Hunting and Safari Magazine - Issue no.3 by Amed

The Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Hunting & Safari Magazine

Sporting Guns

Holland & Holland 200th Birthday

Oliver Winchester A True Bow Hunter by

Samer A. Massih

USD 6 / DHS 25 / RS 30 / JOD 5

BHD 3 / QAR 25 / KD 2.5 / EGP 50

The Amazing Hunt Woodcock Hunting

www.chanel.com

QATAR: Al Majed Jewellery, Suheim Bin Hamad Street, Doha City Centre, Villaggio BAHRAIN: Tanagra City Centre KUWAIT: Tanagra, Arraya Mall, Salhiya Centre LEBANON: Wadih Mrad, AshraďŹ eh, Quantam Tower/Dbayeh, Antelias SYRIA: Al Zaman, Damascus, Cham City Centre, Aleppo, Shahba Mall OMAN: Muscat Watches, Qurum Sabco Centre

Very Zino collection, swiss made automatic chronograph in 18-ct red gold. www.zinodavidoff.com

www.hart-hunting.com

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

Mp3 INTERNATIONAL is a reputed national co.handling Military Equipmen s EST. 2004 Based in Ab u Dhabi,UAE. We have the huge suppliers from Europe and America, We are dealing with U.A.E. armoured force, Police, and V.I.P. offices, Our key products: Law inforcement & Military weapons Masterpiece Rifles & Pistols Hunting Equipments E Sporting Equiptments Ammunition

Abu Dhabi

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

editor's note

Dear Readers, In September we were for tunate enough to have exhibited at ADIHEX, the Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition, which has become accepted as the best exhibition of its kind in the region. Held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, it featured some of the best and most prestigious companies in the industry who were there for the four day show displaying there wares. We hope you find our ADIHEX article of interest and if you were unable to attend, we would whole heartedly encourage you to make the time next year, as we are sure you will find it very interesting and entertaining. Also in this edition we were for tunate to be able to bring you interviews with two great local shooters. First, Ray Bassil, the phenomenal Lebanese lady clay shooter who is setting her sights on the Olympics, as well as, Samer Massih, the Lebanese bow hunter extraordinaire. Both have different past times but their dedication and passion to their spor ts are the same. Iconic gun manufacturers also feature prominently with names such as, Winchester, Holland and Holland and Cogswell and Harrison, plus many others. I am sure you will find them a good read. Our hunting safaris take us into the mountains of Scotland after the elusive ptarmigan, and Hunting in the cold climate of Finland, as well as hunting buffalo in Canada. We also feature a couple of iconic weapons that have, in their own way, changed the course, or determined the course, of history. The Thomson Sub Machine Gun is one and the Katana, Samurai Sword the other. Two very different weapons from different eras but both extremely influential in their own right. As the holiday seasons are approaching, be they Eid El Adha, or Christmas, we thought we would challenge your culinary skills with one of our, Cook Your Hunt Recipes. It is not for the feint hearted but if you succeed you will be held in very high esteem by your guests, I can assure you. Check it out, and I do not refer to the Casserole either! Our regular feature of, Hunters Lounge, looks at cigars and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure you will be aware that whole books have been written on the subject, so we have just scratched the surface and included a bit of personal experience and a bit of history. If you would like to see a specific subject included in Hunters Lounge drop us a line and we will see if we can oblige. That goes for all the content of the magazine really, if there is a specific subject you would like us to address, or if you have any comments on the magazine at all, please feel free to get in touch. After all it is your magazine and we want to give you what you want. We do not promise to satisfy all, but we will do our best. Continue to hunt safely and with consideration for yourself, for your fellow hunters and the environment.

Richard Camm Senior Editor

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

The Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Hunting & Safari Magazine

Sporting Guns

Holland & Holland 200th Birthday

Oliver Winchester A True Bow Hunter by

Samer A. Massih

The Amazing Hunt Woodcock Hunting

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 CEO - Dubai email hisham.s@mat.ae mob +971 50 661 6677 USD 6 / DHS 25 / RS 30 / JOD 5

BHD 3 / QAR 25 / KD 2.5 / EGP 50

Our Cover: Issue 3 - November 2010

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

Joe Balesh Business Development Manager email jbalesh@mailme.ae hsmagazine.travel@gmail.com tel 00961 71 768211 mob 00971 50 551 5957

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 hisham.s@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

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

this month

news hunt

Beretta

History of a Gun-making Family “Aim well, shoot straight and hit the mark” is what the three arms in the classic Beretta logo, stand for.

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exclusive interview

hunting tips

the civilian market. Commercial success allowed Beretta room for several domestic competitors that included Benelli and Franchi along with other foreign companies, in the end of the eighties.

In the early 1800s, Pietro Antonio Beretta (1791-1853) traveled throughout Italy, in spite of difficulties surfacing from constant wars and foreign domination, to display the superior quality of his products and collect orders. Pietro Antonio’s son Giuseppe (1840 - 1903) continued his father’s laborious effort, creating new opportunities for the company through international distribution. In 1918, the Beretta Model 1918 was the second submachine gun the Italian army fielded. Beretta manufactured rifles and pistols for the Italian military until World War II.

The Germans seized Beretta, with the Wehrmacht’s control of Northern Italy and continued to produce firearms until the 1945 German surrender in Italy. After the war, Beretta continued to develop firearms for the Italian army and police along with

Beretta is known for its broad range of fire arms: side-by-side shotguns, over-and-under shotguns, hunting rifles, express rifles, assault

If we rewind to the beginning of time, we will see that the art of hunting has always lived on. Cave men had various methods of hunting for food, be it with sharply carved stones, etc. As the world evolved and intelligence grew, the art of bow-hunting came into existence.

From the jungle heat of Panama to the sandstorms of Iraq, the U.S. Armed Forces have counted on Beretta pistols for almost two decades of distinguished service. The 92FS, Beretta’s premier full metal gun, most resembles the military M9 9mm pistol. Accurate out of the box, this workhorse features an open slide design that vir tually eliminates jamming, a safety system that combines decocking with a positive thumb safety, and a combat muzzle crown. Beretta’s proprietary black, non-glare Bruniton finish gives your 92FS a wear-resistant coating, which means it will stand up to any special duty.

Even though many people nowadays indulge in rifle-shooting, etc on their hunts, many people still practice the art of archery. In this article, we look at archery as a new challenge for hunters all across the world and how the sport differs from the more practiced rifle shooting.

THE ULTIMATE PISTOL. It’s not an official title, but it perfectly describes the Beretta 92FS. Selected by a multi-national roster of defense and law enforcement organizations, each pistol must pass a battery of more then 3,000 quality control check and measure that includes complete interchangeability of parts before leaving the factory... and proven in the field in countless defensive confrontations, the 92FS is in all respects the “ultimate”.

Holster serie 92

Hard case ABS pistol

Model

Caliber

Magazine Capacity

Action

Total Length (mm/inch)

Barrel Length (mm/inch)

Total Thickness (mm/inch)

Total Height (mm/inch)

Sight Radius (mm/inch)

Weight Unloaded (gr/oz)

92FS

9X19

Single/Double

217/8.5

125/4.9

38/1.5

137/5.4

155/6.1

945/33.3

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

H&S recently interviewed,

Mr. Samer A. Massih,

Bow Hunter Interview with Samer

A. Massih

Bow-hunting is said to be the ultimate challenge because you will be able to experience the thrill and anticipation of entering the animal’s territory to get your shot. It is more of a one-on-one experience. It is up close and personal. The sport takes more planning and skill along with patience to make a good clean kill. If you already hunt with a rifle, hunting with a bow will offer a whole new perspective. Most rifle hunters who have converted to bow-hunting claim that it is like going on your first hunt all over again.

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Bow Hunting vs Rifle Hunting Most rifle hunters are convinced that bow hunters should rifle hunt while bow hunters urge that rifle hunters should pick up a bow and arrow. However, whatever makes you the most comfortable is what you should do. Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the differences between the two.

Bow Hunting While out on the hunt, bow hunters rarely see anyone else. They do not have the crowd that rifle hunters have to deal with therefore the chances of seeing bigger and more animals increases by 3 times. Hunting with a bow also requires far more skill on many levels; therefore it is much more rewarding. Also, the weather is much better during the bow hunting season. Sure, bow hunting can be very challenging and I suggest every hunter to experience it at least once in a lifetime. However, the sport is very difficult. The percentage for success during a hunt is much lower than a rifle hunter. Bow equipment is also far more ›

Photo by: OutdoorsWallpaper.Com

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

in Dubai a lucky break for us as he was leaving back to his home country of Lebanon the following week, to open his own business, after a number of years working as Bursar for one of the regions, and indeed the worlds, premier airlines. His career had enabled him access to every continent in the world and many of the countries therein. Thanks for taking the time to have a chat to us, Samer, we know that you must be busy getting ready for your move, but can you tell us why you decided to hunt with the bow, what is the fascination?

A Rewarding Challenge

Ylova Hamdan

Pietro Beretta 92FS

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

A True

Bow Hunting

Beretta now produces over 1500 guns a day and exports to 100 countries, the most famous weapon being the Model 92, 9mm Pistol, a weapon which has been adopted for use by the American Armed forces, and elements of the French armed forces. Other police and military clients include Italy and Turkey.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

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I have been a keen hunter for many years starting from a relatively early age I would hunt birds in Lebanon with my father until I was old enough to own my own gun and would go off on hunting trips locally in the season with friends and family. But traveling to the four corners of the world with my job enabled me to see the opportunities for a hunter in other countries, especially Africa, which is one of my favorite hunting destinations. I have hunted Africa with rifle and shotgun on many occasions and love the country but my interest in bow hunting came about by my desire for taking on a more intimate type of hunt. I am an adventurous person by nature, I love mountaineering and mountain biking for instance, and I thought that getting up close and personal with your quarry would be another kind of hunting excitement. It also takes a person back to the roots of hunting as the bow was, for millenniums, the prime hunting weapon for mankind.

To me Africa is the Holy Grail of hunting. It has everything. It is vast, rugged and primitive, magnificent and splendid, and you can travel as luxuriously or as basically as you want, the choice is yours. It has a heritage of hunting that is incomparable to any other country. When you talk of big game hunting, Africa immediately springs to mind and they are geared up to cater for the hunter. The land is vast, the game is plentiful and what you can not disregard is that it is very competitive. Once you come to know the place and establish relationships with the outfitters that cater for the type of hunt you are looking for, then you can get very good value for money.

Coincidently H&S magazine has taken safaris to Kroonstaad and we know what you mean about the place. What game have you hunted with the bow? Well, lets see, I have taken, Wart Hog, Impala, Springbok, Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Zebra, Oryx, Kudu, and Bush Buck. The Oryx was pretty memorable as it was on the move and in the end I was fortunate enough to take it cleanly through the lung and the heart. It did not get too far after it was hit. To me that was a good hunt. Another memorable shot for me was the Zebra. I hit it in the jugular and one lung. The arrow going straight through.

Do you have a favorite African destination?

How do you hunt?

That’s a bit difficult as different areas tend to offer different things but I do like South Africa and my last safari was in Kroonstaad, in the Free State, half way between Bloemfontein and Johannesburg. The hunting and scenery is great and it was a very good hunt for me, which tends to have an impact on how you see a place if you were able to achieve what you had set out to do. Which I did.

Well, with a bow you have to get relatively close, 40 meters would be a safe distance but if you can get closer, say 20m to 30m, even better. The whole point is to hit the quarry in its vitals and make sure you kill it as cleanly as possible and with the least suffering. Having said that I have hunted most of the different ways you can. I have hunted from tree stands, from hides and blinds and I have hunted walk and stalk. ›

So why do you enjoy hunting Africa so much?

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

Hunting Tips

28 A Good Hunt 38 22 news hunt

46 air guns

• IWA & Outdoor Classics

• Dubai Polo & Equestrian

• Beretta - History of a Gun-making Family

50 scopes

• What’s your Caliber?

The oldest Gun Making Town in Germany

• Milipol Qatar 2010 Exhibition

• The History of Suhl -

• BirdnClay Firearms

• H&S in ADIHEX

• The Historical Gun Guild of Ferlach

38 hunting tips

• A Good Hunt • Bow Hunting

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

• Zeiss - We make it visible

56 hunting knives 62 historical weapons

• Tommy Gun • Katana

68 exclusive interview

• Weihrauch • Falcon Classic Pneumatic Air Rifles

• Dressed To Kill - Farlows of Pall Mall • A True Bow Hunter Interview with Samer A. Massih

this month

big game hunting

gunmaker legacies

hunting packages

travel

Hunting in Finland

It can get quite cool in Finland. That is probably the most understated comment you will hear today. I had a Finnish friend whose son was doing his National Service in the army and he had to stand guard outside in temperature of - 40 degrees centigrade. That’s minus 40 degrees. Admittedly this is extreme and the Finn’s of course are used to these temperatures and dress accordingly, layering I think it’s called, and their life style caters for it.

Personally I like the cold weather as you can always add more layers but in hot climates there is only so much you can take off. Never the less if you enjoy the cold Finland can offer some of the most exciting and varied hunting any where on the planet. But one should be aware that severe frosts can be encountered as early as October so you will need to make sure you have taken along your warm, weatherproof, clothing with you and if you are going to hunt deer or be in the forested areas you must always wear an orange item of clothing, such as a vest, to identify yourself to other hunters that may be in the same vicinity. The hunting seasons are not all in the depths of winter and there are many different seasons depending on what game you are hunting. The majority of game bird seasons start on, 20th August, till the end of December, with some species starting, 10th September, through December. There are a couple of exceptions in as much as the sea bird season opens on, 1st of September, through to the end of December, and the male Eider Duck season commences on the, 1st of June, through to the end of December. If you are a pheasant shooter your season is longer than others opening on the, 1st of September, but only closing on the 28th of February, or 29th in a leap year. So you can get some temperate hunting if you choose your dates right. It is somewhat difficult to list all the seasons here as the diversity of game is huge, and it would take up too much space to list them all, but what ever you want to hunt, within reason, you can find it in Finland from Woodcock to Forest Reindeer and a lot in between. A sample would be almost 29 species of birds, hare’s, beaver, fox, a variety of wild cat, seal, wild boar, moose, reindeer as well as six variety of deer, brown bear and wolf. So you can see that the choice is quite extensive.

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However the requirements for you to be able to hunt in Finland are also quite

Sporting Guns

Photo Crefit: Best Hunt hunting Farm

extensive. You will definitely need a guide or outfitter to apply for the correct licenses required and permission needed before you travel. Also, every hunter who intends to hunt any kind of deer, moose or reindeer must of course use a rifle and he must take a rifle shooting proficiency test prior to going on the hunt. This will be carried out by various game management associations and the tests are usually held in the summer or early autumn to coincide with that start of the season. Once you have received your certificate of competence it remains valid for three years. The Finn’s do accept proficiency certificates from other countries provided that they are similar to the tests carried out locally and are valid. The shooter must show proof of identity, gun license and a current hunting permit.

deer or bear or moose and the target area is 17 cm in diameter and you will be required to place four bullets within that area within 90 seconds from a distance of 75 meters using a stance of your choice. Standing, kneeling or lying down. Rests can be used so long as it is mechanically attached to the weapon. Depending on the game your hunting you may have to take more than one test, as whilst some tests cover more that one animal one test does not cover all.

For the average hunter the test is not difficult and if you can not complete the test successfully then you really have no right to be carrying a weapon. There are different test for different game but basically you will be shooting at a non moving silhouette of a

As an example, when shooting Elk the bullet must weigh a minimum of 9g and the impact energy must be at least 2700 joules at a distance of 100 meters and it is forbidden to shoot large animals using a shotgun. ›

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

Hunting area: Hunt is organized on shallow lakes, perfect feeding place for ducks. Transfer from Baku to the hunting camp takes 3 hours 220km.

Equally, the hand tools used by the engraver will not have changed much in appearance since the mid-19th Century. But alongside the time-hallowed, is the innovative - a Holland & Holland gun of today is made using the best steels that the modern age can provide, and is drilled, milled and turned by machines far more precise than those used by yesterday’s craftsmen in the gun factory so carefully planned and built by Henry Holland over one hundred years ago.

Hunting terms: 15 of October 2010 - 20 of March 2011. Accommodation: Comfortable hunting house with all modern

The result is a gun capable of handling the high performance cartridges and ammunition that our forefathers did not have at their disposal; a gun that will give faithful service to its owner and his heirs for generations, and a gun that will give unmatched pleasure the while.

conveniences. Inside the house there are three rooms based on doubleoccupancy. Professional cook from Baku will serve you with the fine national and European cuisine.

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h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

Hunter

Trip/Hunting days

3x3 Hunting including trophy

$ 2,750

4 days / 3 days hunt

4x5 Hunting including trophy

$ 2,550

4 days / 3 days hunt

Additional hunting day

$ 450

THIS PRICE INCLUDES: Meeting and drop off at the airport; All transportation to and from the hunting region; All transportation in the hunting area; Accommodation and food in the camp during the whole tour; Service of professional guide; All serving staff including one interpreter per group/ camp; hunting license; Trophy care and packing for shipment.

THIS PRICE EXCLUDES: Airline ticket to/from Baku; Visa; Insurance; Personal items; Hotel and meals in Baku before and after the hunt if needed (approx. $250); Excess luggage payment charged by airlines; Sightseeing program; The cost of any extra hunting days; The cost of additional trophies; Gratuities to your hunting guide and staff; Gun to rent if needed (30 euro/per day, 18 euro per box)

BOOKING AND PAYMENT:

Hunting schedule: It is this combination of tradition and vision that makes a Holland & Holland gun that most rare of creations; a work of art where the emphasis is balanced equally between the purpose of its work, and the beauty of its art. ›

146 Day 1

117

Arrival in Baku, custom formalities, transfer by car to the base camp

Day 2-4

3 days of hunting

Day 5

Back to Baku, departure

The quoted prices are subject to USD currency fluctuations. H&S travel reserves the right to change the price with preliminary notification of the client. A 50% deposit is required to hold your hunt date. FINAL PAYMENT is due 30 days prior to safari starting date.

PACKAGE INCLUDES: • Board and lodging (4 nights) starting with the arrival evening until in the breakfast morning of departure. • Lodging in single room with bathroom. • Romanian shooting license during the whole hunting time with official invitation card. • Customs assistance for arrival and departure. • Transfer airport - hunting box. • All transfers inside Romanian borders include driver and escort. • Hunting set-up. • PACKAGE WITHOUT KILL LIMITS. • Head game preservation in cold storage room. AT YOUR DISPOSAL: • Guns Beretta cal 12, - 30 Euro / day. • Guns bullets 12 caliber, lead 00/0/2/3 - 0.40 Euro. • 6 Volt e 12 Volt rechargeable battery and corresponding cells boost 10.00 Euro per day. THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE: • Out and home airplane / bus ticket. • Drinks. • International veterinary certificate. IMPORTANT! • Counseled fowling time from 01/11 to 28/02. • Reservations must be done 1 month before, with our acknowledgment. • Requested advance at reservation 1000 US Dollars. • Additional hunting day 500 US Dollars.

NET PRICE : $ 2,850/-

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78 big game hunting

116 gunmaker legacies

• Hunting in Finland • Bufallo-Bison - Hunting in Canada • Boar Hunting in France

90 hunting experience

• Marco Polo’s Argali • Fredrick Courtenay Selous • The Adventurous Mongolian Hunt

98 hunting season

• The Amazing Hunt Woodcock Hunting in Europe • Elusive Ptarmigan in Scotland • Hunting in Russia - The Chukotka Moose • Hunting with Golden Eagles in Mongolia

112 cartridge legacies 20

‘Ducks and Wild Goose Chase’

It is not a rare case when skilled hunters can get up to 150 ducks at one morning. We have a records man among our hunters who managed to get 400 ducks in a day.

In some things, of course, there is no substitute for tradition. For instance, in the making of a stock the craftsmen still use the finest walnut, taken from the juncture of root and trunk. The root for the wildness and figure that gives the stock its beauty; the trunk for the strength that it gives to the stock’s slender grip.

90 Woodcock Hunting Passions of a 98 Amazing Hunt professional hunter

Romania

Duck Hunting in Azerbaijan 2010

Comfortable accommodation, fine cuisine, helpful staff, professional hunting organization, and an amazing number of game are waiting for professional bird hunters in Azerbaijan.

Such an achievement does not come into being by evolution alone, even though Holland & Holland guns and rifles trace their lineage back to the year 1835. Its other parent is curiosity; the desire of the craftsman and gunmaker to see whether an improvement can be made on accepted methods.

The type of firearm and size of ammunition used is specified depending on the type of game you are hunting and only the specified weapons and ammunition can be used. There are five sizes of bullet specified from 2.5 g bullet weight for game such as Red Squirrel, up to 10 g for Moose and Brown Bear.

Azerbaijan

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

• • • • •

Holland & Holland Cogswell & Harrison Franchi - Pass a Long the Tradition Oliver Winchester’s 200th Birthday Sauer & Sohn

134 outdoor adventure 138 hunter's lounge 142 cook your hunt 146 hunting packages

• Azerbaijan • Romania • South Africa

150 directory

news hunt

IWA & Outdoor Classics

IWA & OutdoorClassics has been the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading exhibition for the hunting and sporting guns, outdoor and accessories sector for over 35 years. This international exhibition is organized by NuernbergMesse GmbH, Germany. Following the exhibition in March 2010 that highly exceeded all expectations, the IWA and OutdoorClassics 2011 is definitely going to be bigger and better. The exhibition will run for four days in March, in Nurnberg Germany. You will have the opportunity to see all types of new and classical guns being showcased.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

IWA & OutdoorClassics is practically the home of equipment and clothing for classic outdoor leisure activities. Besides the already extensive range of guns for official agencies, the law enforcement segment is rapidly gaining importance with a large selection of special products for Special Forces, security companies and official agencies. All of these selections will be available to the eyes of visitors at the exhibition in 2011. The product displays will range from target sports (guns, gun components, ammunition and reloading for hunting and sport, optics) to nature activities (knives, clothing, shooting

sports accessories, trade information) to protecting people (guns and components, ammunition, optics and equipment for official agencies). The exhibition has always been the motto of High performance in target sports, nature activities, protecting people. It is truly a multinational occasion for the industry hence allowing IWA & OutdoorClassics to continue its successful growth with every exhibition in the coming years.

Bresia Revision

news hunt

Milipol

Qatar 2010 Exhibition Milipol Qatar is the international exhibition of internal State security. The exhibition first took place in 1996. Based on the highly successful Milipol exhibition in Paris, Milipol Qatar came to life to respond to a call for for a specialized exhibition that was highly targeted to the needs of the Middle East Market. This year, the exhibition will celebrate its 8th edition on the 25th of October in Doha. Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar, the exhibition provides a showcase for products and services for sectors including police forces, coastal and boarder security, civil defence, Special Forces, etc.

Milipol Paris 2005 exhibition

Milipol Qatar 2008 exhibition

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

A demonstration was held during the Milipol 2009 exhibition

The products and services covered include electronics (IT and communications), mobility (vehicles, boats, drones) arms and ammunition, optics/optronics and forensic science equipment among many other things. Companies are continuing to reserve their booths at the specialized exhibition. There are currently almost 200 exhibitors from 33 countries, promoting a wide selection of innovative products and technologies for the internal State security sector. The exhibition will only be reserved to the professionals. Access is only available with an official invitation card from an exhibitor or from the organizer. The success of the Milipol exhibitions, till date have been very fruitful and productive and this year will be no different.

Dubai Polo &Equestrian The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club is an International World Class Polo & Equestrian complex specializing and catering to all disciplines of Polo, Show Jumping, Dressage and Leisure Riding. In Arab Culture, the horse symbolizes noble values of grace, endurance, friendship and courage. Throughout history, the Arabian horse has been integrated into every facet of Arabian life and culture. Henceforth, Arabian horse breeding, training activities and Large Scale Polo and Equestrian events are expanding and enormously popular in the UAE. Launched officially in April 2006, the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club is the heart of equestrian activity in Dubai. Being the home

to one of the longest Annual Polo Seasons in the World, the Club is most commonly recognized for its popular Polo events on both Local and International scales. The Club House, characterized by a distinctive Spanish theme, provides members and guests with a wide variety of dining, leisure, business and entertainment options. It is the perfect setting for cultivating a common bond of interest in equestrian pursuits, whilst enjoying the exclusive lifestyle unique to the world of horses. With two exclusive lounges and bars, and our traditional Argentinean restaurant, the Club has something for every mood and occasion. All this and more is waiting for you at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

Equally reputable leisure riding facilities attract large crowds throughout the season. The riding, show jumping, and dressage arenas have sandblast surfaces considered to be the finest in the region accommodating the newest concept in town â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arena Poloâ&#x20AC;?. Additionally, the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club is home to 336 air-conditioned stables and an International standard exercise track where all horses are kept in top form.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

news hunt

Beretta

History of a Gun-making Family “Aim well, shoot straight and hit the mark” is what the three arms in the classic Beretta logo, stand for.

Beretta is not the only oldest Gun Maker in the world, but it is also the oldest manufacturing company in the world. This major, Italian firearm manufacturing company has been owned by the same family for over 500 years. The company was established in 1526, when gunsmith Maestro Bartolomeo Beretta of Gardone Val Trompia (Italy) was paid 296 ducats in payment for 185 arquebus barrels by the Arsenal of Venice. Beretta products were chosen by the highly discriminating Republic of Venice because of their excellence. Word of Beretta spread beyond the Italian borders as the company became one and the same with uncompromising quality, design, materials and performance thus establishing a tradition that has carried over through fifteen generations of Berettas. In the early 1800's, Pietro Antonio Beretta (1791-1853) traveled throughout Italy, in spite of difficulties surfacing from constant wars and foreign domination, to display the superior quality of his products and collect orders. Pietro Antonio’s son Giuseppe (1840 - 1903) continued his father’s laborious effort, creating new opportunities for the company through international distribution. In 1918, the Beretta Model 1918 was the second submachine gun the Italian army fielded. Beretta manufactured rifles and pistols for the Italian military until World War II.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

the civilian market. Commercial success allowed Beretta room for several domestic competitors that included Benelli and Franchi along with other foreign companies, in the end of the eighties.

