It is just the best experience ever. ”

Serge Baz

29 years Business Owner - Insurance, Lebanon

“ It’s an adventure to be done always , we had a great time. ”

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Mario Abdelnour

30 yrs old

Media Manager, OMD - Dubai

“ It was a real pleasure being part of the first H&S hunting trip to South Africa. it was an experience of a lifetime leaving good memories of a great place where we had the chance to explore the great outdoors night and day, feeling like belonging to the place by offering an almost 5 stars service, and having multiple choices of being part of different organized hunt groups. However, need to mention few concerns such as the bad shape of the hunting arms and sometimes the lack of these, also the number of people taking part of the trip should be a little less for organization and safety reasons. overall, it was an experience not to miss, and to repeat whenever possible from a hunter's point of view. ”

Hicham Fakhoury

30 years old

Sales Manager (Choueiri Group)

“ Awesome locations, breathtaking landscapes, exceptional Lodge, great people, lots of doves and exclusive game hunt. If it wasn't for the organizers it would have just been a destination, but these guys exceeded all expectations and it became an experience of a lifetime.

Would definitely do it every year. ”

Marc Aaraj

24 years old

Nasco Karaoglan

Fadi Chamat

28 years

GM - Phd Abu Dhabi “ Its definitely a once in a lifetime experience... ”

“ It was an amazing and exotic experience in a country that has it all, from the scenery, the food, the hunting and the company. The hunting part was amazing, the variety and diversity of birds made in the most magnificient scenery what more could we ask for!! As for the big game which was a first for me, it was the highest adrenaline rush I felt in a long time Last but not least the group was very fun to be with and we had a great time. Count me in for the next trip. ”

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hunters' testimonial

travel

South Africa Hunting Trip

Hisham Sawaya

42 years

Joe Balesh

40 years

CEO H&S Magazine

H&S Travel

“ Being in South Africa is a joy by itself. No matter what you shoot it’s the thought of living in the wild. Shooting in Africa is a must for any hunter as well as it’s a dream coming a reality. ”

“ It was our main concern to make sure that all the group is enjoying their hunting adventure. ”

Maroun Chalfoun Jean Pierre Aaraj

CEO - Magnet Advertising, Dubai 29 years

Qatar “ The trip was pure fun and adventure, can't wait for the next one.”

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36 years

“ It is so rare to have a hunting trip with so different games, doves, ducks, guiness, francolin and big games at the same time. The organizers knew what they were doing. Amazing trip complications free. Count me in for the next trip…”

Tony Beyrouthy

34 years

Patrick Chucri

28 Years old

Lebanon

Choueiri Group (AMS)

“ It is true hunting is a passion, but enjoying the scenery , food, booze and other things are marvels specially the midnight drinks at the BBQ … ”

“ It's always been my dream to go hunting in Africa. From Volatile to big games, it's all there in the most magnificent scenery. This was a hell of an experience, I hope I'll find a couple days every year for a trip like that. ”

Tony Wazen

Nabil Chamat

29 years Media Manager / Publicis “ It was always one of my dreams to be part of a hunting ad safari trip and finally my dream came true! ”

Businessman, Lebanon “ We can not shoot more.! ”

We thank you for being part of H&S first organized hunting trip and we hope that you’ll be part of many more trips to come.

For more information about how you can arrange your safari of a life time, just contact, Mr. Joe Balesh, at Hunting &Safari, or e-mail us at : hsmagazine.travel@gmail.com

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cartridge legacies

Sellier &Bellot

One shot. A brand of quality, accuracy and reliability Sellier & Bellot, a joint-stock company, ranks among the leading engineering companies in the Czech Republic. Moreover, the Company maintains significant positions on European and overseas markets, where more than 70% of its production is being exported.

During its 181- year history, the Company has undergone some profound changes, however, it has always maintained its exclusive position even under adverse external conditions. At present, Sellier & Bellot JSC together with its subsidiaries - Sellier & Bellot Trade JSC and SB Stoje S.R.O. - deals with research & development, manufacturing and distribution of ammunition, pyrotechnic products, special equipment, tooling and gauges, packaging, filling and other special purpose machines.

The range of products supplied by the company includes the following types of ammunition commodities: • Shot shells for target and hunting • Centrefire rifle cartridges • Handgun ammunition • Rimfire cartridges

• Pig-slaughtering gun cartridges • Testing cartridges • Military small arms ammunition • Blasting components (such as: detonating cords, safety fuses, detonators, etc.).

Tooling production, including precision engineering products, is focused on the following sectors: • Pressing, forming and cutting tools • Dies and die blocks • Cutting and clamping tools • Press moulds for plastic materials • Gauges and gauging equipment • Precision engineering parts and equipment The Company‘s Business Plan for this year includes a further increase in the expected profitability of business activities and the development of main production branches.

Research & development activities are therefore directed to improving product quality and labor productivity as well as to expanding production capacity. Challenging tasks, both for top management and engineering personnel, are presented by the demand to quickly update the Company's

Founded in 1926, CBC has grown to include ammunition sales in more than 70 countries worldwide. We continue to focus our emphasis on innovation, emerging technologies and product performance in order to exceed our ultimate goal of developing and marketing the highest quality products to the military, law enforcement and commercial markets worldwide.

Sellier & Bellot and Magtech Ammunition will continue with its current experienced Management Teams, and operate under its well-known brandname and current sales channels. We wish to thank our loyal customers, retailers, distributors, and the shooting sports media for the continued support of our ammunition brands.

manufacturing procedures to comply with NATO standards as well as to develop new projects which would deal with and satisfy the future needs of the Czech armed forces.

Sellier & Bellot products were always noted for their high quality, precision, reliability and safety in use. They achieved outstanding success in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. Among them you would hardly find anyone who is not aware of the Sellier & Bellot trade mark. Generations of Czech huntsmen owe to this mark for their extraordinary hunting pleasure. Among Czech sportsmen, closely cooperating with the Company, you would find Olympic winners, world and European champions and World Cup winners (see summary of the results achieved at the championships with Sellier & Bellot shotgun ammunition).

In 1988 the Company set up a permanent sporting and hunting marksmanship exhibition which is located in the Museum at Chateau Vlašim. It is an unique exhibition of its kind not only in Czech republic but also in Europe and the world. ›

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cartridge legacies

Hunting Shotgun shells Plastic Product No.

Gauge

Shots ø mm

Velocity

Wad

Brass (mm)

Load (g)

Pcs/ box

Boxes/ case

SB1005X

12 × 70*

2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

385

PLAST

12,5

28

25

SB1017X

12 × 70*

2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

385

PLAST

12,5

32

SB FORTUNA

SB1039X

12 × 70*

2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

385

PLAST

12,5

SB VEGA

SB1155X

12 × 70*

2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

380

PLAST

12,5

SB CORONA

V2 (m.s-1)

Weight/case kg

lb

10

11,0

24

25

10

11,5

25,5

36

25

10

13,0

29

30

25

10

11,5

25,5

SB1157X

12 × 70*

2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

390

PLAST

12,5

34

25

10

12,5

28

SB1202X

16 × 70*

2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

395

PLAST

10,0

30

10

25

11,0

24

SB1304X

20 × 70*

2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

385

PLAST

10,0

26

10

25

10,0

22

SB PHEASANT

SB1145X

12 × 67,5*

2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

370

FELT

12,5

28

25

10

11,0

24

SB MARK III

SB1145X

12 × 70*

3,0;3,5;4,0

370

FELT

12,5

32

25

10

12,0

27

SB LORD

SB1051X

12 × 70*

3,0;3,5;4,0

370

FELT

12,5

36

25

10

13,0

29

BLACK FLASH

SB1212X

16 × 67,5*

2,0;3,0;3,5;4,0

380

FELT

10,0

32

10

25

11,5

25

SB JUNIOR

SB1208X

16 × 67,5

2,0;2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

375

PLAST

10,0

32

10

25

11,5

25

SB2208X

16 × 67,5

2,0;2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

350

FELT

10,0

32

10

25

11,5

25

SB2208X

20 × 67,5

2,0;2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

380

FELT

10,0

28

25

10

10,5

23

SB2305X

20 × 67,5

4,5;5,1;6,8

350

FELT

10,0

28

25

10

10,5

23

SB1140X

12 × 70*

2,0;2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

390

PLAST

23,0

36

10

25

13,0

29

SB1160X

12 × 70*

2,0;2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

390

PLAST

23,0

34

10

25

12,5

28

SB FAVORIT

SB EXTRA

Hunting Shotgun shells Plastic - Small Calibers RED

RED

120

Weight/case

Product No.

