The winners of the 2022 Top Shots photography competition have been announced, after more than 1,400 entries.
Such was the quality of entries, the judging panel, which was made up of BASC staff, had a difficult time deciding on a shortlist of just three finalists in each of the three categories: Wildlife and conservation; Working dogs; and In the field.
Then it was up to The Game Fair-going public to choose the category winners.
In a dedicated ‘media’ area on the BASC main stand at Ragley Hall, our gallery of nine photographs proved a popular attraction; 700 votes were cast across the course of three days.
So, to the results…
WINNER: TONY RAINE
“I was originally hoping to get a few photos of a brown hare that evening, when I spotted a white blob perched on a fence post. As I got closer I noticed it was a barn owl. It took off and started hunting as I drew level with it.
“I sat and waited with my camera. Lucky for me it came back towards me. I had to make some quick setting changes as it was backlit by the setting sun, but I managed to get a few shots before it set off on another hunting loop. It didn’t come back a second time. I was surprised to see the results of my unplanned photo session and was over the moon with this particular shot.”
Tony wins a pair of Swarovski CL Companion 8×30 binoculars.
WINNER: ANDREW Cavanagh
The time I spend at Goldbrook Gundogs is never wasted. Tom, the owner, an accredited trainer, invited me along to see what I could capture.
After taking images of his working pack, Tom then let his pup out to have a play with the pheasant toy. I could see the pup was very keen so decided to try and capture a moment of the new beginnings between the pup and handler. Moments like this make it all worthwhile.
Andrew wins a Skinner’s Field & Trial food and treats bundle.
WINNER: ANDREW YATES
This image is from a commission on Clune and Corrybrough Estates. I was there to photograph German longhaired pointers working on walked-up grouse, but the party also included Hungarian vizslas and English setters.
As we walked across the moor, a setter was working in front of me and went on point, one of the Guns moved into position and I got myself behind him to compose the shot, hoping the birds would fly forward… And for once everything fell into place and a single bird flushed and flew between the dog and the Gun, allowing me to capture that moment as the bird lifted and the Gun reacted and started to mount his gun. The composition along with the colours just make the shot.
Andrew wins four Albert and Maurice shirts plus a £750 voucher to spend with Philip Morris & Son.
There are several clear winners as a result of controlled heather burning in our upland environments, as Alex Farrell explains. Cool burning is a traditional land management practice used in moorland and upland areas of the UK. Also known as muirburn or controlled heather burning, it is used primarily to manage heather (Calluna vulgaris). The
Pushing ahead with scheme in its current state risks undermining efforts to manage Scotland’s uplands effectively.
BASC is asking its members and supporters to promote the benefits of grouse shooting to their local MPs and push back against a Wild Justice petition.
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