Today, under the leadership of Ugo Gussalli Beretta and his sons Pietro and Franco, Beretta boards on the 3rd Millennium with the benefit of centuries of experience. That experience, combined with organization and growing product lines, has prepared Beretta for the demands of the global market of the 21st century. Beretta is known for its broad range of fire arms: side-by-side shotguns, over-and-under shotguns, hunting rifles, express rifles, assault

rifles, submachine guns, lever and bolt-action rifles, single and double action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. The parent company; Beretta Holding, also owns Beretta USA, Benelli, Franchi, SAKO, Stoeger, Tikka, Uberti, the Burris Optics company and a twenty per cent interest of the Browning arms company. Beretta now produces over 1500 guns a day and exports to 100 countries, the most famous weapon being the Model 92, 9mm Pistol, a weapon which has been adopted for use by the American Armed forces, and elements of the French armed forces. Other police and military clients include Italy and Turkey. Ylova Hamdan

Pietro Beretta 92FS From the jungle heat of Panama to the sandstorms of Iraq, the U.S. Armed Forces have counted on Beretta pistols for almost two decades of distinguished service. The 92FS, Beretta’s premier full metal gun, most resembles the military M9 9mm pistol. Accurate out of the box, this workhorse features an open slide design that virtually eliminates jamming, a safety system that combines decocking with a positive thumb safety, and a combat muzzle crown. Beretta’s proprietary black, non-glare Bruniton finish gives your 92FS a wear-resistant coating, which means it will stand up to any special duty.

THE ULTIMATE PISTOL. It’s not an official title, but it perfectly describes the Beretta 92FS. Selected by a multi-national roster of defense and law enforcement organizations, each pistol must pass a battery of more then 3,000 quality control check and measure that includes complete interchangeability of parts before leaving the factory and proven in the field in countless defensive confrontations, the 92FS is in all respects the “ultimate”.

Holster serie 92

Hard case ABS pistol

Model

Caliber

Magazine Capacity

Action

Total Length (mm/inch)

Barrel Length (mm/inch)

Total Thickness (mm/inch)

Total Height (mm/inch)

Sight Radius (mm/inch)

Weight Unloaded (gr/oz)

92FS

9X19

Single/Double

217/8.5

125/4.9

38/1.5

137/5.4

155/6.1

945/33.3

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

news hunt

What’s your

Caliber?

Caliber, in firearms is the diameter of the bullet used or the inside diameter of the gun barrel. It is measured in inches, gauge or millimetres. In a rifled barrel, the distance is measured between opposing lands or grooves. Groove measurements are common in cartridge designations origination in the U.S., while land measurements are more common elsewhere. It is important to performance that a bullet should closely match the groove diameter of the barrel to ensure a good seal. Shotguns are grouped according to gauge, a related expression. The gauge of a shotgun refers to how many lead spheres the diameter of the bore would equal a pound. In the case of a 12-gauge shotgun, it would take 12 spheres, the size of the shotgun’s bore to equal a pound. A numerically larger gauge indicates a smaller barrel. The barrel diameter varies at specific locations in the barrel, depending on the degree of back boring or choke.

‘28’

is your number! Let’s take a look at two very popular hunting guns that exceed their excellences with their very own 28 caliber products: The Browning Citori and the Remington Sporting 1100.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

Browning Citori This is a double-barrelled shotgun of the over-and-under type. (One barrel above the other.) The over and under Citori is manufactured in a wide variety of models, styles and gauges to accommodate enthusiasts of clay target shooting such as trap, skeet and sporting clays as well as waterfowl hunting. The Browning Citori has a single selective trigger incorporated in the manual safety catch, located at the top rear of the receiver.. If the first shot misfires and then gun does not recoil, the trigger can be reset to fire the second shot, which is accomplished by moving the safety/barrel selector back to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;safeâ&#x20AC;? position, without changing the barrel selection. Opening the action does not automatically engage the safety mechanism. Older Citori models have fixed chokes while newer models have screw-in choke tubes that can be used with either lead or steel shot.

Remington Sporting 1100 The Remington 1100 is a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun that is popular worldwide among waterfowlers and clay target shooters. The Remington model was first introduced in 1963 and was designed by Wayne Leek. It was a successor to the model 58 and 878 gas-operated shotguns. It was widely accepted immediately due to its recognized excellent handling characteristics and a significant reduction in felt recoil. All models of the 1100 are gas operated, with a mechanism that noticeably reduces recoil. The 1100 is also the best-selling auto-loading shotgun in the history of the United States.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

news hunt

The History of Suhl The oldest Gun Making Town in Germany

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

There is a town on the world map that will not usually be spotted by many. However, for gun enthusiasts, this little town is one of the most important in the world. Suhl is a town situated in Thuringia, central Germany. It is mainly an industrial town that manufactures precision instruments, machinery, sporting guns, tools, electrical appliances, toys, porcelain and motor vehicles. The town was first mentioned in the 13th century when it became a noted center of the German Arms Industry. Located in the beautiful evergreen hills of Thuringia, the town is the original home to many famous gun-makers that include Merkel (which is still located in Suhl), Sauer & Sohn and Simson amongst many other great names in the industry. Historically the working of locally mined iron ore dates back to the Bronze Age, when men developed the metal into weapons, utensils and ornaments. However it was not until the 13th century that the name, Suhl, became recognized as a producer of metal products, especially for the weapons industry of the time. By 1365, Suhl possessed two hammer forges and another followed in 1437. By this time, the production of arms and armor was in full bloom. By 1445, a council of citizens, mostly arms makers, governed the community were in charge. It is estimated that the mines then employed eight hundred men hence allowing the town to be known as the “Armory of Europe”. The practice of supplying arms to both sides of a conflict meant the town suffered total destruction in 1634 during the Thirty Years War. In 1718, Suhl became part of Saxony, which resulted in reduced mining and military arms production. Because of this, the resilient citizens of Suhl turned to weaving cloth and

This wonderful Mauser small ring was another collaboration effort. Stockmaker and carver Al Lofgren of Augusta Mich. Did the beautiful stocking job and the unique Ivory acorn and oak leaf inlays, reminiscent of the pre-war work of Suhl Germany.

Photo by Tom Alexander

producing sporting arms and prosperity was once again brought to the town. Museums around the world hold beautiful examples of these arms. In 1751, Sauer and Son was founded and the company was Germany’s first manufacturer of complete firearms. Between 1756 and 1760, the gun-makers of Suhl sold 25,000 firearms to the government of Prussia. The nineteenth century industrialization brought speedy growth and wealth to the town. The Haenel arms, bicycle factory, Simson and the Schlegelmilch porcelain factory began their operations and opened their doors. By the end of the century, the town boasted a population of 130,000 as opposed to the 7,000 population that persisted in the 14th century. During the First World War, arms production employed nearly 12,000 workers, but after the war, conditions worsened again for everyone in the region. Only within the re-armament in the years leading up to the Second World War did Suhl again enjoy prosperity as an arms producer. The town then doubled in population.

In 1945, popular firms such as Krieghoff, Anschuetz and Sauer & Sohn left Suhl and resettled in West Germany. By 1952, the population of Suhl grew to nearly 25,000. The growth along with the construction of modern apartments changed the appearance of Suhl forever. In the later years, a public zoo, an observatory, a modern shooting sports center, an arms museum and an industrial park that attracted many firms were built. Clearly, the history of Suhl is a very long one and indeed a very productive. The gun-makers of Suhl deserve respect and admiration for keeping the tradition alive and constant under very difficult circumstances. The craftsmen never lost their skills and the town will always be noted for having some of the world’s best gun-makers. Gun enthusiasts and hunters alike should always give credit to the lovely town in central Germany since of course, it is indeed the oldest town of gunmaking in history and we must give credit to the great men that never gave up and still continued to develop their wonderful and extraordinary firearms!

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

news hunt

BirdnClay Firearms Affordability and Quality at their best! & Focusing on the history of Huglu.

“I beg your pardon; could you please repeat that figure again? I do not think I heard correctly, because if I did, well you might as well cut off my arms, don’t you think?” Yes, that is most probably what you would hear spoken by a customer looking to buy a shotgun at a firearms store. Of course the look of shock on his/her face would be included. And that look is priceless - agreed. However, thanks to Turkish firearms, hunters no longer need to worry about paying an arm and a leg for the price of a mere shotgun and this is what this article is about - your economically friendly gun!

Photo by: Shotgun World

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

A Turkish shotgun is used for hunting and competition and it is used to hunt from close range to wing shooting. It can be used in upland games like rabbit hunting, pheasant hunting, trap shooting and even target shooting. Turkey is increasingly becoming very well known in the world of shotguns. Brands such as Huglu and Kahn have been around for some time now. Mark DeHann imports the competitively priced Turkish shotguns to America and amends them a little and then sells them to the public. DeHann is the proprietor of Huglu USA which is located in Idaho.In this article, we take a look at a company that does jus that - importing Turkish shotguns and selling them to the general public, however we will be focusing on the history of Huglu. BirdnClay shotguns are manufactured by a special group of craftsmen in Huglu, Turkey. Although the firearms that are manufactured are really under several different brand names, only the finest quality firearms are marked with the BirdnClay name. So if you happen to see that particular name on a shotgun, it actually means that the specific firearm is meticulously designed, crafted and ready to serve for generations. Besides Huglu USA, BirdnClay is a separate division set up in Huglu, Turkey that sells their products to the open market. Huglu gun craftsmanship was established by two master gunsmiths who used to maintain and repair rifles while they were in the Ottoman Turkish Army during World War I. After the war, they continued the profession and started their first workshop around 1918. Shotgun and unrifled barrel manufacture constituted the most popular industry shortly after the gunsmiths returned from war. The large majority of gunsmiths decided to found a cooperative for better production and marketing later in the 1950’s. Huglu employs only the most qualified people amongst experienced craftsmen. Their line of guns are the cream of the

Over and Under Shotgun- BirdnClay, Inc. product range which is being manufactured in Turkey and it is now taking a significant place among well respected gun manufacturers. The highest quality material and workmanship is provided to the general along with an added benefit - reasonable prices and affordability. The name however is not limited to shotguns. Also manufactured are many different industrial parts for different sectors such as the medical industry (orthopaedics, dentistry, implants, etc.), military (rifle and machine-gun parts, missile parts, bomb parts), automotive (cranks, manifolds, pumps, gears, injectors, rings, special bolts and nuts). Currently, more than 100 separate workshops, more than 600 craftsmen, and about 1000 assistant workers are associated with Huglu shotgun production. Approximately 65,000 shotguns are being manufactured each year, of which 15,000 are over-and-unders, 10,000 are side-by-sides, 30,000 are semi-automatics, and 25,000 are pump-action models. The brilliant handwork performed by the

masters is what makes BirdnClay more valuable, especially on double-barrelled models whether you are looking at it by focusing on the shotgun action or the artistic value. Most of the work is carried out by hand with a mastery of more than ninety years of gun-making experience and excellence. Stated briefly below are the names of some of the guns that are available only for export by BirdnClay in all different categories. Over-and-Under Shotguns:Demly, Elegance, Dandy Sport, MX Vier, MX Vier Trap, Cardinal, Sultan, Orta and Sade. Side-by-Side Shotguns:Marila, Penelope, Ferina, Crecca, Vezir, Hola. Semi Automatic:Au1, Au2, Au3, Au4, Au5.

“Excuse me, Sir - I’d like a bulk of these side-by-sides, please!” is what a customer holding and admiring a BirdnClay shotgun would say!

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

news hunt

The Historical Gun Guild of Ferlach

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

In the year 1556, Austria was assigned to the Holy Roman Empire, by Charles the 5th and his brother Ferdinand the 1st. Then in 1558, due to the shortages of skilled gun-makers in Austria, Ferdinand requested the craftsmen and artisans from Holland and Belgium to come to Austria to promote the industry there. As a result of this, a gun guild was formed originating in the town of Ferlach. By doing so, it ensured that all the people involved in the manufacture of firearms were located in close proximity to each other. This allowed the barrel maker, the stock maker, and the lock mechanism maker to work closely together so as to ensure that every person was doing their job efficiently, effectively and correctly. As the individual skills improved gradually, more and more firearms were fabricated. Eventually, individual gunsmiths began to engrave their names on the barrels or frame of guns they made, adding individuality and thereby prestige to the weapon. One of the best details about Ferlach guns is that since all of them are hand-made per individual special order, almost all of them are different and unique from the other. The size of the business of each of the gun makers varies greatly. Some are father and son operations and have about 6 to 10 employees, with the largest having over 150 employees. In the past, gunsmiths of Ferlach have produced every type of shoulder arm imaginable, including modern weapons, hammerless drillings (three barrel gun), repeating rifles, 3 barrel rifles, combination guns, etc. Some of these represent the highest refinement in gun makers’ trade. Today, there are 14 master gun makers in Ferlach, who along with their more than 200 employees, produce about 500 guns a year which is in contrast to the 16,000 military pieces produced annually in the 1750’s for the government.

Many of these pieces are now on display in the national armory in Graz, Austria which has over 25,000 weapons along with suits of armor on display. When it comes to the prices of one of these superb guns, it ranges from about $25,000 and may go up to $500,000. The reason for this is that each gun is carefully handfitted to produce a magnificent firearm with an amazing finishing that is adorned with delicate engraving and inlaid with gold or silver. The average gun produced by Ferlach gun makers cost about $50,000 - $75,000. It also usually takes six to ten months to produce. Most of the Ferlach guns can be found in museums and in private collections all over the world. Also, the town of Ferlach has an extraordinary museum that details and portrays the rich history of gun making. The Royalty of the world along with many expert hunters and collectors come to the town

of Ferlach, holding a very strong desire for the best in their hearts and they are never let down. Custom made guns are always ordered and the visit is always enjoyed. Any sort of gun can be built by these gun smiths and with exactly the same features that you wish for. There isn’t an action or feature, which they can’t produce for you. This small industry brings in $8,500,000 to $10,000,000 to the town of 7,000 annually. Ferlach is a small town, drenched in history, art, accuracy and detail and the guns that are manufactured in the village itself are no different. Any person lucky enough to own one of these superb custom made firearms should consider themselves highly privileged to have acquired such a quality item and, indeed, work of art. By: Ylova Hamdan

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

news hunt

H&S in ADIHEX

The Abu Dhabi Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition

In September 2010, H&S had the honor and pleasure of part-taking in ADIHEX. (The Abu Dhabi Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition) ADIHEX is the only dedicated hunting, equestrian and outdoor sports exhibition in the region. At the exhibition this year, some of the best that the trade has to offer was showcased and enhanced by Abu Dhabi’s leading role in promotion of its own heritage. Here is a list of the exhibition categories:

• Falconry • Equestrian • Firearms & Firearm Components • Ammunition & Reloading • Archery, Shooting Sports & Hunting Gear • Surveillance Devices • Safety Accessories • Knives & Tools, • Hunting Tourism and other services. Some other highlights of the event involved a Saluki Beauty contest which gave Saluki owners the opportunity to showcase their precious hounds. Also, some of the world’s top breed camels were also auctioned during this year’s annual event. The annual event has rapidly gained international recognition and widespread popularity. Since its launch, ADIHEX has grown from strength to strength and is now one of the most popular exhibitions in Abu Dhabi that encourages, protects and safeguards many traditional values of the Emirates. The event is indeed at the heart of life in the Emirates and there is something on offer for enthusiasts and amateurs of all levels and ages. H&S, being the region’s first Hunting & Safari magazine had great value throughout the duration of the event and will continue to do so in the future of ADIHEX, the exhibition that holds a great importance when it comes down to the outdoor world.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

BOSS Selection

ftc@ftc.com.lb

hunting tips

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

Hunting Tips

A Good

Hunt

We at H&S pride ourselves in arranging quality safaris for our clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific needs. This may be wing shooting in Europe, to big game hunting in Africa, or photographic safaris and sight seeing safaris any where in the world. We try our best to ensure that no matter how short or long the trip, or what ever game is hunted or photographed, the client come away with an experience that they will remember fondly for a life time. There are a number of things relating to a safari that are out of the organizers control but there are some that are definitely in the hands of the organizer and I would like to give you our ideas on what makes a good shoot a great shoot, and you should keep these things in mind whenever you decide to embark on a trip yourselves.

A) Location, location, location First you have to find out what the client

Photo Credit: National Wild Turkey Federation

is looking to do and then advise him of the best location for his specific needs. As experienced hunters our knowledge extends to knowing the best places to shoot doves to the best locations to shoot big game and all types of safaris in between. The Gun expects to see the game he has contracted to shoot and he will be very disappointed if his needs are not met. However if he is given the opportunity to hunt in what he considers to be pretty magnificent scenery then a lot can be forgiven in terms of low numbers of game. I have stalked deer in the Highlands of Scotland and Kudu in the Veldt of Limpopo and ended the day with nothing in the bag but my packed lunch wrappers, but I considered that I have had a great day because of the scenery and the companionship of the guides and fellow shooters.

B) Hospitable Host It is incumbent on the host guide to make the guest Guns feel special right form the â&#x20AC;ş

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

hunting tips

start. This means that the guests are initially welcomed to the shoot, or safari, in a pleasant manner be they collected from the airport on arrival or they had made there own way to the shooting ground. If we are arranging the hotel accommodation we would have checked it out personally before hand to ensure that it is the best standard in the price bracket specified by the client, and if the accommodation is at the professional hunters own lodge, then again it will be checked out beforehand for comfort and cleanliness and the quality of the food. And a warm welcome should always be assured on arrival.

C) Organization The outfitters used should have all been previously vetted for their ability to ensure that everything is organized in a professional manner. Not everything can be guaranteed but if the Guns get the feeling that everything has been thought of in an organized way they will forgive the fact the weather is not conducive to shooting the game expected on any given day. Hired weapons must be available and of the type and caliber specified, as should the ammunition. This is of course a fundamental requirement, but there are times when the client has to make do with a side by side when he asked for an automatic, or he is given a, .375 H&H, when what he really wanted was a, 308 Win. Also, the quality of the beaters and pickers up on a game bird shoot or the trackers on an African Safari must be proficient in their role as well, because they are vitally important to the outcome of a days hunting. The transportation on the hunt should be reliable and safe and suitable for the terrain that one will encounter on the hunt. I have yet to attend a hunt, be it fur, or feather, where a four wheel drive vehicle is not in attendance. It is always advisable to have brief talk to the Guns right at the start of the day telling them what is expected of them in terms when to shoot, when not to shoot and general etiquette retirements expected of all the Guns. Emphasis on safety, no matter how experienced the Guns are, is never a waste of time.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

D) Dogs If hunting dogs or retrievers are to be used then they should be well behaved and friendly to the human element of the hunt. They are vital in their role of locating potential quarry, collectors of downed birds or following the blood trail of that trophy Cape Buffalo that you have just shot. A good dog can save time and effort and, on occasions, prevent injury by warning of danger in advance.

E) Food OK, so our prime criterion is not the quality of the food, but it comes a close second to the quality of the game. A hearty breakfast if the safari is fully catered, or a welcoming cup of coffee or tea and a toasted sandwich if it is a day shoot, is always welcome. Packed lunches do not necessarily have to be gourmet but need to be able to sustain a person through an afternoon and early evening that entails a high element of walking. Plenty of water as a standby to more fortified beverages is always a must and the fortified beverages should be partaken in moderation where firearms are

Photo by: OutdoorsWallpaper.Com

being used and where a number of other people are involved. In fact alcohol should be discouraged until after the shooting has finished. A good rousing after shoot BBQ, or a friendly dinner with suitable libations, is a great end to a good day in the field.

F) The Group of Guns Where more than one person is involved in any undertaking there is the opportunity for discord, no matter how friendly the people are. The more people the bigger the potential for misunderstanding. It is the organizers responsibility to ensure that everyone gets on well with each other and any minor disagreement should be resolved diplomatically and quickly, leaving everyone laughing. A good shoot captain, or professional hinter, will always be aware of the shooting each gun is getting and he should make sure, to the best of his ability as it is only him that can do this, that every Gunun gets his fair share of opportunities at the quarry. If he is given the opportunity and misses then that is the shooters fault and he will no doubt be resoundingly, but good naturedly, ribbed about it later.

Photo by: OutdoorsWallpaper.Com

G) Availability of Quarry

H) The Weather

I) Value for Money

No one wants to pay for a shoot where they see no game. This is obvious. However, if it is an organized wing shoot where the birds are bred at the beginning of the season then there is no excuse for no-shows. The game keepers and shoot captains know where the birds will be and will ensure the beaters are on hand to show the Guns the birds; or if walked up shooting then again the ground should be scouted beforehand to make sure that the birds are where they should be.

The organizers of the safari or shoot should always take account of the weather forecasts on the days prior to the shoot. This is not always reliable, as we know, but they are getting better and at least if you have catered for what the meteorologists tell you, and it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen, you have someone else to blame. In any case in some countries you are more able to predict the weather than others, but always ensure the Guns are aware of the potential weather systems that may occur and for them to be accordingly dressed. If it is a formal European shoot then the traditional attire should be mentioned. If you are shooting in the everglades of the US then of course different clothing is required. Generally subdued clothing on hunts should be worn but in some cases a bright orange garment of some sort should be warn so that you are visible to other shooters in the area. Dress sense, like most things come down to an element of common sense, which is worth its weight in gold.

A good organizer will always try his best to ensure that he gives his guests value for money. You can never please all the people all the time, but if the shooter sees that throughout the trip his host his trying his best to accommodate his wishes then he will feel that he has got value for money. If the shooting has been a little below par on any given day then the host should try to make it up in other ways by increasing the quality of the ancillary items, such as food and entertainment, or he should make a financial gesture, no matter how small, as an acknowledgement that, through no fault of his own, expectations were not met. Or if a specific animal or bird is not available or in abundance a different more exotic quarry might be offered for a similar price. In any event a great shoot is where everyone is sad when it is over and where everyone can not wait to come back for more the next time. This is what the organizers should always strive for and what the guest Guns should always expect.

This is not as simple when it is a stalked game shoot, whether Staggs in Scotland or Kudu in Africa. If it is a specific trophy one is after then this should be made clear to the PH or Guide and it is up to him to do his best to locate the animal and put the beast in your gun sight. As we are dealing with wild game here on their own territory a successful out come can not always be assured and this has to be taken into consideration.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

hunting tips

Bow Hunting

A Rewarding Challenge If we rewind to the beginning of time, we will see that the art of hunting has always lived on. Cave men had various methods of hunting for food, be it with sharply carved stones, etc. As the world evolved and intelligence grew, the art of bow-hunting came into existence. Even though many people nowadays indulge in rifle-shooting, etc on their hunts, many people still practice the art of archery. In this article, we look at archery as a new challenge for hunters all across the world and how the sport differs from the more practiced rifle shooting. Bow-hunting is said to be the ultimate challenge because you will be able to experience the thrill and anticipation of entering the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s territory to get your shot. It is more of a one-on-one experience. It is up close and personal. The sport takes more planning and skill along with patience to make a good clean kill. If you already hunt with a rifle, hunting with a bow will offer a whole new perspective. Most rifle hunters who have converted to bow-hunting claim that it is like going on your first hunt all over again.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

Bow Hunting vs Rifle Hunting Most rifle hunters are convinced that bow hunters should rifle hunt while bow hunters urge that rifle hunters should pick up a bow and arrow. However, whatever makes you the most comfortable is what you should do. Keeping that in mind, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look at some of the differences between the two.

Photo by: OutdoorsWallpaper.Com

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

hunting tips

Tips for the Challenger If you are willing to take up bow-hunting as a challenge, here are a couple of things that you need to remember. • Always clearly identify your target as well as what is beyond. An arrow can travel quite a distance if it misses the target. • Never load an arrow, or draw a bow when facing someone. • When shooting, make sure to position yourself at a 90 degree angle to the target. Your shoulders should line up with an imaginary line drawn from the center of the target. • The bow should be able to move freely after an arrow is released. To get a relaxed grip, many archers use a bow sling to prevent the bow from falling out of their hand upon release. • While aiming, either the instinctive aim or the bow site aim can be used. With the instinctive aim, an archer views the target with both eyes open and releases where as with the bow sight, the shooter aligns the sight on the target and releases. Photo by: OutdoorsWallpaper.Com expensive than rifle equipments. Most of the times, the sport can be very frustrating as you may have to spend all day stalking your game before you can actually participate in an actual kill. Clearly, much patience is needed for the sport.

Rifle Hunting Shooting a rifle through a scope at long range is fun and can be very challenging at times. Agreed. The success for harvesting an animal increases greatly because of the distance the rifle has that the bow doesn’t offer. Rifle hunting doesn’t take as much practice as bow hunting and it is way cheaper. As opposed to bow hunting, the rifle hunting season is always extremely crowded therefore you have to make sure to be in position well in advance.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

When it comes to the area and range, the average hunting rifle has a course that will place the bullet at a height of 15-20mm above the line of sight. At a range of some 100-150 meters, the hunting arrow will be in excess of 150mm above the line of sight over a similar range. This means that a hunter armed with a rifle can miss-judge the range to his target by 100 meters and still place his bullet in the vital area of an animal. However, a hunter armed with a bow and arrow has to judge the distance to his target more accurately and his margin for error is limited to only 1 or 2 meters if he is to avoid wounding or missing his target. Therefore, clearly the hunter armed with a bow and arrow has to be able to get infinitely closer to his quarry than the hunter with the rifle.