Gauge

Shots ø mm

Velocity

Wad

Brass (mm)

Load (g)

Pcs/ box

Boxes/ case

SB1401X

28 × 70*

2,0;2,25;2,5;2,75

370

PLAST

12,5

28,0

25

SB1403X

28 × 70*

2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

370

PLAST

12,5

21,0

25

SB1357X

410 × 63.5

2,0;2,5;3,0;3,5;4,0

375

FELT

11,5

12,4

25

20

10,0

22

SB1363X

410 × 76

3,5;4,0

375

PLAST

11,5

16,0

25

20

13,0

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h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

V2 (m.s-1)

kg

lb

16

15,5

34

16

13,0

29

gunmaker legacies

Browning

Exquisite passion

Since 1897, the year when the first Browning gun was made, millions, even tens of millions, of shotguns and rifles for hunting or target shooting have been created and manufactured

by Browning. The inventor of the semiautomatic shotgun, Over-and-Under shotgun and, semi-automatic rifle, and most recently, an Over-and-Under gun with the lowest action frame and fastest firing system on the market. This has left its mark on the history of gun-making with a wide array of models, all different, but with one thing in common - their reliability and their unparalleled levels of performance. Every day, throughout the world, Browning guns, old or new, smoothbore or rifled, perform on the range or for hunting, providing great pleasure for their owners.

with seven employees. The remoteness of their store, the low number of ready customers, and the lack of capital meant that the business struggled to survive until luck intervened to make the inventor’s talents known to a connoisseur: a representative from Winchester. In another state in the US, this representative had come across a gun made by the Browning brothers. Firmly convinced of the interest of their conception, he bought it from its owner and sent it to his superiors in the company’s head office. So impressed were they that the managing director of Winchester himself set out straight away on a six-day journey to what, at that time, was still the Wild West the real Wild West, to meet the Browning brothers.

Target shooters, hunters, and collectors can find in these fascinating items a pleasure that is renewed endlessly. Among makes of weapons, just as with makes of watches or cars, there are some whose history is part of the reputation of the entire industry. Browning, for example.

Despite his astonishment at finding two young men in their twenties in a rustic workshop, the man was perceptive enough not to be fooled by appearances and signed commercial deals with them as soon as he could. The decision was a wise one: these agreements would last for several decades. Browning had a future.

Over the years, Browning granted licenses to several manufacturers for dozens of inventions and firearms. He invented almost everything in the field of firearms. The creativity and level of perfection of his inventions were so significant that the vast majority of his technological innovations could not be improved upon or replaced for several years.

Innovation and invention It didn’t take long for those who had observed his creative traits to make up their minds: at the age of just 23, Johna Moses lodged his first patent, for the “J.M. Browning Single Shot Rifle”. This invention simplified the percussion mechanism, making it more durable and reliable. Shortly before his death, his father handed over his business to John Moses. With his brother Matt, even with less than one thousand dollars in the bank and no experience of machine-tool operation, young Browning transformed the humble store into a small gun making workshop

The world of firearms is like the art world: the success of creators depends on the interest of well informed amateurs. In 1897, it was one of the directors of the Fabrique Nationale (National Weapons Factory) at Herstal in Belgium, who noticed a 7.65 Browning pistol incorporating a new locking mechanism. He saw the appeal straight away and the NWF obtained the manufacturing license.

Thus began an uninterrupted period of collaboration between the inventor from the Great Salt Lake and the factory on the banks of the Meuse River. Browning reached the pinnacle of its craft with the Auto-5 semiautomatic shotgun, which was a tremendous commercial success and prompted John Moses’ first visit to the Herstal workshops. But his world-wide acclaim is without doubt due to the 9mm Hi- Power semi-automatic pistol. More than 10 million of these legendary pistols have been sold.

Starting in 1907, it was adopted by most police and armed forces across the world. The fact that the generic name for this type of gun is “Browning” demonstrates the universal acclaim and recognition it has received.

Browning’s success is not at all the result of chance. Like all American pioneers of that time, he turned luck to his advantage only through an enormous amount of hard work.

His strength of character and the steadfastness of his principles were out of the ordinary.

Thus it was that, towards the end of his life, when offered an honorary title by a university, he refused it for the simple reason that “he had made it a rule never to accept anything that he had not earned as a result of his own work.”

In 1925, John Moses Browning put the finishing touches on the prototype of an Over-and-Under which would change the history of the hunting shotgun. He called it simply B25, for “Browning 1925”. He died of a heart attack while working in his office in Herstal on 26 November 1926. It was his 61st visit to Belgium. His body was repatriated to the United States, where he was buried with full military honours. His son Val continued his collaboration with the Belgian factory without interruption. That collaboration continues to this very day. ›

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gunmaker legacies

Over-and-Under Shotguns The characteristics of the B525 line

The most reliable and 1 best-performing line

The benchmark When you buy a Browning B525, you are not just buying the heritage and experience of more than 80 years of excellence; you are also buying a shotgun that represents the 5th generation of the legendary B25.

The Browning B525 is a more than worthy descendant of this exceptional shotgun and, much like the B25, the Browning B525 has become the benchmark for the industry since its first appearance in 2003.

The Browning B525 is the benchmark product in the world of Over-and-Under shotguns, as the most reliable and best performing shotgun in its price range.

Renowned for their exceptional quality of manufacture, each shotgun is hand-assembled.

We offer a wide range of options to meet all the needs of sport shooters and hunters

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One of the many qualities of the Browning B525s is that they are perfectly balanced, which allows excellent performance in clay pigeon shooting and hunting.

The balance of each shotgun is improved still further by its handmade quality, which makes each gun a one-of-a-kind piece. The B525 is so well-balanced in your hands that you forget that you are holding a gun, since it becomes an extension of yourself, allowing you to concentrate completely on your target, whether it is game or a clay.

Each B525 uses a patented action frame made of indestructible forged steel, with the oversized hinge pin that is typical of Browning and that guarantees solidity and resistance to wear. Browning is so sure of this system that the action frame of each shotgun comes with a 10-year warranty. The hinge pin of the B525 assures particularly sweet opening and closing. Without having to push it every time, you can literally feel the mechanism locking inside. All Browning barrels and chambers

are manufactured in chromiummolybdenum steel, which is very resistant to corrosion and easy to maintain after a day of shooting.

High performance steel shot can be used in all B525s fitted with Invector chokes. The B525 is totally reliable thanks to its system of hammer ejectors. The B525 is therefore the gun that provides the best regularity of extraction and power of ejection after each shot.

Hand-manufactured 2 for style and guaranteed performance

The Browning B525 is not mass produced; instead, each gun is made individually starting from its own unique components. The gun moves from one gunsmith to the next to be entirely made by hand, thanks to the expertise acquired over many years by each of the gunsmiths. It takes more than 4 months to make a Browning B525, owing to the attention required for the assembly of each gun.

The Browning B525 is the only shotgun on the market in this price range that offers so many different options and that is hand finished. The shotgun produced in this way is unique and has a level of quality so that it matches perfectly to its owner and provides him with the reliability and longevity that are

Browning’s trademarks. This time-tested manufacturing method is different from all the others on the market since our highly qualified gunsmiths rely solely on their own expertise and knowledge to make your B525. The result is a shotgun that is absolutely one-of-akind and whose parts are not interchangeable with those of other B525s. It is said that our gunsmiths give each B525 ‘a little bit of their life’, which makes each one unique; all of the elements of the shotgun are fitted with such precision that each B525 performs as you would expect it to time after time. During every stage of manufacture, extreme care is given to make a shotgun that sets the standard for all shotguns, which includes the finely adjusted trigger pull weight that always meets our specific criteria for optimal performance.

Hand fitted to create 3 the best there is Browning’s gunsmiths take their time when making a B525. This is the only shotgun on the market at this price level that is hand fitted during production to such a high performance level, making each shotgun truly unique.

Traditional red ochre is used to check that the fit between the action frame and barrels is perfect.

