10 things to do for airgunners at The Game Fair 2019

If airguns are your thing then you’ll want to head to The Game Fair 2019 at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire from July 26-28 to try new kit, get advice and even have the chance to win a £1,000 airgun. Here are ten things to do at the event

1. Have a go

Whether you are new to the sport or want to test your skills, the Airgun Zone boasts wooden, purpose-built airgun ranges, with an array of guns, scopes and pellets for you to try out.

Enthusiasts and experts will be on hand to offer tuition if it's your first time to help you hit some targets or perhaps give you a few friendly pointers to improve your technique. You can't miss the ranges - they'll be close to the Red Entrance near the Night Vision Tunnel and Gamekeepers Area.

2. Try before you buy

Top brands like Crosman, FX and Kral, among others, will have their latest gear for you to try out before you part with your hard-earned cash. Just visit the relevant stands for a chat and see the options, then pull the trigger on the smart ranges and see which airgun is right for you.

3. Win a Daystate!

Once again, The Game Fair will be running the Daystate Challenge, the winner over the weekend walking away with a stunning £1,000 Daystate Huntsman Regal airgun.

The exact format of the competition is still under wraps but it is likely to combine long-range shooting with speed, so you'll need to get your eye in quickly.

4. Try an Olympic sport

New for this year, Walton Lions Airgun Club from Birmingham will be setting up its own stand next to the ranges for visitors to find out more about the sport, the law surrounding airguns and the various Olympic disciplines before having a go at some of them yourself. You can even tackle the latest solar-powered targets, making it eco and environmentally friendly.

5. Learn about night vision

Another new feature is a purpose-built night-vision tunnel that is sure to be the talk of the show.

You'll be able to find out about and experience the latest night-vision kit for yourself in a dedicated blackout tunnel, sponsored by top distributor Thomas Jacks and its Pulsar and Yukon brands. It's a unique and exciting opportunity to compare some of the biggest NV brands available.

6. Test the best optics

On top of the night-vision tunnel will be a specially designed platform where you can experience many famous optics brands. Test out rifle scopes, binoculars and maybe even thermal-imaging kit.

The night-vision tunnel and optics platform will be close to Entrance A, with the airgun ranges nearby.

7. Get advice from BASC

Next to The Game Fair's ranges, you'll find experts from the British Association for Shooting & Conservation, who will have even more targets for you to try your hand.

They'll be offering advice, guidance and training and you can find out more about the organisation's work. Don't forget that being a member of BASC also gets you complimentary entry to The Game Fair on all three days.

8. Meet the Air Gunner team

New Air Gunner magazine editor, Dave Barham, and a host of writers and will be around during the weekend, eager to chat and meet visitors, swap stories or just offer some words of wisdom.

You'll also have the chance to meet airgun expert, Terry Doe, on the stand, which is in Gunmakers' Row on the main road near the top of the Retail Village.

9. Get insured

Find out about getting valuable third party liability insurance up to £2 million through the British Airgun Shooters' Association. Signing up also gets you a subscription to Air Gunner or Airgun World magazine plus limited edition BASA merchandise and discounts on airgun purchases at selected shops.

10. Try something new

If you have bought your next airgun, scope or more accessories, then why not give some of the other country pursuits on show at The Game Fair a go? There's a clay line for shotgun enthusiasts, casting pools and have-a-go fishing tuition on the river, falconry, working and gundog displays, a retail village, food village and even a Ginmakers' Row. Or just relax with a drink at the Gunmakers' Pub or Cider Quarter - the latter is just in front of the airgun ranges.

The Game Fair 2018 takes place at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, from Friday, July 26 - Sunday, July 28. For details and to book tickets in advance (and save money) visit thegamefair.org.