Hot Barrels!
Shooting Superstition, Facts and Fallacies
Published on 14. August 2025
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-84689-444-2 (ISBN)
Description
Anyone who has been at all involved in game shooting for any length of time will, over the years, have undoubtedly gained a great deal of knowledge regarding how to shoot a high pheasant, train a gun dog, use 'best practice' incubation techniques and run a shooting day with expertise. Tried and tested, such knowledge is proven and sound, but have you ever had cause to ponder on some of the lesser-known realities and possible myths connected to many other aspects of the sport?
Ponder no more for, in this book can be found the answers to almost any and every shoot day-related question that you've ever wanted to know. Within its covers are exposed the superstitions of some game shots and keepers; commonly held beliefs explained; 'facts' declared fallacies and, conversely, theories that might, on first hearing, seem somewhat suspect, given credence as a result of scientific research.
Can, for instance, a grouse fly faster than a partridge? Is it that, as it seems, a pheasant's hearing becomes more astute as the shooting season progresses - and could, as has often been claimed, a pheasant on the south coast of England during World War One have actually heard the sounds of military fire many miles away across the English Channel?
Why was Napoleon once chased by rabbits and why might today's gamekeepers be interested to know of an Act passed by Henry VIII in 1566? Keepers and shoot captains alike will certainly be interested to read as to whether or not it's true that some strains of pheasants are more likely to wander over the boundary than others, whilst those with dogs will want to know if, as is sometimes claimed, 'a good gun dog can ever be a bad colour'.
The truth behind the origins of some items of sporting clothing are explained, as are the reasons why one should never say goodbye to fellow Guns whilst standing on a bridge! In amongst it all, much mention is made of general rural life and weather lore. As to the latter, it seems that it's more worthwhile taking note of some of the old sayings than it is modern weather forecasters - particularly when attempting to shoot snipe in winter, or pigeons in the fog.
There's no doubt that this, at times, somewhat quirky tome will be of widespread interest to all who love being out in the shooting field at no matter what level. Well researched, and with outstanding tongue-in-cheek illustrations from the incredibly talented Bryn Parry, Hot Barrels! is sure to inform, amuse, entertain and educate.
Ponder no more for, in this book can be found the answers to almost any and every shoot day-related question that you've ever wanted to know. Within its covers are exposed the superstitions of some game shots and keepers; commonly held beliefs explained; 'facts' declared fallacies and, conversely, theories that might, on first hearing, seem somewhat suspect, given credence as a result of scientific research.
Can, for instance, a grouse fly faster than a partridge? Is it that, as it seems, a pheasant's hearing becomes more astute as the shooting season progresses - and could, as has often been claimed, a pheasant on the south coast of England during World War One have actually heard the sounds of military fire many miles away across the English Channel?
Why was Napoleon once chased by rabbits and why might today's gamekeepers be interested to know of an Act passed by Henry VIII in 1566? Keepers and shoot captains alike will certainly be interested to read as to whether or not it's true that some strains of pheasants are more likely to wander over the boundary than others, whilst those with dogs will want to know if, as is sometimes claimed, 'a good gun dog can ever be a bad colour'.
The truth behind the origins of some items of sporting clothing are explained, as are the reasons why one should never say goodbye to fellow Guns whilst standing on a bridge! In amongst it all, much mention is made of general rural life and weather lore. As to the latter, it seems that it's more worthwhile taking note of some of the old sayings than it is modern weather forecasters - particularly when attempting to shoot snipe in winter, or pigeons in the fog.
There's no doubt that this, at times, somewhat quirky tome will be of widespread interest to all who love being out in the shooting field at no matter what level. Well researched, and with outstanding tongue-in-cheek illustrations from the incredibly talented Bryn Parry, Hot Barrels! is sure to inform, amuse, entertain and educate.