This method is the best traditional procedure to guarantee a perfect fit between all the

parts in wood and metal. It literally allows the gunsmith to “look into” the gun. The needed adjustments are made by hand, one by one, to ensure that the Browning B525 sets the standard for all other shotguns. The attention to detail in the making and fitting of each and every Browning B525 is unique, just like the “Browning feeling” as the locking pins meet when you close your gun. It makes such a reassuring, perfect sound that it gives you the desire to go out and shoot.

A choice of wood grades 4 and buttstock options Each buttstock is made using specially selected walnut sourced from renewable forests in Europe and a choice of grades are available from 2, 2.5, 3, 4 and 5. The grade of walnut used on your Browning B525 depends on the level of finish for the gun that you decide to purchase. Different choices of grip are available, including a pistol grip, a round pistol grip, an English grip, and the “Short” version; but there is also a choice of different drops in the great diversity of stocks on offer. Each stock is traditionally chequered providing additional control whilst shooting. The time and care taken over the fitting of the stock to each B525 ensures that each and every gun is perfectly balanced. Recognising that we are all different, Browning also produces a B525 that is suitable for left-handed shooters, and

adjustable triggers with 3 different positions are provided on all Sporting models.

5 Safety Every single B525, as with all Browning shotguns, undergoes extremely stringent quality checks that include manual inspections and measurements, up to actually firing each and every gun to check that the shot patterns meet our exacting accuracy standards. Additionally, it is supported by using computerised analysis to guarantee proper functioning and extreme reliability in each gun.

So when you are out in the field, you can be assured that the gun you are using will never let you down.

6 Back-bored barrels Browning delivers the secret of the pros to you: BACK-BORED barrels Better impacts, increased shot speed: complementary features to get your targets. A barrel is said to be ”back bored” when its interior diameter (diameter of the bore) has been increased beyond the classical specifications: • Increase in speed and penetration • Recoil reduction: -6% • Improvement of patterning ›

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gunmaker legacies

Semi-automatic Shotguns The softest shooting semiautomatic ever

Maxus Premium Grade 3

Maxus Camo Duck Blind

While no recoil reduction system on a shotgun can escape the laws of physics, the Maxus is sure to change your mind about recoil control. The Power Drive Gas System, Inflex technology, Vector Pro Back Bored technology, from Browning are combined to reduce the total recoil force to the shooter by 18% compared to any other semi-automatic shotgun on the market.

1 Inflex Technology The recoil pad with Inflex technology is the most effective recoil pad of all semiautomatic shotguns. Much more than a recoil pad in a recoil-absorbing material, it has been designed with an internal structure

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that lowers the buttstock and pushes it away from the shooter’s face after each discharge, which allows a second shot that is even more comfortable and faster.

2 Optimal Dimensions Innovation in the Maxus is racing ahead and you can see this in the fitting and handling.

The new Maxus has an extended forearm and a pistol grip with a small radius to maximise control. A light tube magazine in steel reduces weight and thus allows a faster swing while maintaining durability. The drop and the cast can be adjusted by using a set of buttstock spacers.

3 Trigger System The new design of the Lightning trigger system is the best ever offered for a semi-automatic shotgun. It is designed to offer a smooth, crisp feel with a minimum of travel. With a mean firing time of 0.0052 seconds, the Lightning trigger system is 24% faster than the nearest competing semi-automatic, making each pull perfect. Also, it is easy to remove for cleaning.

4 Speed Load Plus & Cut off Speed Loading has been very popular on Browning autoloaders for decades.

Browning’s new patented loading system sends the first shell directly to the chamber

from the magazine. And now, unloading is just as simple with the new Maxus. The fast unloading quickly and easily clears the tube magazine, without any need to individually chamber shells. The Maxus is equipped with a cut off for the magazine to allow the shooter to unload the chamber easily, and thus change the type of shell without having to chamber a shell from the magazine.

5 VectorPro & Back-Bored The new geometry of the extended VectorPro forcing cone together with the back-bored barrel eliminates the deformation of shot, making it possible to improve the shot pattern and reduce recoil sensation.

6 Power Drive Gas System The new Power Drive Gas System uses larger escape valves to remove gas more quickly with heavy loads. A brand new patented design for an integrated valve keeps residue outside the mechanism for cleaner functioning.

The piston has a run increased in length by 20% to make it even more reliable with light charges. The system works with charges from 24 to 64g.

7 Speed Lock Forearm The awkward screw knob mechanism on the forearm has been replaced by a forearm with the Speed Lock system. This secure system for

setting the forearm makes disassembly of the shotgun for cleaning and storage easier and faster, and lets you attach or detach a strap with one simple press. The patented Turnkey magazine plug system is easily disassembled with a car key.

8 Choke Invector-Plus™ System The Invector Plus interchangeable choke functions jointly with the Vector Pro and the back-bored barrel to offer dense and regular shot patterns. The longer tapering cone inside an Invector Plus choke produces regular shot patterns with more uniform densities, and therefore fewer scattered pellets.

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gunmaker legacies

Fine Italian

Shotguns From 1948 Fausti has manufactured over and under and side-by-side hunting and competition guns with great care and passion, and an admirable expression of the traditional manual skills combined with the more modern technologies of today.

The Fausti's over and under and side-by-side are shotguns designed to meet the specific needs of very demanding hunters and shooters but, at the same time, they are real collectors' pieces whose technical and aesthetic features represent a milestone in time. The company, founded by Cavalier Stefano Fausti, is now run by his three daughters: Elena, Giovanna and Barbara. ›

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gunmaker legacies

FAUSTI MAGNIFICENT Magnificent was the time when the best Italian artists of the Renaissance sculpted and chiseled their most famous works of art.

Magnificent is the work done today to build the new hunting and sporting shotgun by FAUSTI, the famous gun making company located in the Brescia region of Italy and led by three very dynamic sisters: Elena, Giovanna and Barbara. The application of an innovative and unique “New Chiseling” technique has made it possible to create an extraordinary stylistic and creative combination which relies on two fundamental elements: the Master Engraver’s soul with their studies and original artwork, and the innovative tridimensional laser technology.

The combination of these two elements has brought back the fascination of a third one: sculpting! The symbols of the old gun making city of Brescia such as the rampant lion engraved in the action back, and the portrait of the Roman Nike on the side, testify to the specific cultural direction of this new project

by Fausti. It takes its name from history itself: Magnificent.

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The Magnificent comes in all calibers with dedicated frames, including the 28ga and 16ga, and in different versions specifically designed for either hunting or one of the sporting disciplines.

All that being said it would be a major mistake to consider the Magnificent just as an aesthetic upgrade over what we already offer in our wide range of products. Quite to the contrary, the Magnificent claims a very specific Italian cultural identity, starting right from the choice of engraving which only superficial eyes could confuse with the typical heavy and redundant engraving of Mitteleuropean flavor. The quality and tridimensionality of the deeply chiseled pattern are enriched with multiple gold inlays giving the Magnificent the true spirit of the Renaissance. The magnificent embodies a style which is centuries older than the first engraving on English or Belgian firearms.

For those who would like a less traditional and more “hunting” style shotgun, Fausti offers the option to choose from different

game scenes at no extra charge to replace the portrait of Nike on the action sides.

Technically speaking the Magnificent is a boxlock shotgun with modified Anson&Deeleytype mechanism, extremely reliable and with crisp and precise trigger pulls. Selective single trigger, ejectors and interchangeable choke tubes come standard with the gun. The hammers are cocked by means of the forend tooth which, on opening, pushes the two cocking levers which also operate the ejection after the gun has been fired and opened.

Maintenance and service are made very easy by the complete interchangeability of all parts which are machined with extremely precise dimensional tolerances on state of the art CNC machinery. As a matter of fact the key to the success and uniqueness of this product is indeed the combination of precise machining with hand finishing details.

Every piece of the Magnificent gets assembled by hand - this is a step of the production process many companies skip because they lack craftsmanship and they want to reduce

Once again

FAUSTI

has left all of us speechless with a wonderful actually Magnificent work of art.

costs. We at Fausti consider this step to be absolutely necessary to really make the difference with this gun. It is enough to listen to the solid, harmonious and musical sound of the patented “Four locks” locking system typical of the Magnificent to really understand what we are talking about. The receiver and barrels in the Magnificent are made of special nickel and chrome-moly steel alloys which guarantee durability and elasticity. Stocks and forends are in select Turkish walnut. The checkering pattern called “Goddess’s tear” is absolutely unique and perfectly blends with the captivating line of the firearm. The perfectly executed wooden butt plate with finely chiseled toe and heel plates is also touch of a fine firearm. ›

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gunmaker legacies

CLASS ROUND With their valuable roundish lines, the new round body “Class Round� shotguns are the results of a long and continuous research and designing efforts aimed at creating top quality sporting guns.

