Podcast · Tech & Science

The ShootHub Podcast

by ITap Group · English · Tech & Science

A podcast for anyone with an interest in the running of a game shoot, whether that’s a small farm shoot, a DIY syndicate, a big private estate or a commercial shoot.

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 53 min
Latest: 15 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 7 minNew

Small Shoot Secrets from the GWCT - Part 1

We booked a GWCT advisory visit and walked both our shoots with Senior Advisor Mike Swan. Here's what he found, from ancient woodland nobody knew was there to why your release pen might be holding birds back. Book your advisory visit: https://www.gwct.org.uk/advisory/face-to-face-advice/book-a-visit/ MAGIC map: https://magic.defra.gov.uk/ This is the government map Mike explains for checking designations such as SSSIs and ancient woodland.

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E34 · 23 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Horner's How To Hold 'Em Episode
Jamie Horner is back, fresh off one of his best starts to a season at Iford in eleven years, and this time he's joined by Clare, ForFarmers' new leisure coordinator. They dig into how this year's drought shaped rearing and cover crops, why feed diversity (not just protein on a bag) is what actually holds birds, and the small changes making a big difference to plumage and flight. The conversation widens out into game feed pricing, deer management, and a frank chat about how shooting needs to be more open, better organised and louder about the conservation work it already funds.
E33 · 10 Sep 2026 · 44 min
Bag Sizes, Booking Behaviour & The Truth About Shoot Profits
In this episode, Digby talks through what this year's Game Shooting Census reveals: a season finally settling into stability after years of post-Covid and bird flu turbulence, and bird prices moving roughly in line with inflation. How big is the average bag size, and why does it come as a surprise to almost everyone? Are guns or shoots moving faster on the switch to non-toxic shot? And why are guns booking their days later than ever? We also cover the conservation work shoots fund entirely themselves with zero public money, the reality that only a handful of shoots ever turn a profit, and…
E32 · 27 Aug 2026 · 34 min
How to Hold Onto Your Birds and All Things Keepering - Part 2
Professional gamekeeper Rob Barnard runs two estates and shares the reality behind the job on his YouTube channel, A Gamekeeper's Diary. In part two of this two part series, Rob talks about swapping his Shooting Times column for YouTube, the nerves of putting himself on camera, and how he deals with online trolls and hate comments. We also cover predator control as ecosystem management rather than eradication, the biggest misconception about gamekeeping, juggling the job with a young family, and why he'd never swap the title "gamekeeper" for anything else.
E31 · 13 Aug 2026 · 45 min
How to Hold Onto Your Birds, and All Things Keepering - Part 1
Professional gamekeeper Rob Barnard runs two estates and shares the reality behind the job on his YouTube channel, A Gamekeeper's Diary. In part one of this two part series, Rob talks about growing up on a small family shoot, the tough break into keepering, a year in Belgium, and turning down a headkeeper job in Romania. We also cover the isolation of rural work, leaning on the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust, his take on stopping birds from wandering off, and whether rearing your own poults is worth it.
E30 · 22 Jul 2026 · 59 min
Do Released Game Birds Really Harm Insects?
Dr Rufus Sage, head of lowland game bird research at the GWCT, joins the ShootHub Podcast to respond to claims made in the BBC's Secret Garden series, which suggested released game birds are damaging Britain's native ecosystems.
E29 · 7 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
PART 2 - From Field to Food Chain: Selling Game Successfully
In part two, Leon Challis-Davies returns to talk to Avian and Gemma about the commercial side of the industry: what buyers actually want, how shoots can add real value to what they produce, and where the UK game meat sector is heading next. Whether you're supplying a local dealer or thinking bigger, this one's worth a listen.
E28 · 29 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
PART 1 - From Field to Food Chain: Producing Saleable Game
What happens after the shot matters just as much as the shot itself. In part one of this two-part conversation, Gemma and Avian sit down with Leon Challis-Davies of Eat Wild to find out what it really takes to produce game that's fit for the food chain.
E27 · 17 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Counting What Counts: The Case for Data-Driven Shoot Management
In this episode we dive into one of the most quietly important shifts happening across shoots and estates right now: the move towards proper data and evidence-based management. Our guests David Butler and Jodie Case from Perdix Wildlife Solutions have built a platform designed specifically for the countryside, and they make a compelling case for why the keeper who's "managed fine for 30 years" might want to pay attention. We cover what Perdix Pro actually does on the ground, how simple (or not) it is to get started, and why data is becoming harder to ignore when conservation bodies, owners…
E26 · 13 May 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
Margins, Misconceptions and Making it work
In this episode we open with a grouse season update before diving into the big question: sim shooting is everywhere right now, but is it actually worth it for your shoot? Edd breaks down what works, what doesn't, and what estates consistently get wrong. Plus we chat about Sports Mutual, what is it? who is it for?
