As autumn arrives, the March edition of Australian Shooter  contains a 14-page duck season special, focusing on the gear, guns, ammo and etiquette required for this popular discipline. Read John McDougall’s feature on everything you need to know for a successful duck shooting season.

Also in this edition, Ian Ferrier discusses a right-handed rifle for a left-handed shooter, and senior correspondent John Dunn attends a weekend knife-making course at the Tharwa Valley Forge near Canberra.

On a more competitive note, SSAA President Geoff Jones looks ahead to this month’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and invites members to back the online petition to have shooting reinstated to the 2022 Games in Birmingham.

Put through their paces by our expert reviewers this month are the new Sako 85 Carbon Wolf rifle, which is already creating a buzz, and the Savage B22 FVSS, an ideal starting rifle for recreational hunters.

We move into 2018 in fine style with the February edition of Australian Shooter by unveiling SSAA’s exciting new partnership with David Ireland. Known across the globe as The Wildlife Man, David adorns the cover to bolster the launch of a video series detailing steps to follow to safely enjoy the experience of the great outdoors. David’s ground-breaking wildlife films have aired on major television networks. Come February, the 10-episode series will be available on our SSAA TV YouTube channel, found at ssaa.org.au/ssaatv

Another new feature in the magazine is a question and answer segment, which will see some of our expert writers deal with readers’ queries on all aspects of firearms topics. SSAA President Geoff Jones certainly echoes the upbeat mood in his monthly message. Geoff feels that the SSAA is flourishing as never before with the opportunity to expand the shooting sports at an all-time high.

On a sad note, we bid farewell to editor Kaye Jenkins, who stands down after being at the helm for almost 13 years.

Con Kapralos reviews a Howa M1500 rifle fitted with a GRS Berserk stock and chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor; John McDougall field-tests the Axis S&H shotgun from Fabarm and John Dunn puts the Schultz and Larsen Hunter Traveller rifle under the microscope. Benjamin Unten examines the feature-rich ATN X-sight II HD 5-20x Day/Night riflescope, while Paul Miller takes a look through a pair of Rudy Project Rydon shooting glasses. SSAA-LA’s Kate Fantinel pens a wrap-up of the national firearms amnesty and an account of how volunteers’ resilience is paying off for the rare Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby. Senior correspondent Rod Pascoe tries out CCI’s Copper .22 rimfire cartridge and Lionel Swift provides a in-depth guide on cleaning double-barrel shotgun actions. Assistant Editor Dave Rose gets to know the latest SSAA Bursary recipient and sharp-shooter ‘Jeremiah’ traces his shotgun all the way back to her Royal Majesty. Dick Eussen assesses the unique Compact M1911 Folder knife and Donna Partridge reunites with the Heart of the Huntress cast for a successful weekend hunt.  

John McDougall reviews the GK01 Sporting 12-gauge over-and-under shotgun from Turkish manufacturer Radikal, while John Hill treats himself to a good birthday present in the form of a Savage Model 16 FCSS Weather Warrior rifle chambered in .223 Remington. SSAA-LA’s Kate Fantinel explains that gun murders are driven by poverty and inequality, not gun availability. Peter Bindon tries out a set of folding Walther Pro knives, Geoff Smith tracks his bullets with the Labradar chronograph and Con Kapralos takes a look at down the SIG Sauer Tango6 5-30×56 scope. Alek Wadi reconnects with the Berthier Mousqueton Mle M16 French service carbine, RF Noonan explores the surprising history of his ‘American’ Lithgow No.1 Mk III and senior correspondent John Dunn is impressed with Browning’s T-Bolt Mossy Oak Bottomlands rifle. Communications Officer finds out how junior shooter Nick McConnell went at the SSAA 2017 National Junior Challenge.

Paul Miller tests Walther’s MaximaThor .22LR-calibre precharged pneumatic repeating air rifle and Con Kapralos reviews the Anschutz 1771D German ‘hogsback’ stock rifle in .204 Ruger calibre. Assistant Editor Dave Rose explains the SSAA’s involvement with the Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust, while Media and Political Officer Kate Fantinel discusses the SSAA-sponsored sambar study and gives a full recap on the Brisbane SSAA SHOT Expo. Daniel O’Dea is impressed with the Uzkon LA887 lever-action shotgun, while John Hill performs some gunsmithing on a Sako L461 Vixen rifle. John McDougall puts Spartan shotshells through their paces, Communications Officer Sam Talbot tries out virtual hunting in Hunting Simulator and the Action Trackchair all-abilities vehicle gets taken for a spin. We meet junior member Sinee Khanprasert, and senior correspondent John Dunn looks back on the life and times of Australian hunting legend, Bob Penfold.

Paul Miller reviews the Stoeger ATAC Synthetic Combo .177-calibre air rifle, while John McDougall takes to the range and field with the Bettinsoli Evo Silver over-and-under 12-gauge shotgun. SSAA-LA’s Kate Fantinel explains just how uncommon gun theft is across Australia and why some of the most popular shooting events have been dropped from the Olympics, and SSAA National CEO Tim Bannister reports on the activities of the Association over the past year. Don Caswell examines Moondyne Ghost Eye trail cameras and Trevor Vivian hunts sambar with master hunter Noel O’Connor. John Gillis provides a guide on modifying the Super Simplex press, Royce Wilson takes goes on a tour of the refurbished Imperial War Museum in London, and John Dunn gets prepared for the Australian Arms Auction in Melbourne. Communications Officer Sam Talbot finds out about custom-made earplugs from Earmold Australia and speaks to junior hunter Gus Storey.

Thomas Tabor reviews the Savage B22 F sporter rifle chambered in the very popular .22LR calibre and Neil Wheatley tests the Impact Black PCP .22-calibre air rifle from Swedish manufacturer, FX. John McDougall puts Miroku’s Mk 10 Trap shotgun through its paces, while it’s bad news for Ruger which has issued a recall on its Mark IV pistols. SSAA members give their feedback on our interview with the RSPCA, and SSAA-LA’s Kate Fantinel points out the lack of NFA-related ideas in the Sydney Siege findings and how the SSAA secured a successful national firearms amnesty model. Brad Allen gets a mixed bag while hunting with his boys, while Con Kapralos looks at Burris’s Droptine riflescopes and Benjamin Unten is impressed by the SmartRest Quad Rest. Communications Officer Sam Talbot reports on all the action from the Melbourne SSAA SHOT Expo and speaks to junior shooter Blake Papworth.

Con Kapralos inspects the feature-rich Thompson/Center Compass rifle, while Don Caswell reviews Howa’s 1500 Mini Action Sporter rifle and Daniel O’Dea tests the H-S Precision Sporter Lightweight hunting rifle. In an exclusive interview, the SSAA asks the RSPCA some tough questions about hunting and animal welfare policies. Senior correspondent Rod Pascoe examines the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60×52 scope and Brad Allen puts Ledlenser’s MT18 torch under the spotlight. Darren Marks takes to the field with his sons and father to find some grunters on their annual family hunting trip, while Lionel Swift tells the story of second-generation gunsmith Peter Schwarz. SSAA-LA’s Kate Fantinel explains where a New Zealand firearms inquiry went wrong, while Communications Officer Sam Talbot covers what happened at our second range day for the Parliamentary Friends of Shooting group, and speaks with Olympian and junior shooter Aislin Jones.