Reviews / Votes
Hot Barrels would make an excellent Christmas present for the keen fieldsports enthusiast. * British Country Sports * Author J C Jeremy Hobson offers a fun and informative look at the many myths connected to shooting and the shoot day based on his own observations and those of fellow Guns from over the years. He tackles questions from whether a grouse can really fly faster than a partridge to if a pheasant's hearing improves as the season progresses. * Shooting Times * I don't know how the Quiller publishing house manage to persuade such well-known and illustrious artists and cartoonists to illustrate their books but I'm so glad they do... Hot Barrels! will certainly bring a smile to your face. There's much of Hobson's trademark quirkiness in evidence, plenty to learn and lots of 'I never knew that' information contained within its 192 pages. -- Guy Williams * The Countryman's Weekly * Appealing to any country sports enthusiasts, this fascinating, fun and informative book explores the myths and realities connected with shooting and the shooting day. With answers to almost any question you've ever had about the shoot day, superstitions are exposed, facts separated from fallacies, and theories expounded in this quirky exploration of the sport. Well-researched and wittily illustrated by famed cartoonist Bryn Parry, it's a book bound to amuse and educate. * Countryside Magazine * For anyone involved in shooting, Hot Barrels! will delight, intrigue, and amuse. Bryn's brilliantly crafted cartoons are instantly familiar and provide a perfect match to Jeremy Hobson's well-researched and executed narrative. * Keeping the Balance * 'The late, great Bryn Parry's illustrations bring amusement to Jeremy Hobson's wise words in Hot Barrels!' * Country Life Magazine, August 2025 * Hot Barrels! is as fun as it is informative. Bryn Parry's superb cartoons bring this book alive, giving it a real character. As the subtitle suggests, you are taken into the dark and mysterious world of shooting superstitions, which many of us can relate to. For example, are you one of those Guns who believe that that if you don't connect with the first two shots, the rest of the day's shooting will be a washout? This fascinating book also gives plenty of practical advice on all sorts of topics drawn from Jeremy Hobson's sporting experience and wide reading.No matter how long you have been shooting, there is something in this book that will surprise, inform and educate you. It would be an ideal gift for a sporting person, or an excellent way to sit and read in front of a roaring fire. -- Matt Clark * Sporting Gun * Renowned sporting author Jeremy Hobson brings together shooting truths and myths in a fun, exciting and informative way in his new title, Hot Barrels! cartoonist Bryn Parry's topical illustrations are featured throughout, making this quirky book the perfect Christmas gift for all shooting enthusiasts. * Fieldsports *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Illustrations
50 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 179 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
612 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84689-444-2 (9781846894442)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2025
Quiller Publishing Ltd
€18.72
Available for download
Persons
Jeremy Hobson has been a professional freelance writer and author since 2004 but began writing long before that. He is a Member of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists, with countless magazine articles and over 30 published book titles to his name. Jeremy's subject matter is generally rural-based, on field sports; farming; smallholdings; chicken-keeping and working dogs. Bryn Parry CBE (1956-2023) was one of Britain's best-known countryside cartoonists. Bryn was the naughty schoolboy doodling in the margins of his textbooks. He drew cartoons while serving in the army and finally decided to turn his hobby into a living. His work will be instantly familiar to anyone with a passion for the countryside, shooting and badly behaved dogs. His cartoons appeared in country magazines and he illustrated countless products with his witty, detailed and perceptive pictures. Bryn's bestsellers are Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Shooting Types, Horses for Courses, Sex in the Country, 101 Shooting Excuses and, with his wife Emma, Home on the Range. In 2007, Bryn and Emma successfully established the Help for Heroes foundation.
Content
Acknowledgements
Preface
Guns and Shooting Days
What the Papers Say
Choose your Weapons
Gamekeepers and Gamekeeping
Big Bags, Roadkill and Bragging Rights
What to Wear
Old Wives' Tales
It's my Delight
Watching Wildlife
Fact or Fancy?
Strange but True
Sporting Domesticity
Dog Days
Bibliography
Further Reading
References and Sources
Preface
Guns and Shooting Days
What the Papers Say
Choose your Weapons
Gamekeepers and Gamekeeping
Big Bags, Roadkill and Bragging Rights
What to Wear
Old Wives' Tales
It's my Delight
Watching Wildlife
Fact or Fancy?
Strange but True
Sporting Domesticity
Dog Days
Bibliography
Further Reading
References and Sources