• Make sure to practice many times before actually going out for a hunt. It really helps to have a good shooting rhythm as well as this will aid accuracy. Hunting with a bow and arrow requires constant practice with your equipment and demands that you learn as much as possible about your quarry and its habits. Only by practice, will you be able to become a skilful bow-hunter and increase your chance of a clean kill. Practice on the archery field to get your bow tuned and determine your effective shooting range. Practice regularly and under every weather condition. This will allow you to shoot under more realistic hinting conditions and sharpen your skills as a talented archer. Archery is probably the safest of shooting sports, yet accidents do happen and it is up to you to be prepared. True, the sport can be very challenging but challenges are fun and it is suggested that you give it your best shot! By: Ylova Hamdan

air guns

Weihrauch

Quality made in Germany

Weihrauch precision air rifles, air pistols, hunting, target and vermin rifles represent the latest desingn, workmanship and modern weapon technology. they are permanently developed furthe. The barrel and component parts are made of proven materials. tolerance and correct temper are controlled by experienced specialists. Up-to-date machines contribute to the adherence of these requirements in production. These prerequisites together with the decades of experience in manufacturing sporting, hunting and target guns guarantee quality, maximum performance and long sevice life. Before delivery all weapons are tested individually and are exactly zeroed-in. the velocity v is controlled to meet the regulations of certain countries. Always pay attention to the existing regulations of gun laws in your country and to the rules of safe gun handling.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

HW100T

HW100KT

Pre-Charged Air Rifles We know the HW100 series Pre-Charged Rifle is amongst the best in the world and we know you will agree with us once you have tried it. The rifle has a standard specification that is packed with features that set it apart from all other guns in its class: Fast-fire side lever action with 14-shot rotary magazine (two supplied). Unique single pellet loading mechanism. Match trigger two-stage, with manual safety operational only when action is cocked. Rifle and Karbine specifications are offered as follows: Rifle and Karbine length fully floating barrels, screw cut and fitted with the HW High Efficiency silencer. Detachable stainless steel air reservoir with integral pressure gauge and radial quick fill valve assembly in Rifle and Karbine length. Beautifully crafted walnut stocks, with rubber recoil pad, Thumbhole or Sporter styles in Rifle and Karbine length. Charging adaptor to DIN 200/232 bars. Exhaust tool for air reservoir. This has got to be the ultimate PCR.

HW100 T

HW100 KT

.177 / .22

MUZZLE ENERGY FT.LB.

11.5

21 / 26

TYPE OF ACTION

PRE-CHARGED

MATCH

BARREL LENGTH MM

410

600

WEIGHT KG

3.8

OVERALL LENGTH MM

1058

1245

MODEL CALIBRE

TRIGGER

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

air guns

Falcon Classic Pneumatic Air Rifles

These rifles are not just manufactured, they are hand crafted using the finest materials. Not only the best of barrels manufactured by LOTHAR WALTHER but also the finest Italian stocks manufactured by MINELLI. these two companies have a wealth of experience spanning over a hundred years. Whwn you buy a Falcon Airgun you will experience a new way of shooting, and will see that the investment you have made has been more than worthwhile.

For pure quality of design and performance it is difficult to find their equal...

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

STYLISH - POWERFUL - DEADLY ACCURATE- CONSISTENT...

FALCON FEATURES:

Just a few of the words used by the leading airgun magazines to describe the latest pre-charged pneumatic air rifles and pistols produced by FALCON AIRGUNS.

Top Grade 12 groove Lothar Walther barrels. The rifle's efficient power plant returns a superb shot to shot consistency. Single or multi shot versions of these rifles are available. Multi-shots use 8-shot magazines operated by a side lever.

The concept of 'pre-charged' air weapons goes back well into the 18th century but, using the latest technology and manufacturing techniques, FALCON have produced a range of air rifles and pistols which will delight both the serious target shooter and hunter alike. The standard rifle has a 25 inch action and and a choice of beech sporter, walnut sporter and thumbhole stocks. The carbine version uses the same stocks but has an 18

inch action. Both the rifle and carbine are available in .177 .22 & the .25 is available in high power version only. FALCON air rifles and air pistols are fitted with self regulating valves which are factory set to give maximum power and consistent muzzle velocities. Being totally recoiless these guns give a very impressive performance over the complete range of disciplines enjoyed by airgunners. A selection of options and accessories is available including sound moderators, stocks, pistol grips and many brass parts. Your dealer will advise you of the complete list.

Triggers are of the two stage variety with infinite adjustment between first and second stages and come with integral manual resettable safety catch. Deluxe high definition wood stocks in three styles and two finishes, Sporter, Profile and Skeleton in Beech or Walnut. ( Skeleton on a Carbine Action Only). Air levels can be seen at a glance via the fitted manometer. Quick fill adaptor made from anti-corrosive materials with a built in 20-micron filter.

Prairie 'B' - Bull Barrelled Rifle in a Walnut Profile Stock RIFLES

STANDARD POWER

HIGH POWER

.177

80 shots @ 16 joules (12ftlbs)

30 shots @ 27 joules (20ftlbs)

.22

110 shots @ 16 joules (12ftlbs)

30 shots @ 41joules (30ftlbs)

CARBINES

STANDARD POWER

HIGH POWER

.177

60 shots @ 16 joules (12ftlbs)

Not avaliable in high power

.22

75 shots @ 16 joules (12ftlbs)

30 shots @ 34joules (20ftlbs)

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

scopes

Carl Zeiss We make it Visible. Innovations Set New Standards www.visionzeiss.com.mx

The new Victory Varipoint riflescope line from Carl Zeiss - Victory Varipoint with Illumination Control (M) 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12 x 56 T*

Accurate Shooting over Any Distance The Victory Varipoint technology sets the standard in hunting practice. The illuminated dot counts among the finest and brightest on the world market. Combined with the bright, high-resolution imaging performance, it provides the perfect base for successful hunting - even when the going gets tough. Throughout the wide field of view, which has been developed to fulfill the highest

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requirements, every detail is displayed razorsharp. With the Varipoint riflescope range, Carl Zeiss was the first manufacturer of hunting optics to implement an illuminated dot for day- and nighttime hunting. It can be dimmed precisely and automatically adapts to changing lighting conditions, like fading daylight.* The reticle concept V69 allows the hunter to select between two reticles on two different image planes in one riflescope. Thus he can respond quickly to any hunting situation.

Faster Reaction

More Operating Safety Whether stand hunting when game suddenly appears or shooting moving game: when overwhelmed by exciting moments switching on the illuminated dot and therefore the chance to hit - is easily missed. Thanks to the innovative Varipoint iC concept cocking the rifle and activating the illuminated reticle merge into one process. Rifle and optics are ready to shoot with a turn of the hand.

Focusing on the Target A More Relaxed Shooting Preparation Before the decision to shoot is made, various factors have to be balanced in a quite short period of time: Can the game be

Victory Varipoint (M) 3 –12 x 56 T*

shot? Is it the correct target butt? And so forth. High demands and a lot of pressure usually dominate the situation. With iC, operation process of rifle and riflescope merge before the shot, thus supporting both concentration on the target and relaxation of the body. Movement behind the rifle which is particularly crucial when shooting at short target distances is reduced to a minimum.

Comfortable and Efficient The Practical Solution Forgetting to activate the illuminated dot is a thing of the past, even when being under great pressure. The shooting hand stays on the pistol grip and the guiding hand does not have to be pulled away from the stock anymore to turn on the illuminated reticle on the riflescope. Shooter and rifle form a unit at all times. Lefthanders will be particularly pleased with this innovation because they no longer need to deal with operating the illumination of the reticle via the riflescope. The decocking of the R93 resp. R 8 iC causes the illuminated reticle to switch off, which noticeably enhances the life-time of the battery. The manual operation of the switch and control button still remains possible without cocking the rifle. The plus in safety and comfort turns the new Varipoint iC concept into one of the most innovative riflescope lines of today.

Technical Data Magnification

(M) 3-12 x 56T*/ M3-12 x 56 iC T* 3x

12 x

Effective lens diameter

44.0 mm

56.0 mm

Exit pupil diameter

14.7 mm

4.7 mm

8.5

25.9

Field of view at 100 m

12.5 m

3.5 m

Objective viewing angle

7.2°

2.0°

Twilight factor

Diopter Adjustment Range

+2 / -4 dpt

Eye Relief

90 mm

Parallax-Free

100 m

Square Adjustment Range at 100 m Adjustment per Click at 100 m

102* cm 1 cm

Centre Tube Diameter

30 mm

Eye Piece Tube Diameter

40 mm

Objective Tube Diameter

62 mm

LotuTec®

yes

Nitrogen Filling

yes

Water Resistance Functional Temperature Range Length Weight with Illuminated Reticle

400 mbar -25 / +50 °C 357 mm 605 g

Order Numbers without Illuminated Reticle

52 17 47

Order Numbers with Illumination Control

52 17 59

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

scopes

Nature Observation at Its Best The new generation of spotting scopes from Carl Zeiss: Victory DiaScope 65 T* FL and Victory DiaScope 85 T* FL its wide range of applications. Both the extremely compact 65 T* FL model and the particularly fast 85 T* FL model are available in straight or angled versions. All application possibilities - from observing game in the lowlands and in the mountains to digiscoping - are thus opened to passionate hunters. The lightweight 65 T* FL is designed for rugged use in mountains and on hunting trips where small pack sizes and low equipment weight are required. Thanks to the large lens diameter, the high-performance 85 T* FL offers optical excellence and maximum light intensity: ideal for demanding hunters who need to recognize minute details at long range when hunting game.

The innovative Dual Speed Focus

With the completely new Victory DiaScope line and a new Vario eyepiece with up to 75x magnification, Carl Zeiss enables unprecedented perfection in nature and wildlife observation. The flexibility of the new Vario eyepiece with extended zoom range will impress even the most ambitious hunters. The FL concept ensures unparalleled brightness and brilliance. The innovative new focusing system with rough and fine adjustment via a single focusing wheel sets

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new standards in operating convenience. The new Victory DiaScope generation defines a new class of high-performance spotting scopes with an outstanding range of applications.

The Victory DiaScope line - four spotting scope models The Victory DiaScope line comprises four spotting scopes and impresses through

The Dual Speed Focus (DSF) system, a Carl Zeiss innovation, enables faster and easier focusing of the new spotting scopes, thus generating additional benefits for hunters: the rough and fine focus are controlled via one focusing wheel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; without changing your grip. Switching between the fast, rough focus and the precise fine focus is controlled by the rotation of the wheel. To move from a closeup to a faraway object, Dual Speed Focus automatically switches to the fast, rough focus after a quick rotation: the faraway object gradually comes into focus. By rotating the wheel in the opposite direction, the fine focus is automatically activated and the user can precisely focus the image. DSF offers maximum operating convenience thanks to intelligent technology from Carl Zeiss.

Victory DiaScope 85 T* FL

Victory DiaScope 65 T* FL

The Victory DiaScope design The state-of-the-art light metal housing of the Victory DiaScope models is particularly robust and very light. Combined with the high-quality rubber armoring, it offers an outstanding feel and noiseless operation. The eyepiece lock ensures that the eyepieces stay reliably in place and can be quickly changed at the push of a button.

The perfect zoom for outdoors - the new Vario eyepiece In addition to the 3x zoom Vario eyepiece (15-45x or 20-60x) and a wide-angle

eyepiece (30/40x), Carl Zeiss also offers an innovative, fully recalculated Vario eyepiece with a 3.75x zoom (15-56x and 20-75x) with unique features. Thanks to the expanded zoom range, high maximum magnification and the large field of view, the new Victory DiaScope generation has an outstanding position on the market for high-quality optics and clearly separates itself from all other spotting scopes. The possibility of using a spotting scope with a Vario eyepiece to switch between a particularly large field of view at low

magnification and uniquely high detail recognition at maximum magnification provides hunters with completely new options for unforgettable observations. It zooms into nature and unveils many well-kept secrets. Thanks to the large lens diameter of 85 mm and the FL elements in the lens, the image seen through a DiaScope 85 T* FL at 20x magnification is just as bright as that of 10x42 binoculars. The somewhat lower starting magnification enables the DiaScope 65 T* FL to also achieve this outstanding performance at 15x magnification. â&#x20AC;ş

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scopes

Maximum optical performance - the FL concept The use of glass containing fluoride with abnormal partial dispersion in the achromatic lenses comprising up to five lens elements, enables all new DiaScope models to deliver maximum contrast even in difficult light. Excellent imaging is guaranteed and color fringes are reduced to a minimum even at high magnification in bright sunlight. Thanks to their high transmission, FL optics are clearly more brilliant even under diffused light conditions. Absolute top performance regarding contrast, focus, details, and image brightness is a given.

LotuTec® and Advanced Stray Light Reduction System This innovative protective coating on the lens elements ensures that water beads off the surface immediately without residue. Compared to competitors’ products, LotuTec® displays favorable physical properties and therefore sets a new standard: thanks to the very large contact angle with the glass surface, the water droplets practically retain their spherical shape - and simply bead off the surface. Thanks to LotuTec®, dirt, grease and fingerprints can be quickly and easily removed. LotuTec® therefore greatly enhances the functional value of the Victory DiaScope models in tough hunting conditions. This invention from Carl Zeiss has already proven very successful on binoculars, riflescopes, and eyeglass lenses a million times over. The Advanced Stray Light Reduction System, a technology developed by Carl Zeiss to avoid annoying reflections, suppresses contrast-reducing stray light and guarantees outstanding imaging even in difficult glare situations.

Technical Data for Victory DiaScope Objective lens diameter Objective type Close focusing distance

Tel: +971 4 295 9666 / 224 7900 / 222 2301 Ofiice: +971 4 229 3339 / Fax: +971 4 222 3381 P.O. Box : 39449 , Dubai - U.A.E.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

DiaScope 85 T* FL

65 mm

85 mm

FL type (4-element)

FL type (5-element)

Approx. 4.0 m

Approx. 5.0 m

LotuTec®

Yes

Nitrogen filled

Yes

400 mbar (=4 meters)

Objective lens filter thread

M 67 x 0.75

M 86 x 1

Camera adapter connector thread

M 45 x 0.5

¼“ and 3/8“

Approx. 300 mm

Approx. 345 mm

Height

Approx. 105 mm

Width

Approx. 80 mm

Approx. 97 mm

Weight without eyepiece

Approx. 1,100 g

Approx. 1,450 g

Water-proofness

Tripod thread Distributor: AL SAYAD Hunting Equipment Trading

DiaScope 65 T* FL

Length without eyepiece

hunting knives

I Dream of Buck!

Shiny, sharp steels with a history of legacies

Lochsa St. in Post Falls, Idaho Buck Knives is probably the biggest name of excellent quality in the name of knives; with products ranging from hunting and survival knives to pocket knives. Yes, Buck Knives is the most trusted brand when it comes down to it all. Buck Knives is an American knife manufacturer located in Post Falls, Idaho. The company has a long history through five generations of the Buck family which dates back to 1902 till present.

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The company dates its history back over a hundred years to the first knives made by Hoyt H. Buck. Hoyt H. Buck’s formal schooling was limited to the fourth grade and shortly after that; Hoyt became a blacksmith at Kansas in 1899, at the age of 10. During his term, Hoyt learned to make knives and in 1902 when he was 13, he developed a method of heat-treating the steel in hoes and other tools so that they would hold an edge longer.

Hoyt eventually enlisted in the United States Navy when he left for Kansas in 1907 for the American northwest. However, he is not known to have made knives until 1941 in Mountain Home, Idaho, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. When Hoyt began making knives, each knife was made by his very own hands, using worn-out rifle blades as raw material. (Collectors call these early knives “four strikes”, because each of the letters in BUCK

was struck with an individual letter stamp. In 1961, it was replaced by a one-piece stamp.) When the USA was entered into WWII, there was a demand for the donations of fixed blade knives for the troops from the public. This is when Hoyt stepped in and decided to buy an anvil, forge and grinder so that he could set up a blacksmith shop in the basement of his church to start making knives for the US troops.

“I didn’t have any knives, (to offer) but I sure knew how to make them”

Buck Folding Hunter Model 110

- Hoyt H. Buck After WWII, Hoyt and his son Al moved to San Diego to start making knives on a much greater scale. They established H.H. Buck & Son in 1947. These early knives were handmade and far more expensive than a typical mass-produced knife. Hoyt made 25 knives a week until his death in 1949. On April 18, 1963, merely two years after the incorporation, the Buck board of directors voted to authorize the development of a new folding lock-blade knife which would become the world famous Buck Folding Hunter Model 110. The creation of this knife was popularized so much that till date the term “buck knife” has become one and the same with folding lockback knives, including those made by other manufacturers.

The 110 model incorporates a 3 ¾ inch blade, a high-tension lock and a low-pressure release. The handles on this model are usually wood, where as the bolsters are brass. When introduced in 1964, this model revolutionized the world of hunting knives, making it one of those most popular knives ever and the only knife whose design pattern has been imitated by millions around the globe. In 1984, Buck knives introduced a survival knife called the Buckmaster which were made for military use. It is also the knife that was used in the Rambo films. Later on, Buck knives were also made for the Navy Seals. This special knife was known as the Knighthawk. It was introduced in 1992. The characteristics featured a fixed-blade knife

with a 6.5 inch blade and a black handle made of Zytel for an ergonomic grip. In 2005, the company relocated back to where it all started, Idaho, where the first knives by Hoyt H. Buck were made, to help the war effort. Buck Knives has a history of being the best of the best. From the very first knives made by the Hoyt till the knives that are being made today, you will not be able to miss the excellence in their quality. So keep in mind, if you are looking for the very best, then head on out and buy yourself a Buck! You will never go wrong on your hunting, fishing or camping trip with a knife that bears the name of a brand that is trusted world-wide for over a hundred years! ›

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hunting knives

Kalinga Pro The original Kalinga, (circa 1969) was a favorite of Al Buck's. With its gorgeous lines and comfortable grip, this knife will do everything and anything you throw its way. In 2007, we updated this classic with a thermoplastic Dynaflex rubber over-mold and 420HC Stainless steel for the blade and other metal parts.

SPECIFICS INCLUDE: • Blade Length: 4 7/8"(12.4 cm) • Blade Material: 420HC Stainless Steel • Fixed Blade: Yes • Handle: Thermoplastic base Dynaflex rubber overmold • Weight: 7.6 oz.(215.5 g)

Folding Kalinga Pro The original Kalinga, (circa 1969) was a favorite of Al Buck's. With its gorgeous lines and comfortable grip, this knife will do everything and anything you throw its way. In 2007, we updated this classic with a thermoplastic Dynaflex rubber over-mold and 420HC Stainless steel for the blade and other metal parts. The Folding Kalinga Pro is now available in a convenient folding version in camouflage.

SPECIFICS INCLUDE: • Blade Length: 3 7/8"(9.8 cm) • Blade Material: 420HC Stainless Steel • Handle: Thermoplastic base Dynaflex rubber overmold Realtree Hardwoods Green HD camo • Length Closed: 5¼"(13.3 cm) • Locking: Yes • One Hand: Yes • Weight: 6.2 oz (175.8 g)

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Gen-5 Guitar Series The handcrafted artistry of guitar making is infused with contemporary knife technology in our three-knife guitar series collection. This Gen-5 Skinner stands out in the series, featuring mirror polished 154CM steel and a handle with materials inspired by actual guitar fret and dot materials, abalone dots and rich cocobola wood. The brass guard is an elegant touch to make this truly collectable. The Gen-5 Guitar Series is serialized with a total quantity of 1,000, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

SPECIFICS INCLUDE: • Serialized: Total quantity 1,000 Certificate of Authenticity • Blade Length: 3" (7.6 cm) • Blade Material: Mirror Polished 154CM • Fixed Blade: Yes • Handle: Cocobola wood handle Guitar fret details and abalone dots • Upgraded Steel: Yes • Weight: 3.9 oz. (111 g)

Gen-5 Skinner After proving popular as a Limited Edition model, the Buck Knives Gen-5 Skinner now joins the wide range of new production knives. The Gen-5 fills the need for a sturdy, compact knife with an elegant skinning blade. There are two models available, at two price-point levels. Both have the same 3” skinning blade, but with different steels. The higher-priced Model 005RW, with checkered rosewood handle, is made of 154CM stainless steel, heat-treated to Rc 59-61 for maximum hardness, sharpenability and corrosion resistance. The Gen-5 Skinner, with charcoal wood handle, uses 420HC steel with an Rc 58 Rockwell hardness.

SPECIFICS INCLUDE: • Blade Length: 3" (7.6 cm) • Blade Material: 154CM • Length: 7 7/8” • Fixed Blade: Yes • Handle: Rosewood/brass • Sheath: Leather • Weight: 4.2 oz. (119.6 g)

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

hunting knives

Akonua Guitar Series Part of the three-knife guitar series collection, this stunning fixed blade knife has a mirror polished blade and a handle hand crafted with the same care as a classic guitar. The rosewood handle is inlaid with mother of pearl dots and real fret material. The Akonua Guitar Series is serialized with a total quantity of 1,000, and comes in a Limited Edition Box with a Certificate of Authenticity.

SPECIFICS INCLUDE: • Serialized: Total quantity 1,000 Limited edition box Certificate of Authenticity • Blade Material: Mirror Polished 420HC • Fixed Blade: Yes • Handle: Nickel silver inlay Rosewood Real fret material/mother of pearl dots • Weight: 8.0 oz. (227.8 g)

Yellowhorse Night Hunter II This knife is signed and serialized by David Yellowhorse, who handcrafted the classic 110 Folding Hunter handle with inlays of black jet, fire opal, mother of pearl and nickel silver. The mirror polished blade and decorated bolsters add the finishing touches to a beautiful piece. The Yellowhorse Night Hunter II is serialized with a total quantity of 250, and comes with a walnut display case laser etched with the Yellowhorse logo and a Certificate of Authenticity.

SPECIFICS INCLUDE: • Serialized: total quantity 250 Walnut display case laser etched Certificate of Authenticity • Blade Length: 3¾" (9.5 cm) • Blade Material: Mirror Polished 420HC • Handle: Nickel silver, black jet, fire opal Mother of pearl inlay • Length Closed: 4 7/8" (12.4 cm) • Weight: 7.5 oz. (213.5 g)

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

historical weapons

Thompson History

“Tommy Gun” Born on December 31, 1860 in Newport, Kentucky at the historic Southgate House, Thompson was the son of an Army lieutenant colonel and Union veteran. He therefore grew up on a succession of Army posts, and had decided on the military as a career by the age of sixteen. After a year at Indiana University in 1877, he gained an appointment to the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1882. His first duty station was in his birthplace of Newport, assigned to the 2nd Artillery as a second lieutenant. He then attended engineering and artillery schools, and was finally assigned to the Army’s Ordnance Department in 1890, where he was to spend the rest of his military career. During this period he began his specialization in small arms.

Spanish American War With the beginning of the Spanish American War, Thompson was promoted to lieutenant colonel and sent to Tampa, Florida as Chief Ordnance Officer under the top commander

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for the Cuban campaign, General William R. Shafter. While the rest of the Army was plagued with logistical problems, Thompson on the contrary ran ordnance supply operations to Cuba in a highly efficient manner. Over 18,000 tons of munitions were transferred to the battlefield from his Tampa command without any accidents. Thompson was promoted to colonel, the youngest such in the Army at the time. It was also this war which offered Thompson his first exposure to automatic weapons. At the request of Lt. John H. Parker, Thompson arranged for the informal formation of a Gatling gun unit, with fifteen weapons and a generous supply of ammunition, all shipped to Cuba on

Controls of M1928A1 submachine gun; M1 controls were in same positions but with levers of simplified shape

Thompson’s sole authority. This unit would later play a significant role in the Battle of San Juan Hill. After the war Thompson was appointed chief of the Small Arms Division for the Ordnance Department. While in this position he supervised development of the M1903 Springfield rifle and chaired the ordnance board that approved the M1911 pistol. For the latter he devised unusual tests involving firing the weapon at donated human cadavers and live cattle to assess ammunition effectiveness.

World War I World War I began in Europe in 1914, and Thompson was sympathetic to the Allied cause. Since the U.S. did not immediately enter the war, and because he recognized a significant need for small arms in Europe (as well as an opportunity to make a substantial profit), Thompson retired from the Army in November of that year and took a job as Chief Engineer of the Remington Arms Company. While with the company

he supervised the construction of the Eddystone Plant in Chester, Pennsylvania, at that time the largest small arms plant in the world. It manufactured 1914 Pattern Enfield rifles for British forces, and Mosin-Nagant rifles for Russia. The introduction of trench warfare in the First World War changed tactics substantially, and by 1916 Thompson was experimenting again with automatic small arms, this time with an eye towards designing a weapon which troops could use to clear an enemy trench - what he called a “trench broom.” Thompson studied several designs and was impressed with a delayed-blowback breech system designed by John Blish, a commander in the United States Navy. With Blish as a partner, Thompson obtained the necessary venture capital to form the Auto Ordnance Company, and set to work finetuning what would eventually become the Thompson submachine gun. When the United States finally entered the war in 1917, Thompson returned to the Army and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He served as Director of Arsenals throughout the remainder of the war, in which capacity he supervised all small-arms production for the Army. For this service he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He retired again after the war, in December 1918, and went back to work perfecting the “Tommy Gun.” Thompson originally pursued the Autorifle concept: a rifle utilizing the Blish principle delayed-

blowback action to avoid the complexity of recoil-operated and gas-operated actions. Testing found that the military issue .3006 cartridge was too powerful to work satisfactorily using the Blish system. Thompson eventually decided to use the same .45 caliber ammunition in the Thompson submachine gun that he had vetted for use in the M1911 while in the Army. The weapon was patented in 1920, but the major source for contracts had of course dried up with the armistice. Thompson therefore marketed the weapon to civilian law enforcement agencies, who bought it in respectable quantities. However, by 1928 low sales had led the company to financial crisis, and Thompson was replaced as head of the Auto Ordnance Company.