E25 · 16 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Seeing in the Dark
This month on the ShootHub Podcast, Gemma and Avian are joined by Richard Prideaux and Paul Stewart from Scott Country International to explore the rapidly evolving world of thermal imaging, night vision and infrared technology in the countryside. From the early days of lamps and limited visibility to today’s highly capable and accessible kit, this conversation looks at how night technology has transformed predator control, gamekeeping and wider countryside work. Richard and Paul break down the differences between systems, share practical advice on choosing the right setup, and discuss the…
E24 · 17 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
The Unsung Heros of the Countryside: Inside the Schöffel Awards
This month on the ShootHub Podcast, Gemma and Avian are joined by Marcus Janssen, Managing Director at Schöffel Country. The conversation focuses on The Schöffel Countryside Awards, exploring why they were created and the important role they play in recognising those working to protect and enhance the British countryside. Marcus shares how the awards began, what the judges look for, and why celebrating good work on the ground matters more than ever.
E23 · 5 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
Is This the Most Misunderstood Part of Gamekeeping?
This month on the ShootHub Podcast, Gemma and Avian are joined by Matthew Goodall from the GWCT to tackle one of the most debated parts of modern gamekeeping: predator control. Often misunderstood by those outside the shooting world, Matthew explains why it plays such a vital role in conservation, how it’s carried out responsibly, and why the conversation around it so often misses the bigger ecological picture.
E22 · 6 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
Policy, Pressure and the Future of Shooting
This month on the ShootHub Podcast, Gemma and Avian are joined by Dr Conor O’Gorman, Head of Policy and Campaigns at BASC. With more than two decades at the sharp end of conservation and legislation, Conor talks through the pressures facing shooting today, from general licences and ammunition to public perception, policy changes and what shoots should be focusing on over the coming years.
E21 · 9 Dec 2025 · 59 min
Winning Awards and Wandering Foxes - The Bisterne Estate
This week on the ShootHub Podcast, Gemma and Avian are joined by Rupert Brewer, Game & Wildlife Manager at the award-winning Bisterne Estate. Fresh from winning the Schöffel Working Conservation Award, Rupert talks about balancing a busy farm and shoot with serious conservation work, from redshank and lapwing successes to the realities of pens, predators and holding birds through winter. Proudly sponsored by: St Davids Vets: https://www.stdavids-poultryteam.co.uk/ Solway Feeders: https://www.solwayfeeders.com/ Marsdens Game Feeds: https://www.forfarmers.co.uk/game-feeds/marsdens-game-feeds…
E20 · 21 Oct 2025 · 52 min
The Host's Survival Guide
This week on the ShootHub Podcast, Gemma and Avian are joined by Paul Childerley, deer stalker, shoot manager, Fieldsports Channel regular, and all-round country legend. With the season in full swing, the trio talk all things hosting: what makes a great day in the field, the small touches Guns remember, and how to strike the perfect balance between sport, food, and fun. Proudly sponsored by: St Davids Vets: https://www.stdavids-poultryteam.co.uk/ Solway Feeders: https://www.solwayfeeders.com/ Marsdens Game Feeds: https://www.forfarmers.co.uk/game-feeds/marsdens-game-feeds Treesco:…
E19 · 11 Sep 2025 · 53 min
The Deal With Steel
Charlie Bull, founder and CEO of Just Cartridges, joins Gemma and Avian on this month’s ShootHub Podcast. They explore how Just Cartridges began, the growth of the business, and the challenges of running one of the UK’s leading cartridge suppliers. The conversation ranges from the ongoing debate around steel and future legislation, to trends in simulated shooting, chokes, cartridge choice, and what the future holds for Guns. Proudly sponsored by: St Davids Vets: https://www.stdavids-poultryteam.co.uk/ Solway Feeders: https://www.solwayfeeders.com/ Treesco:…
E18 · 26 Aug 2025 · 40 min
How Much Does Shooting Cost?
This month Gemma shares an episode from the GunsOnPegs Podcast, where George and Digby unpack the 2025 Game Shooting and Shoot Owner Census. The pair discuss everything from rising costs and shifting buying habits to the vital conservation work carried out by shoots. They round things off by building their dream shooting line-up of characters past, present, and fictional.
E17 · 22 Jul 2025 · 48 min
Jamie Horner's Advice Corner
Jamie Horner returns to the ShootHub Podcast for a no-nonsense episode packed with practical advice for shoots of all shapes and sizes. As account manager at Marsdens Game Feeds and the man in charge at Iford Downs, Jamie brings a wealth of experience on feeding regimes, habitat management, and holding birds where they’re needed most. Hosted by Gemma and Avian, this episode covers everything from feed prices and new innovations, to the benefits of shared pegs, wild bird conservation, and how to get the best from your ground without spending a fortune. With thanks to the ShootHub partners:…
E16 · 9 Jun 2025 · 53 min
How to rear a better bird
In this episode, Gemma is joined by Avian (from The GunsOnPegs Podcast) and special guest Dr Joah Madden, a leading researcher in gamebird ecology. They explore the science behind post-release survival and discuss what breeders and keepers can do to improve outcomes. The conversation also covers predator control and the wider environmental impact of gamebird releasing. Links to some of Dr Joah Madden's research: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10344-018-1199-5 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsos.160008…
