Fieldsports channel, the largest online hunting and outdoor channel from the United Kingdom, published in a video the results of a survey conducted by Fieldtester among their followers and those of Fieldsports Channel. The survey was sent to Fieldsports Channel viewers in March 2020, 700 of whom completed the questionnaire. In total, Fieldtester used 3500 completed questionnaires.
Several questions were asked and we are happy to list the results. We are also curious whether this is the case in Belgium or whether it is slightly different here. Which is most likely the case because of the different interpretation we give to hunting in itself. There are simply slightly more drive hunts on the continent than across the channel ?. Moreover, the regulations in both our countries are different as well as the accommodation.
Still, we don’t want to withhold the results from you, so here are them:
Activities that are carried out:
- Deer stalking (Bers/sit-down hunt for cervids) at 38%
- Foxshooters/vermin control (control of nuisance species) at 31%
- Target shooters (Target shooting) at 15%
- Wild boar shooters (wild boar hunters) à 11%
- Big game overseas (hunting on the continent) at 5%
It should be noted that there is overlap within the different categories. All target shooters, wild boar hunters and big game hunters on the continent also hunt other species in the UK. 16% of the deer stalkers only do this and nothing else, just like 12% of the fox shooters.
- Popular calibers:
If you would like to open a barrel full of worms, you only have to start a discussion about which caliber is the best! Do I hear some Creedmoor lovers there? Unfortunately not the most shot caliber, not even in the UK. Below is an overview of the most shot calibers in the UK. Again, probably other results in Belgium
- The famous .243 Win at 26%
- An old acquaintance, the .308 Win at 18%
- .223 Rem at 11%
- 6.5×55 mm at 9%
- .30-06 Spr à 7%
- .222 Rem at 4%
- .22-250 Rem at 3%
- 5mm Creedmoor à 3%
- .279 Win at 3%
- .300 Win Mag at 3%
- .375 H&H at 3%
- .300 WSM at 3%
- 0ther à 12%
- The weapons themselves:
About after the weapons because no activity could be carried out without a suitable weapon. There are several criteria that are important when purchasing a weapon and depending on the criteria, there are other brands that win. Reliability, appearance/ergonomics, precision and after-sales service were the main criteria for which the Danish brand Schultz & Larsen won (does anyone know this one?). Savage arms won the value for the price you pay for criteria and Bergara excelled as the brand that makes the most fitting weapons for the shooters who use them.
Over to the most used brands of which the top three looks like this.
- Tikka
- Sako
- Blaser
Finnish quality from the Beretta stable clearly convinces many Englishmen, with us these are a little less visible where the number 3 from the UK reaches higher peaks here. Could it have something to do with what our arms dealers offer/promote well on the market?
Finally, the top 6 most used models, after the brand also quite important.
- Tikka T3
- Blaser R8
- Sako 85
- HOWA 1500
- Remington 700
- Browning X-Bolt
So we have a strong feeling that the results of a Survey in Belgium will be slightly different. This is due to the forms of hunting and probably the tradition as well as the supply of certain items. But maybe a boost for all of us.
So hereby a warm appeal to fill in the survey for yourself and share the results with us, then we can give an overview for Belgium and why not also a similar questionnaire for hail weapons? The answers for a similar field tester questionnaire will follow soon.
Wishing you all of your Covid-safe activities.
Editor Tom Van de Maele