Death Thompson died at the age of 79 and is buried on the grounds of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Shortly after his death, the brink of U.S. entry into World War II prompted the Army to order the Thompson submachine gun in large quantities, and it was used extensively during that conflict.John T. Thompson founded the Auto Ordnance Corp. in 1916, and began his developments in submachine guns with purchase of John Blish patent (1915), that described a delayed blowback automatic firearm. This patent described delayed blowback breech system ›

M1921

M1928

Caliber

.45ACP

Weight, empty

4.69 kg

4.9 kg

4.78 kg

Length

830 mm

852 mm

811 mm

Barrel length

267 mm

~ 1000 rpm

~ 700 rpm

20 or 30 rounds box (“stick”) magazines and 50 or 100 rounds drums

same as M1921

20 or 30 rounds box

100-150 meters

Rate of fire Magazine capacity Effective range

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

historical weapons

in which a sloping metal wedge interlocked the breech block with the gun body. Under high pressure, as when the cartridge fired, the angle of the slope was such that the mating faces jammed solid. As the pressure dropped, the faces were able to slip across each other, the wedge moved up due to the slope, and the breech unlocked. This idea was used in all Thompson submachine guns except for M1 and M1A1 (those were simply blowback operated). The first Thompson experimental submachine gun appeared in 1919, and first production model appeared in 1921; it was manufactured under contract by Colt Firearms Manufacturing Co, as well as later M1928 models. Production of M1928A1 and M1 submachine guns was carried out by Auto-Ordnance and Savage, and some licensed copies were manufactured by B.S.A. in Great Britain. There also were some submachine guns that never reached fullscale production, such as "Military model" M1923, which was developed with intent to extend the effective range out to 600 yards (approx 550 meters). To achieve this goal, M1923 was chambered for a special .45 Remington -Thompson ammunition, which fired heavier 250-grain (16,2 gram) bullet (as opposed to standard 230-grain .45ACP bullet) at higher muzzle velocities of about 1450 fps (440m/s). This weapon also had longer barrel, and optional bipod and bayonet mount. It was tested but never produced in any significant numbers. The

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other rare version was the original Model 1927, which was a semi-automatic only version of Model 1921. The first Thompson gun to see some military use was Model 1928, used by US navy during its expedition in Nicaragua. The so-called "Navy" model 1928 was distinguished by a horizontal forearm that replaced the front grip, and by added sling swivels. With the start of World war 2, US Army procured a large number of Model 1928 submachine guns in "Navy" configuration, marked as US Model 1928A1. These weapons were rather expensive to make, and in 1942 Army adopted a simplified version of M1928A1, known as M1. A little later, an M1A1 version was adopted, which further simplified the design by adoption of a fixed firing pi; otherwise M1A1 were similar to M1 submachine guns. Thomson submachine guns served in US Army well into the Vietnam era, although in limited numbers. American police used Thompson guns until 1970s or 1980s, and few still could be found in some police armories in USA and several other countries of the world. Thompson submachine guns were widely exported commercially prior to and after WW2; Many guns were supplied to Britain and USSR through Lend-lease program during WW2. It must be noted that Soviet troops generally not liked Tommy guns, because of excessive weight and lack of bullet penetration, compared to 7,62mm

submachine guns such as PPSh-41 or PPS-43. Thompson M1921 and M1928 submachine guns were delayed blowback operated, selective fired weapons, based on Blish principle. Blish patent described a delayed blowback breech system in which a sloping metal wedge interlocked the breech block with the gun body. Under high pressure, as when the cartridge fired, the angle of the slope was such that the mating faces jammed solid. As the pressure dropped, the faces were able to slip across each other, the wedge moved up due to the slope, and the breech unlocked. The wartime M1 and M1A1 submachine guns used simple blowback action. All Thompson submachine guns fired from open bolt. The cocking handle was located on the top of receiver on Models of 1921 and 1928, ad on the right side of the receiver on models M1 and M1A1. Separate manual safety and fire mode selector levers were located on the left side of receiver, above the trigger. Barrel was usually partially finned, and on model 1928, fitted with so-called Cutts compensator (not present on M1 and M1A1). Feed was from doublerow box magazines containing 20 or 30 rounds, or drum magazines holding 50 or 100 rounds. Box magazines were inserted into the magazine slot from below; drum magazines were inserted into the same slot from the side. Drum magazines were not available for M1 and M1A1 submachine guns. Furniture included pistol grip, detachable wooden shoulder stock and either a detachable forward grip or a horizontal forearm. Sights on pre-war models included front blade and protected rear, which combined a fixed open-notch blade and raising diopter, which was adjustable for both windage and range (up to 500 yards). Wartime models (M1928A1, M1 and M1A1) used a simple fixed aperture (diopter) rear sight, with or without protecting side "ears". At the present time, Kahr Arms makes a variety of "Tommy-guns" under Auto Ordnance trade mark. These weapons are limited to semi-automatic fire only and usually have longer barrel to conform to US laws.

historical weapons

The Katana

The History and Art of the Samurai Sword In ancient history, a powerful sword left its imprints throughout literary and classic writings. It was extremely sharp with a slight curve and it was the Samurai weapon of choice. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Katanaâ&#x20AC;? was a masterpiece and an art that was believed to have powers as well as a life of its own. The mystique of the katana serves both as a beautiful work of art as well as a deadly weapon. In the ancient Samurai religion, the katana was only to be owned by a Samurai warrior. Mere peasants who were found in possession of the sword were killed instantly.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

The katana is a long saber, also known as a daito and it was only but one of the three weapons that samurais carried onto the battlefield. Even though the association between the katana and the samurai was so close, the Samurai would only use the sword as a last resort. The reason for this was that these loyal knights of the east believed that the katana was directly linked to their souls and should be drawn only under the direst of circumstances. The Samurai were great warriors that mastered the sword, martial arts and many other weapons. However, of all these weapons the katana was the favorite and the most widely used of Japanese swords. The sword itself was considered the source of the warrior spirit - this meant a great deal to its wielder, that each warrior had their names bestowed upon it. The art of making the katana swords was a very secret one and very time consuming. The process included pieces of carbon steel being forged together, folded, and pounded many times in order to remove almost all the traces of carbon and to soften the steel. Later, the blade was applied to a second carbon steel sword and beaten and forged a couple of hundred times. When it came

down to tempering of the blade, it was more of a two-part system. First, the entire blade was protected for the re-heating (all but the edge). In order to accomplish this, the blade was covered in a hardened paste of charcoal, clay and powdered grinding stone followed by the removal of this coating from the edge. This allowed for only the edge to be heated during the re-heating process. The second phase involved heating the edge to a red hot glow and then carefully dipping only the edge into cool water. This allowed the edge of the blade to be cooled quickly while the rest of the blade cooled very gradually. The end result was a blade with a blade with a fine edge that maintained its flexibility. Finally, the blade would be honed to sharpen it even more. Yes, clearly, the forging of the katana could take many days and that is why it is considered a sacred art. Many may think that the katana has faded into history but the truth of the matter is that it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t - it still lives on in literature and in films and in the hearts and homes of those who truly appreciate the beauty and deadliness of the great, powerful and honourable samurai weapon.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

exclusive interview

Dressed To Kill

Farlows of Pall Mall

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

When we go a-hunting, we like to do it in style. Our own style. There's no better place for this to be reflected than at Farlows of Pall Mall. With 160 years of tradition under their belt, they certainly know a thing or two about the practicalities of hunting, and how to accomplish this with a certain sartorial eloquence. Men's Passion spoke to Colin Rutherford, Farlows' Chairman, to find out more about what distinguishes Farlows and makes them so unique. â&#x20AC;ş

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

exclusive interview

Colin Rutherford

There are many was to dress for hunting - but the key point, and one that never escapes us, is to always dress appropriately. There may be an occasion for full camouflage and fatigues, as there may equally be an occasion for tweeds and brogues. Understand the right occasion for each, and you'll enjoy your hunting experience so much more. 160 years is long history, and the focus today is on maintaining the relevance of hunting and hunting apparel in the modern world. This is something Farlows are uniquely adept at. Indeed, they have been awarded a warrant by H.R.H. Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, as his supplier of fishing tackle and waterproof clothing. Whilst heritage is important, it is not something Colin will allow Farlows to drown

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

in. He's seen too many other companies disappear whilst looking over their shoulders at their illustrious past.

"We have to look forward and contemplate today and the future", explains Colin. "All the time though we're balancing the demands of those who have bought from us for many years with the demands of the new generation who have come to hunting during more recent years". Essentially, Farlows are known as a purveyor of quintessentially English hunting and fishing apparel. It's a timeless look, but ironically it is one that can become dated very quickly. Doesn't make sense? Well, it's not exclusively

about the look - it's also about the practicality of the garment. For this reason Farlows and their suppliers - which include Schoffel, Dubarry and Barbour - have embraced modern fabrics and styled them in a traditional way. "Our own label garments also reflect the modern lifestyle", he continues. "We recognise that many of our customers live and work in the cities. We're able to offer them a look that works well in an urban environment and is a practical everyday wear, and one that works equally well in a technical sense when on the riverbank and fishing". Many of today's sports clothing markets have experienced a huge crossover in to mainstream fashion. And this is precisely the case with hunting. â&#x20AC;ş

"Our own label garments also reflect the modern lifestyle"

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

exclusive interview

"The Italians, Asians, and to an extent Americans see our clothes simply as stylish clothes. They may never thing of going hunting, but they choose to be a part of the lifestyle that Farlows can provide". However, far and away the largest group of Farlows customers are indeed hunters and fishers. People that relish the outdoor life, and take their comfort and protection very, very seriously. "The store has stood out and stood up for hunting and fishing for a long time", he emphasised, "and has come to be an example of the image of the English country lifestyle". There is no doubt that in England this traditional country lifestyle is under threat. There is pressure from 'city-dwellers' to curb and sometimes to ban outright many country pursuits that have continued unchallenged for centuries.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

Farlows Building - 9, Pall Mall - London

Paradoxically this has led to a swell of support for 'the countryside' from quarters which would have otherwise not cared to express an opinion.

"We're on an upswing at the moment", Colin proclaims. "There is a strong anti-hunting lobby in the UK, but that has mobilised a lot of people who would have otherwise stayed moderate towards hunting, and they've now come out in support of it, and are insisting that as an integral part of the nation's life it must be allowed to continue".

Partly as a result of this, but perhaps more because what they are offering now is just so damn right, Farlows turnover saw a 12% growth in like-for-like business last year. Given the extend of the global slowdown and some of the horror-stories we have heard, results like this are nothing short of phenomenal. It vindicates Colin Rutherford's vision to see Farlows as keeping one foot in the past whilst pursuing his vision of the future. A stylish and, surely, ultimately successful recipe for years to come. Whilst Farlows won't guarantee to improve your shot, they do at least offer the best way to makes yours look like an elegant miss, rather than an inelegant one. You can visit the store at 9, Pall Mall, London, or to find out more visit www.farlows.co.uk

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

exclusive interview

A True

Bow Hunter Interview with Samer

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

A. Massih

H&S recently interviewed,

Mr. Samer A. Massih, in Dubai a lucky break for us as he was leaving back to his home country of Lebanon the following week, to open his own business, after a number of years working as Bursar for one of the regions, and indeed the worlds, premier airlines. His career had enabled him access to every continent in the world and many of the countries therein. Thanks for taking the time to have a chat to us, Samer, we know that you must be busy getting ready for your move, but can you tell us why you decided to hunt with the bow, what is the fascination? I have been a keen hunter for many years starting from a relatively early age I would hunt birds in Lebanon with my father until I was old enough to own my own gun and would go off on hunting trips locally in the season with friends and family. But traveling to the four corners of the world with my job enabled me to see the opportunities for a hunter in other countries, especially Africa, which is one of my favorite hunting destinations. I have hunted Africa with rifle and shotgun on many occasions and love the country but my interest in bow hunting came about by my desire for taking on a more intimate type of hunt. I am an adventurous person by nature, I love mountaineering and mountain biking for instance, and I thought that getting up close and personal with your quarry would be another kind of hunting excitement. It also takes a person back to the roots of hunting as the bow was, for millenniums, the prime hunting weapon for mankind.

Do you have a favorite African destination?

How do you hunt?

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit difficult as different areas tend to offer different things but I do like South Africa and my last safari was in Kroonstaad, in the Free State, half way between Bloemfontein and Johannesburg. The hunting and scenery is great and it was a very good hunt for me, which tends to have an impact on how you see a place if you were able to achieve what you had set out to do. Which I did.

So why do you enjoy hunting Africa so much?

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

exclusive interview

ultimately kills the animal, and just as with a rifle or shot gun the projectile has to be suitable for the game you are hunting. Yes of course, so what about your arrows? Well you can buy hundreds of different makes and type and you can use them straight out of the box so to speak. If you are shooting big game, then a heavy arrow with heavy head is required fired from a bow with enough power to ensure that the desired penetration is achieved. Same goes for a rabbit but at the other end of the scale. Light arrow with light head. For birds you can get arrows with a round head that actually kills by impact rather than penetration. I do make my own arrows as well. This is something I do enjoy. Again I get my material from the States, the carbon bonded shafts and the fletching, the feathers. That’s interesting. So how does one go about making the arrows?

What would be your preference?

What type of bow do you use?

Just depends on how I feel. Walk and stalk is probably the most exciting and the most tiring, and I suppose it is my favorite as I do like the exercise it gives you. You need a good tracker and a good outfitter no matter how you hunt but if you are walking and stalking a top PH is vital. You can get in all sorts of trouble if you do not know the lay of the land. Once you have identified your quarry then the adrenalin rush starts and that’s when time stands still. You are pitting yourself against a wild animal in its own environment and, in reality; it does have the advantage so the thrill and satisfaction of a tough walk and stalk is like no other.

My first choice is for a recurve bow with the compound bow as second choice. The compound bow is initially harder to draw but easier to hold at full draw, at about 20% . The zebra I mentioned was taken with a bow I had made to my own specification in the United States. The latest technology bow bares no resemblance to the bows that the archers of old used, the “stick and string,” bows. Technology has made them more accurate, easier to shoot and less affected by the climate. For the game I am hunting right now my current 65lb draw bow is ideal, but if I were to go hunting for bigger game, which I would hope to so one day, I would need at least 70lb or even 80lb draw bow. Certainly if one is to hunt Cape buffalo, for instance, then I would look to take the 80lb. But it is not just about the bow of course as at the end of the day the bow is the instrument that sends the arrow and it is the arrow that

I have no problem with tree stands and blinds, I have hunted these successfully but you can find yourself sitting around quite a bit just waiting, and this is not my nature. I like to be on the move, stalking my game.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

It’s not so difficult if you have a bit of DIY in you blood. You can get jigs that hold the arrow shaft and that you can set the fletching up on the shaft to ensure correct alignment. I have fletched my arrows with both feather and synthetic material and traditionally with the feather fletching you would use two hen feathers and one cock feather to ensure the arrow always sits on the bow the same way. The fletching also has to be off set on the shaft, at a 6 degree angle, to ensure the arrow spins as it flies, which of course ensure better accuracy, just like the grooves in a pistol or rifle ensures the bullet spins through the air. The off set can be 6 degrees either way; it doesn’t matter if it spins to the left or the right. The broad head is a proprietary made component of the arrow and so these I purchase depending on what I am hunting. The heads are threaded on to the shaft as you can seldom use the head a second time. Some heads can be re-sharpened but it is

only fair to the animal that the arrow does not wound. The best way to ensure that you get a clean kill is to ensure maximum penetration in the vital area and that a good blood trail is produce so that tracking a hit animal can be followed easily and dispatched if necessary, so a sharp head is vital. Is there a formula for making arrow or knowing which arrow to use? Well not strictly a formula but there is criteria that you have to consider. Basically itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the kinetic energy of the arrow that determines the killing power, and as mentioned previously this depends on the game you are shooting. But you need to consider the draw power of the bow, the weight of the arrow, both shaft and head, and the speed of the arrow. Arrows need to be tuned just as the bow, because if you want the best penetration you would need to make the center of balance, and therefore the weight, towards the front.

You mention speed, what speed can an arrow achieve and is there an optimum speed? Yes, speed is important and it varies. 366 feet per second is about the fastest one can expect from a normal bow but the accuracy is not as good as, lets say, an arrow fired from a bow that produces 280/260 feet per second. For my money this would be a good all round speed for hunting. What would one have to pay for set of bow hunting equipment? Well thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit difficult because you have to decide what you re going to do with it but a good practical all round bow, that you can hunt reliably with for many years, you would need to pay around the $1000.00 mark and about the same again for the accessories, such as arrows, quiver to hold your arrows whilst hunting, bow case for travelling, a bracer to protect your wrist from the bow string on release, a tab to protect your

fingers whilst pulling back the bow string, or a trigger release. And of course suitable clothing. Camouflage is best for bow hunting as you have to get much closer than when hunting with a rifle, so it is important to remain as invisible as possible. The cost of arrows varies but expects to pay $90.00 for three, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that you can not always rely on using the heads again but these can be unscrewed from the shaft and new ones fitted. As I mentioned the type and style of head is infinitely variable depending on what you are hunting and what your preference is. I would just say get the best you can afford for the job at hand. You mentioned a trigger just now, what is that? Well, traditionally a bow shooter would use his first and second fingers to draw the bow, and this is still the case with recurve bows but you can use a trigger attachment on compound bow which is basically a hook that you have strapped to your wrist or hand which hooks round the bow string and has a release mechanism that when the trigger is pulled, like a gun, it releases the bow string. This helps when holding the bow at full draw for some time as it does not strain your fingers. Finally, Samer. Your preference. Bow or Gun? If I am shooting pigeons give me a gun every time. No seriously, I have done plenty of hunting with a rifle but now, for me, it has to be the bow. There is just something almost primeval in using a bow, and as I have said before you actually get to almost touch your quarry. Yes the excitement and adrenalin rush is much more intense and lasts for longer when I hunt with the bow.

H&S would like to warmly thank Samer A. Massih for your insight to bow hunting.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

big game hunting

Hunting in Finland

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

It can get quite cool in Finland. That is probably the most understated comment you will hear today. I had a Finnish friend whose son was doing his National Service in the army and he had to stand guard outside in temperature of - 40 degrees centigrade. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minus 40 degrees. Admittedly this is extreme and the Finnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of course are used to these temperatures and dress accordingly, layering I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called, and their life style caters for it.

Personally I like the cold weather as you can always add more layers but in hot climates there is only so much you can take off. Never the less if you enjoy the cold Finland can offer some of the most exciting and varied hunting any where on the planet. But one should be aware that severe frosts can be encountered as early as October so you will need to make sure you have taken along your warm, weatherproof, clothing with you and if you are going to hunt deer or be in the forested areas you must always wear an orange item of clothing, such as a vest, to identify yourself to other hunters that may be in the same vicinity. The hunting seasons are not all in the depths of winter and there are many different seasons depending on what game you are hunting. The majority of game bird seasons start on, 20th August, till the end of December, with some species starting, 10th September, through December. There are a couple of exceptions in as much as the sea bird season opens on, 1st of September, through to the end of December, and the male Eider Duck season commences on the, 1st of June, through to the end of December. If you are a pheasant shooter your season is longer than others opening on the, 1st of September, but only closing on the 28th of February, or 29th in a leap year. So you can get some temperate hunting if you choose your dates right. It is somewhat difficult to list all the seasons here as the diversity of game is huge, and it would take up too much space to list them all, but what ever you want to hunt, within reason, you can find it in Finland from Woodcock to Forest Reindeer and a lot in between. A sample would be almost 29 species of birds, hareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, beaver, fox, a variety of wild cat, seal, wild boar, moose, reindeer as well as six variety of deer, brown bear and wolf. So you can see that the choice is quite extensive. However the requirements for you to be able to hunt in Finland are also quite

Photo Crefit: Best Hunt hunting Farm

extensive. You will definitely need a guide or outfitter to apply for the correct licenses required and permission needed before you travel. Also, every hunter who intends to hunt any kind of deer, moose or reindeer must of course use a rifle and he must take a rifle shooting proficiency test prior to going on the hunt. This will be carried out by various game management associations and the tests are usually held in the summer or early autumn to coincide with that start of the season. Once you have received your certificate of competence it remains valid for three years. The Finnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s do accept proficiency certificates from other countries provided that they are similar to the tests carried out locally and are valid. The shooter must show proof of identity, gun license and a current hunting permit.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

big game hunting

Bow hunting is allowed for specified game and the bow should have a draw weight of 180N and the arrows must be fitted with a hunting broadhead and crossbows are not allowed. Should you wish to bring your own shotgun or rifle and ammunition into Finland then the procedure can be fairly time consuming and not all countries are looked on in the same manner. One needs to have proof that the importer is to take part in a hunting or shooting event and would need to show an invitation or conformation from the outfitter that he is taking you on an organized hunting

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

trip. You may have to obtain a firearms passport from your own country specific to the weapon being imported and produce it on arrival. The easiest way would be to hire a gun from your guide, but even so he will still need to get you a temporary firearms license from the Finnish police, which will be issued on presentation of your own fire arms certificate or shotgun license from your own country, as well as proof of intended use. A temporary license will only be granted for the same fire arm that is specified on the license from your own country.

OK, so we have our guide who has guided us through the formalities and we have our permits and our thermal underwear. We have our licenses and our shooting proficiency certificate, so where to go. Well Finland is approximately 1200 km in length and 600km wide at its extremities. The total land mass covers an area of around 340,000. Km2 of which roughly 70% is forest and 10% is water. So you can see that there are vast areas of huntable land, as well as lots of good fishing places if this is your pastime. Due to the extreme climates in the winter months game numbers may not be as large

as in more temperate climes, but none the less the country is very beautiful and with something like 190.000 lakes you can only wonder at the splendor of it all. So let’s consider how the hunt is carried out; and as one might imagine it is very similar to hunting in other countries except the regulations may a little stricter and they are strictly enforced. Let’s consider the largest game, the Moose or as it is also known as the Elk. A good percentage of Elk hunts are carried out by using trained dogs or elk hounds. The dogs will follow the tracks of the elk in the snow or by scent. Once the dog has located the animal he will bark to alert the hunters to its location. The line of hunters will follow the bark until the elk is in range. If the animal is shot, but subsequently runs out of the sight of the hunters, then this is where the dog’s skill once more comes to the fore to track it down as quickly as possible and to make sure that it is dispatched as humanly as possible. Breeds of dogs used vary from the, Norwegian and Swedish Elk Hound, the Carelian Bear Dog and the Finnish Spitz. As well as driven hunting other Elk hunting methods include, hunting from stands with cleared ground around, calling the elk and stalking. Very much the same as one would find in most other countries. It was a tradition at one time that once the elk had been shot the hunter would pass round a bottle of spirits to the other shooters and they would drink until the bottle was empty. Nowadays it is generally agreed by all clubs and guides that alcohol should not be consumed whilst on the hunt and it should only be taken when back in the hunting lodge after the hunt is over. Another tradition that has, thankfully for most people, died out is that when a hunter has shot his first Elk he was given a cup of its blood to drink. Not too popular as you might imagine, so what happens now days is that the Hunt Captain will mark the hunter’s forehead with the blood of the animal he has killed. This would appear to be infinitely more acceptable. A

medallion might be given by some clubs or the hunter might just place a sprig of spruce in his hat brim as a mark of his kill. Stand hunting was mainly use to dissuade animals from destroying crops and would be sighted in such an area where the elk would come to feed off the farmer’s fields. Now it is becoming more popular as it tends to take less effort, which for some is ideal, but does not suit the hunters who want to be involved in a more dynamic hunting experience. The calling method is used by hunters who have had a few years experience in the forests hunting the Elk or Moose. You can buy purpose made elk calls but even so it does take a good deal of skill to know how to use them and to be able to get the animal to respond to the call. A bull Elk has a different call to a cow, and a calf is different again. If you do not have dogs and you do not want to stalk the elk then this can be a good method of attracting your quarry.

For traditionalist, however the stalk is the epitome of elk hunting. It should be carried out when there is snow on the ground so that the hunter can follow the animal’s tracks. It is probably the purest way to hunt any game really, as it is just you against the animal and both have as even a chance of success or failure as the other. So if you get a good outfitting company, and we at H&S can help you there, who know their way through the administration procedures and has years of experience in hunting in Finland it will be a trip of a lifetime. The hospitality of the Finn’s is well known and the quality of food and lodgings is first class. There will always be a sauna in any Finnish household and, oh! one last thing. You do know that it is a tradition that once you have been in the sauna for half an hour or so you have to run out side and roll around in the snow, in just you swimwear, if you are wearing any that is. Brrrrrrr.