E15 · 11 Dec 2024 · 27 min
How to Navigate the Challenges of a Game Keeper's Life
In this episode, Gemma and Digby start by discussing some recent correspondence that included a beater's noise. Later, Gemma is joined by Helen, who answers some tough questions sent in by listeners, and they explore the vital work of the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust in supporting gamekeepers, ghillies, and stalkers.
E14 · 13 Nov 2024 · 51 min
How to become a Gamekeeper
In this episode, Digby and Gemma dive into the world of Gamekeeping with Curtis Mossop as this month's guest. The three explore the steps to becoming a gamekeeper, including insights into the current gamekeeping courses and the skills they cover. They also discuss the BASC outreach programs, which are helping to bridge the gap between rural communities and the shooting world, inviting those unfamiliar with gamekeeping to engage and learn.
E13 · 30 Sep 2024 · 38 min
How to feed your guns for £2
In this episode, Hugo Campbell Hill aka The Game Glutton speaks to Digby and Gemma about the world of hospitality from a shoots perspective. Hugo shares some simple tips and tricks about how to make life that little bit easier when preparing food for a shoot day.
E12 · 12 Sep 2024 · 47 min
How much does a pheasant really cost this year?
As we head into a brand new shooting season George and Digby delve into the results of the 2024 Game Shooting and Shoot Owner Census to answer the biggest questions in shooting: How much does a pheasant cost this year, and how does it compare to last year? What is the average bag size that guns shoot, and has that number changed over time? And, perhaps most importantly, what is the most popular fine for shooting the white pheasant?
E11 · 24 Jul 2024 · 26 min
Game Processing
Alan Hayward joins Digby and Gemma on this month's episode of the ShootHub podcast. Alan works at Oakland Parks, a game processing plant that is doing things differently. The three discuss Oakland Park's pledge to pay 50p per bird if shot with non-toxic cartridges and how we all need to be treating shot game differently.
E10 · 9 May 2024 · 53 min
Woodland Management
Ross Guyton, woodland division manager at Oakbank, joins Digby and Gemma to talk all things Woodland on this month's episode. Ross shares industry insights into woodland management, the most common mistakes and misconceptions, and what you can do on your shoot to improve your woodland. Changes in government subsidies and funding mean that there are lots of exciting and new opportunities to improve the Woodland on your shoot, increase bio diversity and create new habitat for game birds and wildlife.
E9 · 5 Apr 2024 · 59 min
Lead Shot Latest
Terry Behan, BASC East's Regional Director, joins Gemma and Digby to look back on the last five year since the combined shooting organisations proposed a voluntary phase out of lead ammunition. He reflects on the progress that has been made in that time, tackles some of the most common myths and misconceptions about lead shot and the non-toxic alternatives. He also shares some tips for shoot owners and managers to help them navigate the transition away from lead shot over the coming years.
E8 · 1 Mar 2024 · 53 min
The Game Meat Market - Dylan Williams
In this episode of the ShootHub Podcast Gemma, George and Digby are joined at the microphones by Dylan Williams.Dylan has spent his career in the shooting industry, founding the Royal Berkshire shooting school and now is heavily involved within a number of different shooting businesses and organisations. He was instrumental in the formation of British Game Assurance in 2017 and continues to have a major role to play in Eat Wild and the marketing of game to the wider public. Dylan shares some some of the latest triumphs of Eat Wild and underlines the importance of assurance to the future of…
E7 · 16 Nov 2023 · 39 min
Mid-Season Report
After an unplanned recording haitus, Digby and George return and are joined by GunsOnPegs' new Shoot Account Manager Gemma Raymond. The team discuss the season so far, the challenge of selling shoot days and pegs in the current financial climate, and suggest some tactics and strategies to try in order to shift the last few dates, as well as how to get ahead of the game for next season.
E6 · 16 Jun 2023 · 52 min
Running a syndicate - Sam Phillips
Syndicates are the building blocks of the UK game shooting community, 45% of shoots run primarily as a syndicate. Syndicates not only provide wonderful shooting opportunities and conservation, but are often keystones in their local communities, bringing likeminded folk together to share a passion for the countryside. Sam Phillips, who runs a syndicate in Lincolnshire, joins us to discuss the joys and challenges of managing a shoot like this, and how he's managed to keep everything going despite the difficulties of the last few seasons. To complete the Game Shooting Census, click hereTo…

About The ShootHub Podcast

A podcast for anyone with an interest in the running of a game shoot, whether that’s a small farm shoot, a DIY syndicate, a big private estate or a commercial shoot.

The ShootHub Podcast is a English tech & science podcast from ITap Group. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: ITap Group
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 53 min
Latest episode: 15 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1650968491

RSS feed Apple Podcasts

More English tech & science

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.