CLASS SL DE LUXE These new hunting models have been designed and built to meet the requirements of the most discriminating and passionate hunters who look for the absolute best materials, first class finishing and hand engraving with gold and silver inlays in the fine guns of their choice.

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hunting in luxury

The Holland& Holland Range Rover

by Overfinch

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Holland & Holland are bespoke sporting gun and rifle makers, founded in London in 1835

by Harris Holland, who was later joined by his nephew Henry to create the eponymous brand. They are the most famous gun makers in the world, being the first choice of virtually every royal family and are holders of royal warrants from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and HRH the Prince of Wales.

Holland & Holland’s factory on the Harrow Road was purpose built for them over a hundred years ago and is home to a quality of time-honoured craftsmanship virtually unique in the twenty first century. Skills are often handed down from father to son but, despite that, it still takes five years of training to become a Holland & Holland craftsman.

Holland & Holland have gun rooms in London, New York and Moscow, where their everexpanding range of country lifestyle clothing and accessories are available and orders are taken for their bespoke range of guns. The Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds on the outskirts of London have offered instruction and corporate entertainment to blue chip clients and private individuals up to and including the young royals for nearly 130 years. Since 1989, Holland & Holland have been owned by the family that owns Chanel. ›

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hunting in luxury

• The most luxurious and exclusive off-roader ever - only one hundred will be produced each year for the global market.

• Based on 2010 MY 503 bhp Supercharged or TDV8 Range Rover.

• Completely bespoke interior and exterior, featuring: ¤ 31 piece gun stock walnut or special wood veneers for dashboard, consoles and door inserts. ¤ Individually numbered build plaque hand-made by Holland & Holland’s own gun engravers. ¤ Holland & Holland style engraving to steering wheel spokes with option of bespoke engraving to match client’s gun. ¤ Complete interior in unique colour, extra fine hides, with recessed Holland & Holland signature line in contrast colour. ¤ Unique four-seater layout featuring hand-veneered rear console with integrated refrigerator and Holland & Holland crystal ware. ¤ Self-replenishing drinks cabinet featuring Pol Roger champagne, The Balvenie single malt whisky, Hendrick’s small-batch gin, Ivan the Terrible luxury vodka and Willow Spring Water from the Lake District. ¤ Hand crafted gun cabinet to luggage compartment with fitted drawers for guns, cartridges etc. ¤ Four unique exterior colours - with optional Duo Tone paintwork.

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• Priced from £120,894 for export, from £139,650 OTR in the UK Holland & Holland, makers of the world’s finest sporting guns and Overfinch, designers and manufacturers of exclusive Range Rover enhancements, have joined forces to create the ultimate luxury off-roader. The Holland & Holland Range Rover was conceived with a single intention: to create the ultimate all purpose, all season, luxury supercar for the discerning few. Designers and engineers at both Holland & Holland and Overfinch have worked together to create a car that embodies Holland & Holland’s unique sporting heritage and Overfinch’s bespoke craftsmanship. The result is a quintessentially English take on motoring luxury. Based on either the 5.0 litre 503 bhp Supercharged or TDV8 versions of the new 2010 MY car, the Holland & Holland Overfinch features a raft of enhancements that make it unmistakably something very special. On the outside, it has discreet but effective styling changes manufactured from OEM grade thermoplastic polymers, which give unsurpassed quality and durability.

Bodywork is painted in one of four unique exterior paint colours, including Holland & Holland Tintern Green. Two-tone paintwork, similar to that of a Rolls-Royce Phantom, is also available, as is black. Overfinch’s craftsmen take 130 man hours to paint and hand-polish the car, which gives a depth of ›

The embodiment of unique sporting heritage and bespoke craftmanship, creating the most luxurious off-roader ever. h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

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hunting in luxury

colour and quality of finish that marks it out from its mass-produced brethren from a hundred yards. Orange peel, the cellulite-like effect that is visible on many cars considerably more expensive than this one, is banished by Overfinch craftsmen’s skill and hard work. The effect is completed by Overfinch’s iconic 20” Tiger wheels (fitted with all season Mud & Snow tyres) and special cast exhaust outlets.

A choice of 22” wheels is an option for those not intending to venture off road, or for those who also possess a winter set.

But it is on the inside that the designers have really excelled themselves. Eight of Europe’s finest hides, of a grade so fine it is only normally used in private jets, dyed in seven exclusive tones, are used to create a cabin of rare luxury. Professionals from both Overfinch and Holland & Holland have worked closely with a colour and trim specialist to ensure that interiors and exteriors complement one another perfectly. A unique trim style covers the seats, doors, upper and lower dash board, centre and rear consoles and even the cubby box lid, which is both cleanly elegant in style and fiendishly expensive in terms of both labour and materials. Not for this car simple contrasting piping-the Holland & Holland Overfinch, even the contrasting colour signature stripes are cut from individual hides and trimmed to sit nearly flush with the leather surrounding them. As a result, it takes over 150 man hours just to trim the car. If the optional aviation-style quilted leather or Alcantara headlining is selected, it takes even longer.

The thirty one piece wood veneer kit blends seamlessly into the design of the rest of the car, including that of the gun cabinet and rear console. There is the choice of Olive Ash Gloss, European Burr Walnut with special diamond pattern inlay, Matt Gunstock Walnut and Piano Black Lacquer with silver inlays. Only one hundred Holland & Holland Overfinches will be produced each year, and every one will be fitted with a special shotgun grade steel plaque, which features Holland & Holland’s trademark diamond inserts and “Royal” scroll engraving, hand-made

by Holland & Holland’s craftsmen at their

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Harrow Road factory. The steering wheel has been designed especially for the vehicle too, with a special ergonomic grip and steel inserts, decorated with a design to match the Holland & Holland engraving, or even that of a customer’s own shotgun.

All Holland & Holland Overfinch vehicles will be strict four-seaters as the cars feature a unique centre console, which fits between the individual rear seats. Hand-veneered to match the rest of the car, it has an integrated refrigerator at floor level, large enough for a couple of full size bottles, which can be cold enough to hold an ice bucket. It also has a storage compartment, which could contain controls for the rear entertainment, a power inverter for a laptop and a Holland & Holland game book as well as Holland & Holland crystal tumblers and champagne flutes. In the boot is a bespoke gun cabinet, handcrafted in veneers to match the woodwork across the rest of the interior. Although it is itself removable for when more luggage carrying capacity is required, it is locked to the boot floor for security and safety. It has three drawers, fitted to carry eight further matching Holland & Holland crystal tumblers and flutes, customers’ own shotguns, a cleaning kit for them as well as cartridges and the bag in which to carry them. Additional drawers are available with alternative interiors so that, between the end of one shooting season and the beginning of the next, it can serve whatever purpose the vehicle’s owner requires, from a picnic at Ascot to an evening at Glyndebourne.

Contained within both the gun cabinet and the refrigerator in the centre console is room for six bottles and it is for these that the car will feature the world’s first self-replenishing cocktail cabinet. All cars sold in Europe will arrive from the factory. Full of Pol Roger Champagne, The Balvenie single malt whisky, Hendrick’s single batch gin, Ivan the Terrible luxury vodka and Willow Spring Water from the Lake District.

During the first year regular refills will be dispatched to the owners of the car to make sure that its passengers don’t go thirsty…

Daryl Greatrex, Managing Director of Holland & Holland, said,

“Holland & Holland is globally synonymous with both luxury and supreme functionality. To look at, to handle and to shoot with a Holland & Holland is to appreciate 174 years of using the best craftsmanship and technology to make things work supremely well and look even better.

It’s ten years since we had a Holland & Holland Range Rover and we decided that working with Overfinch was the only way to do it this time.

Over the years it has become clear that what AMG is to Mercedes and Alpina is to BMW, so Overfinch is to Range Rover.”

Neil Underwood, Chief Operating Officer of Overfinch added,

“There has always been a great deal of talk in the media speculating that Range Rovers could start approaching

Bentley levels of luxury. For one hundred fortunate customers, that will now become a reality. Our designers and engineers have worked closely with the quite astonishing craftsmen of Holland & Holland to create the most exclusive, most luxurious offroader ever built.”