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

big game hunting

Buffalo-Bison Hunting in Canada

If you have a hankering to hunt buffalo in Canada there are a few things you should know. First the game you want to hunt. The Buffalo. Well actually its real name is the Bison as the North American bison is only distantly related to the true buffalo of Asia and Africa whilst it is more closely related to the European Bison. The Bison no matter what he is called is a pretty big animal, whose height can reach up to 2 meters tall 3 meter long and weighing up 1000 kg. Despite its huge size and its normally placid demeanor, once roused it can become extremely

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

dangerous and can reach speeds of up to 60km per hour, so if you intend to hunt them then a degree of respect is needed as well as a good pro hunter. The Native Americans relied almost solely on the bison for their existence and it is said that nothing of a hunted bison was wasted. Meat, hide, bones, horns, even the bone marrow all were put to good use. There method of hunting was somewhat different from the hut of today and prior to the introduction of the horse the bison herds

were vast stretching from horizon to horizon and it could take a whole day for a heard to pass any given point. Estimates of over 60 million roamed free two hundred years ago. One way of hunting was to drive them over a cliff after herding them into a funnel made of rocks and branches and stampeding them over a cliff at the far end. This obviously led to a pretty large surplus of dead animals which were then used as trade for other good with other tribes. With the coming of the horse the hunting

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was more individualistic with warriors using the horse to chase the bison and then using lance or bow and arrow to kill individual animals. A much more economical way of killing them. With the advent of the white man in the 19th century the bison was almost hunted to extinction and they were reduced from being the most numerous single species of large wild mammals on earth down to only a few hundred. They were killed to feed the army, the railroad, pioneers and the settlers who wanted to breed beef cattle on the land. But the main decline came about due to the indiscriminate killing of the bison for its skin. Nowadays buffalo or bison hunting is strictly regulated and it is hunted in just two states in Canada, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the method used to hunt is also different to those practiced in days gone by. However, bow shooting and muzzle loaded rifles are

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still used, but driving herds over cliffs is definitely frowned upon. If you are an avid bow hunter then you will know how tough a bison is and the bow used to hunt bison should be suitable for big game and the shaft heavy enough to penetrate tough hide, muscle and bone to produce as clean a kill as possible in the shortest time. Muzzle loading and traditional riles are today readily available, both original and modern recreation of the originals. New muzzle loading rifles such as the Savage 10M-11, or replicas of the Sharps Falling Block Rifle and the Kentucky Long Rifle are ideal weapons for hunting bison and, as with the bow, the Sharps and Kentucky rifles give us a feeling of how our ancestors hunted these magnificent beasts. The modern hunting rifle is of course ideal and should be in a caliber to suit the heaviest bison you are likely to encounter, so you

need to be loaded for a one ton animal. Traditionally bison have been taken with a relatively low velocity heavy grain cartridge such as the .45-70 for lever action rifles, and .450 Marlin for bolt action rifles. The more traditional buffalo rifles referred to above would use the powerful and inimitable .50 caliber Sharps or the .45-110. Often these animals are encountered at fairly close ranges and a wounded bison bull should be treated with a very high degree of respect. They are tough and agile beasts and will not give in easily and will take a great deal of punishment before they succumb. With the exception of the large grizzly or brown bear they are arguably the most dangerous animal in North America. OK, so you know your quarry and you have the correct weapon to take it cleanly and we assume that you know exactly where to place the shot, be it arrow or bullet, to ensure the animal is dispatched in the ›

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

big game hunting

most humane manner possible. The next thing to know is when to hunt. In most parts of Alberta, with the exception of protected areas, wild bison can be hunted year round but these bison tend to be located in the more remote and inaccessible areas of Alberta which tend to be wet lands, so the more convenient ti me of year is in winter between February and March when rivers and swamps are frozen over making access easier if some what colder, with temperatures down as low as minus 25 or lower. Whilst our ancestors used there two feet to hunt bison or latterly, the horse, modern day hunters tend to use snowmobile in heavy snow or quad bikes if the terrain is not too impenetrable. Despite the discomforts the thrill of tracking and hunting down a true wild trophy bison weighing upwards of a ton is an experience that should not be missed. There are areas where reared bison will be made available for you to shoot but the true hunter would not consider this method, the only way is by â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fair Chaseâ&#x20AC;?, to track, stalk and kill in the most authentic way possible, and if that means driving hundreds miles on snow machines in a day through huge snow drifts and walking the last two or three mile

h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

to close with your quarry then thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the thrill of the hunt. Fair Chase is described as giving the hunted quarry the opportunity to avoid being killed, and to be hunted in its own environment, and whatever you do should not dishonor the hunter, the hunted or the environment. A good discipline to follow.

In northern Alberta a license is not required to hunt bison as they are considered to be a hybrid between the plains and the wood bison and as such they can be exported to the US, so if you are a US citizen the trophy cape and horns can legally be taken home with you.

A limited number of tags are issue each year in areas where hunting is controlled and these are issued to private outfitters to sell to individual hunters. The number of permits issued in Montana in 2005 was just 50, and this was increased to 140 in 2008, so you will see that pure bred buffalo are being encouraged to increase in number, but it will take many years to get back to the 20 to 60 million level of the later part of the 19th century when professional hunters, the likes of Buffalo Bill Cody, was employed to kill the bison mainly for its hide which was sent to Europe and used in industry as well as for robes and rugs. The hunters would easily kill upwards of a hundred animals in one stand and a career tally of 20,000 was not unusual. A good hide would fetch $3.00 and a hide from a buffalo with a thick winter coat would demand $40 to $50; and this was at a time when a laborers wage was less than $1 per day.

If you are considering a bison hunt in Canada, then with the limited number of tags issued each year you would realistically only be able to take one bison, and whilst a bison hunt in the snows of Northern Canada will be physically challenging it would be a good idea for you to combine the hunt with a bear and wolf hunt or elk and coyote hunt spread over a few days. This would be a real hunt to be remembered but the highlight would have to be your trophy Bison Bull. If you are interested in obtaining more information or would like to take part in a hunt of this types we can arrange things for you, just contact us at the H&S address and we will be happy to tailor a hunt just to suit your requirements. In the meantime, Good Hunting. by: Richard Camm.

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big game hunting

Boar Hunting

in France

Pork is not everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite meat but if you want hunting excitement hunting boar takes some beating. These animals are fast and tough and if cornered or confronted can be every bit as dangerous as any other wild animal. Some of the best boar hunting is to be found in the forests of France, specifically the Champagne Region, Normandy and Provence, and can offer some remarkable hunting experiences.

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Hunting boar has been a tradition in Europe from before recorded time, originally, as now, it was hunted for sport but the end result always ended up on the dinner table. What makes a boar hunt so memorable is the fact that they are extremely good at evading detection and most of the time a good hound is a must especially on driven hunts. If you decide on a hide or tree stand hunt with lures, then patience is definitely a virtue.

OK, lets first look at the equipment you will require before you contemplate going on the hunt; first and foremost a good guide or outfitter is pretty much a prerequisite, unless you were born in the forests that is home to these boars. Clothing will, of course, depend on the season, but the usual subdued forest colors and a good strong pair of boots, much like any other type of game hunting attire, is the best.

300 Winchester Magnum

308 Winchester Magnum

It goes without saying that a decent gun is also required and if you do not happen to have your own the PH will be able to provide one. In days gone by shotguns were the preferred weapon and are still used today, but predominantly it is the rifle that is the weapon of choice. If you choose to hunt with a shotgun then you would be advised to use a 12 gauge with pretty heavy cartridges loaded with both a lead slug and BB (4.1mm) shot. In any event you should tool up for the largest animal that you could encounter. 200 pound boars are pretty common and some of the big old boys, in Eastern Europe, can weigh in at up to 500 pounds. A large caliber bullet will dispatch smaller game but a small caliber will not always humanely dispatch a big boar. A clean quick kill should always be your mantra so you have to decide on the size of quarry you will be encountering and the distance that you will be shooting at to determine the caliber of weapon and type of bullet you will require.

Just before we decide on the best rifle and bullet lets consider the subject of shot placement. Boars and wild pigs in general are pretty tough animals and a well placed shot with a smaller caliber can be more deadly than a poor shot with a heavy bullet. The best placement is in the neck, between the ear and the shoulder. This will dispatch the bore swiftly and will leave a blood trail that can be easily followed.The easiest target, especially for a broadside shot, is in the shoulder but it needs a heavy bullet to penetrate the thick hard skin, known as the cape. You will also encounter heavy bones and a good deal of fat. So this should be your second choice. Third choice and one that I would not really advise is a quartering shot with the bore facing forward. This should only be taken with a heavy caliber bullet as it is not an easy shot to make and the vitals are pretty well protected from this position. For stalking smaller species where one would

expect to take the quarry at ranges up to 150 yards, a 55 grain FMJ in 22-250 caliber would be, OK. But not for a quartering shot. For longer distance, say up to 300yards, a .243 shooting 100 grain bullet would be required. For general purpose I would always ere on the larger size and would recommend a .270 with 150 grain bullets and this combination would be suitable for ranges up to 250/300 yards and would normally ensure a clean kill even with a quartering target. For the biggest game that you are likely to encounter, the big 500 pound boar, then you should be looking at something in the .3in. category such as the, 30-30, 308, 30-06 or 300 Winchester Magnum, with 180 grain bullets, and any of these will take care of business up to 150 yards, in any of the recommended shot placements. OK, so you are fully equipped for an exciting boar hunt and what can you expect. Well the first thing to consider is the hunting season and when you would like to be in the â&#x20AC;ş

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big game hunting

forests of France. For a stalk, the season is from June to October, and for driven it is from November to February but these times are a bit arbitrary and can vary either side of the dates given. But you can see that you can choose a summer, autumn or winter shoot depending on your preference. Personally I like the winter as I am a â&#x20AC;&#x153;snowmanâ&#x20AC;? at heart, but if you choose to sit in a hide or up on a tree stand you might want to consider a more temperate climate as you could be waiting for quite some time. In some central regions of France the woodlands are of mixed trees and have a considerable amount of undergrowth and brush that provides a good hiding place for the boar and it is in this terrain that the traditional driven hunt is pursued. This consists of 8 or 10 guns, numerous beaters

and a pack of 8 to 10 dogs. Much like driven bird shoots the dogs and the beaters drive the quarry towards the waiting guns that will be spaced out in front of where the boars are to be driven. There will usually be a clearing in front of the guns that the bovines are driven through to give the guns as clear a shot as possible. Whilst the boar hunt is usually a very jovial affair it does demand a very high degree of discipline on behalf of the guns and a good deal of professionalism on the part of the hunt master in controlling the dogs the beaters and making sure that the guns are positioned in such a manner and the pigs are presented in such away so as not to expose both dogs and humans to undisciplined shooting, which can be fatal give the weapons used.

If you choose to hunt from a hide or tree stand then this more of a solitary affair. The stands are situated around an area of forest that is known as a regular boar habitat, such as a pond or stream or where they feed; and one just sits and waits until a suitable animal presents itself. This may, or may not, involve dogs and beaters but not in the same numbers as the driven shoot. In some parts of Europe and France in particular there is what is known as the Venerie or Chasse a Courre, in English this translates as, the act or sport of hunting or, the chase. This is where a boar is sited and is hunted with dogs until they catch up with the quarry and if the dogs are Bay Dogs these will hold it at bay until the hunters catch up. If they are Catch Dogs, these will attack the boar and are trained to hold it behind the ears, again until the hunters arrive, at

Venerie

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Chasse a Courre

which time the pig is then dispatched with either a dagger, a boar spear or a shotgun slug from a shortened gun. Some bay dogs of course become too excited and will attack on occasions but the idea is to protect these dogs as a bite from the tusks of an old male boar will inflict serious damage to man or beast. As mentioned above the hunt is a social affair and usually starts around 8 am with a light breakfast as every one get organized. The day can consist of five or six drives depending on the availability of the game. The Master of the hunt and his beaters communicate with one another by means of French Horns and they will know the forest very well and where the boars are likely to be. The guns will be set out generally in a line facing broadside on to the route the pigs will be driven followed of course by the beaters. This arrangement is intended to reduce casualties to a minimum. However

in some instances accidents do occur and it is not unusual for dogs, sheep and domestic cats to be shot as well as on some occasions, regrettably, human fatalities. They do say that such collateral damage in the remoter villages of rural France is accepted with good grace by the relatives, as the hunt format and the subdued colors of the huntersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; apparel make it difficult to easily identify a hunter. However it is considered bad form to shoot more than one fellow hunter per season. In more formal, organized hunts, the sort that we will be involved in, hunters are encouraged to wear orange hats or vests so as to be more identifiable. After two or three drives in the morning the party will stop for lunch during which the morningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action can be discussed and copious glasses of red wine taken. The hunt will then continue until the light fades making it difficult to distinguish the hunters from the hunted. The boars taken that day will

generally be laid out outside the lodge and the hunting horns are blown in salute to the quarry and to the hunter who had taken the most boars that day. Dinner is normally a more formal affair at which fresh wild boar meat will be served. It is a tradition in some parts to nail the boarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet on to the outside of the hunting lodge as trophies. Any accidently killed game, I am sure will not be displayed in the same manner. If you would like to take part in a boar hunt there are many reputable professional hunters and guided in France that can safely take you on what will be a very memorable experience without the danger of collateral damage occurring, which mainly tends to happen on less regulated hunts. This magazine would be only too happy to arrange such a hunt for you with one of the top outfitters specializing in this sport.

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hunting experience

The Holy Grail

of Tajikistan Marco Polo’s Argali

PhotoCredit: PROFIHUNT - Tajikistan In the spring of 1272, the Venetian explorer Marco Polo crossed the great ridge called Hindu Kush on his epic journey to China. It was during this year that our historic traveler first encountered a wild sheep with incredibly beautiful curling horns. The meeting took place in the Pamir

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Mountains of Central Asia. These mountains are a range of high valleys and rocky ridges that lead from present-day Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan into Western China. For Marco Polo, the “roof of the world” offered a potential trade route to the

Orient. However, for today’s naturalists and sportsmen, the region defines the range of the most coveted of the world’s wild sheep. More than 700 years later, the animal still bears his name and Marco Polo is still honoured as the first to observe and record the world’s longest-horned wild sheep, the Marco Polo Argali (Ovis ammon poli).

The Animal The Marco Polo Argali compromise the large-bodied, flaring-horned argali of Central Asia. Precisely, a long-legged “running” sheep, the Marco Polo argali is just one of several races. It is not the largest in body, nor does it have the most horn mass but it does in fact have the longest horn. Marco Polo’s sheep offer the longest horns of all the wild sheep, with very few specimens exceeding six feet! It is also the highestdwelling of the wild sheep (Rarely are Marco Polo sheep taken below 14,000 feet elevation and often well over 16,000). These two facts are the reasons why the animal is so greatly coveted and prized. The Marco Polo Argali is a particularly beautiful sheep with horns that flare outward to absurd length. For centuries, the argali persisted almost as a rumor, virtually unknown to the outside world but the sheep is not a scarce animal. Its habitat occupies roughly the eastern third of Tajikistan. This is not a large area – agreed. However, the Tajikistan population is estimated at about 25,000. The total population between Kyrgyzstan, China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan exceeds 50,000 animals.

The Dwelling Located in Central Asia, Tajikistan is a former Soviet Satellite republic and home to the majestic Marco Polo Argali, the holy grail of sheep. The sheep is among the most expensive game species around the world with a price tag that exceeds $25,000. Tajikistan offers the best and most excellent Marco Polo Argali hunt. Over the last 12 years and more, hunters have enjoyed 100% success. Pamir lies on elevations between 10,000 and

16,000 feet. Over here, you can find the high density of population and trophy quality of Marco Polo Argali.

The Hunt The hunt in Tajikistan is far more difficult and more exciting than in Kyrgyzstan. It is usually conducted in the area south of the village of Mugrab, in the triangle between the borders of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan. The elevations of the hunting grounds stand at 15,000 feet. All argali from Tajikistan are classified as true Marco Polo sheep. The largest Marco Polo sheep ever recorded have come from Tajikistan. The hunting season starts from September 1st to mid December, February and March. However, the recommended dates by most outfitters are November and early December. Spotting and stalking is the main hunt method as with most sheep hunting. In some camps, hunting is done from a jeep or horseback and others by foot. The average trophy size is 55 to 56 inches with several

60-62 inches rams taken every season. The hunt for the Marco Polo Argali is considered to be one of the most exclusive and adventurous expeditions in the world. A significant amount of preparation is needed for this hunt if you want to be leaving with a grand trophy. Licenses for these highly prized, majestic sheep are also strictly limited, therefore, make sure you contact an outfitter and get everything sorted out before you head to Tajikistan to go on the hunt of your life. Marco Polo sheep may very well be the toughest and the most exciting hunt you’ll ever experience. The hunt is a great adventure into the wild part of the world. No other trophy can be more magnificent and worth the expense that you’ll have to pay to get to Tajikistan and indulge in the hunt. The Marco Polo Argali is not only one of the world’s greatest game animals but probably the world’s greatest hunt as well! By: Ylova Hamdan

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hunting experience

Fredrick Courtenay Selous

Last of The Mighty Hunters Fredrick Selous was born into a British upper class aristocratic family on the 31st December 1851, his father, Fredrick Lokes Selous, being Chairman of the London Stock exchange at the time and his mother, Anne Holgate Sherborn, was a published poet of some note. US President Theodore Roosevelt once said about him, “Selous is the last of the mighty hunters whose experience lay in the greatest hunting ground the world has ever seen”. The hunting ground that Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was referring to was, of course, Africa. His original career path was to be in medicine but inspired by the writings of the exploits of African hunters, Roualeyn Cumming and William Baldwin, he decided that the more adventurous continent of Africa was where his true calling was. So, at the age of 19 and with 400 hundred pounds in his pocket, a rather significant sum at the time, he went in search of adventure in the dark continent of Africa. At the time there was a lucrative trade to be had in elephant

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tusks as ivory would fetch a good price on the international market for those who would risk the hardship of the hunt and the inherent dangers associated with hunting the world’s largest African animal. To be able to hunt the elephant legally and without incurring the wrath of the local African rulers he had to obtain the permission to shoot elephants in Ndebele state, who’s king at the time was, King Lobengule, of the Matebele tribe. During the audience with the king, Selous requested his permission to hunt elephant to which the amazed king replied, “You are just a boy and they will be the ones doing the killing.” The king was even more amazed to learn from Selous that he had never even seen a live elephant and remarked, “ Boy they will soon drive you from their land, but you may embark on your perilous adventure”. So with the kings passport to hunt his land he hired a wagon and provisions and the services of a short stocky Hottentots guide by the name of Cigar, who was a renowned tracker and hunter of all game in the region.

This first expedition was fairly rudimentary, they only took dried provisions with them but relied on the animals they hunted on rout for the meat and would draw water from the many rivers and streams they passed on the way. Throughout his travels and safaris Selous used a number of different guns to hunt with but on this, his first hunt, he had with him a 4 bore muzzle loader which fired 4ounce round ball projectiles, a pretty formidable weapon but one that was needed to drop an elephant. It is recorded that his good luck, that was to follow him for most of his career, was with him as on the second day out the small party came across a heard of elephants which Cigar had been tracking for most of the morning. In the heard was an old bull which Selous dispatched without too much trouble dropping the beast with his first shot. The bull’s tusks weighed in the region of 6o pounds each and in the space of four months he had managed to account for no less than 42 elephants. To say that Selous actually courted danger would perhaps be stretching the truth a

little but he was not afraid to take risks and he is recorded as stating that, “ If you hunt dangerous game by definition you put yourself in danger and that if you attempted to hunt without risk of injury then the excitement of the hunt would be eliminated and what would then be the point”. In one famous encounter in which he had wounded a cape buffalo the somewhat irate bull charged him from ten yards and having no time to take aim he fired from the hip and had to jump to one side to avoid being trampled. He had a number of close calls with buffalo and elephant that so nearly cost him his life, but he was never one to panic and managed to extricate himself from some pretty sticky situations. On one occasion he had wounded an elephant when his gun jammed so he was not able take the second kill shot. With the beast closing on him he took the trackers spear and removed the lever and the obstruction and then calmly

reloaded and faced the wounded animal which he was able to dispatch cleanly. In terms of hunting rifles Selous had a few over the years but he always stated that a, Lee Metford, .450 bore shooting a solid bullet would deal adequately with any big game you came across. One of his favorite rifles was his, Gibbs-Farquharson, which was made for him in .450/.400 caliber firing 215 grain bullets and to which he requested to have a steel reinforced stock fitted to make the rifle stronger to cope with heavy ammunition he would be using. As well as this rifle he would use guns made by Holland and Holland and the Lea Metford. In 1890 his reputation led him to be offered a post as a guide for the British South Africa Company leading commercial safaris which in turn earned him the prestigious, Founders Medal of the Royal Geographic

Society(RGS), for whom he wrote many reports which were widely accepted, along with his many books, as being some of the most formative works about the region, its game and geography. During the late 1800s and the early 1900s Selous became involved in Britain’s numerous wars and campaigns on that continent and was directly involved in the Matebele wars of 1893 in which he was the leader of a troop of irregulars of the Bulawayo Field Force in Matabeleland, and in the Rhodesian uprising of 1896. Not only was he a soldier and hunter of great renown he was an avid conservationist and explorer of the hitherto uncharted territories, at times being the first white man to enter the regions which he explored and recorded for the RGS. He was also given contracts by South African and British ›

Fredrick Courtenay Selous/Bulawayo-H-Troop-Selous h&s Issue 03 l November 2010

hunting experience

Museums as well as from London dealers in natural history specimens which enabled him to continue his adventures in the region and to expand his knowledge and his reputation as one of the greatest hunters and wild life conservationist of his time. His reputation was such that in 1909 Theodore Roosevelt decided to organize a safari with his son, Kermit , and it was decided that the best man to lead the expedition would be Fredrick Selous. The expedition consisted of 500 or so men ranging from gun bearers to trackers to local hunters and guides and as a result of this expedition over 1500 specimens were shipped back to the Smithsonian Institute in America for exhibition and research. Someone who has killed as many animals Selous National Park

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as Selous might be labeled a butcher but he has always contended that he never killed an animal purely for sport and during his safaris he would invariably be asked by a local chief to take care of a rouge elephant or a lion that was taking members of his tribe or ruining crops and killing the villages domesticated animals. He would also have a retinue of local tribes people who would follow him to take advantage of the meat he gave them after his hunt which would be taken back to the villages and divided amongst its inhabitants. Ever the patriot, in 1914 at the age of 63, he volunteered for active service with the, Legion of Frontiersmen, a special forces unit who were assigned special missions and using there vast local knowledge would scout for the Allied Forces fighting in Africa. In recognition of Fredrick Selous’s ability, both as a hunter and military man, a special army unit was formed on the, 1st of January 1974,known as the Selous Scouts, which was a mixed race unit and was used for special operation and tracking as well normal military operations in support of the regular Rhodesian army. Fredrick Selous’s luck, which was with him for most of his hunting career, finally ran out when, ironically, he was shot and killed by a German sniper whilst involved in fierce hand to hand fighting in the bush on the banks of

Selous Game Reserve the Rufiji River against German colonialist. Heavily outnumbered he was wounded in the arm but stayed with his troop and a short time thereafter was shot by a sniper in the mouth and killed out right whilst moving forward of his lines to scout out the enemy . Ironically the great hunter became the quarry and was killed in a not dissimilar way as he had taken many game animals in his career, and one would wonder if he would consider it a fair way to go. I think he would consider it appropriate.

Selous Grave

He was buried in Kissaki which was later turned into the game reserve that now carries his name and his grave is marked by a bronze plaque that reads: “Captain F.C. Selous DSO 25th Royal Fusiliers, Killed in action 4.1.17.” The land mass the Selous Reserve covers is equivalent to 5% of the total geographic areas of Tanzania. His obituary, printed by the Royal Geographic Society, emphasized Fredrick Selous’s fame as a big game hunter and explorer and noted his extraordinary contribution to conservation as well as the knowledge of the African continent and its wildlife which he was able to pass on for generations to come.

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hunting experience

The Adventurous

Mongolian Hunt Located in the center of Asia, Mongolia is an immense country with only 2 million inhabitants of which one half live in the capital. In the west, the country is mountainous where the chain of the Altai Mountains rises. There is also a desert in the South, with the famous semi-desert of the Gobi. The rest of the country is covered with steppe apart from some wooded areas in the north. In Mongolia, you will have the opportunity to experience mysterious deserts, endless steppe, majestic snowcapped mountains, crystal clear lakes and evergreen lush forests. It truly is the ideal adventure.

ibexes in Mongolia. It is mostly found in steep cliffs and narrow canyons with slack rock strips. Some of the major hunting areas are rocky cliffs of drier parts of the Altai range, such as Hovd and Govi which are both Altai provinces. From rock paintings found in the Altai Mountains, scientists prove that the Ibex were tamed by humans to be made domestic goats around 8,500 years ago. The Ibex has a red brown coat with light patches. The coat colors of older males are much darker. A male Altai ibex stands at around 3 - 3.2 feet tall and weighs around 280 lbs.

The Hunt in Mongolia

The hunting season starts from the 1st of June to the 15th of November. Usually the hunting is done on foot, using jeeps for transportation to the hunting area or on horse back. Ibexes are found in good numbers at 7,000-8,5000 feet. During the day, you will explore the upper edges of the mountains, the feeding and resting areas. You will also be able to spot rams and evaluate

Due to its sparse population, Mongolia has a long tradition of hosting foreign hunters. The fact that the greatest part of Mongolia is wild and uninhabited makes it a real heaven for the wild animals.

The Majestic Altai Mountains The Altai Mountains is the ideal habitat for the Altai Ibex. It is located in Western Mongolia. It is here that you will find the best value in Ibex hunting. Success rates have always remained greater than 100% throughout the season over the years. Historically, the largest ibex in Mongolia, with a trophy measuring up to 53 inches, came from the gorgeous and grand Altai Mountains.

The Altai Ibex The Altai Ibex is the larger of two different

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Hunting Season

their sizes and then make the intense stalk and hopefully indulge in the thrill of the kill. The ibex is one of the most appreciated and exciting game species. Hunting trophy in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia is definitely second to none. The nature is completely picturesque and breathtaking and the success rate will be to every hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liking. Not to mention the length of the horns that are generally 100 centimeters - sometimes even more! A bighorn hunt is a dream for many hunters. Indeed, many times in the mind of a hunter, it can be the ultimate hunt. However, keep in mind that it is a serious matter and it shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be taken lightly. Proper planning and preparation are needed to make the once-in-a-lifetime hunt an exciting dream come true! Hunting in the land of Genghis Khan himself is an authentic adventure and a great challenge for all sportsmen. The experience will last a lifetime.

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The Amazing Hunt Woodcock Hunting in Europe For everyone that enjoys a good upland hunt, this article will go on to explain about the adventure of woodcock hunting.

