This story is sponsored by The National Shooting Show.
Fieldsports fans are in for a treat if they go along to the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate from May 11-12, 2024 where The National Shooting Show (NSS) is being held.
Clay shooting, airgunning, HFT shooting, practical shooting and fullbore target shooting are all on offer. For non-shooters there are working dog displays, ferreting, falconry, archery and axe throwing too – the event promises to be an event the whole family can enjoy.
You may have known of the National Shooting Show under its previous guise as The Northern Shooting Show, so why the name change?
James Gower, CEO of organisers Stable Events explained:
“We looked where visitors to the show were coming from and rather than being focused on the north, people were coming from all over the UK – from London to Cornwall, Wales and the Midlands.
“So it was obviously a show of national interest and we changed the name to illustrate this. There are no plans to take it down south – we’ve also signed up for Harrogate in 2025 too.”
Try before you buy
Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of the NSS is that it enables visitors to try guns and optics outside on a range and see how kit they’re interested in buying handles.
(Image: The National Shooting Show)
Key figures from the worlds of stalking, keeping, clay shooting, wild food, gun dog training and pigeon shooting are acting as ‘ambassadors’ for the NSS. All will be present at the NSS, giving talks and on hand to answer questions and give useful tips.
Experiences
Ever fancied trying a .50 calibre rifle? Well, that’s just one of the experiences on offer, thanks to the Fifty Calibre Shooters Association (UK), which is offering visitors a rare chance to learn how to handle, load and aim a .50 calibre rifle under careful instruction.
Airsoft devotees will be pleased to hear that this fast-paced combat game is on offer at the Airsoft experience.
Not forgetting dogs
Watching a well-trained gun dog at work is a joy and Kirkbourne Spaniels will be running the BASC-sponsored scurry, as well as holding a working test competition. There is also a dog creche run by a qualified vet.
(Image: The National Shooting Show)
Talks
In the symposium area, figures from the world of fieldsports will be discussing the hot topics of the day. It is the perfect place to sit back, watch and listen when a rest is in order.
Food, glorious food
The Shooting Lodge is a great place to catch up with friends over a pint and a new cafe area will be offering wild game and venison.
Those searching for culinary inspiration will find it in BASC Hunter’s Kitchen, where game chefs will create new dishes for all levels of cookery skills, using nature’s larder.