Overfinch is a design-led engineering company that has, over the last 34 years, successfully built a specialist luxury brand.

Based in Farnham, Surrey, they operate on five continents and are the originators of the performance Range Rover. It was in 1975, only a few years after the Range Rover was launched, that they built their first high performance derivative. During that time, their in-house design and engineering departments have enjoyed a close working relationship with Land Rover, starting with the development of the first ever automatic Range Rovers and notably including a ParisDakar Rally win on behalf of Land Rover France in 1981. Overfinch are the only company in the world building bespoke Range Rovers as their sole business.

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outdoor adventure

Hunting Lodges

In the wilderness of Africa

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It has been fairly well-established that a hunting safari in Africa is one of those things that you just have to do in your lifetime. Under no circumstances whatsoever can it be missed. Therefore, H&S has selected two of the best hunting lodges in the wild and gorgeous continent of Africa for you to discover and enjoy.

Swala Hunting Lodge Swala Hunting Lodge is located in the beautiful country of South Africa. The success in its story lies in the fact that the Swala Lodge Hunting safari was conceived by hunters, for hunters. It is located in Springbok Flats in the foothills of the Waterburg Mountains. It is about 30 km from the nearest market town of BelaBela where you can purchase local produce or gifts and souvenirs for your loved ones. Clients will be accommodated in the farmhouse on the property which is equipped to accommodate 10 people. The kitchen and the lounge are fully equipped with all the necessary items including, cookery, microwave, fridge/freezer, cutlery, television, DVD player, firewood, etc. All clients will be guided by a professional hunter and will be instructed on which game to hunt.

There is absolutely not even the slightest chance for boredom to take over at the Swala Hunting Lodge, even for non-hunting guests. The lodge offers relaxation for those who want to keep it loose and take it easy.

But for the energetic guests, Swala Hunting Lodge offers a wide range of activities to occupy all guests. These activities include

horse riding, carriage driving and rifle shooting in which all include supervised coaching. The Swala Hunting Lodge is most definitely an experience you will never forget while in the mecca for any hunter, South Africa.

Bergzicht Game Lodge Located in Namibia, the Bergzicht Game and Hunting Lodge is a beautiful farm, containing 14 different species of African plains game.

Namibia is a country of vast beauty and rich nature cultures. Its breathtaking unspoilt desert landscapes prove that this African country is the place to relax, unwind and experience the continent of Africa at its best. The lodge is located close to Windhoek International Airport and the accommodation it provides to its guests is absolutely divine.

All the modern luxuries that any guest can and will expect is provided at this heavenly Namibian Lodge. Guest suites are equipped with en suite bathrooms and spacious showers.

All rooms are elegant and very carefully and beautifully decorated. Rifle racks, lamps and bedside tables are present in each and every room to allow for a more comfortable stay.

Savannah sunsets can be enjoyed from the

cool blue of the swimming pool as you enjoy traditional South African wines.

A typical hunting day at the Bergzicht Game Lodge usually starts bright and early at 6 am with a hearty breakfast. The hunting method employed at the Lodge is spotting and stalking until shooting opportunity presents itself.

Depending on the success of the hunt, lunch will either be served at the lodge or on the plains. Huntable plains game includes Eland, Mountain Zebra, Oryx, Buffalo, Kudu, Black Wildebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartsbeest, Bluesbuck, Springbuck and Waterbuck Besides the vast hunting activities, the Bergzicht Game Lodge is also a heaven for bird-watchers.

Namibia boasts over 600 species of birds. The spectacular Namibian hunting lodge will leave you with an enjoyable experience greater than any other. The exceptional and flawless service of the friendly and homely Namibian staff will also never be forgotten for as long as you live.

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Yemen

Promises visitors a friendly welcome as tourism promotion drive moves up a gear

Dar Al-Hajjar in Wadi Dhahar

Soctora -Dragon's Blood Tree

VISITOR NUMBERS UP IN 2009 OVER 2008 STRONG PRESENCE AT ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET FIRST FEMALE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TOURISM BOARD APPOINTED

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The Yemen Tourism Promotion Board (YTPB) announces it is ramping up its marketing initiatives ahead of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) - Dubai World Trade Centre, 4th - 7th May 2010, which also marks the run up to the country’s tourist high season. The YTPB is determined to use the internationally recognised event to showcase its range of offerings from a wealth of historical sites to fabled mountain landscapes while dispelling mis-perceptions about the safety and security of visitors to the country.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Omar Babelgheth, Yemen’s Deputy Minister for Tourism, revealed a set of better than expected tourist arrival figures for 2009 with receipts from tourism increasing six per cent to US$903 million.

“Despite a series of negative reports, tourist arrivals during 2009 were very encouraging,” he said, “showing an increase of seven per cent over 2008. Sixty eight per cent of these visitors came from the Middle East region - predominantly Saudi Arabia and Oman, although visitors from Egypt and Syria also showed a very healthy increase of 39 per cent over the previous year.

Asia accounted for 12 per cent of tourist arrivals - 31 per cent higher than in 2008 with two out of every five of those visitors originating from India. Ten per cent of the visitors came from Europe - up an overwhelming 23 per cent on the previous year and with the UK representing one third of those people - up 52 per cent on 2008. Meanwhile, Australian visitor numbers increased by 28 per cent and those from the Americas increased by 41 per cent.

“Numbers tailed off slightly towards the end of the year, but I am pleased to see that the trend is being reversed,” added Babelgheth. “One of the reasons for our optimism for renewed growth is that Yemen has a long history of welcoming

Sana'a guests from neighbouring countries and in these difficult economic times our country - a relatively short flight away for most Gulf States - provides an affordable family holiday, and welcome respite from the oppressive Gulf heat. Plus there is the added bonus of boundless historical treasure sites to explore.

Newly appointed Executive Director at the YTPB, Fatima Al-Huraibi, the first female to hold the position, recognised that her new job presented many challenges.

“Unfortunately, it is a sad reflection on world tourism today that very few countries can offer total peace of mind when it comes to the safety and security matters,” she said. “We are working tirelessly with other government departments to ensure discreet but optimal levels of security for our own citizens as well as business and leisure tourists.”

“We are determined not to let the actions of a few wreck our aspirations to build a strong tourism industry and I have a simple message which is that Yemen is an extraordinary country, one which deserves to be more widely recognised as an outstanding and unique destination and is well worth a visit.”

“Every visitor who comes here is astounded by the warm welcome they receive. Building on a better and more accurate image of our incredible country, we hope to further develop infrastructure and services to match our world class attractions. With four UNESCO World Heritage Sites and our very own ‘Galapagos’ - the island of Socotra - Yemen stands every chance of establishing itself as the must-see destination of the future.”

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An Adventure in the Heavens of India

The Garhwal

Himalaya Situated within the recently founded state of Uttar Anchal, India (a part of former Uttar Pradesh), lies Garhwal Himalaya. It is a mountain range of impressive and splendid landscape with much to offer visitors in search of adventure. India has always been a great travel destination for almost all tourists for reasons such as shopping, culture, tradition, etc. Well, since the Garhwal Himalaya, it has become a known fact that India has added something new to the tourism board - a sense of exhilarating adventure.

While in the Garhwal mountain range, visitors can expect the unexpected as they walk in the midst of breathtaking picturesque beauty. The Garhwal region is great for thrilling activities such as skiing, white water rafting, trekking and cycling. Every adventure seeker will anxiously await the adrenalin pumping experience that lies in the unending, rolling green plains, high mountain tops, white water rivers and the gentle mountain streams of Garhwal Himalaya.

Things to do: Skiing Auli is the perfect skiing playground and it is only 16 km from Joshimath. The slopes and the minimum wind conditions of this snowcapped paradise provide you with the perfect opportunity for a superb skiing experience.

White Water Rafting Throughout the Garhwal region, there are many white water rafting routes. The rivers in Garhwal Himalaya flow through rocky gorges,

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forests, flowers, and high mountain villages, hence making the region an ideal location for superb and exciting water adventure sport.

Trekking Most people, who visit any of the regions in the Himalaya, are visiting for the sole purpose

of trekking. The Garhwal Himalayas are especially suited for activities like trekking, mountaineering and rock climbing. Visitors will be allowed to experience mindblowing and adventurous trekking routes in unexplored destinations.