Photo by: Jim Low

The Bird

The Hunt

The Woodcock is a small, rotund bird with a long bill and large eyes positioned far back on the head. The bird is well camouflaged and mottled with brown, black and rust colors. It also has a black barring across the top of the head.

The hunting of the woodcock requires more skill and experience then any other game. It is an uncertain bird that requires careful treatment. A team of spaniels or pointer dogs are all that you need when it comes to hunting dogs.

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Tips: When the cover is beaten, make sure to look out sharp for the cock, whether it is alive or sluggish. Also, when looking for a woodcock, try the mosses and banks of rivulets. The hunting season for woodcock is mainly from November to Mid-January. â&#x20AC;ş

Photo by SportDog Brand ÂŠ

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hunting season

The Team Spaniel - The Spaniels are a type of gun dogs. They are thought to have originated from Spain. By the late 17th century, spaniels had become specialized into water and land breeds. These breeds of dogs are seen with long silky coats and drooping ears. Spaniels offer the perfect assistance to hunters. They work within gun range and are steady to shot. They are able to mark the fall and retrieve the shot game to hand. These dogs are versatile hunters, traditionally being used for upland game birds, especially the woodcock. With a spaniel on your team, you will always get the job done. Pointer - The English Pointers are dogs that have also been developed into excellent gun dogs. These dogs are athletic, graceful and hard-driving hunting dogs. They are always alert. In history, pointers were always bred to work

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with hunters. They were sometimes used in combination with a retriever to point out the game for the hunter. They are excellent dogs for hunting as they can find and point out the location of the birds. They are also natural retrievers.

Where to hunt? France - Mainly the woodcock hunt takes place in Normandy. However, these birds tend to stay everywhere in France, including the mountains like the Alps. Brittany, Provence and Burgundy are also reputed regions. In France, woodcock is hunted with pointer dogs with bells. Over the years, France has always been one of the most popular places for woodcock hunting and it still is, with some of the best guides and outfitters to assist you throughout your entire trip. Romania - In Romania, hunters usually hunt woodcock during the spring season (March

and April, depending on the weather conditions) and the fall season (October and November). The birds live in woodlands, river meadows and the Danube Delta. In this beautiful country, hunting is carried out usually by foot or with a pointer dog. Russia - Russia is one of the many European countries where once can experience the most enjoyable hunt, especially when it comes to woodcock. 75% of woodcock population find their home in Russia. The hunt is usually taken place in the Krasnodar region, located between the Eastern shores of the Sea of Azov and the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. So, there you have it - if you are ever seeking to venture out on a great hunting escapade, make sure to visit these three locations and experience the adventure of hunting the clever woodcock. By: Ylova Hamdan

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h&s Issue 03

John F. Rowe Enid, OK 580.233.5942 l jrowe@att.net November 2010 101

hunting season

In Search of the Elusive

Ptarmigan in Scotland

Grampian Mountains

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I was still elated as I awoke the next morning after shooting my first Red Deer Stagg on a wild and beautiful mountain side in central Scotland the previous day. That indeed was a stalk and a day to remember and as I entered the paneled dinning room of the hotel the smile was still on my face from the memory of it. My host and guide, Alistair Stewart, could see that I was still contemplating the experience even then. Alistair, and his gillie, Ian Campbell, had guided me to a herd of Red Deer yesterday and given me the opportunity to take my first Stagg, a good old boy, with ten point antlers that was, as we speak, cleaned and hanging in Alistair’s capacious chiller room, field dressed and skinned, ready to be butchered for me to take the best cuts with me back to Manchester along with the antlers. I had arranged with Alistair to take me on a one day stalk and a one day wing shoot with the hope of finding some of the elusive Ptarmigan that provides some exciting and in some cases most frustrating game bird shooting one can imagine. However, I was not coming to Scotland to see how many birds I could kill it was more of a specialist shoot that takes in some of the most rugged and beautiful scenery in the British Isles. I had done my share of walked up and driven shoots south of the boarder and put many a pheasant, duck and goose in the bag, but this time it was not the quantity of birds but the quality of the quarry and the excitement of catching them unawares. If I could take one or two brace I would be happy and who knows we may see a few hares as well.

then take a minor road into the Grampians and the moorland that we hoped was the home of the elusive Ptarmigan. The Ptarmigan is an elusive bird due in part to the fact that it is only found in the Scottish Highlands in Britain where breeding pairs are estimated to be around 10,000. Similar in size to a Red Leg Partridge its plumage adds to its elusiveness as in the summer months its plumage is grey and brown, and black and white, blending in perfectly with highland grasses and heather which is interspersed generously with the white-gray rocks of these mountainous surroundings. In winter its feathers change color to pure white with just a black patch round its eyes and on the tip of its tail to blend in with the snowcovered hills. Ptarmigans thrive in the vast remoteness of these Scottish hills and rarely will you find these birds below two and a half thousand feet. They cannot easily be bred or reared and generally shun the company of humans and this is what make the hunting of ptarmigan so special. If its easy, bred birds you are looking to shoot with bags of

a few hundred a day then these are not the hills and glens you should be walking, but if you want to embrace the regal rugged splendor of the Scottish mountains, glens and moorland to seek out what is arguably the rarest of game birds, then you will be in for a shoot of a life time. I retrieved my shotgun from the hotels gun safe and checked it was not loaded, just habit I suppose but a good one none the less, and slid it into its gun slip and with four boxes of number six shot cartridges in the bag we headed out to Alistair’s, Land Rover Defender. I had no illusions that I would use anywhere hear the 100 shells but again it’s habit. I always take a bag full just in case. In case of what, I don’t know. Just in case. I could see Alistair’s two black Labrador dogs sitting eagerly in the back and as we approached them they started to wag their tails furiously in anticipation of the day to come. The dogs were let out for a brief stretch of their legs and to relieve themselves before we set of whilst Alistair and I loaded gun, cartridges and our packed lunches onto the back seats. ›

Ptarmigan

Over breakfast Alistair laid out the plans for the day. He knew this part of Scotland very well and his contacts kept him informed as to where the best place to find the Ptarmigan might be just now. He indicated on the map that we would be travelling North to Braemar along the base of the Grampian Mountains heading toward Balmoral Castle, the Highland Home of the British Royal Family, and the town of Grathie where we would

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The season for Ptarmigan is the same as that for grouse, 12th of August to the 10th of December, so as we were in the second week of October we were right in the middle of the season. The weather was overcast as we started our journey but it was just after eight in the morning and the sun had not decided whether he would show himself today or not, but according to Alistair, we should not get our hope up. As we were in for a good long walk, mainly going up hill, I was not too worried if the sun decided to sleep late. Our route took us through Deeside and Lochnager, with the Grampian Mountains to our West and Balmoral Forrest to our east, and we drove through about 20 miles of dedicated, Scottish National Scenic area, and this part of the drive alone was worth the trip. Pulling off the main road at Crathie we entered a minor road that periodically had passing places cut into the road side as the width was only wide enough to take one vehicle. After another few miles Alistair pulled off the road altogether and then we started the long walk up the foothills of the Grampian Mountains. This particular area is mostly uninhabited by humans and the ground is totally unsuitable for farming as it is covered with rocks and boulders, course grass and heather, but the views are stunning. The ground was wet and in parts we had to negotiate the peat bogs as well as the rocks and shale. The sun still did not grace us with its presence but it was a little optimistic to expect it to do so. The clouds where white however, and did not appear to hold rain as they sat atop the mountain peaks like so much cotton candy. This was deer country as well and the signs were all around us but despite the fact that we could hear their bellowing in the distance we did not catch sight of them. Alistair pointed out their tracks left in the soft ground and the bogs as we marched ever upwards. Alistair sent the dogs on up ahead as he thought we may come a cross a few grouse and sure enough we had not gone far when the dogs stopped their running too

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and fro and looked back at Alistair indicating something was in front of them. I whispered, “Ptarmigan? “And Ali smiled and said, “Not this low down, either grouse or plover”. On command the two dogs dropped down heads pointed forward as Alistair scanned the broken countryside where they were looking. Even with his binoculars he could not see anything so with my trusty 12 gauge at the ready we moved slowly forward, and as Alistair moved the dogs onwards the birds suddenly broke from cover and took of to our right. Two shots and one plump grouse later we continued our climb. We were by now getting into the region where the Ptarmigan would be, and as we took a rest we turned back to look at where we had come from and the view was awe inspiring. We had climbed well over two thousand feet and the ground was becoming more precarious with loose stones and boulders moving under foot making progress pretty slow, but this is Ptarmigan country and this is what we are here for. And sure enough the dogs indicated some quarry up ahead once again. And again I whispered, hopefully, “ptarmigan” and with a gentle positive nod of the head Alistair quietly called the dogs to heel. Ali motioned with his long walking stave to move slowly to our right and to maneuver round a small hillock which sloped gently down into a shallow gorge. We were now almost bent double as we slowly came out of the cover of the hill to gaze down on the most wonderful sight I had ever seen. In the dip below us were a covey of five Ptarmigan, glorious in there mottled gray and brown plumage which was in the process of turning that glorious white, and within a fraction of a second of them seeing us they were in the air and heading off to the far distance. The shots for me were relatively easy as I am not the best high pheasant shooter, but I just love going away birds and these were going fast but straight and two folded their wings and dropped from the sky. I turned to look at Alistair and just bent my body forward and yelled a resounding,“YESSSSS”. Alistair was just standing there with his chin on his long walking stick quietly laughing his

Ptarmigan

broad shoulders just moving fractionally up and down and in his wonderfully matter of fact way nodded his head and said, “Nice shot”. The dogs were off on the retrieve but Alistair called them back. It was not easy as all their instinct told them to fetch the birds and as they danced and jigged around Alistair and he had to restrain them with some harsh words and a bit of stick waving. The dogs were soft mouthed but I had said to Alistair that I would like to have one mounted if possible so he wanted to make sure that they were in the best condition if they were to be trophy standard. We walked up to where the birds had fallen about forty yards ahead of us and even as we knew where they had fallen we had to look very closely to spot them. But with the help of the two Labs’ we came upon them. They were two cock birds and handling them and seeing them up close, their beautiful plumage, from their fluffy leg feathers to their wonderfully mottled camouflaged body to the red over the top of their eyes, I was overjoyed. It took some time for the adrenalin to leave my blood stream and as we sat on a rocky outcrop eating our lunch I could not get the smile off of my face. Turning to Alistair I asked what was next, do we call it a day or go on. He said that by giving the birds some time he would hope

that they would not be too far away and maybe we would even come across another covey and as the afternoon was still early he felt that we should try our luck again, if I felt up to it. This of course was what I wanted him to say, so with our lunch papers neatly tucked into our rucksack and the tops of our flasks secured we started the trek ever upwards. The going was becoming more precarious with more lose rocks and scree so the going was somewhat slow. The call of the Ptarmigan is not unlike the old rattles one would take to a football match before the air horns became popular, and we were not long into our trek when this, to me, unfamiliar call was heard a good distance ahead. Again I glanced over at Alistair my unspoken query all over my face and he replied with his casual nod of the head. Ptarmigan! But where? Alistair did not want to send the dogs as he thought the birds might be a bit wary, and he did not want them to flush them too soon. We would walk them up. So calling the Lab’s to heel we headed off in the direction that Alistair assured me would bring us on to the birds. The mountain was in front of us, without a doubt, but the ground immediately in front was made up of small hills and dips, loose rock, boggy ground and clumps of course

grass and somewhere, maybe fifty or even a hundred yards away were the birds. Alistair’s experienced hearing and knowledge of the terrain and the quarry kept us on track and sure enough thirty yards in front there was a flurry of activity as a covey of Ptarmigan took flight. Automatically my gun came to my shoulder and I fired the bottom barrel then the top. The first shot missed, but the second shot dropped one of the birds whilst the others, just like the grouse, glided left and right before opening their wings again to take off like streaks of lightening, disappearing into the distance to who knows where. This bird was a nice sized hen bird with similar plumage to the others. I now had three birds and any one could be my trophy, but two of them, and the grouse, would be enjoyed by myself and Alistair and his wife as my guests for dinner tomorrow evening, but right now it was time to empty our flasks in preparation for our walk back to the Land Rover, and as we sat on that wild, wonderful, mountain I could only think what an extraordinary day I had been privileged to have. Not many Ptarmigan are taken each season and I had three. We sat in silence for a while, Alistair knowing that I would want to

RECOMMENDS

CALIBER BARREL LENGTH (CM) CHOKES TOP RIB(MM) WEIGHT (KG) CHOKES INCLUDED

relive the moments again whilst the memory was fresh and as we sat on the mountainside. Eventually he turned to me and said, with that inimitable smile that he could always come up with, “Well, will you be coming of this hill with me today or what?” I replied, “I will, Alistair, and thank you very much for an unforgettable day”. “Och! you’re most welcome since you have just shot my wives and mines dinner for the morrow”. At this we both laughed and started our long trek back to the car. If it’s killing lots of birds that you are after then going after Ptarmigan is not for you. Some would say that four birds for all that effort was a waste of time. If this is what you think then I would say that you should not even contemplate it. But if you want to add another fantastic experience to your hunting repertoire and you have any soul for the beauty of the mountains and the wilderness, then, first get fit, and second find a good guide and get yourself off to the mountains of Scotland for what I can assure you will be a wonderful experience. Unless you are seasoned fell walker or an Olympic athlete, also expect to wake up the following morning with a few aches and sore muscles in places you really did not know you had places.

BROWNING B525 HUNTER LIGHT ELITE, 12M,66 INV+

12M 66 INV+ 6 3 5 Invectors+: Cyl, 1/4,1/2, 3/4, Full

WOOD FINISH LENGTH OF PULL DROP AT COMB DROP AT HEEL PACKAGING ACCESSORIES

Oil finich 375mm 36mm 56mm Elite case Gun lock, choke key

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Hunting in Russia

The Chukotka Moose

Photography by Kennan Ward - WallpaperWeb.org

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In Russia, lies an independent region that is twice the size of Germany. It is known as Chukotka. Russia is a country that boasts a beautiful and picturesque landscape. It has thousands of rivers, vast moors, swamps, tundra and forests. The nature of Russia cannot disappoint a single soul. Chukotka is not a very traveled place; hence you can still find areas there that are unknown to man. This fact makes Chukotka the ideal hunting ground.

Stand hunting Although it is sort of far from civilization, you can still get there, with the help of a helicopter or an off-road vehicle that is especially designed for rough terrains. Trust me; it is very much worth it, because the game is perfect.

The Game Chukotka Moose

20th September to 15th November and then again from the 25th of November till the 15th of December.

the canoe offers a relatively quiet mode of travel through areas that are undisturbed by other hunters.

Methods

• Moose Calling Calling is probably one of the most common techniques to hunt moose; however it is declining in popularity. The success of calling requires you to issue a long audible moan at regular intervals. Calling is most effective on cool, brisk mornings between daybreak and about nine o’ clock and again from about four o’ clock in the afternoon through to last night.

• Stand Hunting The ideal moose stand is one which overlooks the greatest amount of in-range forest edge, which always has the sun behind it and the wind is always favourable. An important consideration in stand hunting is the construction of the stand. It should always be constructed ahead of time. The only problem with stand hunting is that the hunter is committed to one location. If conditions are that the moose begins to travel, it is better to go looking for them. • Still Hunting One of the best still-hunting methods is to float small rivers in a canoe. Moose often use the banks of streams as travel corridors and

Moose hunting along with boar hunting is extremely popular in Russia and many hunters venture out to the large and untouched country to experience the many adventures and wonderful opportunities it has to offer when it comes to hunting for game, especially big game! By: Ylova Hamdan

The Chukotka Moose is the largest moose in Russia. Some even believe it to be the largest moose on the planet. It is found in the Chukotka peninsula from where it gets its name, as well as North-eastern Siberia and in small parts of the Kamchatka peninsula. The moose is truly a magnificent creature and is also the largest antlered animal in the world. The males can weigh as much as a ton with antlers that span over 200 centimeters. The Chukotka region is quite difficult to hunt in because of extreme remoteness and unpredictable weather; however, if you take the risk, the trophies will eventually outweigh all the obstacles that you might face. Hunts are usually done by stalking, calling and sometimes on rafting expeditions. The hunting season is from 1st September to 15th January. The best time to go is from the

Still hunting

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The Wings of the Altai Mountains

Hunting with Golden Eagles in Mongolia Altai Mountains

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Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos) Photo by HALEX

In the land of Genghis Khan, rests a traditional art and custom that has been passed down from generation to generation. Hunting with Golden Eagles is one of the oldest and most spectacular customs of Mongolia’s Kazakh people. The tradition lies in the art of hunting with specially trained eagles. This tradition displays the pride of Kazakh people and their skill as hunters.

What is hunting with Golden Eagles? “There are three things a real man should have: a fast horse, a hound, and a golden eagle” - Kazakhstan Proverb. The art is a sort of falconry. Professional hunters from Kazakhstan call the practice berkutchy. Berkutchy is a life’s profession and it is usually a hereditary one. The relationship between the bird and the master is constant and very much time consuming. During the training period of a young eagle, the berkutchy must sacrifice his sleep for

long periods until the trust and dependence of the bird unto his master is complete. According to history, it has been said that in 1207, the Kyrgz nomads surrendered to Genghis Khan’s son Jochi. Under the Mongol rule, Kyrgyz preserved their nomadic culture. It has also been stated that the Kyrgyz nomads have been hunting with Golden Eagles for over 6,000 years.

The Bird

Berkutchy

The Golden Eagle is one of twelve species of large predominantly dark-colored eagles in the genus of Aquilla found worldwide. These huge birds weigh up to 6.5 kilograms with a wingspan over seven or eight feet.

The talons or claws on an eagle’s toes are curved and razor-sharp for catching and holding their prey. Eagles are “birds of prey”, which means that they hunt for their food. They usually always fly great distances in order to find game. Therefore, these majestic birds have mastered the art and skill of soaring. An eagle’s eyesight is extraordinary with vision about eight times sharper than humans. They can spot a fox or a rabbit up to a mile away.

The Training Usually, Kazakh hunters prefer to go for female birds as they are heavier than male birds and much more aggressive. Hunters ›

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choose to either snatch a young chick from nests on mountain tops or lure a young bird with pigeons and trap them. This is because the chicks are more tame while the grown ups are aggressive and much better hunters. In the early summer, hunters venture out into mountains to find an eagle’s nest and snatch a chick. However, if a hunter wishes to catch an elder bird, he will lay out a net baited with fresh meat and await the arrival of the bird that will come to feed and entangle itself. Young birds are kept for about a month or two during which they are fed washed out meat from their masters’ hands in order for

them to become used to humans. In the late of summer, they are “bent” by being tied to a wooden block so that if they try to fly away, they will fall. After a few days, the bird will eventually surrender to exhaustion and become ready for training. The eagles are trained to hunt marmots, rabbits and small foxes. Gradually, hunters train the eagle to hunt down larger foxes and even wolves.

The Hunt Early winter is regarded to be the best season for hunting foxes and other game. After the first snow falls, the hunter rides a horse, holding the eagle on his left arm and wanders around the magnificent Altai

Mountains looking for game. As soon as the hunter spots game, he will send the hunting eagle into the air towards the quarry. The bird goes up in order to size up the target and then goes down in one long but swift strike, falling right on the spine of the escaping animal. She then catches the prey with her iron talons until the hunter approaches. The sport is very amusing, entertaining and popular amongst the Kazakhs. The hunters take great pride in having such a clever, quick and brave hunting eagle. Eagles can live up to 50 years but most hunters keep the birds for about 10 to 20 years and then release them back into the wild.

Golden Eagle by Tom Elton

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Eagle Hunting Festival - Bayan-Olgii

The Festival Once a year, hunters from all over the Bayan-Olgii province gather to celebrate the traditional skill of hunting with golden eagles and to compete against each other in challenges that show off the abilities of both the birds and their trainers. The Eagle Hunting Festival is held in early October. It is a colourful and picturesque event that attracts all of the best hunters and birds. It is an incredibly important celebration for the local community.

The festival usually begins with each hunter displaying their hunting outfits and fascinating accessories. Later, the hunting eagles are evaluated for their skills. They are released from a rock cliff, while their owners stand below and signal for them to land on their arms, as they do during hunting. Those with the fastest times and best technique are awarded the highest scores and prizes. There are many more events hosted at the festival. The end of the festival is at a party at which the winners are toasted and great hunting

tales are shared. Not only is it a very lively and festive celebration it also marks the very essence and culture of the nomadic Kazakhs and for anyone lucky enough to experience it, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This centuries old tradition is still practiced among Kazakhs of Bayan Ulgii province which now boasts more than 200 members of the Berkut Association. It is indeed one of the most adventurous and enjoyable activities. The pride, trust and loyalty that come along with it are eternal.

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cartridge legacies

Winchester Shotshells From the 19th through the 20th, and now the 21st century, Winchester has led the industry in ground-breaking developments in shotshell loads and components. In 1997, Winchester introduced the most technologically-advanced shotshells in history - Supreme速 shotshells. With exciting new Supreme offerings in 2000, Winchester is continuing a shotshell manufacturing pedigree of quality and innovation that

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extends back to 1886.

For over 40 years, AA Target Loads have reigned as the standard for excellence and overwhelming choice of serious target shooters the world over. For over 40 years, AA Target Loads have reigned as the standard for excellence and overwhelming choice of serious target shooters the world over.

Winchester Expands AA Super Sport Line Winchester Ammunition is adding two new loads to the popular AA® Super Sport™ line of shotshells. In 12 gauge, a load using 1 1/8 ounces of #9 shot is now available, with a muzzle velocity of 1300 fps. The other new load is a 410 gauge 2 ½” loading that uses ½ ounce of #8 shot. This load also has a muzzle velocity of 1300 fps. Like other AA shotshells, these new loads use the new Winchester® HS Hull. This new hull was developed to give reloaders a better and longer lasting hull. In addition, both loads use Winchester one-piece plastic wads and clean burning Ball® Powder. Suggested retail price of the 12 gauge load is $79.00 per case. The suggested retail price of the 20 gauge load is $79.00 per case. Gauge

Symbol

Oz. Shot

Velocity

Shot Size

AASC12

1 1/8

1300 fps

7 ½, 8, 9 (new)

AASCL12

1350 fps

7 ½, 8

AASC20

7/8

1300 fps

7 ½, 8

AASC28

1300 fps

7 ½, 8 ½

410

AASC41

1300 fps

8 (new), 8 ½

Winchester® Includes 8 1/2 Shot In The Popular AA® Target Load Line Winchester has brought back by popular demand size 8-1/2 shot in 12 gauge AA® Light and Xtra-Lite™ target loads. More shot in the pattern for 16-yard targets and the first shot of doubles makes these already excellent target loads even better. Loaded into the famous AA wad, the 8-1/2 shot will be offered in the 1-ounce XtraLite™ and the 1-1/8 ounce Light AA products for target crushing performance. These new loads will also offer outstanding performance in skeet doubles and many sporting clay target presentations with the outstanding reloadability you’ve come to expect from the Winchester AA hulls. Order symbol numbers are AA1285 for the Light load and AAL1285 for the Xtra-Lite.

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Federal Every Shot Counts 2010 New Products

Federal® offers a complete line of slugs, birdshot and buckshot for all shooters and hunters. Whether it's our Premium® upland, Black Cloud® waterfowl, Gold Medal® target or our economic field and range loads, all offerings are loaded with performance in mind. Whether you're heading to the field or out to the range, we've got your ideal load. Hunters can get the best in slug technology with several Vital-Shok™ slug options. And our Top Gun® target loads are perfect for the shooter who spends a lot of time breaking clays, but doesn't want their wallet empty at the end of the day.

PREMIUM SHOTSHELL Prairie Storm™ - FS Lead™ with FLITECONTROL® Wad New Prairie Storm™ features the FLITECONTROL® wad and FLITECONTROL® (FS) lead. It uses the same technology that’s proven outstanding on waterfowl-but is specially designed for the needs of pheasant hunters. Never before have loads produced such full, consistent patterns. A mix of Premium® copper-plated lead (70%) and nickel-plated FS lead (30%) gives these loads better down-range performance. This translates to fewer lost birds. As part of the on box royalty program, every box purchased will give money directly to Pheasants Forever®. With this new specialized ammunition, hunters know they’ll get edge-to-edge pattern consistency. And excellent retained velocity and energy means increased lethality. Features & Benefits • Designed specifically for the pheasant hunter • Utilizes FLITECONTROL® wad system for excellent patterns at a variety of ranges • FLITESTOPPER® (FS) Lead pellet design fills out the pattern and hits birds hard • Pheasants Forever® logo on the box means money goes back to habitat on the ground • Mix of copper-plated Premium® lead (70%) and nickel-plated FS lead (30%)

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Part No.

Description

PF154FS 4,5,6

12-ga, 2-3/4", 1-1/4 oz, 1500 fps

PF129FS 4,5.6

12-ga, 3", 1-5/8 oz, 1350 fps

PF258FS 4,5,6

PF258FS 4 20-ga, 3", 1-1/4 oz, 1300 fps

PREMIUM SHOTSHELL Black Cloud® Snow Goose Patent pending Black Cloud® FS Steel® ammunition continues to create buzz in the waterfowling community. This year Black Cloud extends its reign with a new 12-gauge load designed specifically for the longer range demands of hardcore snow goose hunters. This load is available in BB and #2 shot and moves out of the muzzle at a blistering 1635 feet per second. The proprietary and rear-braking FLITECONTROL® wad and FLITESTOPPER® steel combine with standard steel shot to create devastatingly consistent patterns that hit waterfowl hard. Features & Benefits • FLITECONTROL® wad opens from the rear for excellent patterns and longer ranges • FLITESTOPPER® (FS) Steel pellets fill out pattern and cut on impact • Extra-high velocity aids in longer range capability • Designed specifically for demands of snow goose hunters

Part No.

