Shooting Times & Country

Method in the madness and mayhem

Standing on a platform a dozen feet above the frost-bitten ground, the brightening blue sky overhead disguised the below-freezing temperature. The sun slowly rising through a deciduous forest and the lifting mist created a magnificent scene for the day’s events.

In the forest in front of me, there were horns blowing and dogs barking, along with what I can only describe as all-out mayhem. Behind me, there were patches of open ground that, with any luck, wild boar would move into at any given second.

My cheeks were straining to control the grin that was spreading across my face. Adrenaline levels were, at that point, frankly uncontrollable. It was my second trip wild boar hunting and I was in absolute ecstasy.

Rule changes

One day earlier, the adrenaline was peaking for a very different reason. I was approaching Eurotunnel border control at Folkestone. No matter how much preparation you undertake, travelling with firearms always causes slight apprehension.

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