Trekking is probably the best way to learn more about the country you are visiting. By the end of your trekking adventure, you would be leaving the beautiful, unspoilt routes with memories of knowledge on the country, the people and their culture and traditions.

Cycling Cycling in the Garhwal region can provide an adventurer with a very rewarding experience, to be treasured for a lifetime. Even though, the ride could prove to be a bit difficult and highly dangerous around the valley region, the magnificently beautiful landscape will definitely be appreciated with its vast flora and fauna that bless the grounds.

Where to stay: There are many accommodations offered in Gharwal Himalaya since it is such a hot tourist

spot. Most of the accommodations are forest bungalows, budget hotels and luxury hotels.

Yes, it’s all there! However, our pick is Gauhar.

Located on the Badrinath Route is Gauhar.

It is 21 kms away from Rudraprayag and has the largest area of flat land in the hills. Once a year, a big trade fair attracts thousands of visitors from all over to Gauhar. The rooms offered are comfortable and are both either deluxe or executive. It is the perfect place to relax after your long day of fulfilling adventure.

Garhwal Himalayas is an excellent option for adventure in India as it offers a wide range of options for the adventure seekers. Besides the exciting outdoor activities, any visitor will be blown away by the charming, natural beauty of the region that will breathe in life and hope into thirsty souls.

By: Ylova Hamdan

NAZARIAN FRERES JEAN & ARAM ARMES DE CHASSE MUNITIONS, SPORT ET PECHE

NIETO

ADRESSE : ROND POINT DORA RUE D’ARMENIE IMM. MAKHLOUF & ABI NADER. • P.O.BOX 11 4897 • TEL : 01-269671 • FAX :01-269271 h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

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The Hunter’s Lounge

Diaries of a professional hunter

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The Hunters Lounge will be a regular feature of H&S and in this first article in the series, we are looking at what drink one would prefer to imbibe after a glorious, or not so glorious, day in the field either pre dinner aperitifs, during dinner to complement the delicious food your host has prepared, or an after dinner nightcap.

I am personally not a big drinker but I do like the occasional pre dinner sherry or a glass of white or red wine with dinner or a drop of fine brandy or sipping whisky as I sit in good company reliving the events of the days hunt as night falls.

In things to do with drink I am not a traditionalist and maybe I can be described as a philistine by some wine buffs as I don’t mind drinking white wine with red meat or a light red Merlot with fish. I could, by definition of the term, be said to have neither taste

nor knowledge, but I am fully aware what is supposedly accepted as good form and I know what specific wines should taste like without professing to be a connoisseur. However, I also know what I like and sometimes I just feel like drinking Red and sometimes white, and I have even been known to partake of the occasional glass of Rose. So for this exercise let me recount a typical post hunt evening, in good company, in a very comfortable shooting lodge, and whilst the drinks may not conform to strict etiquette I feel that they complement the food most adequately.

My fellow shooting companion and I have had a successful day stalking and culling a couple of Red Deer on the mountain, and we have now cleaned ourselves up and we are two contented fellows sitting in the delightful period lounge of the old, but well maintained, hunting lodge. The furniture is definitely period, in keeping with the architecture of the lodge itself. We are ensconced in comfortable deep brown leather, buttoned chesterfields and armchairs, the patina adding to the classic style and taste. In front of us is a roaring crackling log fire set in a steel fire basket which gives the whole room a delightfully warm glow. The scent of the pine logs as the heat releases the captive sap ,sets the mood for the sumptuous dinner our host is preparing. On the walls hang trophies of Red and Fallow deer shot in an earlier time; a stuffed cock pheasant and a beautifully marked mallard drake are captured forever in glass cases indicating that there is other game to be had on the estate besides deer. There are paintings depicting hunting scenes, and one, a scene reminiscent of our own experience today of a hunter and his guide laying in the course grass glassing a Red Deer stag on a far off hill side.

My friend and I decide to be different in our choice of aperitif with my colleague going for a nice glass of Sherry whilst I, feeling rather thirsty after the day’s exertions, decide on beer. There are so many varieties of beers available nowadays that one can choose, from the light lagers to stouts such as Guinness, and bitter beers like Kilkenny. For me I prefer the nutty taste of a well kept Kilkenny or if I was in

the Yorkshire Dales of the UK I would select the local Theakstons or Black Sheep Bitter.

Both beers are locally brewed and there is an interesting story as to how the Black Sheep Bitter got its name.

Theakstons is a well established Yorkshire brewery owned by the Theakston family.

The two brothers who ran the brewery on a day to day basis had a fall out and one brother went his own way and started his own brewery a few miles down the road.

As the rest of the family was against him he became known as the Black Sheep of the family, meaning that he was persona non gratta to the rest of his kin. As a result he called his brewery the Black Sheep Brewery and now both breweries produce a variety of exceptionally good beers which are exported all over the world.

OK, so today I have my Kilkenny bitter with its beautiful pale brown color and its thick creamy head. First brewed in 1710 at St Frances Abbey, County Kilkenny, Ireland, this beer is a particular favorite of mine due to the fact that it is not carbonated and as a consequence has a smooth “flat’ caramel taste, and is termed as an Irish Cream Ale. But my fellow shooter fancies a sherry. The best sherry comes from a small coastal area on the extreme south west corner of Spain and the best vineyards are called Jerez Superior and

the grapes from these vineyards benefit from crumbly chalky soil rich in calcium and natural fertilizer.

The five main categories of Sherry are; Oloroso, Palo Cortado, Amontillado, Fino and Manzanilla and all these are naturally dry wines and they are sweetened with natural grape extractions. The lightest and most delicate are the Fino and Manzanilla category and the Amontillado is basically a Fino which has been left to mature in the cask for anywhere between six and ten years.

There are a number of well known Sherries, all excellent in their quality but my friend decided on a, Tio Pepe Fino, by the world renowned producers of fine sherry, Gonzalez Byass. Gonzalez Byass has been producing fine sherry since its founding in 1870, and is today arguably the largest of the sherry houses, producing in the region of 28 million bottles of sherry every year. That is a lot of wine.

As we sit contentedly reliving the excitement of the day our host enters the lounge and informs us that the first course of dinner is being served in the dinning room. Draining the last drops of our chosen stimulants we repair to the dining room next door. The soup is Scotch broth to warm us up after the day on the hills. This is a thick soup made from cubes of lamb, carrots, onions, celery and pearl ›

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barley and flavored with chopped parsley. This is a robust soup so to accompany this; our host has chosen a red Californian Zinfandel, which will also go very well with the venison that we will be eating for our main course.

The Zinfandel grape originated from Croatia during the days of the early Roman Empire, and was first introduced to California in the beginning of the 19th century.

It has a beautiful deep, almost black red coloring and has a spicy tang to it with a suggestion of the flavor of cherries or wild berries and as such is an ideal accompaniment to the hearty soup that we have in front of us, as well as the delicious Venison that is to come. There is a white Zinfandel as well as the red, the white is made by removing the red skins of the grape prior to pressing which makes for a sweet, light, refreshing white wine, ideal for white meat or even with a crisp salad on a warm summer evening. Some white Zinfandel will retain some of the red color making it more like a rose, but this is still termed white.

The venison we are served as the main course is T bone of venison and it is not the deer we shot today of course. The gralloch, or drawing

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out, of our deer was carried out on the hill directly after being shot but it was skinned back at the lodge and will hang in the chiller for one to two weeks to allow the meat to rest and the muscle to relax. The meat we were about to enjoy was shot ten days earlier and is in prime condition for grilling or roasting depending on the menu. Our T bones were about an inch thick salted and peppered and sealed in a pan prior to grilling to our liking.

Mine being medium. To go with this we were served a pesto source accompanied by boiled potatoes and a mixture of garden vegetables and thick red wine gravy.

After a brief respite the desert, or pudding as I like to call it, was brought in. This was a peach and rhubarb crumble served piping hot with custard sauce. And to accompany this culinary delight we were offered a glass of German Riesling Dessert wine. Now I am not one for sweet wines generally but Mine Host persuaded me to try it. It was suggested that I take a spoon of the sweet desert first to get my pallet somewhat accustomed to the sweet taste of the wine that was to follow which, it is always said, should be sweeter than the desert it is served with, and I have to say that the wine certainly complemented the sweetness

of the peaches and the tartness of the rhubarb to such an extent that I was moved to accept just a half a glass more.