Description

PWB143 BB

12-ga, 3”, 1-1/8 oz BB, FS Steel 1635 fps

PWB143 2

12-ga, 3”, 1-1/8 oz, #2, FS Steel 1635 fps

SHOTSHELL Field and Range Steel Game & Target No matter if you’re shooting birds or clays, Field and Range Steel has the load you need at a price you like. These affordable steel shotshell options give you the Federal® quality advantage. Take your training for upland bird hunting to the next level when you choose Field and Range Steel. For 2010, Federal is proud to unveil four new sub-gauge loads for areas where non-lead shot is required. Features & Benefits • Designed for small upland bird hunting • Prefect for practice or field training using clays • Affordable, sub-gauge, non-lead option • Reliable performance from the leading ammunition manufacturer

Part No.

Description

FRS413 6

.410-ga, 3", 3/8 oz, #6 Steel 1400 fps

FRS413 7

.410-ga, 3", 3/8 oz, #7 Steel 1400 fps

FRS283 6

28-ga, 2-3/4", 5/8 oz, #6 Steel 1300 fps

FRS283 7

28-ga, 2-3/4", 5/8 oz, #7 Steel 1300 fps

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Sporting Guns

Holland &Holland Holland & Holland guns are celebrated throughout the world as the perfect combination of artistry and craftsmanship. To understand why, you need simply pick one up, balance it in your hands, and allow your eyes to take in every detail of its lines. Look closely. It displays a purity of design and a functional simplicity that is found more frequently in nature than in the creations of man. Then swing and mount the gun to your shoulder and, immediately, your visual sensation is matched by such perfect handling that you know the gun is ideally suited to its purpose. Such an achievement does not come into being by evolution alone, even though Holland & Holland guns and rifles trace their lineage back to the year 1835. Its other parent is curiosity; the desire of the craftsman and gunmaker to see whether an improvement can be made on accepted methods. In some things, of course, there is no substitute for tradition. For instance, in the making of a stock the craftsmen still use the finest walnut, taken from the juncture of root and trunk. The root for the wildness and figure that gives the stock its beauty; the trunk for the strength that it gives to the stockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slender grip. Equally, the hand tools used by the engraver will not have changed much in appearance since the mid-19th Century. But alongside the time-hallowed, is the innovative - a Holland & Holland gun of today is made using the best steels that the modern age can provide, and is drilled, milled and turned by machines far more precise than those used by yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s craftsmen in the gun factory so carefully planned and built by Henry Holland over one hundred years ago. The result is a gun capable of handling the high performance cartridges and ammunition that our forefathers did not have at their disposal; a gun that will give faithful service to its owner and his heirs for generations, and a gun that will give unmatched pleasure the while. It is this combination of tradition and vision that makes a Holland & Holland gun that most rare of creations; a work of art where the emphasis is balanced equally between the purpose of its work, and the beauty of its art. â&#x20AC;ş

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gunmaker legacies

A HISTORY OF HOLLAND & HOLLAND Harris Holland (1806 - 1896) founded ‘H. Holland’ in 1835, but it was not until 1867 that his nephew, Henry, was made a partner and the name “Holland & Holland” came into being. Harris had started with a tobacco business in London’s Holborn district but he became an experienced and enthusiastic shooter early in life and this stimulated his interest in gunmaking. Until about 1850 most “H. Holland” guns were probably built in the trade to Harris Holland’s design. The arrival, however, of nephew Henry as an apprentice in 1860 heralded the leading role which the company was to take in the age of innovation which, from 1870 onwards, put London gunmakers on a pedestal. The “Field” Rifle Trials, held in London in 1883, established the Holland & Holland fame for very well made and highly accurate sporting rifles. This reputation for excellence soon spread with the Holland & Holland double barrelled rifle becoming the benchmark for reliability in hunting for large and dangerous game. During his career, Henry Holland was renowned for invention and took out over forty patents ranging from the famous “Royal” action of 1883 to the celebrated .375 H&H magnum belted cartridge in 1912, still the universal favourite for hunters worldwide. The “Royal” trademark rights, describing one of the most successful sidelock actions of all

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time, were granted in 1885 and have since denoted excellence in gunmaking for well over one hundred years. Usually identified with side-by-side shotguns and rifles, the name has more recently appeared on the new range of Holland & Holland over-andunder guns employing the same sidelock action principles. Harris Holland died in 1896 and two years later Henry completed his purpose-built gun factory in Kensal Green, West London, which has remained in continuous use to the present day. Shooting grounds nearby were needed for all the work associated with factory testing, barrel regulation and rifle calibration, and for teaching shooting techniques to newcomers. Urban pressures forced a move to new shooting grounds at Wembley in 1913, and then again to the present grounds at Northwood, Middlesex, in 1930, but still within 18 miles of the central London gunroom and factory. Following the Second World War (19391945) good craftsmen were scarce and wealthy clients were scarcer. Fortunately, Henry Holland’s son, Jack, in charge since his uncle retired in 1930, insisted on rebuilding the quality and service for which

the company was famous and, soon after his death in 1958, the company was acquired by a group of friendly and enthusiastic clients. They encouraged the new management to move into fine second-hand and antique gun trading, as well as into new “commemorative” guns. This took Holland & Holland gunmaking into a new era of extraordinary engraving and embellishment. The acquisition of W&C Scott Gunmakers in 1985 produced some very high quality Holland & Holland boxlock guns but, more importantly, lead to the development of two models of overand-under shotgun. Following the sale of the company to the Chanel group in 1989, all gun production was consolidated at the historic London factory following an extensive building and equipment investment programme. Nowadays the company gunmaking facilities exhibit the most modern computer-aided design and component machining facilities to be found at any comparable Best London gun factory, allied to those traditional gunmaking bench skills which Henry Holland demanded of his workforce one hundred years ago. More recently, the company has extended

its interests with the opening of a sporting agency offering the best shooting and hunting programmes in Europe, Africa and South America, and the development of an international non-shooting luxury travel business where the camera rules rather than gun or rifle. Shooting clothing was first offered to customers at 33 Bruton Street in the early 1980’s, some twenty years after the company moved from New Bond Street. The clothing range has been branded and expanded under Chanel ownership and a wide selection of luxury accessories is sold from the flagship retailing premises in London and similar premises in Paris and New York. The company values its Royal patronage - the Royal Arms of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, whose Warrant of Appointment as Rifle Maker was granted in 1963, and those of HRH The Prince of Wales, whose Warrant of Appointment as Bespoke Gunmaker and Supplier of Country Clothing has been proudly carried since 1995. We think that Harris and Henry would been proud of this too, as well as of the way in which their standards and name are being upheld into the 21st Century. ›

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CRAFTSMANSHIP AT HOLLAND & HOLLAND The Holland & Holland factory, located in London not far from Paddington Station, is where our guns are built in the traditional way with the most modern materials and equipment available. The present building was constructed by Henry Holland as a gun factory and completed in 1898. Now, over a hundred years later, the building is still our manufacturing base, although new paint adorns the outside and new equipment graces the inside. It is a tall, slender building with large windows, providing the best light for actioners and engravers alike. While machines have always been used where possible, for example, for rifling the barrels, today we use modern computer numerical control equipment and computeraided design software. This is combined with all the traditional gun making methods actions are filed with great precision, barrels are hand-struck, and stocks and chequering are also done by hand. Depending on the model of gun, from 650 to well over 1250 man hours may be involved in the making, and as no part of a Holland & Holland gun is interchangeable, every single one is made for each gun down to the smallest pin. Combine these abilities with the quality of steel available today, and it will be no surprise that we are building the best guns ever.

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The making of a Holland & Holland gun or rifle is therefore not a process to be hurried. The building of a gun is the creation of our 60 craftsmen, each making his equal contribution to the finished piece. The machinist; the barrel maker; the actioner; the engraver; theirs is the responsibility for turning bare metal into a magnificent gun that will still be shooting straight and true when your great-grandson is an old man. The barrels and action are complemented by the work of the stocker, who takes a rough blank of fine walnut and works and shapes it until it seems to glow with a life of its own from deep within the timber. Lock, stock and barrel - all become a single entity in the hands of the finisher, who hardens the metalwork, polishes the lockwork and chequers and oils the stock. For your gun’s accuracy you have the regulator to thank; and for the tools, leather and baize of the case, the casemaker. Even in the exalted company of Best London gunmakers, Holland & Holland is unique in that every part of its guns and rifles, right down to the smallest screw, is made inhouse. Remove the lock from a ‘Royal’ and you’ll see that even the elegant bridle within the lock bears a craftsman’s touch, in the form of a tiny decorative engraving. Rarely seen, but always present. A barrel maker requires 60 hours to complete a pair of barrels. Bored from solid forgings of high grade nickel chrome

molybdenum steel, individual barrels are balanced, turned and drilled through to a standard length and then paired off and assigned to an order before being silver brazed at the breech. Longer barrels may be required by the customer with a deliberate style or for use against high birds, with short barrels preferred for snap shooting. Next comes the time-honoured method of soft soldering the ribs that join the barrels using pure tin fluxed with rosin, a noncorrosive substance. The bores are reamed and lapped to bring their diameter to within four thousandths of an inch of the finished size. The actioners take 8 weeks to complete their part of the task, comprising the bolting mechanism, lock work and ejectors. The action is the heart of the gun, incorporating the Holland & Holland self-opening mechanism and the hand detachable locks so easily removed for inspection after a rainy day in the field. The actioners commence their task by jointing the barrels into the action to tolerances as minute as the thickness of smoke from an oil lamp. The telltale spread of carbon deposit reveals the slightest irregularity in the jointing, and any high spots are painstakingly removed before the assembly is sent to the London Proof House for demanding testing and critical inspection.

The guns and rifles will be embellished by our engravers who adorn the gun with the client’s chosen style of engraving, perhaps our own ‘Royal Scroll’, based on a William Morris pattern, or customised with a design especially commissioned by the owner often elaborate and imaginative. Clients may also select a stock blank with the particular figure or colour that they find the most appealing. Blanks of walnut, seasoned for up to 10 years, supply the stability so essential for a Best London gun. In the stocking shop, the stocker inlets the head of the blank with great accuracy to receive the action and lock work. The stock is shaped to the customer’s measurements, established during a fitting at the Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds, taking into account the length, cast and the

required drop or bend to align the master eye. The ‘finishing’ of a gun involves endless checking, subtle easing and smoothing of the working parts. Meticulous polishing is required to effect crisp trigger pulls and the effortless opening and ejection which so much characterises a Holland & Holland. All guns are carefully regulated to produce consistent shot patterns at the Shooting Grounds, where, whenever possible, the customer is encouraged to become acquainted with what is surely to be the ideal gun for the most testing of quarry anywhere in the world. Such is the attention to detail shown at

Holland & Holland, that each craftsman knows that to do less than his best would be a betrayal, not just of his own skills, but also those of his workmates. Each knows, too, that the day when the client arrives to collect the finished gun and raises the stock to shoulder and cheek, the work of all those months will be put to the test in a single moment. The motion should feel completely instinctive, completed as though by thought alone. It is the point at which the individual contributions of many craftsmen become, in the customer’s hands, the complete and unique creation that is a Holland & Holland. It is the pride of our craftsmen that their work can be measured in that moment; it is their daily endeavour that their skills will pass that test.

THE “ROYAL” SIDE-BY-SIDE SHOTGUN Of all the guns and rifles made by Holland & Holland, it is the “Royal” for which the company is perhaps best known. Striking a perfect balance between elegance and design, the Holland & Holland “Royal” side-by-side shotgun is the classic Best London gun. Each and every Holland & Holland is a unique product individually crafted for a specific customer whose preferences are always the company’s principal guide. Over 850 hours of highly-skilled precision work will go into creating this ultimate sporting gun. The epitome of reliability, the traditional “Royal” side-by-side enjoys a distinct advantage in the field. The Holland & Holland self-opening mechanism, widely copied by other gun makers, greatly assists with rapid loading. A matching pair of “Royal” shotguns in the hands of a competent shot and experienced loader may combine to be as effective against fast driven game birds as it is possible to be.

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gunmaker legacies

Cogswell &Harrison

I don’t know why I like company names that roll off the tongue, but I do. I like to see them in print and I like saying them. It is just a foible of mine. Maybe it’s my engineering background that started it, with names such as, “Guest, Keen and Nettlefold,” or as they are more commonly known nowadays as, GKN. I doubt there is a vehicle anywhere in the world that is not held together with

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a few dozen or so of their nuts and bolts. Then at the other end of the manufacturing scale we had, “Vickers Armstrong,” and “Hawker Siddeley Power Engineering,” and what about, “Harland and Wolff. OK they did not do such a great job on the titanic, but like many others it was a name with power behind the pronunciation. Google, and Twitter, whilst making hundreds of

millions of US dollars, in my humble opinion, just don’t have that charismatic name. And speaking of charisma there is a name that, for me, epitomizes what I am speaking about. I have promised myself that one day I will own a shotgun manufactured by, Cogswell and Harrison, not only because they are truly remarkable weapons, beautifully made and with a history that goes back over 200

by English craftsmen using only the finest material. Top of the line is the, Extra Quality Victoria, which features a stock made from specially selected French walnut and exquisite engraving, all made to the customers own specification. The double rifles are made by the same qualified craftsmen to the same exacting standards of material and workmanship that are synonymous to all firearms, and they are made in calibers from .300 to .600.

Maintenance and Repair

Cogswell and Harrison Regency years, but because I have a reason to keep on saying the name. Cogswell and Harrison. I just love the sound; I told you it was a foible of mine. Anyway, let’s look at the History of the name shall we? The company was established by Benjamin Cogswell in 1770 and had premises in the New Kent Road London for many years. By 1880 it had two shops, one at 226, The Strand, and the second at 142, New Bond Street. In 1908, Cogswell and Harrison acquired the company, Win Moore and Grey, of Craven Street, expanding the business further and shortly after that, in 1902, they opened up in Paris. In 1919, Claude Harrison, became associated with the firm, H. H. Hussey, to form the, Harrison and Hussey company, at 41 Albemarle Street, London. Finally in 1993, the current owners, the

Cooley family, purchases Cogswell and Harrison, and with Mike Cooley as, Chairman, and Alan Crew as, Director of Gun Making, run the business very successfully today. Especially as, Alan Crew, originally served his time with one of the other great and famous English gun making names, Purdey.

Gun Types. Cogswell and Harrison make a number of different types of guns but specialize in sporting guns. They have a range of side lock and box lock, side by side and over and under shotguns, as well as double rifles, all hand made to Cogswell and Harrison’s exacting standards. Two of their prestigious bespoke side by side guns are the, Round Body Victoria and, The Regency. Both guns are box lock and are made by hand

Your shotgun or rifle should always be in good repair and maintaining it is not only desirable it is essential. The main concern of course is that the gun is safe and you need the confidences of knowing that it will perform as you expect under adverse conditions, this is especially so with the double rifle when you are confronting dangerous game. You may also wish to up grade your weapon at some stage and if it is well maintained and in top class condition you will benefit from getting the best price when the time comes to part with it. No matter how well made or how well looked after, your gun will undoubtedly encounter some pretty arduous conditions at times and therefore it may need some repair doing to it occasionally and, Cogswell and Harrison, are well geared up to carry out the proper repair of your gun and at its, Maiden Green, workshop facility, Cogswell and Harrison, have all the necessary expertise under the supervision of Alan Crew, who himself served his time as a master gunsmith at Purdey’s. Your gun is important on a number of counts. Firstly, every responsible gun owner is concerned about safety. It is a fact that a well-maintained gun is a safe gun. A fine sporting gun will not only give you a lifetime of enjoyment in the field but will also be an asset for future generations to come and one investment that usually keeps ahead of inflation. ›

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As a service to its clients, Cogswell and Harrison, have a collection and delivery service through an arrangement with a specialist courier who will collect your gun for maintenance or repair and deliver it to the workshop. On inspection the craftsman will decide if additional work needs to be carried out and will inform the owner prior to the work being undertaken. Once the work is completed the gun is delivered back to its owner by the courier. This goes to show you the extent that the company will go to give personal service to their clients a trend that is not often found today.

Restoration, Re-barreling and restocking. A Cogswell and Harrison, gun is a possession that can be handed down from generation to generation and if properly looked after will rarely drop in value. So if you happen to have a shotgun that was purchase a hundred years ago, a not inconceivable possibility, and it is looking a bit the worse for ware, the, Maiden Green, facility can undertake complete renovations including re-barreling and restocking to your own measurements and your own choice of wood. Should re-barreling be undertaken of a, Cogswell and Harrison, or a, Harrison and Hussey, gun the records will still be with the companies and any re-barreling work carried out will be entered into the archives for future reference. It is worth mentioning that Cogswell and Harrison will provide you with a Certificate of Origin for most, Cogswell and Harrison, guns ever made, with the exception of a few records that were lost to a fire some years ago. The Certificate will detail all the origin specifications of the gun, along with the name of the initial purchaser and the price paid at the time.

Pre Owned Guns A fine selection of pre owned guns are available form, Cogswell and Harrison, and if you would like to own a “Coggy” at an affordable price then maybe you would

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Cogswell and Harrison Coggy .375 2 ½"

consider having a look at the selection on display on their website, or in the showroom. All re owned guns sold by, Cogswell and Harrison, are not offered for sale until they have been thoroughly inspected, and repaired if necessary, by Alan Crew and his team in the workshop.

Accessories. As well as locating old original gun cases, Cogswell and Harrison, offer a wide range of new gun cases which are made from fine English Oak and best quality leather, fitted out inside to house your prized possession in complete security. They also have a range of game cartridges in most of the popular game sizes. As the company is concerned about the environment the cartridges are made with paper cases and have fiber wads. Cleaning tools are also available from C&G to ensure

your precious possession is well looked after. So there we have it, if you want a shotgun from a maker who has been making them for 200 years and whose exacting standards are well respected in the industry, maybe a, Cogswell and Harrison, is for you. Just imagine going onto a shoot in the wilds of North Wales, or the vast plains of Arkansas, or the big game reserves of Africa, and when asked by your fellow guns, what is the make of weapon you are carrying you turn and smugly say. ”Oh this, it’s a “Coggy, you know, Cogswell and Harrison, old boy. Damn fine piece of kit.” Then of course your fellow hunter might reply. “It’s very nice, I will Google it when I get home, are you on Twitter, perhaps we can exchange details.” And you reply. “Why yes of course I am, would love to, why not.” I suppose one does have to keep up with the times. But if you have a soul you must see what I mean about the names.

gunmaker legacies

Oliver Winchester’s 200th Birthday

1866 HERITAGE + INNOVATION The legacy of “The American Legend™” is built on the innovation and entrepreneurship of one man: Oliver F. Winchester. In 2010, we celebrate Oliver's 200th birthday and pay respect to the Winchester® brand one of the most iconic names in America. As a tribute to Oliver, we've created a limited edition collector's series of ammunition to accompany the limited edition Model 1894™. It's our heritage that we're anxious to share.

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Equally important is our lineup of innovative new products. As an industry leader, Winchester introduces more meaningful products than its competition, delivering engineering excellence in all ammunition categories. In fact, for the second consecutive year, Winchester Ammunition has been recognized by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) with the group's "Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year" award. As we head into a new year, it's also very important that we thank You - our loyal customers. While the demand for ammunition products has been extraordinarily high this past year, Winchester operations have literally been working 24/7 to meet the growing needs of our customers.

WINCHESTER® AMMUNITION INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP While we hang our cap on innovative new products each year, there's more to the real story of Winchester Ammuniton. Some of the most devout sportsmen and women from all parts of the world know that no other company supports the outdoor and shooting sports industry like Winchester Ammunition. and. we're embracing new ways to reach and support you, our customer. In 2010, Winchester® Ammunition will pay tribute to Oliver Winchester’s 200th birthday by introducing the new Oliver F. Winchester commemorative line in 22 Long Rifle, 45 Colt and .30-30 Win. A limited edition Model 1894 centerfire rifle will be introduced in 2010 in honor of the

Winchester name as well. The Oliver F. Winchester limited edition cartridges feature a nickel-plated shell casing bearing a special “OFW” head-stamp. All of the offerings come in collectable vintage packaging and a biography of the man that helped “Win the West.” The 22 LR is a 40 gr. plated lead round nose, the 45 Colt cartridge is a 250 gr. lead round nose and the .30-30 Win is a 150 gr. power point.

“We should all appreciate the path that Oliver Winchester created for not only our company but the shooting sports industry,” said Dick Hammett, President of Winchester Ammunition. ›

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“Oliver Winchester was a pioneer and he left a legacy that we are proud to uphold. Without a doubt he’s one of the most famous names in the shooting sports industry and it’s only fitting that we pay tribute to his success during the year of his 200th birthday.”

The Oliver Winchester commemorative line features:

• 22 Long Rifle, 40 gr., plated lead round nose * X22LROFW: 20 rds/box-200 rounds/case • 45 Colt , 250 gr., Lead Round Nose * X45CBOFW: 50 rounds/box-500 rounds/case • 30-30 Win, 150 gr., Power Point * X30306OFW: 20 rounds/box-200 rounds/case

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Oliver Winchester was born November 30, 1810, in Boston, Mass. He began his career as a clothing manufacturer and a politician in New York and Connecticut. In 1850, he purchased the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company and later relocated the company to New Haven, Conn. In 1866, Winchester changed the name of his company to Winchester Repeating Arms and the first Winchester rifle, the Model 1866, was designed. The Winchester brand is still one of the most popular and dependable brands in the industry. For more information about Winchester and its complete line of products, visit www.winchester.com.

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 03 l November 2010

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Sauer &Sohn

Can you think about a name that is synonymous worldwide with the art of gun-making including its quality and perfection? Well, I can! Allow me to introduce you to

Sauer & Sohn and its legacy.

The oldest German Gun-makers

The Company Sauer & Sohn has driven gun production technology forward for the last 250 years and it continues to upgrade and improve its various selections of rifles and handguns. The establishment of this gun-making firm has allowed hunters and competition shooters to never feel unfulfilled and that is

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because there is always a gun to meet their challenging requirements. The reason for this: passion, experience, visual appeal and latest technology are embedded in to every handgun and rifle produced by Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest gun manufacturer.

By 1957, Sauer signed an important licensing agreement with the renowned American company, Weatherby and before the year was out, the company produced guns, bearing the Weatherby name for the US market. It was after this that the world recognized Sauer & Sohn for their expertise in gun production. Sauer was sold to an ammunition manufacturer in 1961 and then again to another in 1965 but this did not have any effect whatsoever on the advances being made in product development and production. As soon as 1972 hit the calendar, the company launched the present legendary Sauer 80 bolt-action rifle. The excellent quality, the precision and the smooth bolt action, made it a universal rifle, wanted by hunting enthusiasts worldwide.

History & Legacy Founded in 1751 in Suhl, Thuringia, Sauer & Sohn is the oldest firearms manufacturer in Germany that is still active. The company’s production remained there for two centuries before relocating to Eckernförde in 1951. They started off by producing defense and military weapons, eventually turning their focus to hunting guns. In 1870, Sauer & Sohn received their first major order. They produced over 150,000 military rifles for the German army leading the company to experience rapid growth over the next decade, thus expanding their production to include highly automated guns. By 1881, Sauer created a sensation with the commendation of their side-by-side rifle

at the World Fair. During this time, Sauer teamed up with Friedrick Krupp to develop steels for the production of high-quality barrels. 1918 is when Sauer rose to the challenge by producing typewriters and civilian weapons to survive economic difficulties following the First World War. The company based in Thuringia, further committed itself to the hunting rifle sector. In 1953, after World War II, Sauer successes and continues to multiply and they now have a workforce of about 500 in Eckernförde - a dedicated workforce that are improving existing products and developing newer ones.

In 1976, the ownership changed again. This time, SIG Holding AG, a Swiss industrial company, acquired majority of Sauer’s stock and two years later, the company produced the SIG Sauer P 225 police pistol. This handgun attains world recognition for its exceptional quality and it is now produced in large numbers. At the beginning of the 80s, SIG became the sole owner of the company and in 1984, a weaponry legend is born - A new generation of rifles began with the Sauer 200 bolt-action rifle, which received enthusiastic acclaim for its modular design and quick and easy barrel change. Till date, the company has made it a priority to use high-grade materials and processing methods core values, thus making them an exceptional gun-making establishment that is still respected. ›

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S202 Wolverine Into the wild blue yonder

The Modular Principle

A RIFLE THAT UNITES GENERATIONS. With more than 350,000 rifles sold, SAUER is the largest post-war manufacturer of repeaters. The experience gathered here is the driving force for innovation and our consistent concentration on the needs of hunters. And this is how we came to create the S 202, a repeater that is second to none in terms of form and function, technology and precision.

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Perfectly machined and manufactured parts are not only the basis on which the outstanding quality of the S 202 is built, but also the key to a functioning modular system, making it easy for hunters to choose the precise combination of various components to match their own, personal profiles.

Receiver This component, machined in one piece from solid metal, is the basic element of the SAUER 202. All other components are attached to this part. This principle guarantees consistently superior performance and versatility.

Six Locking Lugs

Ilaflon®

Magazine

The bolt opens smoothly at an angle of 60° with no risk of jamming. Six lugs lock the bolt directly in the special steel barrel. Barrel- and calibre changes are possible within the calibre category.

Ultimate rust protection is a standard feature thanks to Ilafl on® coating of all steel parts. Ilafl on® stood up to a whole series of tests without failing – even salt-spray tests in line with offi cial directives. The illustration shows a 48-hour test of Ilafl on® in salt water in a comparison with matt blued steel and a block of rust-resistant stainless steel.

The 2- to 5-round detachable magazine not only allows rapid reloading, it also simplifies transport in compliance with fi rearms regulations by avoiding any laborious

Safety The safety acts on the trigger and the cocking piece. Safety application can be seen or felt on the upper wrist and is released easily and silently directly in front of the trigger. When opening the chamber, it automatically enables the set trigger.

