Archive for field sports

Photo stalking the red deer stags on Ben Damh

This 8-pointer stag is in the height of the rut, roaring to demonstrate his willingness to fight for the chance to mate with the hinds.

This 8-pointer stag is in the height of the rut, roaring to demonstrate his willingness to fight for the chance to mate with the hinds.

If you have already read chapter 14 of The Ethical Carnivore, you will understand this is a little bit of a postscript… Read more

Why eating squirrel can be the ethical option

Preparing squirrel to a Nigella recipe.

Preparing squirrel to a Nigella recipe.


In the latest update to The Ethical Carnivore project, I eat grey squirrel killed as part of a programme to protect the red population. Read more

In which I meet my illustrator…

Learning to shoot with Chris Wheatley-Hubbard of Four Feathers. Illustration by Sam Goodlet.

Learning to shoot with Chris Wheatley-Hubbard of Four Feathers. Illustration by Sam Goodlet. I like my ‘flippers’, like I could swim away…

The Ethical Carnivore is to be illustrated by Sam Goodlet, a talented artist and a vegan… Read more

Hitting the target – but not how you think – with the BBC & Scottish Field

My rifle skills are improving but does that mean I'll make a clean shot?

My rifle skills are improving but does that mean I’ll make a clean shot?

My year spent only eating animals I have killed myself has featured on the BBC and in Scottish Field, leading to some expected ribbing about ‘glamorous’ photos with guns and some unexpected conclusions about the nature of shooting. Read more

The Easter Bunny: Overcoming Watership Down

Rabbit features in much of our childhood literature but it will also feature in the kill to eat diet.

Rabbit features in much of our childhood literature but it will also feature in the kill to eat diet.

I am often asked why I have not eaten more rabbit on this journey. The simple answer is that it takes time to learn to shoot a rabbit properly. There is also the Watership Down problem. Read more

My first shooting season

I spent the winter learning about shooting

I spent the winter learning how to shoot

I grew up in the countryside, so it may seem strange to call this my first shooting season. But this is the first time I’ve actually held a gun. Read more