The Riesling grape comes from the German Rhine valley and is a very versatile grape as it is used to make dry, semi sweet, sweet and sparkling wine. For sweet dessert wines the grapes are left on the vines until they actually start to go bad, this is known as the, ‘Noble Rot’, and it is this fungus that gives the wine its distinctively sweet taste. It is a very delicate procedure as the grapes need to be harvested just at the right time because if the rot is too advanced then the whole crop can be lost to the more advanced grey rot.

By this time we were feeling rather happy and contented but our host had not yet finished with us. Now it is the norm in France that the cheese is bought to the table before the dessert, which in a manner of speaking makes sense, to get all the savory dishes over before one tackles the sweet. But we tend to take our cheese as the last course and this table was no exception. The cheese was a nothing too grand, as befits a hunters table; there was Danish Blue and very mature Cheddar accompanied by a selection of dry crumbly

cheese biscuits, and of course a final alcoholic beverage to finish off a wonderful meal, a glass of ruby port for myself and a Baileys Irish Cream Liquor for my friend.

As its name implies, true port wine is produced in Portugal, and whilst there are a number of fine port wines on the market produced in other countries, by European Economic Council rules only fortified port wine can be called Port if produced in Portugal. The prices vary considerably depending on vintage and quality. With names such as Taylors, Grahams, Sandman’s, Crofts and Cockburn’s, (pronounced Co, not Cock), to name but a few. All these varieties are pretty well known and widely accessible in terms of availability and price.

Mine Host offered me a delicious 10 year old Tawny Cockburns, which happens to be the variety that suits my pallet, especially if I am drinking it with cheese. Tawny port can be sweet or medium dry and this Cockburns happened to be of the sweet variety which would have gone well with the dessert, but personally I like the contrasting flavors of the strong Cheddar or the piquant flavor of blue cheese to be accompanied by the sweet taste of a good quality sweet port.

Tawny port is produced from red grapes aged in wooden casks which produce a wine of

golden brown color which takes on the flavor of the oak barrels it is stored in. If a year is not indicated on the bottle then it must be 7 years old at least and can be a blend of a number of different varieties of grapes. If a bottle has an age stated then it would be either, 10, 20, 30 or 40+ years, this would be a blend of different vintages and the age stated is the average age of the vintages used not the actual age of the bottled port sitting in front of you, as some people believe.

In contrast my partner had decided on a Baileys Irish Cream to accompany his cheese, which is not a bad choice even if a little unusual. Baileys is made by Gilbeys in Ireland but the name, Baileys, is now owned by the famous food and drinks company, Diageo plc.

Gilbeys produced the first batch of Baileys in 1974 and was the first company to market such a drink. Baileys Irish Cream was the first liqueur to blend whisky and cream together, in fact the first to blend any alcohol with cream. The recipe used to make this delightful liqueur is a closely guarded secret but it does, undeniably, contain sugars, caramel, vanilla and of course chocolate in varying proportions which gives it its distinctive taste If you wish to get more involved with the Baileys brand then you can visit, South County Wicklow, in Ireland and go to the Hayden Farm, Orchard Center, which has been turned

into a visitor farm and is the home of Baileys Irish Cream since 2002. The farm has a heard of over 40,000 cows which produces in excess of one million liters of milk per year for Baileys. The cream use to produce the liqueur is provided by another of Irelands dairy producers, Glanbia Virginia, based in County Cavan, and has been the major provider of cream to Baileys for more than 30 years.

There are many ways to serve Baileys, and many cocktails have been invented using it as a base with some pretty exotic, as well as bawdy, sounding names. One of my favorites, in terms of names if not in terms of actual drink, is a BMW. This consists of equal measures of Baileys, Malibu and Whisky. It must feel rather pleasant to ask for a BMW and be given one for less than a gallon of European petrol.

Personally if I am to drink baileys I prefer to have it as it comes from the bottle and my only concession to trend would be have it poured over a few cubes of ice. That’s nice. As well as the standard Baileys Irish Cream, there are also Crème Caramel and Chocolate mint flavor for those interested. And apparently you can also purchase Baileys flavored Haargen Dazs ice cream. That sounds like a pretty nice way to finish off a good meal.

After such a wonderful repast we return to the lounge where we are served with a pot of freshly brewed coffee and on a silver tray two brandy snifters and a bottle of Reme Marten brandy. For me the port was sufficient, but so as not to disappoint our host, I did imbibe and, ignoring the brandy snifters, poured a small amount of the amber nectar into my coffee, which made a rather pleasant night cap, and whilst my shooting companion and myself watched the flames flicker and the pine wood continue to crackle and spit we were both lost in our own thoughts of the delightful day we had had and thinking about tomorrow yet to come, when we would be back in the field with our guns but on this occasion we would be looking for a pheasant and duck or two for the pot, not deer. But for now, to bed and a good nights sleep.

RNC

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cook your hunt

Cook your

Hunt

Woodcocks are considered the kings of game birds and they can be a lovely treat for any food lover. Mid-winter is the best time for woodcock, however, always remember never to leave them to hang for too long. Three to four days is more than enough. The woodcock’s flavor is very delightful and superb. While baking woodcocks, note that the birds to do not need that long in the oven.

In this issue’s Cook your hunt - woodcock is the ultimate game with the ultimate flavor. Below are the two of the best recipes that you can prepare at home after a long day at the hunting grounds.

Roast Woodcock Ingredients

Directions

• 1 Woodcock • Fat bacon • 3 slices White bread; crusts removed • 1/2 oz Foie gras • S&p • 1 pinch Grated nutmeg • 1 teaspoon Cognac or Armagnac • 8 Grapes; peeled, seeded

• Pluck the woodcock but do not gut it. Truss it, bard it with fat bacon, and spit-roast it over or next to a hot fire for 18-20 min. Remove the entrails and discard all but the intestines.

• Meanwhile, fry the bread in the dripping pan or else separately in butter.

• Mince the intestines with foie gras and season this with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and brandy.

• Spread 2 of the slices of bread, halved, with this mixture and sprinkle a little more pepper over.

Gratiner this in a very hot oven for a few minutes.

• Serve the woodcock atop the third piece of fried bread, with the 4 half-slices of bread around. Garnish with grapes and serve.

Baked Woodcock Ingredients

Directions

• 6 Woodcock; split • 1 cup Milk • ½ cup Flour • 3 tablespoons Sweet butter • 1 cup Fine dry bread crumbs • ½ teaspoon Salt • 1/8 teaspoon Freshly-ground white pepper • ½ teaspoon Paprika • 1 cup Sour cream

• Dip birds into milk, then roll in flour. Melt butter and brown birds in it. Remove birds, dip again into milk, then dredge with bread crumbs.

Season with salt, pepper, and paprika, and place in a casserole. Add sour cream and cover dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until tender. This recipe yields 2 servings.

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• Yield: 2 servings

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directory

SHOOTING ACCESSORIES - Leather Shell Pouch The popularity of our Shotgun Shell Pouches from Champion® has lead our engineering and design experts to create the next stage bag for shooters. New in 2010 is a durable leather pouch with web belt. The heavy duty poly web belt adjusts, allowing the pouch to slide into whatever position the shooter desires.

Features & Benefits • Heavy duty, adjustable waist belt accommodates all shooters • Durable leather construction • Divided compartments for loaded shells or empty hulls • Double pouches hold two boxes of shells and room for two chokes Part No. Description • 45855 Leather Shell Pouch; double

TRAP SYSTEMS - Hand Thrower Experience trap shooting fun with the new Champion® Hand Thrower. Designed for easy use and minimal effort, this new hand thrower sends targets flying for fast clay action. Constructed of rugged polypropylene and able to hold any standard size clay, this new hand thrower is the ultimate in portability and perfect for backyard shooting sessions. Get distance. Get accuracy. Get consistent flights. Get the new Champion Hand Thrower.

Features & Benefits • Ideal for left or right handed throwing • Use with any standard size clay target • Launches targets up to 60 yards Part No. Description • 40915 Hand Thrower

EYE PROTECTION - Shooting Glasses Ballistic Protect your most valuable asset and look good when you’re shooting. The new Champion® shooting glasses come in red or black frames. The ballistic rated gray smoke lenses provide four times impact protection of standard shooting glasses meeting military standard MIL-PRF- 31013. Designed especially for shooters, the lenses reduce glare and enhance target image sharpness.