Two-Part Stock After removal of the front sling swivel, the fore end is easily detached by releasing the screws with the long hexagonal key and small 90° key supplied with each weapon. The same applies to the butt stock: here, the screw is accessed by inserting the key in a small hole in the rubber butt plate. Detaching the butt stock reduces the length for transportation or allows the exchange of a high-quality walnut stock for a rugged polymer alternative.

disassembly.

Muzzle Brake The detachable muzzle brake permits optimum kickback control, irrespective of with light stalking rifl es or powerful, highperformance calibres.

Competitive origins - proven terrain performance: the Wolverine masters extremely distant targets just as confi dently as close-up shots.

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outdoor adventure

The Joys of Nature

Camping and its importance. It is true that the world we live in today has made our lives so much easier - with all the technological advances in machines, services, satellite hook-ups etc. Many people might think it crazy to want to let go of the modern and artificial comfort that is provided to us, even if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only for a couple of days. Reconnecting with nature - I cannot for the life of me figure out why some people may find the phrase odd. It is indeed a very natural thing. In this article, the importance and necessity of camping underneath the stars will be revealed. The history of camping and the activity as a culture shall also be uncovered.

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How it all began Camping has been around almost as long as man. Tents have been used as shelter for armies in the midst of battle and for many other things. However, it is only by the late Victorian era, that camping has been thought of as a recreation activity. The first campsite originated on the Isle of Man in 1894. Only men were permitted to camp there. The site was opened only during the summer months and its popularity was so great that it drew 600 campers a week. This forced the owners to purchase more land so that they could receive more enthusiastic visitors. However, the real father of recreational camping is Thomas Hiram Holding. As a child, Holding crossed the American prairies with his parents. They were headed for the Oregon territory; hence he learned everything there was to know about camping from a very early age. Holding was a well-traveled man. In the 1880s, he took a canoe and camping trip in Scotland, followed by a cycling and camping trip in Ireland. During the second trip, the first use of portable camping equipment was marked. Holding designed these equipments himself. Following the trips, Holding published a book in 1898 about his experience, entitled Cycle and Camp in Connemara. In his book, Holding invited others who loved camping as much as he did to contact him. This resulted in the formation of the Association of Cycle Campers. It was formed in 1901 and had only 13 members. The group proved to be highly influential. As time passed, the organisation was rechristened the Camping and Caravanning Club. The name still holds till today, with well over a million members. The popularity of camping continued to grow during the first part of the 20th century. By the later 20th century, in the 1950s and 1960s, the main holiday options for most people were boarding houses. However,

the quality of camping gear was improving, hence allowing possible alternatives to the restrictive boarding house experiences. Since the 1970s, more people turned to camping all across the globe. They gave into the joy of exploring their countries in such a manner very similar to their ancestors. Nowadays, you will find even the younger generation camping at open air music and film festival sites.

The importance of Camping In today’s world, everything moves very quickly. We barely have time to stop and think as to why we are constantly running around. Fortunately, camping can change all of that and if I wish to discuss every benefit of the activity, it would very well take me a lifetime.

Uniting with Mother Nature To have the chance to witness the strength, beauty and mystery of nature is a very great and rewarding experience. The chance to sit down by a camp-fire in the wilderness

and finally play with the thoughts in your own head can be a wonderful thing for many individuals today since most of us don’t usually get a chance to reconnect with ourselves. Reconnecting with Nature allows us to do so. While you are out in the open, you have the chance to alert all your senses, especially your ability to hear. The sounds of Nature will truly amaze you and if you listen close enough, you never know - you might actually uncover some of Mother Nature’s secrets. There is so much to learn about everything including the world and life as you know it. The clear night sky will give you the opportunity to count the stars and study constellations. Heavy textbooks do not have to play a part. So, yes there are so many wonderful experiences when you unite with Nature and the best part is you do not necessarily have to be alone to indulge in them. One of the best things about camping is having your friends and family around to share in the warmth of the campfire. ›

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Survival Skills The basic necessities for human life are water, food, shelter and habitat. There are certain skills and techniques that every individual must learn in order to keep these necessities constant in order to survive, especially in the face of danger. These survival skills are abilities and ideas that our ancestors had to use for thousands of years. However, most people nowadays do not merely use them for survival but to better appreciate nature and for recreation. Camping allows us all to understand these techniques and perfect them. Being in remote areas without technology and connections to the world will force people to fend for themselves and others instead of depending on man-made technological advances.

Benefits of Family Camping All families can benefit from a camping trip. Yes, it is true that most kids wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to venture out into the wild with their parents, without their video games and music players. But eventually, everyone will realize that it was all for the best. Nature never fails to please a person, especially with her gorgeous mornings. The cheerful sounds of singing birds and the scent of clean and fresh air can be very rewarding. (It sure does beat the hammering of walls in an urban city and the awful smell of garbage trucks.) These gifts will always surely make any person wake up with a bright smile. The opportunity for kids to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life can and will do them good. It will relieve all sorts of stress and allows a family to unwind in the wild. A little bit of downtime from electronic gadgets, etc can also be very good for a family. This gives them the time to spend with each other in a more old-fashioned way. Parents and children can re-unite by playing games and catching up. Children can also

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accompany their fathers on a fishing trip and watch the sun set. There is all the time in the world to do such things that will release strength and closeness between all family members. When you are out in the open, and there is nothing else to do but talk, parents can teach their children the importance of survival skills and Nature. By the end of the camping trip, children will learn how to take care of themselves in the wild and the real world as well as making the effort to do their part in protecting the environment and keeping it safe from pollution, etc. They will also learn about the creatures and the plants of the world as well as their wonderful habitats. Last but not least, camping is fun! The lakes, animals, and roasted marshmallows - all make for a perfect and fun camping trip. Families that embark on such a trip shall go back to their real lives with a better understanding of the world, nature and themselves. They will be able to relate to each other far more than they can at home since their common ground

is nature. Their family bond will undoubtedly be stronger than ever. There isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really much to say about camping as a culture, except that all the above mentioned benefits allow camping to top the list as a favorite pastime and a strong tradition. Ever year, millions of families and individuals go camping at least once to experience a world without the daily rush and stress. Only harmony and a sense of being persist. The world around us has changed for centuries and will continue to change but one thing that will always remain constant is nature. Camping has never been more popular; it offers freedom and it is something the entire family can enjoy together as well as individuals. It will always remain a much loved experience and thank god for that! By: Ylova Hamdan

hunter's lounge

Sip,Savor & Smoke The story of Cigars My wife and I were at her corporate dinner the other night and I was sat next to a very pleasant gentleman from Germany who was visiting the local branch from its European headquarters. The conversation swung back and forwards touching on the financial crisis, the weather and our respective families, when my companion discreetly excused himself stating that he would be back presently. Thinking that he was answering the call of nature I concentrated on finishing my, Duck al la Orange, a personal favorite of mine, and raising my finger to the ever attentive waiter indicating to him that I would be much obliged if he would kindly replenish my glass of unremarkable, yet very palatable, red wine, when my neighbor reappeared. He my well have occasioned himself of a comfort break but this was not his sole purpose for leaving the company of the table as he was clutching in his right hand three slim metal cylinders and wearing a very broad smile.

somewhat of a cigar aficionado he found that he could not wait to check out their selection. Now the enlightened country I am speaking from has recently banned smoking of any kind in public places so my recently acquired friend was not able to smoke at the table, and even though I had only recently met him he seemed a true gentleman, and I have no doubt that he would not have done so even if it was allowed. He set them out in a neat row above his desert cutlery and would, from time to time, pick up one of the cylinders and without taking the cigar from its enclosure would, whilst speaking of all manner of things, use it to make a point, roll it between his thumb and fore finger or even draw it across his upper lip and smell it. What aroma he could detect from the aluminum tube I did not know as I firmly believed there were none to be had. But he did these things subconsciously, and quite lovingly.

companion paused for a moment, then gave a soft chuckle and with a little shake of his head apologized and said that he did not realize that he was doing any such thing. Not wanting to embarrass him I said that it did not offend or bother me in any way but it was out of curiosity only that I asked. After considering my question further his reply was what I would have expected. “Habit, I guess, and the desire to be using my hands for something, no matter how mundane”. He said that he had bought the three cigars because he liked to smoke them after dinner and before retiring as it relaxed him and therefore helped him to sleep. This seemed an acceptable reason to me and when I asked him about the health implications he told me that he used to smoke cigarettes and decided to quit, but did miss the association between having something to do with his hands and so decided that he would try the cigar but decided he would not inhale.

Apologizing once more for his absence he told me that he was advised earlier by the, maître d’hôtel, that the cocktail lounge on the mezzanine floor of the hotel had an enviable selection of fine cigars and being

As the dinner progressed and during a lull in our conversation I broached the subject of the cigars and as to why he continuously selected one, seemly at random, and fondled it in its cases in such a loving manner. My

I then asked him why he had bought three different brands cigars, to which he replied that the cigar is like anything else that a person tastes or savors, in that there are many different tastes and sensations from

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the same generic item. Take wine. In essence there are three basic varieties, red, white, and rose. But with these three basic wines comes hundreds and thousands of different tastes. The same thing applies to tobacco. Different leafs from different countries and different blends tastes differently and for a person who knows his tobacco then after a while he can choose the flavor that best suits his mood or requirement for any given moment. Ultimately the dinner came to an end and wishes for a good nights sleep were offered and whilst walking out of the dinning room with my new cigar smoking friend he told me that he was looking forward to sitting on his balcony, lighting up a Monte Cristo, and contemplating the universe for half an hour before retiring. My self I read before going to sleep, but each to his own, but it got me thinking more about the origins of the cigar and the varieties available and the whole culture of cigar smoking, because it is a culture. What I found might interest you, dear reader, so let me impart a little of what I found out. No one is really sure when the first person

decided that it was a good idea to set fire to a leaf of a plant growing wild in the jungles of Central America but as all school kids know it was the explorer Christopher Columbus who, on his famous voyage of 1492, discovered not only Cuba and the America’s but he became aware that the Cuban Indians took the tobacco leaves and dried them, rolled them in other large leaves and set fire to them inhaling the resulting smoke. Ever the adventurers these sailors eager for new experiences soon got the habit which eventually spread to Spain and Europe as the new world was opened up to other merchants and adventurers. As colonization took place and with the coming of the Conquistadores, smoking spread through out Spain, Portugal, France and Italy and as a consequence of Sir Walter Raleigh’s sojourn to America, into Britain. By the middle of the 16th century smoking had become prevalent in Europe and in Britain for instance it was usual to smoke tobacco through a pipe. Because most medicines do not have a pleasant taste, it was assumed that tobacco had medicinal properties by some, but as we know today it is not the case, quite the contrary.

By the early 1700’s tobacco was being grown in America on a commercial basis and along with cotton became a very lucrative crop for the early farmers. It was not until around 1760 that the cigar as we know it today became into being in Europe. During this period it was the tobacco leaves that were brought from Cuba and made into Cigars in Europe and North America as it was much easier to transport the flat tobacco leaves that bring in already rolled tobacco in the form of cigars’ which could be easily damaged. It is believed that the word, Cigar, originated from the Mayan word, sikar, which translates as, smoke, and this ultimately translates into Spanish as, ciggaro, hence cigar. By the late 1700’s early 1800’s small cigar industries were setting up in France and Germany as well as Holland. In France and Britain cigar smoking became popular after the returning solders from the Peninsular wars made cigar smoking a fashionable custom which they learned whilst serving in Spain. It was a sort of right of passage if you whish as to be seen indulging in the new fashion some how you were associated with being involved in worldly travel, a pastime in those times only open to the merchants and the solders fighting for the expansion of the realm. This was, after all, a long time before package holidays to distant shores and to be seen smoking was a statement of your extraordinary achievements in a way. ›

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It was in the first half of the 1800’s that cigar manufacturing started in Britain proper, and because of the import duty imposed on foreign cigars an Act of Parliament was needed to regulate the local production and taxes were imposed on cigars which made them relatively expensive and therefore a luxury item and an indicator of status. An image that some people, somewhat misguidedly, still cling to. As with any fashionable item there are different qualities of the product, and tobacco in the form of cigars was no exception. European smokers were demanding finer cigars than those produced in Spain and as Cuba was accepted as producing some of the best cigars in the world, the Cuban cigar was seen as the epitome of cigar smoking, and that reputation remains today. By the late 19th century the smoking of cigars had become so popular in Britain and France that the railways of those countries as well as others in Europe provided smoking carriages on their trains, and hotels and gentlemen’s clubs provided smoking rooms where the, usually, male guests could retire to after dinner to partake of a snifter of brandy or a glass of port and a cigar. The tradition of after dinner smoking was boosted in the Victorian era by the Prince of Wales, who was an avid cigar smoker much to the annoyance of Queen Victoria, who did not approve of smoking at all. Nowadays cigars come in many different sizes and are graded in three thicknesses or ring size. Normally the largest commercial cigar will have a ring size of 64, a number that equates to a width of 1inch. Therefore if your cigar has a ring size of 32 the width would be ½ an inch. There are basically three gauges of cigar which are; Thick, Medium and Thin gauge. These range from ring sizes 64, down to a ring size of 25, and many sizes in between. The largest cigars such as, Gigantes and Presidentes, have ring sizes up to 64 or 1inch. Whereas a small cigar,

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such as the Demi-Tasse, or the Laquito No3, will have ring sizes of 32 and 26 respectively. The larger the ring size the thicker the cigars and if you have a heavy draw then you should opt for the larger size as this ensure that the taste is smooth. A heavy draw on a slim cigar tends to make the smoke taste bitter. Cuban cigars are widely accepted as the best in the world and it is from Cuba that the tobacco for the most expensive cigar in the world is said to com from. The Spanish company of Altadis produced the, “Behike,” cigars and they were at the time the most expensive in the world. Named after a Cuban Indian chief of the Taino tribe, and the Cohibi brand were produced in a limited quantity of four thousand and sold inboxes of forty, each box costing $ 18,846.00. That makes each cigar smoked costs a whopping $420.00. However, these have since been overshadowed as the most expensive by

the Gurkha premier cigar, “His Majesty’s Reserve.” These are made from the finest tobaccos available which is soaked in, what can arguably be said to be, the finest cognac today, the Louis XIII Cognac, in a process that does not affect the tobacco taste. These cigars are made in limited edition quantities each year and are distributed to only the most prestigious retailers by the company president himself and should you wish to partake of one of these masterpieces then you had better expect to have your bank account debited by the sum of $750.00. I think you need to be a dedicated cigar devotee to pay that price for a smoke, but you can be assured that there will never be sufficient on the market to satisfy the demand. I feel that I would sleep easier knowing that my bedtime read costs me about $15.00., than knowing that I had just seen $750.00 go up in smoke. But I know it means more than that to the true connoisseur. And after all its only money.

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Cook Your

Hunt

As we are getting towards the colder months I am sure by now you must have some venison and some game birds in your chiller/freezer from successful hunts so I thought I would give you a couple of recipes that are both comforting and seasonal. The first one is a relatively easy, Venison Casserole, whilst the second is a little more challenging but is very impressive for that special holiday dinner, or any special occasion where you want to impress.

Venison Casserole with Sliced Potatoes

This meal is great if you have just come home after a cold day in the field, shooting pheasant or grouse, or been on a long deer stalk. It’s also ideal if you have just popped down to the supermarket as well. The weights and measurements of the ingredients I am giving will serve four, so if you have more guests just increase accordingly. If you have less make up the quantity I am giving as any left will keep for later.

Ingredients • 800g venison fillet cut into largish cubes, but I like to make them small enough so that you don’t have to cut them up when eating. • 2 large onions coarsely chopped. • 3 carrots diced. • 700g of medium sized potatoes. • 2 garlic cloves or 2 tea spoons of crushed garlic. • 3 good tea spoons of Herbs de Provence. • 1 Bay leaf. • 400ml of beef stock, either the real deal or use stock cube or granules to taste. Personally I do like to taste some flavor in my stock and that is why I would add:• 500ml of robust red wine. • 1 good table spoon of cranberry jelly. • 4 tablespoons of olive oil • ¼ cup of plain flour. • Salt and pepper to taste.

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Preparation: First peel the potatoes and slice into 1cm thick slices and fry them in a little oil until brown on the outside but not cooked thru. They will cook nicely on top of the meat in the casserole. When ready take them out of the pan and save them on one side in a dish or on a plate. Now add about one table spoon of olive oil to the pan and on a medium heat sauté the onions till they just go translucent (so you can see through them). Add the garlic and the cranberry jelly and cook for a minute or so until the jelly starts to bubble. Take the pan off the heat and remove the onions etc into the casserole dish you are going to use and put to one side. Do not clean the frying pan as we will seal the venison in this. Tip the flour into

Ingredients • 1 turkey about 7kg. • 1 whole venison tenderloin. • 1 plump pheasant. • 1 plump partridge. • 1.25 kg of pork sausage meat. This is optional, if you do not eat pork, use sage and onion stuffing, you will need two large packets.(Get three, just in case). I find the stuffing you get from the store is great and believe me you will have enough to do without making your own bread stuffing. • 2 large and finely chopped onions. • 1 bunch each of sage and parsley, chopped. • 1 jar of course Dijon mustard. • 200g of butter • 250g of bacon. Again this is optional. • One large needle and string to sew up the bird. DO NOT use plastic string as it will obviously melt in the oven. You need natural fiber string as used for binding meat. • Salt and pepper to taste.

a large bowl along with the salt and pepper to taste then add the cubed venison and with clean hands toss the meat into the flour making sure it is well coated. Return the frying pan, that you cooked the onions in, back to medium heat and add more olive oil and the meat and cook it till it is nicely sealed and brown. Don’t cook too long as it will cook slowly in the casserole. When ready transfer the venison into the casserole dish along with the onions. Now add the remaining flour into the frying pan to absorb all the juices that have come from the meat and add the stock to the pan and gently stir until it simmers to let it absorb all the flavors. Once the stock and the residue of the onions and meat are combined, carefully pour it over the meat and onions in the casserole dish and add the carrots. There is no need

to boil the carrots beforehand as they will cook in the casserole. Now add the red wine and the Herbs de Provence and bay leaf and, stirring gently to mix the contents, bring the whole thing to the boil on a low heat on the stove top, but make sure your casserole dish is suitable for direct heat. Cast iron ones are great for both oven and stove top. Once the casserole is simmering remove from the heat and cover the top with a layer of the potatoes prepared earlier. It is a little like, Lancashire Hot Pot, but we are using venison not lamb. Put a lid on the casserole and pop it into your pre heated oven for two hours at 160 deg C. For the last 20 minutes remove the lid of the casserole turn the temperature up to 200 deg C. to let the potatoes crisp slightly but do not let them burn. Serve with some nice crusty bread if you wish, and enjoy.

Stuffed Turkey You might say what is so special about stuffed turkey; we always do stuffing for turkey at Holiday time, right? Wrong! Not stuffed like this. We are going to stuff our bird with three other meats. If we were to do it absolutely correctly we would be using up to five different meats to stuff the bird with and by all means feel free to do so your self, but I do find that more than three becomes a bit of a chore. Very impressive no doubt but the margin of error with five is exponentially more challenging than using just three. We don’t want to be sending the kids to the store for a pre cooked chicken with all the family eagerly awaiting the holiday feast because things went a bit wrong, do we? What am going to advocate here is that you start with a big turkey say 6.5 to 7 kg bird. Get the best you can, free range would be great but if you use a frozen one make sure it is thawed out properly in accordance with

the instructions on the label. A pre basted one is best and it is better to pay a bit more for the quality than to spoil what is going to be a right royal feast for the sake of a few pennies. OK. We have the turkey, Now what else do we need. Well, I would suggest two more birds and a good piece of venison fillet. Its your choice, Pheasant, Grouse or Partridge, what ever you can get hold of or what you have hanging in you chiller or garage. As mentioned I am stuffing with three meats only but, if you feel adventurous, go for it and use more birds plus the venison. Now I will give you the ingredients below then tell you how to prepare them and in what order. This will serve lots, twelve with ease, depending on appetite. ›

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with an other layer of stuffing for the venison to sit on. Fill any gap or cavities with more of the stuffing until the whole turkey cavity is filled. It may be worth while to have that other packet of stuffing on standby in case you do not have enough. Even if you use the sausage meat you could fill in any gaps with sage and onion stuffing which will protect the birds whilst cooking, don’t worry too much about the appearance at this stage as once its on the table it will look very impressive and taste absolutely divine. Once our turkey is fully stuffed we must lace up the whole thing with our, NOT, plastic string and big needle ensuring we do not tear the skin otherwise the whole thing will fall apart when cooking. Stitch all the way to the neck and fold the neck skin over the neck opening and again sew this up.

Preparation: Not too many ingredients but it’s the way you put them together that truly matters. How to bone the birds? The easy way is to say to your butcher. “Mr. Butcher, please bone these birds”. Job done. But if you feel you want to do them yourself it’s not that difficult if you follow these instructions. What is vitally important is that you do not need to remove the wings and legs of the turkey as you do the other birds, only its breast cage. You are going to need a smallish but very sharp knife, a fish knife or a paring knife is ideal, and some heavy duty kitchens scissors or game shears, preferably. First you need to take out the back bone by laying the bird on to its back and cutting it out with the shears. Remove the wings and legs (not the turkeys) then cut between the meat and the ribs working your way forward on either side. Do not cut the skin as this keeps all the meat together. Then cut under the bird leaving you

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with a skeleton you can remove and two nice breast attaché to the skin. You should then remove the leg bone by cutting along the length of the bone, then working it all the way round with the point of the knife. That should leave you with a deboned bird. Don’t worry too much about the appearance of the stuffing birds as these will be inside the turkey and no one will be taking a picture of them inside there. OK let’s get started. First make the stuffing. If its store bought just follow the instructions on the packets. If you decide to make pork sausage meat stuffing just add the meat to the finely chopped onions, sage and parsley and four good table spoons of the mustard and mix very well. Lay the turkey on its back on a large work surface or big chopping board. Layer a wall of stuffing around the inside of the turkey then add the pheasant on top of this with another layer of stuffing on top of the pheasant, then add the partridge

Once we have the bird trussed up lay it on a wire trivet in a roasting pan, cover the whole bird with butter and cover with the slices of bacon and just lay a piece of foil over the top to prevent it burning in the initial stages of cooking. Roast for one and a half to two hours at 180deg C, gas mark 4, then remove the foil and increase the temperature to around 220 deg c, gas mark 7, for a further 45 to 60 minutes until the turkey is golden brown. To make sure the birds are all cooked, using a BBQ kebab skewer. Or similar, insert it into the center of the feast and the juices should run clear and the skewer should be very hot to the touch indicating that the birds and the meat are cooked through inside the turkey. Once you are happy that it is cooked to perfection allow the whole thing to stand for 45 to 50 minutes to let the meat rest and settle before carving. The feast should be accompanied with roast or mashed potatoes and season vegetables, such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. If you can get hold of some fresh cranberries still on the vine you could lay them around the serving dish as a garnish.

hunting packages

travel

Azerbaijan Duck Hunting in Azerbaijan 2010

Comfortable accommodation, fine cuisine, helpful staff, professional hunting organization, and an amazing number of game are waiting for professional bird hunters in Azerbaijan. It is not a rare case when skilled hunters can get up to 150 ducks at one morning. We have a records man among our hunters who managed to get 400 ducks in a day. Hunting area: Hunt is organized on shallow lakes, perfect feeding place for ducks. Transfer from Baku to the hunting camp takes 3 hours 220km. Hunting terms: 15 of October 2011 - 20 of March 2012. Accommodation: Comfortable hunting house with all modern conveniences. Inside the house there are three rooms based on doubleoccupancy. Professional cook from Baku will serve you with the fine national and European cuisine.

Hunter

Trip/Hunting days

3x3 Hunting including trophy

$ 2,950

4 days / 3 days hunt

4x5 Hunting including trophy

$ 2,750

4 days / 3 days hunt

Additional hunting day

$ 450

BOOKING AND PAYMENT:

Hunting schedule: Day 1

Arrival in Baku, custom formalities, transfer by car to the base camp

Day 2-4

3 days of hunting

Day 5

Back to Baku, departure

Romania ‘Duck and Wild Goose Chase’

NET PRICE : $ 2,850/-

hunting packages

travel

South Africa South Africa Experience

4 HUNTING DAYS 5 NIGHTS IN SINGLE ROOM PACKAGE INCLUDES: • Board and lodging (4 nights) starting with dinner during arrival evening until breakfast in the morning of departure. • Lodging in single room with bathroom (4*/5*). • Beers and wine included, any other spirits will be extras. • Shooting license during the whole hunting time with official invitation card. • Professional hunters(PH) / trackers with hunting dogs. • Transfer airport-hunting farms. • Hunting set-up. • PACKAGE WITHOUT KILL LIMITS. • Head game preservation in cold storage room.

PROGRAM PRICE 2,375$/-

At your disposal: • Guns Beretta cal 12,- .30$ /day • Rifles for game shooting • Guns bullets 12 caliber, lead 00/0/2/3/8/9 – 14$ per box (25shots) • Taxidermist available on request with extra charge • Photographer on request with extra charge

The package does not include: • Out and home airplane/bus ticket/visas/travel insurance • International veterinary certificate

IMPORTANT! • Counseled fowling time from 01/05/11 to 31/08/11 Game shooting available, pricelist on demand. Reservations must be done 45 days prior departure, with our acknowledgment • Advance at reservation 50% • Outstanding amount (other 50%) payable before departure • Additional hunting day 500 $

For more information about Hunting Packages please contact:

Mr. Joe Balesh, at Hunting & Safari

Mr. Marc Aaraj

Tel: 00961 71 768211 • Mob: 00971 50 551 5957

Mob: 00961 70 424666

Email: jbalesh@mailme.ae / hsmagazine.travel@gmail.com

Email: m_aaraj@hotmail.com

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