Features & Benefits • 99% UV protection • Comfortable slip resistant temples. Great looking red or black frames • Ballistic rated provides four times the protection of standard shooting glasses Part No. Description 40612 Shooting Glasses; Closed frame—Ballistic Red gloss/gray 40613 Shooting Glasses; Closed frame—Ballistic Black gloss/gray

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Dora, Highway 01 - 890 777 Feytroun 09 - 333 555

Mzaar Intercontinental 09 - 340 555

Achrafieh 01 - 202 555 Kaslik 09 - 223 555

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GUNSMITH TOOLS - Hammer & Punch Set Trick out your gunsmithing bench with professional tools from Weaver®. The new Hammer & Punch Set includes (8) steel punches to fit just about any pin and a hammer with brass and plastic faces. For fast, easy, gentle disassembly and reassembly of firearms, work like a pro with Weaver’s new Hammer & Punch Set. Features & Benefits • High quality steel punch set with brass punch for drifting sights • Multiple sizes fit a variety of pins • Assists in disassembly and assembly of firearms Part No. Description • 849723 Hammer & Punch Set

GUNSMITH TOOLS - Modular Level System When mounting optics, precision is the name of the game and there's one piece of gear that's critical to success, the Weaver® Modular Level system. This system is a simple, yet effective way to guarantee a scope’s crosshairs are level to the receiver. This ensures accuracy and helps shooters maximize their optics investment.

Features & Benefits • Simple to use and extremely reliable • High strength magnets for secure grip • For use when mounting scopes on most types of firearms • Indicates if scope crosshairs are level to receiver for optimum accuracy • Modular system let’s you mount in critical position to assure the ultimate in accuracy Part No. Description 849724 Modular Level System

GUNSMITH TOOLS - Torque Wrench Get just the right amount of torque on your rings and bases with Weaver’s new Torque Wrench. Every mounting system operates best at predetermined manufacturer’s specs and with the Weaver® Torque Wrench you can dial in that constant screw pressure quickly and easily. Don’t damage your scope by over tightening rings and bases. Use the Weaver Torque Wrench and protect your optic investment.

Features & Benefits • Helps mount scopes and bases with consistent screw pressure to manufacturer’s specs • Includes a variety of bits for different fasteners • Helps protect riflescope tubes from over tightening • Magnetized tip to help secure screws Part No. Description • 849728 Torque Wrench

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HEADLAMP - Durable Mobile Light Silva Ranger is a rugged headlamp that can be used in any condition and environment.

The headlamp is fully waterproof to IPX7-standard, submersible to 1m for 30 min.

Durability is the key design feature so you can rely on it in the toughest of conditions such as hunting, fishing or hiking.

Silva Ranger features the Silva Intelligent Light® technology, which combines a strong, focused distance light with a wide angle flood light for close vision. Five high performance LEDs provide 34 lumens running on a single AA-battery. Choose between six different light modes - each offering the best function for each kind of use. Red is one of the light modes which can be used to effectively preserve your night vision. The lens is recessed to avoid scratches. Weight of the headlamp is 75 grams without batteries. Silva Ranger Pro, which is the DIY and industrial version, comes complete with helmet attachment and is equipped with white LEDs only for a strong, hands-free, working light.

HEADLAMP - The compact outdoor companion Silva Otus™ is the rugged and compact headlamp for serious outdoor activities.

Waterproof, high performing, lightweight and compact are the qualities you need from an outdoor headlamp in tough conditions. The Silva Otus™ has an integrated Silva Cocoon™ storage pouch, which helps storing the headlamp in an organized way.

This fully waterproof to IPX7 headlamp provides performance for most outdoor situations. Four LEDs that run on three AAA-batteries produce a light distance of 30 meters at 28 Lumens. The Silva Otus™ has four different light modes, one of which is a flashing light. The light switch button is large and easily accessed on top of the headlamp, making it easy to use especially when wearing gloves. On full power the batteries will last for 24 hours, switching down to one of the lower light modes will increase the light time to up to 120 hours. The weight of this headlamp is only 80g including batteries and headband.

HEADLAMP - Powerful light in a waterproof housing The Silva Ninox™ is the most technical and advanced headlamp in Silva’s outdoor series, designed to withstand the toughest of conditions. It has a strong powerful light loaded in a waterproof compact headlamp featuring the Silva Intelligent Light® technology ensuring a light image with both a strong, focused distance light and a wideangle flood light for close vision.

Durable with a housing for the most demanding outdoor enthusiasts the Silva Ninox™ headlamp is waterproof to IPX7, a standard feature in this series, and is equipped with the Silva Intelligent Light® technology, for a functional light image in any situation. One high power LED and two wide beam performance LEDs provide a combination of close area light to see where you set your feet with a power beam of 60 Lumens up to 45 meters distance. The six different light modes provide flexibility and a possibility to extend the battery time. The first mode is a powerful RED light for situations when preserved night vision is crucial.

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RAYMOND WEIL’s

Nabucco VA, PENSIERO The RAYMOND WEIL Nabucco Range, renowned for its stylish design, now boasts a new addition in titanium. The new timepiece’s mature elegance, retaining all of the collection’s powerful architecture showcased in grey-grained graphite, remains true to the collection’s creative values and mythical forms.

The Nabucco Va, Pensiero - named after the famous Verdi chorus - exudes the same power and nobility as the great Italian composer’s opera. Its sophisticated materials, watchmaking precision and alluring design evoke an urban, revolutionary world, making this new timepiece a symbol of freedom and independence. With its sober 46mm-diameter case, and round

bezel with tachometric scale set into the titanium, it is exceptionally resilient and water-resistant.

Three subdials (30 minutes at 3 o’clock, 12 hours at 6 and small seconds at 9), along with a date-window at 4:30, are set in grey on a central zone featuring three screws for optimal time-reading, and harmoniously integrated indexes highlighted in luminiscent anthracite. The aesthetics of the Nabucco Va, Pensiero again reflect RAYMOND WEIL’s gift for audacious design, while its mechanical prowess will delight connoisseurs of luxury watchmaking: an ETA 7753 tri-compax movement, with automatic winding and 28,800 vibrations per hour, ensures the precision and reliability

RALPH LAUREN

of this masculine chronograph which, with its screwed-down push-pieces, crown and case-back, is waterproof to a depth of 660ft (20 bars/atm).

The timepiece’s elegant design is underscored by a saddle-stitched crocodylus niloticus leather strap with double pushpiece security. Stylish, powerful and elegant… let the nabucco Va, Pensiero spirit you away on the wings of freedom!

Introduces a new team of fragrances PLAY BIG, WIN BIG… GET IN THE GAME! The Big Pony Fragrance Collection complements this gallant look with a set of four fragrances that represent key passions of young men: Sport, Seduction, Adventure and Style. This team of fragrances is up-tothe-minute and distinctive; it is part of today’s emerging social values - choice, diversity, change, community, sportsmanship.

This collection gives men the choice to express one or all of their personalities and moods. Inspired by the four players of a polo team, this quartet of fragrances empowers young men to get into the game and play by their own rules.

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h&s Issue 02 l August 2010

cartier.com

calibre de cartier 1904 mC mAnuFACture movement

As its nAme suGGests, the CAliBre 1904 mC is the emBodiment oF A CenturY oF CArtier’s PAssion For teChniCAl eXCellenCe. FeAturinG A meChAniCAl movement CreAted, develoPed And mAnuFACtured

BY CArtier, the CAliBre de CArtier wAtCh tAKes the GreAtest wAtChmAKinG trAditions to more stYlish And soPhistiCAted heiGhts.

18K PinK Gold 42 mm CAse. mAnuFACture selF-windinG meChAniCAl movement, CArtier CAliBre 1904 mC (27 jewels, 28,800 viBrAtions Per hour, douBle-BArrel, BidireCtionAl windinG sYstem), suBsidiArY seCond, dAte APerture. FACeted sAPPhire set on A 18K PinK Gold hePtAGonAl Crown. silvered oPAline snAiled diAl. sCrAtChProoF sAPPhire CrYstAl.

Boutiques in the united ArAB emirAtes: ABu dhABi hAmdAn street (02) 627 0000 duBAi: the duBAi mAll (04) 434 0434 / emirAtes towers BoulevArd (04) 330 0034 / BurjumAn (04) 355 3533